Dain carries Violet, with a dislocated shoulder and broken arm, from the Riders Quadrant to the Healer Quadrant. Winifred takes charge and insists on summoning the mender Nolon despite Dain’s protests. Dain argues against magical mending to leverage the injury to transfer Violet to the Scribe Quadrant, but Violet refuses to leave Riders.

Nolon arrives, hears that Imogen caused the injuries, and criticizes the policy that forced separatists’ children into Riders. Dain pleads to let healers treat Violet without magic so she can withdraw safely, but Violet demands mending “just this once.” Nolon warns of pain, orders Dain back to the quadrant, and proceeds; Violet blacks out during the agonizing repair.

That night, Violet returns to the barracks in a sling, worried about appearing weak. Rhiannon is relieved and offers help preparing for future challenges, while Violet assures she will heal before on-mat fights begin.

In her bunk, Violet finds a smuggled note from Mira and Brennan’s journal. Reading it, Violet learns instructors preassign challenge pairings a week in advance and where to observe to discover opponents. With two weeks before challenges, Violet forms a plan to use the journal’s guidance to prepare and improve her odds of survival.