Chapter no 13 – 14

Chapter no 13

There’s nothing more humbling—or life-altering—than surviving Threshing. Every first-year cadet in the Riders Quadrant knows October 1st is the day their fate is decided, a trial by fire in a valley teeming with dragons. Violet is determined not to die, even as nerves and uncertainty rattle her. She hasn’t felt a connection to any dragon yet, unlike her sister Mira before her. Meanwhile, her squad begins to splinter under the pressure, each cadet scattering in search of their dragon—or their doom.

The valley comes alive with the thunderous arrival of dragons, shaking the earth with their power. Violet encounters several dragons of various colors but feels no pull to any of them, leaving her questioning her place in the Riders Quadrant. Her resolve is tested when she overhears Jack and his cronies plotting to kill the golden feathertail, a rare dragon dismissed as weak and useless. Unable to stand by, Violet decides to act, her moral compass overriding her fear.

Rushing to the clearing where the golden dragon stands, Violet attempts to warn it of the impending threat. Her efforts seem futile as the dragon shows no sign of fleeing or defending itself, leaving it—and her—vulnerable. Jack, Tynan, and Oren approach, swords drawn, ready to eliminate what they see as unworthy. Despite her injured ankle and the overwhelming odds, Violet places herself between them and the dragon, brandishing her daggers in a desperate bid to protect the creature.

The confrontation escalates, with Violet’s attackers mocking her and advancing, prepared to strike her down along with the dragon. Just as the situation seems hopeless, a commanding voice cuts through the tension. Xaden Riorson, accompanied by his formidable navy-blue daggertail dragon, Sgaeyl, steps into the clearing. His presence is both a relief and a reminder of the deadly stakes, as he issues a warning that even Jack cannot ignore.

Xaden’s timely intervention shifts the balance, leaving Jack and his friends facing a powerful rider and his bonded dragon. Violet’s act of courage not only saves the golden feathertail but also solidifies her resolve. Her willingness to defy the odds and stand for what’s right, even at great personal risk, reveals the strength of character that might make her worthy of the bond she seeks. For now, she’s still alive—and that, on Threshing, is an accomplishment in itself.

Chapter no 14

For the first time, Violet sees Xaden not as an adversary but as a potential savior. Even though he’s bound by the quadrant’s rules to observe and not interfere, his presence offers a glimmer of hope as Jack and his lackeys close in, intent on killing the golden dragon and possibly Violet as well. Jack’s mockery and confidence only escalate the tension, but Violet refuses to back down, even as her chances of survival dwindle.

The fight is brutal. Violet holds her ground with a combination of skill, grit, and desperation, wounding Jack and Tynan while fending off Oren’s attacks. Her armor, woven with dragon scales, saves her from critical injuries, but her battered body begins to falter under the relentless assault. Just as Tynan prepares to deliver the killing blow, a massive gust of wind signals the arrival of something far more powerful than any cadet—an enormous black dragon, the largest Violet has ever seen.

The black dragon’s intervention is both terrifying and awe-inspiring. With a single command, it sends Tynan fleeing in terror before incinerating him with a burst of fire. Turning its attention to Violet, the dragon speaks directly into her mind, instructing her to finish off the unconscious Oren. Violet refuses, arguing that his actions reflect his character, not hers. The dragon’s piercing gaze seems to assess her response, its expression unreadable but deliberate.

As the golden dragon takes flight, leaving Violet and the black dragon alone, the situation becomes clear: the black dragon has chosen her. Despite her protests and disbelief, the dragon—Tairneanach, or Tairn—insists she climb onto his back. Injured and exhausted, Violet struggles but ultimately succeeds, aided by the dragon’s rare act of lowering his leg to help her mount. Once seated, she realizes the enormity of what’s happening: she has bonded with one of the most legendary and powerful dragons in existence.

Their ascent into the sky is as exhilarating as it is perilous. Tairn’s sheer size and strength dwarf everything Violet has ever known, and the power of his wings propels them with a force she can barely comprehend. But her inexperience shows as she loses her grip and slips from his back, tumbling into free fall. As the ground rushes toward her, Violet’s fate hangs in the balance, marking the start of a bond that will either elevate her to greatness—or end her life before it begins.