At morning formation, the Aretia Accord takes effect as Cat’s drift is absorbed into Second Squad, Flame Section—Iron Squad. Violet leads the patch handoff, explains the riders’ patch system, and maintains composure despite Cat’s barbs, protected by her runed daggers that blunt Cat’s emotion‑amplifying signet. A tense exchange over Tyrrendor’s crown ends with Violet’s cutting retort, and the squad withdraws.

Seeking distance from the conflict, Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer head to the library. They joke uneasily about Cat’s terrifying ability but reject violence because she’s now a squadmate, with Andarna and Tairn chiming in telepathically. Violet unpacks Krovlish texts sent by Tecarus and Warrick’s journal. Sawyer practices signing with Jesinia. Violet asks Dain to meet, and he agrees to help.

The next day in the wardstone chamber, Dain and Violet work through Warrick’s journal. Dain corrects a translation and recalls Jesinia’s specialization, prompting talk about how the Codex and first year hardened them. He notes Violet skipped to the ward entries, and old tensions surface.

At the stone, Dain begins imbuing, estimating weeks for something so large. He apologizes for using his signet to take Violet’s memories—first accidentally, then to gather information—and for his role in the losses, including Liam and Soleil. Violet sets boundaries: they will not revisit those deaths for now, but he will keep helping with translations and imbuing; she may ask Xaden to assist.

Before parting, Dain asks if Violet truly loves Xaden. She answers unequivocally, and Dain commits to trusting Xaden as she does. They agree to meet daily, pairing practical progress on the wardstone with a fragile, conditional reconciliation.