Chapter 4 begins with Captain Fitzgibbons reading the death roll during morning formation. Violet is reflecting on the lives lost, and makes an effort to remember the names of the fallen cadets. She loses track after Dylan’s name is read. This is the only recognition the dead receive at Basgiath. Death is common, and riders are encouraged to carry an apathetic attitude towards the loss of comrades in order to help them move forward. Violet also thinks about her knee injury, and plans to find a way to tend to her injuries in private. Privacy is limited for first-years as Basgiath. They sleep in the first floor barracks, where the beds are out in the open in one large room.
Dain releases the cadets from formation so they can head to their academic training. Violet remembers that she’ll have to attend sparring today with her squad. She also remembers that she’ll have to complete the Gauntlet in order to bond. The Gauntlet is a vertical obstacle course that claims the life of cadets every single year.
Readers are introduced to two new characters: Sawyer and Ridoc. Sawyer is a second-year cadet that failed to bond during Threshing his first year. Ridoc is a member of Violet’s squad known for being a smart-ass.
Once they break away from formation for class, Dain signals Violet to come talk to him in secrecy in the rotunda. He asks about her injuries, and asks her general questions to gain an understanding for her wellbeing. Violet assures him she’s doing fine, and is used to waking up early since the scribes wake up an hour before everyone else at Basgiath. Violet asks about why she was moved from Second to Fourth Wing, and Dain tells her that Xaden specifically asked for the switch since he has a death wish for Violet. Violet believes he is doing this to get back at her mom for the events of the rebellion. Dain assures Violet he’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe. Dain tells Violet that Xaden is ruthless, hence the reason why his dragon chose him. Violet pieces together that Xaden’s dragon, Sgaeyl, was the navy blue dragon that wouldn’t stop looking at her during the first formation.
Dain continues talking about his bond with his dragon, Cath. His signet is supposed to be top secret information, but he decides to tell Violet that he can read people’s recent memories by touch. Riders with classified signets wear a sigil of a compass on their uniform to indicate their inability to share their signet openly.
They are about to break off to head to class when Violet notices that Xaden is watching her from the top of the staircase. Xaden teases Violet and Dain, claiming that they are too obvious with their connection. An open connection between Dain and Violet can be used against them in such a hostile environment. Dain encourages Violet to run to class to avoid Xaden.
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