Chapter no 1 – 2

Chapter no 1

In the 628th year of Unification, a public notice records the destruction of Aretia by dragon fire as part of the Treaty that ended a separatist rebellion. Survivors fled, while others were entombed in the ruins. The story unfolds in the aftermath of a revolution as the narrator reunites with her brother, Brennan, in the fortress of Aretia. Having believed Brennan dead, the protagonist grapples with shock and relief while recovering from a near-fatal injury inflicted by a poisoned blade.

Brennan, now a lieutenant colonel under a new name, is deeply involved in a resistance movement against the venin, dark wielders of power previously thought to be mythical. The protagonist discovers that Aretia, believed to have been destroyed years earlier, has covertly rebuilt itself into an impenetrable stronghold. Despite her personal turmoil, she is thrust into the center of this clandestine revolution.

Amid discussions in the Assembly—a governing body of the resistance—Brennan and Xaden, a key figure in the rebellion, debate strategies to secure resources and weapons critical to their survival. Tensions rise as members of the Assembly argue over the protagonist’s presence and loyalty, with some viewing her as a liability due to her familial ties to the Navarrian military leadership. However, Xaden and Brennan staunchly defend her, highlighting her bond with powerful dragons and her proven integrity in battle.

The protagonist wrestles with feelings of betrayal toward Xaden for keeping her brother’s survival a secret, but she also acknowledges her own guilt for exposing the rebellion’s location under duress. The Assembly discusses the imminent danger posed by dwindling resources and the venin threat, revealing the precarious state of the war. Plans to send cadets back to Basgiath, the war college, spark heated debate, with Xaden insisting the final decision rests with their group of eight bonded riders.

The narrative delves into the protagonist’s grief for lost comrades and her growing determination to assert herself within the resistance. When confronted by Assembly members questioning her loyalty, she boldly defends her actions and demands to be treated as an equal. This moment marks a turning point, earning her the grudging respect of some leaders while solidifying her place in the rebellion.

As the meeting concludes, Xaden encourages the protagonist to reconcile with Brennan, emphasizing the importance of their bond. Left alone with her brother, the protagonist reflects on their shared past and prepares to ask the questions that have haunted her during his six-year absence. The story captures themes of resilience, loyalty, and the complexities of navigating family and trust in the midst of revolution.

Chapter no 2

The narrative centers on a pivotal reunion between Violet and her brother Brennan, who she believed to be dead for six years. Brennan’s survival and hidden life come to light as they meet in a secure location. Violet is overwhelmed by conflicting emotions—relief at seeing him alive and resentment over his long absence. Brennan reveals that his apparent death was a calculated choice to work covertly against Navarre’s leadership, which he condemns for inaction and cowardice in the face of a growing threat: the venin and their wyvern forces. These creatures, created through dark magic, are expanding rapidly, posing an existential threat to Navarre and its neighbors.

Brennan explains his time in hiding, supported by dragons and civilians who survived the devastation of the Barrens. He describes the venin’s destructive influence, their ability to create wyvern, and their strategic movements toward Navarre. A map vividly illustrates their growing encroachment, alarming Violet, who grapples with the implications. Brennan’s decision to stay away from Navarre stems from his disillusionment with its leadership and refusal to support its morally compromised stance.

Amid their tense discussion, Violet’s dragon, Andarna, is revealed to have undergone accelerated growth due to the energy usage in their recent battle. This transformation brings new challenges, as adolescent dragons are notoriously temperamental and difficult to manage. Tairn, Violet’s other bonded dragon, explains the risks and the need to return Andarna to the Vale to complete her growth process.

Brennan and Violet’s conversation shifts to strategy, touching on Navarre’s hidden truths, the venin’s growing organization, and the potential role of dormant wardstones in the fight against them. Violet suggests that ancient knowledge stored in the Archives might hold the key to reactivating these wardstones, but Brennan warns against pursuing this line of thought, emphasizing the need for weapons capable of defeating the venin.

The group decides to return to Basgiath, despite the dangers, to protect their comrades and access the resources necessary for the fight ahead. Brennan expresses skepticism about the plan, citing the risks of exposure and Violet’s vulnerability to memory readers. Xaden, Violet’s enigmatic ally, insists on the return and proposes training Violet to shield her thoughts. Their reunion brims with unresolved tension, particularly between Violet and Xaden, whose secrecy has strained their bond.

As Andarna struggles with her newfound size and abilities, the urgency to act intensifies. The group plans to return within 48 hours, aligning their timeline with Basgiath’s graduation, a crucial moment for their strategy. Violet’s resolve solidifies as she balances the personal pain of her brother’s choices with the broader stakes of their shared fight against the venin. The narrative underscores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the complexities of war, setting the stage for an epic confrontation.