Chapter Twenty-Two

Violet confronts Imogen about her relationship troubles with Xaden, then receives a disturbing propaganda notice from Rhiannon's village warning against sheltering strangers. During Battle Brief, Professor Markham reveals alleged border violations and claims cities in Poromiel are intact, contradicting what Violet knows to be true about wyvern destruction. Overwhelmed by the lies being taught, Violet loses control of her power and flees to the Archives, where she meets secretly with Jesinia.

Walking to Battle Brief with Imogen, Violet discusses her strained relationship with Xaden. Imogen challenges her avoidance of her friends, pointing out that Violet's isolation is a mistake and that Xaden's letter-writing is unusually vulnerable behavior. She also implies that Violet is wrong to demand complete honesty from someone in a military rebellion. Imogen directs Violet toward Rhiannon, who clearly needs her support. At the Battle Brief, Rhiannon shows Violet an unofficial notice circulating in her village warning against sheltering strangers, citing border violations. Markham seizes the notice and uses it as a teaching moment, reading it aloud to the class. He explains that classified reconnaissance missions have confirmed cities in Poromiel are intact, framing reports of destruction as Poromish propaganda designed to exploit Navarre's compassion. He emphasizes that lying is a powerful tool of war. Violet, knowing this account is false—that wyverns have indeed destroyed cities—struggles to control her power throughout the briefing. After class, she runs from Rhiannon and flees through the dormitory and tunnels to the Archives, where she arrives during a scheduled study session. The guard allows her to pass. Jesinia, a scribe, recognizes Violet and follows her into the stacks. Violet returns a book she shouldn't have and claims to need help reading faster. When Jesinia presses her, Violet signs that people will die if she doesn't find answers but refuses to involve others. Jesinia agrees to bring her new books and arranges a secret meeting on the bridge at eight o'clock, insisting they stick to Saturday meetings to avoid detection.