Andarna drops from the camouflaged cliff, reveals black scales, breathes fire, and beheads the dark wielder threatening Violet. Tairn, Sgaeyl, and Sliseag land, and Melgren orders Tairn and Sgaeyl to the Vale. Violet and Xaden argue that moving them leaves Brennan and the wardstone exposed, and Violet sends Andarna toward Marbh.

Inside Basgiath’s chaotic corridors, wounded fill the halls. Cat urges Violet to tell General Sorrengail that gryphons can fight on the ground if the rain continues. In the courtyard, Jesinia reaches Violet with Lyra’s journal and shows a key discrepancy: a symbol that reads “seven,” not “six,” matching seven circles on Aretia’s wardstone. Violet grasps the implications and shields her thoughts.

At the gate, Xaden confronts Melgren and General Sorrengail over pulling dragons to the Vale. Melgren prioritizes the Vale and plans to use cadets as a delaying tactic. Violet counters that Brennan has mended the wardstone and, if it can hold power, she can raise the wards and turn the fight. Overhead, a larger wyvern with a rider in royal blue appears, and the hovering line continues to wait.

Violet pleads with her mother to trust her and help imbue the stone, promising to do whatever is ordered if it fails. When Melgren dismisses her, General Sorrengail orders him to wait. Xaden threatens to leave Melgren to his fate if he refuses Violet’s solution and takes Violet’s hand, saying he will buy her the time she needs.

As Xaden steps out, he reveals what holds the horde back: they are waiting for him. He walks toward the dragons, intent on drawing the attack and giving Violet a chance to raise the wards.