AFTERWORD

Chapter 40

Chapter 91

Overview

Violet's group arrives at an uncharted volcanic island with strong magical properties and conducts the burial rites for Trager and Sila. After discovering they are south of known maps, Violet organizes search teams to explore nearby unmapped islands for signs of the irids. As she waits with Ridoc for the fire to burn out, six massive dragons suddenly appear on the beach and one addresses her telepathically.

Summary

The group flies northwest over open ocean and discovers an uncharted volcanic island with black sand and strong magical resonance. After landing, they build a funeral pyre for Trager and Sila, with Drake conducting a brief burial ceremony commending their souls to Malek. The next morning, while examining the map, they discover they are located on an island chain not recorded by cartographers—south of any marked territory. Violet strategically divides the group into five search teams to explore nearby unmapped islands, pairing dragons with similar flight capabilities and keeping Xaden with Garrick to prevent him from channeling shadow magic in this power-rich location, though this pairing troubles Xaden. Before departing, Xaden and Violet share a tense moment where he acknowledges the temptation of the island's magic and admits she is his trigger for channeling, though he commits not to do so. After the teams launch, Ridoc remains with Violet to watch the funeral fire. While sitting by the sleeping Andarna, the ground begins to shake with unusual patterns. Six enormous dragons suddenly materialize on the beach, surrounding Violet and her sleeping dragon. The lead dragon, with sky-blue scales, addresses Violet telepathically, saying "Hello, human." Violet realizes the group has found the irids, or they have found the group.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailLeader organizing search teams and primary POV; confronts the arriving dragons while waiting for the funeral pyre to burn out
  • XadenLeaves with Garrick on a search mission; shares intimate moment with Violet before departing, discussing his magical temptation and her role as his trigger
  • TairnViolet's dragon; scouts from above and confirms their location; grumbles about being separated from Violet but leaves to search
  • RidocRemains with Violet to watch the funeral pyre; interacts playfully with Aotrom about an itching powder prank
  • AotromGryphon who pranks Ridoc by spraying him with water; helps carry the deceased and participates in the mission
  • MarenGrieves her sister Sila; pairs with Cat to search northern unmapped islands
  • CatSupports grieving Maren by linking her arm; pairs with Maren for the northern island search
  • Mira SorrengailStudies the map; takes charge of the kitten Broccoli; pairs with Aaric for exploration and notes the plan is solid
  • DrakeConducts the burial ceremony; holds the map and discusses navigation; pairs with Dain for western island search
  • DainPairs with Drake to search western islands
  • AaricSpots additional islands from the beach point; pairs with Mira for exploration
  • GarrickPairs with Xaden for the eastern island search; offers to keep watch over Xaden
  • AndarnaViolet's younger dragon; exhausted from flight and sleeps on the beach; present when the irids arrive
  • SgaeylXaden's dragon; noted for maintaining contact over long distances due to magical strength
  • Unknown Sky-Blue DragonLead irid dragon with pointed teeth and golden eyes; addresses Violet telepathically in greeting
  • Six Additional DragonsMassive irids with varying scale tones who materialize on the beach alongside the sky-blue dragon