AFTERWORD

Chapter 11

Chapter Sixteen

Overview

Violet receives a letter from Xaden and processes her complicated feelings about their broken relationship while navigating military politics and hidden dangers. After being summoned for an unauthorized bag search by Major Varrish, she discovers she's being used as a test subject and departs on Tairn for a secret weekend visit to the front lines.

Summary

Violet finishes her morning run with Imogen and receives a cherished letter from Xaden containing personal details rather than secrets. Jesinia visits her in the courtyard to request help translating an Old Lucerish text from the Archives, revealing that books are being removed and translated. A rider is dragged away by Markham and others, apparently connected to Jesinia's book request, alarming her. Later, Violet receives mail including a redacted letter from Mira (her sister) at Athebyne with entire paragraphs censored. During flight field practice, Varrish confronts Violet about Andarna's absence and orders her to fly the dragon in formation next week. He then presses her about her father's research on feathertails before Kaori demonstrates running landings with Dain executing a dangerous shoulder-to-ground landing maneuver. Days later, Bodhi walks Violet to the flight field at midnight to deliver a message to Xaden about a "shipment" being "raw" from the forge. He mentions Catriona (someone Xaden cared for), provoking Violet's jealousy before revealing that Imogen and Eya were attacked. Varrish arrives with two first lieutenants and searches Violet's bag under military code, finding nothing incriminating. Bodhi reveals this was an orchestrated test to confirm Varrish's suspicions about her leaving. Angered at being used without consent, Violet mounts Tairn carrying additional packs and launches toward the front lines to see Xaden.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailSecond-year cadet on an unauthorized weekend visit to the front lines; receives a personal letter from Xaden and navigates military scrutiny while helping with secret research
  • ImogenViolet's running partner and reluctant coconspirator; expresses suspicion of Violet's visitor and later is revealed to have been attacked
  • JesiniaScribe cadet who seeks Violet's help translating Old Lucerish text and hints at Archives purge of dead languages
  • Xaden RiorsonAbsent but central figure; wrote the letter Violet received; Violet is on her way to meet him at the front lines
  • Major VarrishAntagonistic military officer who confronts Violet about Andarna, questions her father's research on feathertails, and orders a bag search
  • RhiannonViolet's best friend and squadron mate; observes Violet's disappointment about the letter's sender and encourages her to open up
  • RidocSquadron mate who asks about another black dragon being spotted and helps with land navigation homework
  • SawyerSquadron mate struggling with RSC homework and land navigation
  • MiraViolet's sister who sent a redacted letter from Athebyne
  • TairnViolet's bonded black dragon who becomes territorial and protective, carries her to the front lines
  • AndarnaViolet's bonded feathertail dragon mentioned as absent from formation; briefly communicates while in dormancy
  • KaoriDragon expert professor who leads flight field demonstrations and knows about another black dragon being spotted
  • Dain AetosThird-year wingleader who performs a dangerous running shoulder landing maneuver
  • Bodhi DurranViolet's section leader and Xaden's cousin; walks her to the flight field, uses her as a test subject for Varrish's searches, and delivers a cryptic message about a shipment
  • NoraFirst lieutenant who executes the search of Violet's bag
  • CatrionaPerson from Xaden's past whose name Bodhi accidentally reveals, provoking Violet's jealousy