AFTERWORD

Chapter 29

Chapter Thirty-Four

Overview

Violet returns to Basgiath after her unauthorized departure to Aretia, facing potential court-martial. Varrish attempts to search her and confiscate Xaden's flight jacket containing a venin-killing dagger, but Professor Kaori intervenes and reveals that Panchek has cleared her of all charges due to Tairn's overwhelming emotions. Rhiannon unexpectedly manifests a new signet ability to pull objects through walls, retrieving the dagger before Varrish can find it.

Summary

Violet flies back to Basgiath on Tairn, experiencing jealousy over Xaden's ex-lover Cat before Tairn counsels her to move past it. Before departing Aretia, Xaden gives her a hidden dagger designed to kill venin, insisting on her ability to defend herself despite her lightning-wielding powers. Violet updates him on recent events: the Zolya battle leak, Nolon saving Jack Barlowe, her interrogation by Varrish where her shoulder was dislocated, and the discovery of a signet-blocking elixir. She mentions Dain's challenge and implies he said something about her mother. Upon landing at Basgiath, Violet observes squad training and receives a subtle warning from Professor Emetterio about how to frame her absence. Varrish intercepts her in the corridor with his henchmen Nora and Bodhi, demanding to search her bag and confiscate Xaden's flight jacket for violating uniform code. Professor Kaori arrives and challenges Varrish's authority, ultimately revealing that Panchek has already cleared Violet of all charges based on Tairn's mental influence. After Varrish leaves empty-handed, Rhiannon pulls Violet into her room and reveals she retrieved the dagger by manifesting a new signet ability to pass objects through solid barriers. Violet finally decides to tell her squad the truth: the dagger is designed for killing venin.

Characters

  • Violet Sorrengailreturns to Basgiath after unauthorized departure; nearly caught with venin-killing dagger by Varrish; decides to confide in her squad about the dagger's purpose
  • Xaden Riorsonappears in earlier scenes during departure; gave Violet the venin-killing dagger and warned against going to Cordyn; mentioned throughout as her romantic partner and source of military secrets
  • TairnViolet's dragon; flies her back to Basgiath; warns her about potential punishment; expresses annoyance at her jealousy over Xaden's ex
  • Varrishvice commandant attempting to search Violet and confiscate Xaden's jacket; confronts her about uniform violations; leaves empty-handed after Kaori's intervention
  • Professor Kaoriintervenes to stop Varrish's search; reveals Panchek cleared Violet of charges; challenges Varrish's abuse of power
  • RhiannonViolet's squad leader and closest friend; manifests new signet ability to retrieve the dagger through a wall; is told the truth about the dagger's purpose
  • Emetterioadvises Violet how to explain her absence by emphasizing Tairn's bond and not mentioning her own agency in leaving
  • Panchekcommandant who cleared Violet of charges for being absent without leave
  • NoraVarrish's aide who searches Violet's bag
  • BodhiVarrish's henchman present during the search
  • Sawyersquad member present in Rhiannon's room during the dagger revelation
  • Ridocsquad member present in Rhiannon's room during the dagger revelation
  • Sloanepractices on the Gauntlet obstacle course; receives Violet's advice about running the spinning log
  • CatXaden's ex-lover; gryphon flier mentioned as source of Violet's jealousy
  • Dainmentioned as having challenged Violet and made a statement about her mother
  • Aaricpractices on Gauntlet; mentioned as someone Violet should tell Xaden about
  • Visiapractices on Gauntlet with Aaric; reaches the top quickly
  • Professor Kaoriintervenes during Varrish's search of Violet