In Battle Brief, Violet and her friends confront the shock of Jack Barlowe’s survival. Jack nods to Violet, unsettling the group. Tairn warns Violet to stay wary, noting Baide hid the truth. Violet insists she’s fine and resolves to watch him, while Ridoc and Sawyer suggest eliminating the renewed threat.

Professor Markham shifts the room to official business, yielding the floor to Professor Devera. Devera announces an unprecedented outpost attack involving three drifts and identifies the target: Samara. She states the outpost was defended by three riders not on patrol; no riders died, but one was severely wounded. Devera subtly scratches the left side of her neck, signaling to Violet that Xaden is the injured rider.

The implication shatters Violet’s composure. Driven by fear for Xaden and the pull of her bond, she decides she cannot remain. She rises and leaves despite Markham’s shouted warning that she doesn’t have leave. Tairn urges her to reach the courtyard immediately, matching Violet’s urgency to fly to Samara without delay.

As Violet rushes through the hall, a voice calls out; she spins with a drawn dagger before recognizing Bodhi. Bodhi thrusts a flight jacket at her so she won’t freeze en route, and, understanding the compulsion is coming through Tairn, tells her to go. Violet accepts, gathers her gear, and races out to launch.