CHAPTER TWENTY
Contains spoilersOverview
At morning formation, Xaden reassigns Liam Mairi to Dain’s squad to shadow Violet, heightening tensions. Commandant Panchek convenes a Codex hearing where Xaden accuses Wingleader Amber Mavis of orchestrating the attack on Violet. With Tairn sharing proof, a wingleaders’ quorum convicts Amber, and Tairn executes her by fire as Claidh mourns. Dain’s disbelief deepens his rift with Violet.
Summary
At formation, Captain Fitzgibbons reads the death roll, including Oren Seifert and two third-years. Bruised from the night’s attack, Violet watches as Xaden arrives and alters squad rolls, transferring Liam Mairi into Dain’s squad to shadow her. Violet protests the unwanted protection, but Xaden reveals he has even moved Liam into the adjacent room, citing the ongoing threat.
Commandant Panchek announces a Codex breach hearing. Xaden steps to the dais, declares that a rider in his wing was attacked, and says he executed six assailants, witnessed by Garrick Tavis and Bodhi Durran. He names Wingleader Amber Mavis as the orchestrator who accessed first-year sleeping assignments. Dain refuses to believe Violet and urges her to deny it or surrender her memory; Violet refuses to be read.
Xaden calls a quorum of wingleaders as dragons land, led by Tairn. Violet asks Tairn to share only the necessary memory to prove Amber’s guilt. Tairn signals the truth, the dragons and riders react, and Dain pales as Violet confronts his lack of trust.
The quorum unanimously convicts Amber. She claims she acted to protect the wings’ integrity and calls on her dragon, Claidh, but Tairn cowes the orange. Violet pleads for mercy, and Tairn replies that justice is not always merciful. Tairn incinerates Amber with dragonfire; Claidh’s grief shatters a window as the courtyard recoils.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
First-year rider; target of the attack; resists Dain’s memory read; asks Tairn to share proof; pleads for mercy.
- Xaden Riorson
Fourth Wing wingleader; reassigns Liam to guard Violet; accuses Amber; secures quorum; backs Violet’s word to the end.
- Amber Mavis
Wingleader accused of orchestrating Violet’s attempted murder; denies, claims integrity motive; executed by Tairn.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; shares enough memory to prove Amber’s guilt; dominates Claidh; executes Amber by fire.
- Dain Aetos
Squad leader; refuses to believe Violet; demands her memory; rift with Violet widens.
- Liam Mairi
Powerful first-year Tyr; reassigned to Dain’s squad and next to Violet’s room to guard her.
- Commandant Panchek
Announces Codex breach hearing; presides as wingleaders form a quorum.
- Garrick Tavis
Flame Section leader; Tyr witness to Xaden’s executions during the rescue.
- Bodhi Durran
Tail Section executive officer; Tyr witness to Xaden’s actions.
- Nyra
First Wing wingleader; joins the quorum and pronounces execution by fire.
- Septon Izar
Second Wing wingleader; serves on the quorum that convicts Amber.
- Claidh
Amber’s Orange Daggertail; retreats under Tairn’s dominance and mourns Amber’s death.
- Captain Fitzgibbons
Reads the death roll at formation before the hearing begins.
- Rhiannon Matthias
Violet’s friend; supports her during the accusation and condemns Amber.
- Ridoc
Squadmate; banters, defends Tyrs against bias during the hearing.
- Sawyer
Squadmate; comments as dragons arrive and stands beside Violet.