CHAPTER SEVEN
Contains spoilersOverview
In the middle of the night, Violet leads a covert team to alter Basgiath’s wardstone so Poromish fliers can wield safely, defying the Senarium’s stance and risking treason and ward failure. With help from Mira, Brennan, Sawyer, Maren, and others, they successfully remove a selective rune without collapsing the wards. The next morning, Battle Brief announces renewed alliance negotiations and leadership assignments, but Colonel Aetos storms in and publicly charges Violet with high treason.
Summary
At midnight, Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Imogen, Bodhi, and a newly awakened Maren slip into the Healer Quadrant, aided by healer Dyre, who sedates other staff. They recruit Sawyer, who is recovering from losing a leg and doubts his metallurgy abilities, to alter the wardstone material as part of a plan Mira devised to remove a specific protective rune without destroying the wards. Despite Sawyer’s reluctance, the team presses on, citing the imminent failure of negotiations and the threat of Poromish fliers being expelled.
On the way to the ward chamber, Imogen neutralizes guards, but the group finds Mira standing in as the guard, having anticipated Violet’s move. After a tense exchange about the risk to the wards and potential treason, Mira chooses to help rather than stop Violet. Inside the chamber, Brennan joins her, taking charge: Mira will guide the process, Maren will wield lesser magic, and Sawyer will manipulate the metal. Violet wrestles with grief over her mother’s sacrifice as the operation begins.
Sawyer starts altering the iron-bound runes while Maren attempts collection. The first adjustment causes a controlled bubbling of one rune line, then a dangerous split that Brennan and Ridoc stabilize with quick action and ice. On the next attempt, Maren successfully spins the altered stone in her palm, showing the selective rune removal worked while leaving dark-wielder protections intact. Mira estimates with high confidence that Jack Barlowe’s containment remains unaffected, pending confirmation.
With the targeted protection removed, Violet exults that Poromish fliers can wield and remain with their squads, anticipating the accord being signed in eight hours. Sawyer, exhausted but smiling, warns about treason, and Violet immediately instructs Maren on next steps to leverage the success.
At Battle Brief the following morning, the room is tense but hopeful as Violet’s squad assembles. News arrives that negotiations are back on and Professor Kiandra will co-lead with Devera. Devera declares that existing squad structures remain, warns that War Games are now true war preparation, and announces that Dain Aetos will lead Fourth Wing, with other wing leaders retained according to size and composition.
As the room reacts, Colonel Aetos bursts in with riders, calls Violet by name, and formally charges her with high treason in front of the assembled cadets, cutting short the moment of victory and putting Violet’s fate in immediate jeopardy.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
protagonist; leads the covert operation to alter the wardstone; later publicly charged with high treason.
- Rhiannon Matthias
Violet’s friend; supports the mission and comforts Violet during grief.
- Ridoc
squadmate; assists in the mission and stabilizes the wardstone with ice; urges Sawyer to reengage as a rider.
- Imogen
shadow-wielder ally; provides infiltration support and neutralizes guards.
- Bodhi
Aretian ally; sets a sound shield and helps coordinate the mission.
- Maren Zina
Poromish flier; wields lesser magic to receive the altered material and confirms the selective rune removal worked.
- Sawyer
rider and metallurgist; recently lost a leg; manipulates the iron to alter the wardstone’s rune binding, enabling the plan’s success.
- Mira Sorrengail
Violet’s sister; intercepts the team, then aids and supervises the wardstone alteration.
- Brennan Sorrengail
Violet’s brother; oversees the operation and stands by to mend the stone if needed.
- Dyre
healer; assists by taking an extra shift and keeping others sedated.
- Professor Devera
resumes leading Battle Brief; announces integration with fliers and leadership assignments.
- Professor Kiandra
fliers’ professor; newly co-leads Battle Brief after alliance talks resume.
- Cat
ally connected to Aretian leadership; times communication to support negotiations; teases effects in class.
- Colonel Markham
referenced as having led in Devera’s absence.
- Dain Aetos
named wingleader of Fourth Wing; present during announcements.
- Iris Drue
retains leadership of First Wing.
- Aura Beinhaven
retains leadership of Second Wing.
- Lyell Stirling
remains leader of Third Wing.
- Colonel Aetos
storms Battle Brief and formally charges Violet with high treason.
- Jack Barlowe
referenced as the containment test case for ward protections.
- Amari
referenced by Cat in confirming Xaden’s ducal status paperwork timing.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; provides reassurance about execution risk and notes Xaden is out of range.
- Squadmates and cadets (Aaric, Kai, Baylor, Lynx, Sloane, Avalynn, Trager)
appear during Battle Brief seating and protection details.