AFTERWORD

Chapter 30

Chapter Sixty-Five

Overview

The group departs for Unnbriel after ten days of preparation, with an unexpected addition: Aaric, Halden's younger brother, who is revealed to be a rider bonded to the dragon Molvic. After a grueling multi-day flight across open sea, they reach the island and establish camp in a forest clearing, only to be confronted at dawn by a soldier in pale green armor bearing crossed swords and horseshoe insignia.

Summary

Violet's squad gathers on the flight field in early March to depart for Unnbriel, though they've misled Halden about the mission's true scope. The group now includes Trager and Maren alongside the core riders. Tension erupts when Halden arrives and Xaden confronts him about withholding mission-critical information. As Halden and Xaden clash, Aaric emerges from the fog with Dain, revealing himself as a rider bonded to Molvic, a blue clubtail dragon. Aaric insists on joining as the royal representative, having crossed the parapet months earlier to become a rider. Halden is forced to accept this despite his fury, extracting a promise from Violet to protect his brother. The group flies for eight days, stopping to rest at Athebyne and Cordyn. During this time, Mira tests multicolored quartz disks in Deverelli, discovering that some runes function off the Continent. Over open sea, Andarna flies unclipped and struggles with her weakened left wing; Tairn warns her to maintain altitude due to merchant vessels below carrying unknown weaponry. After spotting the port city of Soneram on Unnbriel's coast, Tairn leads the formation along the northeastern shoreline to avoid its defensive fortifications and locates a suitable clearing inland. The group establishes camp in a meadow surrounded by forest, with dragons and gryphons positioned defensively around the perimeter. While building the firepit, Mira reveals she visited her grandmother, Niara, during her leave—information their parents do not possess. Violet attempts to learn more but Mira deflects, hinting that their grandmother possesses knowledge about Violet's father's studies of the isles. That night, Violet and Xaden sleep close together while others stand watch. At dawn, a soldier in pale green armor bearing crossed swords over a horseshoe insignia approaches their camp, speaking in common language and claiming Violet's magic cannot help her. Xaden immediately draws Violet's dagger to the soldier's throat.

Characters

  • VioletMission commander attempting to coordinate the group's departure and establish camp on Unnbriel; confronts Aaric about joining and later discusses family secrets with Mira
  • XadenConfronts Halden about withholding information; travels with the group and maintains protective vigilance over Violet; draws a blade against the approaching soldier at dawn
  • HaldenArrives to discover the expanded mission scope and Aaric's participation; argues with Xaden about his role and is eventually dismissed from the operation
  • AaricRevealed as a rider bonded to Molvic; insists on joining the mission as royal representative despite Halden's opposition; participates in camp setup
  • MiraGryphon rider who reveals she visited their grandmother Niara during leave; tests rune disks in Deverelli and discovers some runes function off the Continent; maintains distance from Violet regarding family secrets
  • TairnBlack dragon bonded to Violet; leads the flight formation, navigates to Unnbriel, locates the camp clearing, and warns Andarna about maintaining altitude
  • AndarnaYoung dragon flying unclipped during the journey; struggles with her weakened left wing; maintains formation despite physical strain
  • RidocParticipates in the journey and camp setup; noted for his sarcastic humor
  • GarrickTravels with the group and assists with camp duties; stands watch with Xaden and Mira
  • DainWingleader who accompanies Aaric to the flight field; participates in camp setup and watch rotations
  • TragerIncluded in the squad for healing training; hunts for food with Cat
  • MarenAdded to the squad to allow for potential splitting; stands first watch with Violet and Drake; assists with camp setup
  • CatSquad member who hunts for food with Trager
  • DrakeGryphon rider with sarcastic humor; stands first watch with Violet and Maren; participates in patrols
  • SgaeylDragon ridden by Xaden; leads formation during approach to Deverelli; maintains protective positioning with Tairn
  • MolvicBlue clubtail dragon bonded to Aaric; lands on the flight field, stunning Halden with his arrival
  • The soldierAppears at dawn in pale green armor bearing crossed swords and horseshoe insignia; confronts the group claiming magic cannot help them
  • KiralairGryphon rider who drifts back from formation during the final approach to Unnbriel due to fatigue
  • AotromDragon participating in the flight and camp establishment
  • TeineDragon participating in the flight and camp establishment
  • CathDragon participating in the flight; hunts for food
  • ChradhDragon participating in the flight and camp establishment