AFTERWORD

Chapter 11

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Overview

Presentation Day arrives, and Violet must complete the Gauntlet obstacle course to reach the flight field for dragon bonding. After practicing and refining her approach to the treacherous course, she uses unconventional methods—a rope and her dagger—to overcome the obstacles designed to defeat her, including the chimney and final ramp. She successfully reaches the top but faces accusations of cheating from rival wingleader Amber Mavis, which Xaden Riorson resolves by citing the Codex's rules about items carried across the parapet becoming part of a rider's person.

Summary

The chapter opens with Violet still struggling through practice sessions of the Gauntlet, particularly the chimney and mounting ramp designed to simulate dragon scaling. She decides to stay and attempt Presentation rather than flee to the Scribe Quadrant, choosing to prove herself despite the danger. Presentation Day begins with Captain Fitzgibbons reading the names of cadets who have died in the past weeks, including several Violet knew, before ordering first-years to run the Gauntlet. Dain repeatedly pleads with Violet to change her mind and flee, but she refuses, asserting she has chosen to stay. As she ascends the Gauntlet, Violet improvises solutions: she drags a rope horizontally across the chimney structure to climb it using the rope for leverage rather than conventional climbing, and for the final ramp—an nearly vertical obstacle meant to test mounting a dragon—she charges up it and uses her large dagger as a final handhold to pull herself over the top. Her methods prompt Amber Mavis, a rival wingleader, to accuse her of cheating by using foreign materials. Violet counters by citing Codex Article Three, Section Six, Addendum B, which grants any item a rider carries across the parapet the status of part of their person, making her dagger legally an extension of herself rather than an external tool. Xaden, serving as recorder, accepts her argument and dismisses Amber's protest. After reaching the top, Violet realizes her hands have been shredded by the rope and dagger, but her entire squad successfully completes the course.

Characters

  • Violet Sorrengailprotagonist who completes the Gauntlet using improvised methods and defends her approach using Codex law
  • Rhiannonsquadmate and close friend who encourages Violet and helps bandage her hands after completion
  • Dain Aetoswingleader of Violet's squad who repeatedly begs her to flee rather than attempt Presentation
  • Xaden Riorsonwingleader of Fourth Wing who records times and rules in Violet's favor regarding the legality of her dagger
  • Amber Mavisrival wingleader from Third Wing who accuses Violet of cheating and challenges Xaden's decision
  • Garricksection leader of Fourth Wing who physically blocks Amber from confronting Xaden
  • Captain Fitzgibbonsofficial who reads the names of fallen cadets at the start of Presentation Day
  • Ridocsquadmate who cheers Violet's success and helps celebrate at the top of the course
  • Tynansquadmate who participates in the Gauntlet
  • Lucasquadmate who instructs others to show confidence during the course
  • Trinasquadmate who helps prepare for the Gauntlet and expresses nervousness
  • Imogensecond-year cadet who makes a cutting remark to Violet before the Gauntlet
  • Quinnsecond-year cadet who participates in the Gauntlet
  • Ciannaexecutive officer of the squad who departs before the Gauntlet
  • Heatonthird-year cadet in the squad who wishes the group luck before class