Chapter 51
Chapter 113
Overview
Violet and the forces of Aretia defend the city against a surprise attack by dozens of greenfire wyvern. As Xaden takes command in the absence of the two generals, he dispatches riders to multiple positions while Violet joins Rhi's squad at the north gate to fight from the air. Violet discovers a silver-haired dark wielder among the attacking wyvern as she and Tairn engage in brutal aerial combat.
Summary
An alarm sounds as wyvern approach Aretia from the west. Xaden takes command, positioning retired riders at the wardstone and throughout the city while active riders defend from various gates. Violet insists on fighting at the front rather than being held back, and Rhi rallies second- and third-year cadets to join the defense. Xaden and Violet share a brief, intense kiss before he departs to command the officer line to the east. During the deployment, Aaric cryptically insists Violet must protect Dunne's temple, but she dismisses his warning as she rushes to join her squad.
Violet mounts Tairn and flies to the north gate where Rhi commands their position. Using her lightning-wielding ability through her conduit, Violet illuminates the sky and discovers the wyvern are attacking in scattered pairs rather than formation. She pushes her power further than before, creating prolonged lightning strikes that burn her fingers. When four wyvern bypass the gates and head toward Andarna—who is positioned near a lone structure beyond the walls—Violet and Tairn dive to intercept. In a desperate maneuver, Violet channels massive amounts of power, splitting a lightning bolt and directing it at the approaching wyvern. One pair ignites and falls, but the second pair continues forward, and Violet realizes one of them carries a silver-haired rider—a dark wielder. As Tairn engages the remaining wyvern, Violet feels his pain through their bond.
Characters
- Violet SorrengailCadet and dragon rider who uses her lightning-wielding abilities to defend the north gate, engaging wyvern in aerial combat and protecting Andarna from attacking pairs
- Xaden RiorsonTakes command of Aretia's forces in absence of the generals, positioning riders and infantry, and departing to lead the officer line to the east
- TairnViolet's black dragon who engages wyvern in combat, provides tactical analysis, and carries Violet through multiple aerial battles
- RhiannonSquad leader who coordinates the second- and third-year cadets at the north gate, ordering positioning and engaging wyvern alongside Violet
- Brennan SorrengailProvides tactical recommendations to Xaden, including ward status and positioning strategies for the defense
- AndarnaYoung dragon positioned in front of a structure beyond the walls; remains determined to participate in the battle despite orders to guard the wardstone
- SgaeylXaden's dragon fighting on the officer line to the east, maintaining a connection to Tairn and Violet through the bond
- BodhiXaden's cousin who argues against being kept with the first-years but is ordered to remain in the house as Xaden's heir
- RhiRides Feirge and works alongside Violet at the north gate, engaging wyvern in combat
- FeirgeGreen dragon ridden by Rhiannon who fights wyvern alongside Tairn
- AaricCadet who cryptically warns Violet to protect Dunne's temple during the emergency deployment
- FelixOrdered to keep first-years safe and watch over Aaric
- Dain AetosThird-year who volunteers for combat and takes command of the third-years at the east gate
- BodhiFirst-year whose request to fight is denied by Xaden
- MatthiasAssigned to command second-years at the north gate
- SawyerSquad member who participates in the northern defense
- CatSquad member who participates in the northern defense
- HenrickProvides ground support coverage alongside Gamlyn for the squad's sector
- GamlynProvides ground support coverage alongside Henrick for the squad's sector
- SliseagDragon that lands at the north gates to provide defense
- AotromDragon that lands at the north gates to provide defense