AFTERWORD

Chapter 9

Chapter Fourteen

Overview

Violet attends her first Battle Brief of the year, where she learns of gryphon attacks on border villages and an outpost, though the reports may conceal venin involvement. Later, during combat assessment, a first-year brutally kills Violet by snapping her neck in front of her squad.

Summary

Violet wakes from nightmares about Resson and begins running with Imogen to improve her endurance, fearing she won't survive if forced to flee venin magic. At Battle Brief, Professor Devera and Colonel Markham present reports of two gryphon drift attacks on the border—one at Sipene in the mountains and another at Athebyne outpost. Markham attributes the Athebyne attack partly to disrupted Poromish communication lines after Resson was "leveled by Poromish unrest," a euphemism that alarms Violet since she knows venin destroyed Resson. Violet raises her hand to ask tactical questions, and Devera reveals she herself was wounded by a gryphon rider at Athebyne. After the briefing, Violet asks Bodhi to let her help with supply runs, but he refuses on Xaden's orders. Imogen reveals to Violet that she is now considered part of their rebellion group. Rhiannon confides that she suspects the Healer Quadrant is hiding something—Nolon looks ill and a guarded back room has been sealed off. At combat assessment, Sloane Mairi requests to fight Violet instead of her assigned opponent, claiming she can exploit Violet's dislocating joints based on information from Imogen's letter. Professor Emetterio refuses and assigns Sloane to face Aaric Graycastle instead. As Violet introduces herself to a large first-year from Second Wing, he suddenly grabs her head and snaps her neck, killing her instantly.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailProtagonist; second-year rider cadet attending Battle Brief and combat assessment; troubled by nightmares about Resson and seeking ways to help the rebellion
  • ImogenSecond-year cadet; trains with Violet on morning runs; reveals Violet is now part of the rebellion and has a marked relic
  • XadenMentioned; absent from the chapter but giving orders through Bodhi to keep Violet away from dangerous activities
  • RhiannonSecond-year cadet and squad mate; notices Violet's strange behavior and confides concerns about hidden activities in the Healer Quadrant
  • SawyerSecond-year cadet; chosen as executive officer of the squad
  • Bodhi DurranSecond-year cadet; transferred from Tail Section to Flame; receives orders from Xaden to prevent Violet from helping with supply runs
  • RidocSecond-year cadet and squad mate; makes jokes during Battle Brief and discussion
  • NadineSecond-year cadet and squad mate; banter with Ridoc about superiority
  • Professor DeveraBattle Brief instructor and rider; presents reports on gryphon attacks and reveals she was wounded at Athebyne
  • Colonel MarkhamBattle Brief co-instructor and scribe; presents historical and current event information; formerly Violet's mentor in the Scribe Quadrant
  • TairnViolet's dragon; reminds her to maintain shields and lectures her about keeping them up
  • SgaeylMentioned; Xaden's dragon; requires Violet to fly to Samara every two weeks
  • AaricFirst-year cadet; placed with Sloane's squad; must keep his head down to avoid recognition as a missing noble
  • Sloane MairiFirst-year cadet; Liam's sister; requests to fight Violet instead of her assigned opponent during assessment
  • QuinnSecond-year cadet; eats lunch with Imogen and Rhiannon
  • EyaMentioned; third-year cadet; knows the truth about the rebellion
  • BrennanMentioned; supplies drifts of venin with weapons
  • NolonMentioned; Healer in the infirmary who appears ill and is being kept behind a guarded back room
  • Vice Commandant VarrishMentioned; new authority figure in Healer Quadrant; known for torture
  • VisiaFirst-year cadet; defeats her opponent in combat assessment
  • Caroline AshtonSecond-year cadet; suggests razing Poromish border villages during Battle Brief discussion
  • Professor EmetterioCombat instructor; oversees assessment matches and refuses to let Violet fight Sloane
  • Baylor NorrisFirst-year cadet; defeated by Mischa Levin in assessment
  • Mischa LevinFirst-year cadet; defeats Baylor Norris in assessment
  • Unnamed bullish first-yearFirst-year cadet from Second Wing; kills Violet by snapping her neck during combat assessment