A memorandum from Carr notes Violet’s inability to reliably raise wards without extreme distress. In Cordyn’s arena, the chest opens to a venin. Violet orders guards away, but the venin seizes and drains one. Her lightning misfires in the storm, and steel daggers are insufficient. Xaden throws alloy-hilted daggers; Brennan joins as the venin telekinetically hurls the chest and pins Violet’s dress.

The venin slams the ground, sending a draining wave. Mira shields Violet and Brennan despite being away from wards, saving a small circle as the field dies; she collapses, nearly burned out. Violet realizes the arena’s stone—quarried east of the Dunness River—remains unaffected above the field. With Tairn inbound, Violet sends Brennan and Mira to safety and sets a precise counter.

As Tairn arrives, Violet throws two alloy daggers to pin the venin’s boots, then unleashes lightning to charge the flooded arena. Tairn lifts her as the current races through the water, killing the venin. Dragons secure the terrace to deter interference. On the patio, Xaden shadow-chokes Tecarus until Violet steadies him; Tecarus admits the stone was quarried from already drained land and that the Rybstad chest suspends contents, explaining the venin’s containment.

An hour later, in dry flight leathers, negotiations begin. Tecarus flatters Violet and offers an isolated “peace” arrangement if she serves him monitoring riderless wyvern; she refuses. He provides a book of venin intelligence but claims he promised only to discuss the luminary. Brennan offers weapons in exchange.

Tecarus demands they also relocate and train 100 gryphon flier cadets in Aretia. Xaden notes a risky route to Tyrrendor; Syrena accepts the risk. Brennan agrees on the condition each flier brings a crossbolt, effectively sealing terms for the luminary and shared intel while committing Aretia to integrate fliers with riders.