Chapter Twelve

Summary

• Lieutenant Xaden Rierson recalls Sgaeyl choosing him for his ruthlessness and reflects on his resemblance to his grandfather.
• The outpost is located high in the Esben Mountains, remote and secluded with the nearest village half an hour away by flight.
• Tairn warns about the outpost's brutality on initial assignments, especially to Xaden.
• Xaden feels heightened sensitivity to the strong wards of the outpost due to his signet having manifested.
• The fortress has a substantial garrison, including two companies of infantry and eighteen dragons with their riders.
• Xaden observes harsh discipline at the outpost, such as a man caged on the wall.
• Tairn informs Xaden of a drift—a group of dragons—on the other side of the mountains, indicating their proximity to the front line.
• Xaden reassures himself upon safely entering the fortress.
• Xaden searches for his roommate in the nearly deserted barracks and senses his nearby presence but is unable to find him in his room.
• Exploring the outpost, Xaden stumbles upon a brutal spectator sport involving the riders, confirming the outpost's ruthlessness.
• Xaden spots Lieutenant Xaden Rierson winning his fight for a leave pass in the underground pit.
• Cornelia Sahalie, a fellow rider, introduces herself, revealing the outpost's high-stakes culture where leave passes are fought for physically.
• A deep connection between Xaden and the protagonist becomes evident as they share intense eye contact and an emotional exchange during the fight.
• Xaden wins the fight, opting only for a 24-hour pass indicating his intent to spend time with the protagonist.
• The protagonist struggles with the conflict between desire and hesitancy in progressing her relationship with Xaden.
• Xaden articulates his feelings, expressing a desire for a deeper relationship and not just physical intimacy, which surprises the protagonist.
• There is a noticeable shift in their dynamic, with Xaden seeking more emotional commitment and the protagonist confronting trust issues.
• Xaden emphasizes his interest in regaining the protagonist's trust and refuses to use sex as a means to do so.
• They debate their mutual distrust, with Xaden asserting the necessity of trust even amidst secrets for their relationship to work.
• Xaden offers to bring food to the protagonist after she expresses the need to clean up, revealing he has a private bath because no one wants to share space with Fen Rierson's son.
• The protagonist and Xaden share a moment of routine with Xaden fixing a weapon while she grooms herself after a meal.
• Xaden reveals that the outpost's wards are powered by a special alloy that needs to be imbued with power by riders.
• The conversation touches on the nature of the alloy used in daggers to kill venin and boost outpost wards.
• The protagonist and Xaden conclude the night by practicing enhancing mental shields, hinting at both their connection and Xaden's confidence in the protagonist's abilities.