Chapter no 5 – 6

Chapter no 5

The Riders Quadrant proves its brutal nature once again, demanding Violet Sorrengail navigate unrelenting physical and mental challenges.

Battle Brief begins the day with harsh truths. Professor Devera, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, challenges cadets to analyze a recent gryphon attack near the Esben Mountains. Violet’s scribe training gives her a unique edge as she pieces together clues that the attack wasn’t random—the wards faltered, and the wing must have been preemptively deployed. Despite initial skepticism from her peers, her insight is validated, earning grudging acknowledgment but also intensifying animosity from enemies like Jack Barlowe. The tension builds further when Xaden Riorson steps in, demonstrating his sharp intellect and commanding presence by raising pointed questions about the attackers’ motives.

Sparring, however, is where Violet’s real struggles begin. Her fears are realized as she faces not only her squadmates but also the ingrained hostility of second-years like Imogen, whose rebellion relic signifies a deep hatred for Violet’s mother. During their match, Imogen’s ferocity reveals the unspoken threat of open conflict within the wing. Violet’s instincts and Mira’s custom armor save her life when Imogen tries to use a dagger mid-fight, but the victory is short-lived. Despite her determination not to yield, Imogen’s relentless attack dislocates Violet’s shoulder, leaving her physically and emotionally shattered on the mat.

Through pain and humiliation, Violet learns an unforgiving truth: survival in the Riders Quadrant demands more than intelligence and resolve. It requires her to adapt quickly, hide her vulnerabilities, and face the constant threats posed by enemies both external and within her wing. If she can endure this trial by fire, she might prove herself worthy of the sky—but the cost of failure is already devastatingly clear.

Chapter no 6

Pain, resilience, and legacy intertwine as Violet Sorrengail continues to navigate the perilous world of the Riders Quadrant.

The aftermath of the sparring match leaves Violet physically broken but mentally unyielding. Carried to the Healer Quadrant by Dain, Violet endures the sharp contrast between his desperate desire to protect her and her unshakable resolve to stay in the Riders Quadrant. Despite Dain’s pleas to use her injuries as an opportunity to transfer to the safer Scribe Quadrant, Violet holds firm, unwilling to let her mother’s decree or her own fears dictate her fate.

The mending process is another brutal ordeal. Nolon, a seasoned mender, restores Violet’s shattered shoulder and broken arm, but the procedure leaves her reeling with pain. She knows that needing mending too often will brand her as weak, but she accepts the risk, determined to keep pushing forward.

In the quiet of the barracks, Violet discovers a treasure: her brother Brennan’s journal. A relic of her late brother, the journal is filled with wisdom and strategies from his time in the Riders Quadrant. It offers Violet not only practical advice—like learning how to anticipate her opponents in challenges—but also a profound sense of connection to her brother and sister, Mira, who went to great lengths to ensure Violet received this lifeline. Brennan’s words remind her of her Sorrengail heritage and rekindle her determination to survive.

A newfound plan emerges. Armed with Brennan’s insights, Violet begins to map out a strategy to navigate the challenges ahead. The journal is more than a survival guide—it’s a symbol of hope and a tool to outmaneuver those who see her as weak or expendable.

Violet’s journey continues to highlight her unbreakable will and resourcefulness, proving that while she may be physically fragile, her mind and spirit remain unyielding. The Riders Quadrant may be ruthless, but Violet is learning how to fight back—and how to survive.