Chapter Sixty-Four

Violet and a riot of fifty dragons and riders arrive at Basgiath after an eighteen-hour flight to defend the hatching grounds. Her mother initially refuses to let them inspect the wards, but Mira's strategic assessment of the undermanned garrison forces her to cooperate. They discover two dead soldiers guarding the wardstone chamber—and find Jack Barlowe riding the dragon Baide, who is attacking the massive wardstone with black flames. In a devastating climax, Barlowe kills Baide by driving his sword through her throat, causing the wardstone to collapse and the wards protecting Basgiath to fall.

After three hours of preparation in the valley, Violet secures Andarna in a flight harness despite the young dragon's resistance. Maren gives Violet a compact crossbow with maorsite arrows as a parting gift. Violet learns that the Assembly refused to send support, though Mira has joined the flight. Brennan angrily opposes the mission, believing it will get cadets killed. Despite his objections and Xaden's initial dismissal of the first-years, Rhiannon insists Second Squad remains intact. The riot of fifty dragons launches and flies eighteen hours through unpatrolled Navarrian airspace—a sign of General Melgren's confidence in Samara's false threat. They reach Basgiath at dusk and find the garrison largely empty, with most forces sent to Samara. Violet's mother confronts them in the courtyard, initially refusing to allow inspection of the wards. Mira reveals the courtyard should be full of soldiers but contains only five, forcing their mother to relent. As they descend through a cramped tunnel to the wardstone chamber, Violet is triggered by the scent of the interrogation chamber; Xaden's shadows comfort her. They find two dead guards at the chamber entrance. Inside, they discover Baide—a dragon with opaque, corrupted eyes—being ridden by Jack Barlowe. When Xaden attacks with shadows, Baide breathes fire. Ridoc creates an ice wall to shield them, severely burning his hands. During the chaotic fight, Barlowe climbs onto Baide's neck and drives his shortsword through her throat, killing her. The wardstone tips and crashes as the black flames extinguish. The humming ceases. Basgiath's wards have fallen.