Chapter Four
Contains spoilersOverview
Violet and Xaden publicly present a cover story that a gryphon ambush killed Liam and Soleil and nearly killed Violet. General Sorrengail believes them, rebukes Colonel Aetos for abandoning Athebyne, and orders graduation to proceed. Third-years, including Xaden, are commissioned, while Violet’s class advances to second-year amid tension with Dain.
Summary
In the graduation courtyard, shock ripples as Xaden appears alive while Captain Fitzgibbons fumbles the death roll and Commandant Panchek, Colonel Aetos, and General Sorrengail look on. Xaden steps onto the dais, asserting that beyond the wards their riot was surprised by gryphons. He names the dead—Liam Mairi and Soleil Telery—and reveals Violet was poisoned.
Prompted by Xaden, Violet corroborates the account, adding that Athebyne was inexplicably deserted and that Xaden chose to save the living over holding a meaningless War Games post. Xaden produces written orders emptying the outpost, which General Sorrengail recognizes as Aetos’s handwriting. She believes Violet, orders the death roll corrected, and summons Aetos to answer for his judgment.
After the dais confrontation, Aetos hisses threats, but Xaden undercuts him by invoking General Melgren’s limitations and the public gaze. Dain rushes Violet, and she warns him off; Xaden pointedly reminds Dain of “Athebyne,” shaming him back into place. Fitzgibbons completes the death roll, naming Soleil and Liam, and the formation steels itself in silence.
Panchek commissions the third-years. Xaden takes his orders and departs to prepare for immediate reassignment, promising to find Violet before leaving. With graduation concluded, Panchek declares promotions: first-years become seconds, seconds become third-years. Violet and her surviving friends officially advance to second-year.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengail
Testifies to the gryphon attack, reveals poisoning, confronts Aetos and Dain, and advances to second-year.
- Xaden Riorson
Leads the public cover story, presents orders, claims he saved Violet, and is commissioned as a lieutenant.
- General Lilith Sorrengail
Interrogates, believes Violet, reprimands Aetos for emptying Athebyne, orders corrections and graduation to proceed.
- Colonel Aetos
Accuses them of desertion; exposed for War Games orders; ordered to report to the general.
- Dain Aetos
Approaches Violet and is publicly rebuffed; shamed by Xaden’s “Athebyne” warning.
- Commandant Panchek
Runs the ceremony, announces commissions and promotions, dismisses the formation.
- Captain Fitzgibbons
Riders scribe who reads the death roll and scrambles to correct it.
- Jesinia
Scribe who retrieves the death roll and quietly expresses relief that Violet lives.
- Garrick
Steadies Violet, helps restore formation, and follows Xaden’s lead.
- Tairn
Violet’s dragon; waits beyond the ridge and reassures her mentally.
- Liam Mairi
Fallen rider named on the death roll; his death weighs on Violet.
- Soleil Telery
Fallen rider named on the death roll after the supposed gryphon ambush.