This chapter begins with the introduction of the cadets’ newest obstacle–the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is a menacing, deadly obstacle course that cadets must complete before Presentation. The obstacle course is supposed to mimic the skills that cadets need to successfully mount, fly, and fight with a dragon. Violet’s squad is gathered for their first introduction to the Gauntlet. The cadets have mixed emotions about the Gauntlet: Sawyer is experienced, Aurelie is excited, and everyone else is scared shitless. Tynan gives Violet a hard time for her relationship with Dain, and Rhiannon checks him by informing him of their parents’ relationship. Dain’s father, Colonel Aetos, is General Sorrengail’s aide. Tynan apologizes, stating he was misinformed by Jack Barlowe.
Sawyer shows everyone how it’s done, and then they begin their attempts one by one. Violet encourages the others before her turn, and when she’s about to start, she begins getting extremely nervous. She does well at the start, resorting to her usual self-soothing tactic of reciting knowledge she’s acquired from books. She talks about feathertails, who are a mysterious breed of dragon, along with green and orange dragons. As she continues the obstacle course, she hears Aurelie scream. They make brief, panicked eye contact before Aurelie falls to her death. Later in the chapter, we learn Violet made it up until the last ascent–a vertical wall that must be climbed using momentum from a running start. Violet is too small to successfully complete this component of the Gauntlet.
Fast forward to morning formation, and Violet cries silently as Aurelie’s name is called during the death roll. She’s frustrated by the lack of care and sympathy during death roll. She believes the fallen cadets should have more recognition. She takes on the responsibility of burning Aurelie’s personal belongings, which is part of the culture of not only Basgiath, but all of Navarre. She reflects on her time at Basgiath, which at this point has been two months. She wonders why she has survived this long, when there are other cadets stronger and bigger than her that have died. She realizes hope is a dangerous thing, but it’s the only thing that keeps her going.
She looks to the distance to see three dragons returning to the flight field. She wonders what they were doing, but doesn’t pay too much attention. On her way back to the barracks she sees Xaden walking with Garrick and Bodhi towards her. She slips into the shadows, but as they pass by Xaden picks up on her presence. He dismisses his friend and cousin, and they confront each other. She tells Xaden she has no intention of telling anyone about their secret trip, and he believes her. She confides in him about her worries. She doesn’t have a plan when it comes to passing the last obstacle on the Gauntlet, and she’s ashamed that hope has gotten her this far, only to reach a seemingly dead end. He tells her that she has a right to be afraid, considering she has enemies everywhere. He lights a fire of determination in Violet. He tells her that there’s always an answer to any problem, even if it’s unconventional. She is angered by his vagueness, but is inspired by their conversation.
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