AFTERWORD

Chapter 8

Chapter Twenty-One

Overview

Violet and her team secretly visit the wardstone chamber to alter its runes, allowing fliers to wield magic without destroying the wards. The mission succeeds with help from her siblings Mira and Brennan, but the next morning at Battle Brief, Colonel Aetos arrives to charge Violet with high treason.

Summary

Late at night, Violet leads a covert group including Bodhi, Rhi, Ridoc, Imogen, Quinn, and Maren to the infirmary to retrieve Sawyer, a metallurgist rider recovering from the loss of his leg. They bribe healer Dyre to keep other healers sedated and slip Sawyer out using Bodhi's sound shield. En route to the wardstone chamber, they evade guard patrols. Mira intercepts them at the chamber entrance, revealing she orchestrated the guard situation and knew of their plan. She agrees to help because she believes in the solution she devised. Inside the chamber, Brennan—who is leading a revolution with Xaden—oversees the ritual. Maren, a flier, must wield magic to stabilize the rune alterations as Sawyer uses his metallurgic powers to reshape the wardstone without destroying it. After initial setbacks, Maren successfully wields, and the protections against dark wielders remain intact. The wardstone is modified to allow fliers to wield magic while maintaining all existing wards. The next morning at Battle Brief, the accord allowing the flier riot to stay is announced, and Professor Kiandra joins Devera as co-instructor. Dain Aetos is confirmed as Fourth Wing leader. However, Colonel Aetos suddenly enters and charges Violet with high treason against Navarre.

Characters

  • Violet Sorrengailleads the covert mission to alter the wardstone; charged with treason by Colonel Aetos at chapter's end
  • Bodhiprovides the sound shield for the group; helps escort Sawyer; stands with Violet against potential treason charges
  • Rhiannon (Rhi)part of the core team; comforts Violet when she grieves her mother; supports her through the mission
  • Ridocjoins the mission; attempts to freeze the wardstone when it begins to crack; celebrates the success
  • Imogenhelps guide the group and knock out guards on the stairs; stands watch at the chamber entrance
  • Quinnensures no one notices his absence during the mission
  • Maren Zinaflier cadet who must wield magic to stabilize the rune alterations; succeeds in making the wardstone work for fliers
  • Sawyermetallurgist rider pulled from the infirmary to reshape the wardstone's runes using his iron-wielding abilities
  • Dyrehealer who takes an extra shift and keeps other healers sedated during the mission
  • MiraViolet's sister who discovered the solution and helps oversee the wardstone alteration process
  • BrennanViolet's father, present in the wardstone chamber to oversee the ritual and manage the process
  • TairnViolet's dragon; assures her Xaden is out of range and won't interfere
  • Maren Zinaflier cadet whose successful wielding of magic allows the wardstone modifications to work
  • Catattends Battle Brief; informs Violet's uncle about the accord; uses magic to play pranks on Navarrian cadets
  • Aaricescorts first-years including Kai at Battle Brief
  • Kaifirst-year cadet protected by Baylor, Lynx, Sloane, and Avalynn at Battle Brief
  • Sloaneleads protection for first-years at Battle Brief
  • Avalynnhelps protect first-years at Battle Brief
  • Baylorcovers the backs of first-years at Battle Brief
  • Lynxcovers the backs of first-years at Battle Brief
  • Deveraprofessor who announces new leadership positions and introduces Professor Kiandra as co-instructor
  • Kiandraauburn-haired flier professor who becomes co-instructor of Battle Brief with Devera
  • Dain Aetosconfirmed as Fourth Wing leader at Battle Brief
  • Colonel Aetosarrives at Battle Brief to charge Violet with high treason
  • Malekmentioned as the person to lodge complaints with regarding squad composition