The chapter takes place in the valley above Riorson House, recognized for its thermal energy and hatching grounds of the Dubhmadinn Line of dragons, particularly Codagh and Tairn.
The protagonist and Brennan are having a private reunion after believing Brennan was dead for six years.
Brennan reveals he let the protagonist believe he was dead because it was necessary, leading to strained emotions between them.
They recall past memories, noting changes in each other, and Brennan expresses relief at hearing the protagonist survived a dangerous event known as Threshing.
Brennan and the protagonist discuss Mira, their involvement in conflicts, and the scars and secrets that they each carry.
There's tension around Brennan not revealing his survival to Mira and other loved ones.
The protagonist is curious about Brennan's survival, his whereabouts, his choice not to return home, and the fate of a dragon named Marbh.
Brennan explains his survival and that he has been fighting in secret with other dragons and civilians against dark wielders.
The chapter unveils a conflict involving expanding territories marked by red and orange flags, representing new battle sites and the threat from wyvern produced by venin.
Brennan and the protagonist discuss tactics, with Brennan skeptical of the leadership's ability to protect against the growing venin and wyvern threat.
The protagonist explores the concept of a second wardstone and the potential to create new wards to protect cities beyond Navarre's borders.
Brennan discredits the idea of ancient knowledge helping in their current situation, focusing on the need for weapons made from a luminary that intensifies dragonfire.
Brennan warns against diving too deep into the revolution's details, highlighting the need for security against memory readers.
The protagonist fears for their safety and the liability of knowing too much, expressing urgency in returning to Basgiath to protect others.
A grand reveal that a character named Andarna, previously a small gold-feathered hatchling, has rapidly grown to an adolescent black dragon due to an overuse of power.
Andarna's growth has potential dangers as she is now an adolescent dragon with a strong and unpredictable nature.
The protagonist and Xaden have an unspoken, troubled love dynamic, with a history of hidden truths and emotional wounds.
Xaden arrives with reinforcements, and the group debates the risks of returning to Basgiath to continue their fight and protect their allies.
There is distrust in the intentions of General Sorrengail, the protagonist's mother, and a discussion on whether she would act against her own child.
The consensus is to return to Basgiath despite risks, with a plan to avoid detection and strengthen the protagonist's mental shields.
The chapter concludes with a sense of urgency to modify Andarna's harness due to her new size and to execute Xaden's plan, which is tied to Graduation happening in forty-eight hours.