In the immediate aftermath of the ceremony, Violet and Ridoc lower Trager’s body while Ridoc confirms there is no pulse. Xaden commands Violet not to react, warning that any outburst would nullify the purpose of Trager’s death. Drake restrains a screaming Cat until she goes limp with grief, and Garrick returns Ridoc to formation as the stunned crowd watches.

Across the field, every dragon lowers its head toward the squad, while the gryphons face inward toward Silaraine. Silaraine staggers forward, trying to reach Trager, but collapses and dies beside Kiralair, who shelters her with a wing. Andarna roars grief through the bond, and Tairn confirms Silaraine is gone. With the crowd waiting, Xaden reminds Violet she is in command and must control the response.

Violet steels herself, recognizing that open violence would doom their mission and alliance. She faces the crowd and the archer who killed Trager and Silaraine, bows, and says “Thank you,” performing the required acceptance of Zihnal’s random gift. The moment secures the ritual’s terms and the possibility of alliance despite her rage.

Eight hours later, Violet, Mira, Xaden, and Aaric return to the moonlit field where the squad keeps vigil over Trager and Silaraine. Most dragons and gryphons sleep while onlookers still drink and sing in the stands. Mira reports that Aaric agreed to favorable terms: an advance party will come within months, and the rest—forty thousand troops—when Tyrrendor is ready to receive them. Drake notes the military advantages; Cat, numb, cuts him off.

Maren and Cat insist on burning both Trager and Silaraine together and not leaving any remains on Xortrys. Cat rejects burial in Loysam due to the risk of grave disturbance and demands an uninhabited minor isle to the north, accepting schedule delays. Violet agrees and proposes splitting the search after the rites to accelerate scouting, then departing for Loysam when Cat is ready.

As revelers sing, the squad decides to sleep on the field within a protective circle of dragons, setting watches. Violet is physically and mentally exhausted, tormented by guilt and the fear of failing to find Andarna’s kind. Lying beside her, Xaden reframes her shock as understandable and argues that true command comes from dragons; Tairn chose her, and leadership will find her regardless.

Violet doubts herself, claiming Mira, Drake, or Xaden should lead, but Xaden cites her decisive acts at Deverelli, Unnbriel, and Hedotis as proof of her capability. He urges her to embrace her confidence and become better than him to protect Tyrrendor and pursue a cure for the dark wielders’ infection. As she drifts to sleep, Xaden quietly states there is no cure for him and that she must be the one to lead. A public notice declares conscription rates doubled across provinces, signaling escalating war pressures.