Chapter Twenty-Five

Summary

• The narrative starts with characters emerging from a cave into morning light and encountering Professor Grady.
• Rhiannon and the protagonist discuss acquiring a patch as a symbol of overcoming a challenge.
• Dain avoids the protagonist, who does not push for conversation, considering his recent respectful actions.
• Ridoc expresses concerns about the protagonist isolating themselves, suggesting they should relax and socialize more.
• Sawyer agrees, noting the protagonist's detachment due to bonding with a dragon mated to a rider from a different year.
• Rhiannon reveals that a character named Sorrel died during an interrogation, adding to the loss suffered during the protagonists' absence.
• Unusual behavior from a scribe cadet and a group of First Wing squads hints at tension and curiosity regarding a "classified patch" that the protagonist's group wears.
• The main discussion revolves around how the protagonist's squad escaped interrogation without disclosing any secrets or methods.
• There is a significant plot twist when it's discovered that Zolya has fallen, and the protagonists react to the shocking news of a city destroyed by dragon fire, raising questions of propaganda versus truth.
• There is disbelief among the characters as they debate whether the leaflet announcing Zolya's fall is a genuine report or a crafted piece of propaganda for an exercise about critical assessment.
• The professor, Markham, dismisses the valid concerns of the protagonist's squad, framing the entire situation as an educational exercise on propaganda.
• Markham then moves to distract the room from the leaflets' content with the revelation of a great achievement by Colonel Nolon, obscuring the events of Zolya's fall.
• A cliffhanger ensues as it's announced that Jack Barlowe, a character presumed dead, is revealed to have survived under Nolon's care, setting the stage for future conflict.