Navarre's peace is maintained by not allowing more than three cadets carrying rebellion relics to be assigned to any squad of any quadrant.
Groups larger than three marked ones will now be considered an act of seditious conspiracy, a capital offense.
In the darkness alongside the Iakobos River, underneath a full moon, the protagonist gathers fonilee berries, readying herself for the challenges that begin next week at Basgiath War College.
She stumbles upon a group meeting beneath the trees, led by Xaden Riorson and Imogen, they are breaching the rule that more than three marked ones can't gather together without suspicion.
It appears to be a support and strategy group for first-year students, teaching survival and combat skills, though there’s talk of revenge against the protagonist, due to her mother’s past deeds.
Xaden asserts his claim on handling the protagonist, warning the others from attempting anything against her.
She is subsequently discovered eavesdropping by Xaden. A tense moment ensues, where she challenges him to kill her. He doesn’t, and without revealing her to anyone, Xaden warns her to keep their secret meeting unknown to others.
His calm approach startles her, and she leaves the situation not having been caught by anyone else, with her foraged berries still in hand.