Chapter no 7 – 8

Chapter no 7

The chapter captures Violet’s transition into her second year at Basgiath, highlighting the increasingly high stakes and escalating challenges she faces. The Riders Quadrant orientation introduces the grueling Rider Survival Course (RSC), designed to prepare cadets for survival if separated from their dragons behind enemy lines. Professor Grady, a new instructor, emphasizes the unpredictability of the course and its brutal evaluations, which will test navigation, survival techniques, and resistance to interrogation. The ominous warnings about torture and abduction leave Violet and her peers uneasy, as they realize the stakes are higher than ever.

Amid the orientation, Violet grapples with her growing isolation. Her flippant comment about surviving her last break away from Basgiath reminds her squad of the trauma she endured at Resson, leading to an awkward silence. Aetos’s earlier threats to Mira and the implied dangers of sharing war stories weigh heavily on Violet, reinforcing her sense that keeping secrets is the only way to protect those she loves. Even her closest friends, like Rhiannon, remain unaware of the rebellion’s truth, further widening the gulf between Violet and those she cares about.

In an attempt to steady herself, Violet seeks refuge in the Archives, a place that once brought her peace. The scent of parchment and ink stirs memories of her simpler aspirations as a scribe—a life she no longer recognizes. Violet reflects on how much she’s changed since becoming a rider, contrasting her former blind trust in knowledge with her current determination to uncover the truths that could save countless lives.

Her reunion with Jesinia, a trusted friend from her scribe days, offers a glimpse of warmth but is fraught with risk. Violet carefully crafts a lie about researching Basgiath’s founding to justify her request for older tomes on the wards. This marks a pivotal moment where she fully commits to her personal mission of aiding the rebellion. While Jesinia helps her locate two ancient books, Violet cannot ignore the fear that trusting anyone—even a close friend—could jeopardize her goals and her life.

The chapter underscores Violet’s growing resolve to take action despite the risks. Her interactions with Tairn and Andarna reflect the tense dynamics between dragonkind and humans, as fewer dragons bond with riders due to the looming threat of the venin. Violet’s determination to uncover a way to protect Aretia and the Continent strengthens, even as she acknowledges the isolation and danger that accompany her choices.

Through a blend of foreboding and introspection, the chapter sets the stage for Violet’s second year to be even more grueling and transformative than her first. With RSC looming, the rebellion intensifying, and her secret investigation into the wards underway, Violet’s path grows increasingly perilous as she balances her loyalty to her friends, the rebellion, and her own survival.

Chapter no 8

The excerpt vividly captures a tense day at the war college, centering on the Parapet Challenge—a brutal initiation test for new candidates. Narrated by Violet Sorrengail, a second-year cadet and dragon rider, it begins with her observing the new recruits’ anxiety. Despite her hardened demeanor, Violet struggles to witness the deadly test, haunted by memories of her own crossing and the lives lost.

The narrative shifts between Violet’s internal conflicts and her interactions with others. Her strained relationship with Dain, a fellow wingleader, highlights unresolved tensions, including his betrayal and the shared trauma of their roles. Meanwhile, Violet’s sardonic commentary underscores the emotional weight of her responsibilities, as she and her squad oversee the test. Candidates’ deaths serve as grim reminders of the war college’s merciless ethos: survival at all costs.

The stakes rise with the arrival of two key recruits. Aaric, revealed to be the king’s third son, shocks Violet, complicating their squad dynamics. Even more fraught is Sloane Mairi, sister to Liam, Violet’s late comrade who died protecting her. Sloane’s hatred for Violet is palpable, accusing her of Liam’s death. Violet, burdened with guilt, resolves to honor her promise to protect Sloane despite their hostility.

As the challenge progresses, tragedy strikes when an orange dragon, Solas, attacks fleeing cadets, killing several—including bonded riders. Violet’s own dragon, Tairn, intervenes, asserting dominance over Solas and issuing a dire warning. This act cements the tension between Violet and Major Varrish, Solas’s rider, marking him as a dangerous adversary.

The scene concludes with Violet’s squad regrouping, shaken but intact. Violet reflects on the relentless brutality of their training, her role as a leader, and the emotional toll of surviving in a system designed to break them. Despite her doubts and the hatred directed at her, she resolves to persevere, driven by loyalty to her fallen comrades and her unwavering determination to protect those in her care.