Two days after earlier events, Violet meets Sawyer at the flight field before dawn with Tairn, Andarna, and Sliseag. Sawyer unveils a boot-mounted hook he engineered to help him climb Sliseag despite his prosthetic, admitting a previous failed attempt. After initial missteps and a near fall, Violet suggests timing the hook deployment at the momentum shift, akin to her Gauntlet technique. Sawyer tries again, catching midway but struggling to progress as his right foot repeatedly slips.

Andarna offers to boost Sawyer with her tail, but Sawyer refuses, insisting on succeeding without aid to honor Sliseag’s choice. A tense exchange between Sawyer and Sliseag culminates in a mutual understanding; Sliseag lowers his claw to a more walkable incline. Sawyer then ascends steadily and settles into the saddle, confirming he can ride again. Violet uses the moment to gently reach out to Andarna about grief, and Andarna retorts that Violet and Tairn also avoid discussing their own grief, a small but notable thaw in Andarna’s distance.

Rhiannon, Ridoc, Maren, Cat, Imogen, Quinn, Dain, Bodhi, and others arrive, celebrating Sawyer’s return to the seat. Rhiannon worries she failed Sawyer, but Violet reassures her it had to come from Sawyer and Sliseag on their timeline. The group prepares to travel to Aretia for rune training and respite, with Kaori and Panchek also present, eager to observe the Empyrean.

The squad launches for Aretia, camping near the Tyrrish border, then completes the journey once gryphons confirm they can handle the altitude. They enter Aretian wards and land in the valley; Xaden and Sgaeyl are absent. Andarna shows prickliness, snapping at Kaori’s proximity before chasing sheep, while Violet warns Kaori that Andarna will not submit to study.

At Riorson House, the group receives bunk assignments and plans a visit to Rhiannon’s family, with Dain and Bodhi joining this rotation. Bodhi encourages Violet to treat the place as home, and she enters the warded room she shares with Xaden, noting its unchanged state and the Blade of Aretia in a glass box. After cleaning up, she is surprised by Brennan, who asks to be pulled through the wards for a private conversation.

Brennan confesses he cannot mend Xaden’s slide toward venin despite trying daily during Xaden’s recent stay. He explains they attempted silent offerings, returning magic to the earth, and time among the hatching grounds’ eggs, without success. Violet reels but brightens when Brennan says Xaden’s letter from Lewellen mentioned trying to mend the spot at Basgiath, signaling Xaden has not given up. The chapter closes with a historical note describing a Sage-level venin who desiccated a village overnight, emphasizing the threat’s scale.