Chapter 13
Chapter Eighteen
Overview
Violet endures a brutal punishment session on a mountaintop where Varrish forces her to repeatedly summon lightning strikes as retaliation for Andarna's absence from maneuvers, pushing her to the brink of burnout. After nearly losing control of her power and collapsing, she is rescued by Tairn and her friends, then later faces an unexpected abduction in the academic wing.
Summary
Violet and Tairn arrive at Basgiath to find themselves summoned by Carr and Varrish for punishment. Varrish threatens to involve Andarna unless Violet completes multiple lightning strikes on a mountain peak. Over the course of hours, Violet is forced to produce strike after strike, with Carr warning that she risks fatal burnout if the punishment continues. At strike forty-one, her muscles cramp and she loses control, unleashing a devastating lightning strike that cleaves terrain from the mountainside before she manages to cut it off mentally. Carr ends the session, but Varrish delivers a chilling warning: her continued cooperation depends on Andarna's compliance with orders. Tairn carries Violet to an icy river to cool her overheated body, and she is found by Imogen, Bodhi, and others, who help her back to the dorms. Later in the week, Violet observes Sloane's poor performance in sparring against Jacek (brother of the recently killed Navil Jacek) and resolves to help her prepare for Monday's challenge despite Sloane's refusal of assistance. While walking to physics class with Ridoc, Rhi, and Sawyer, Violet is suddenly attacked and knocked unconscious by an unknown assailant using a bag over her head.
Characters
- Violet SorrengailThe protagonist enduring punishment for Andarna's refusal to participate in maneuvers; nearly burns out from excessive lightning strikes and is later abducted
- TairnViolet's dragon who defends her during punishment, carries her to the river to cool her burnout, and warns her handlers of the consequences of her death
- Professor CarrSupervises Violet's punishment and expresses concern about her safety, warning Varrish that continuing could kill her
- Major VarrishAdministers the brutal punishment as retaliation for Andarna's absence; threatens further punishment if Andarna does not comply with orders
- AndarnaViolet's dragon hatchling whose refusal to participate in maneuvers triggers Violet's punishment; offers to submit herself to stop Violet's suffering
- ImogenViolet's friend who finds her by the river after burnout and helps her back to the dorms; offers training help to struggling first-years
- BodhiViolet's friend who assists her recovery and promises that her punishment will not happen again
- EyaFirst-year friend who assists Violet after her burnout and provides information about her condition
- RhiannonSquad leader who conducts sparring sessions and walks to physics with Violet, unaware of her distress
- SloaneFirst-year who performs poorly in sparring against Jacek and has a challenge match scheduled for Monday
- JacekYounger brother of the recently killed Navil Jacek; channels his anger during sparring with Sloane
- RidocFirst-year friend who startles Violet in the gym and invites her to walk to physics; nearly has his throat cut for surprising her
- SawyerFirst-year friend who waits by the gym door and walks to physics with Violet
- JesiniaMentioned as a scribe whose report led to Navil Jacek's detainment and death
- XadenMentioned as the object of Violet's longing; she reflects on wishing to talk to him about her experience, though he is not present
- AaricFirst-year mentioned as appearing in the gym during sparring observations