Chapter Nineteen
Contains spoilers
Summary
- The protagonist's heart pounds nervously as they prepare for flight maneuvers.
- Colonel Kaori seems anxious, and Varrish watches the protagonist with a disturbing intent.
- The protagonist struggles with wielding, suffering elevated temperature and strain from extensive training.
- Their friend Rhiannon senses something off about an orange dragon, while their colleagues comment on dragons and Varrish's demeanor.
- The protagonist tries to stay composed while internally distressed about not having their dragon Andarna with them.
- They discuss Andarna's absence and health with their squad mates, sharing that she's resting and not fit for the more complex maneuvers.
- Rhiannon and Sawyer discuss their concerns and suspicions about Varrish, questioning whether there's a history with the protagonist's mother.
- The protagonist mentally gears up for the suffering that might follow due to Andarna's absence.
- A confrontation ensues with Varrish, who charges the protagonist with dereliction of duty for Andarna's nonappearance.
- Tairn the dragon defends the protagonist, stating dragons do not answer to humans and entering a defensive stance.
- Rhiannon tries to understand what's happening as Tairn announces that there will be no punishment for the protagonist.
- An intense altercation occurs between Tairn and Solas, another dragon, leading to Tairn injuring Solas.
- Tairn insists on an apology from Varrish and forces him to publicly acknowledge their wrongdoings and lack of authority over dragons.
- The protagonist anticipates retaliation from Solas and Varrish, worrying about the future implications of the conflict.
- Days later, the protagonist is with Rhiannon, discussing potential consequences and their feelings about the past incident.
- Rhiannon criticizes an upcoming training Gauntlet, but the protagonist defends its necessity for survival skills.
- Rhiannon feels distanced from the protagonist, who has been withholding information and isolating themselves.
- An emotional confrontation occurs where the protagonist shares the traumatic experiences they've faced, including the death of friends.
- Rhiannon shows concern for the protagonist, who regrets not being more communicative.
- Their conversation is interrupted by Major Varrish and his guards, who search the protagonist's belongings.
- Varrish implies he does not fully trust the protagonist and reminds them to enjoy their leave while they have it.
- The protagonist apologizes to Rhiannon for previously lashing out, as they admit that nothing feels alright.