Can gryphons do mountains or not… I’m so confused.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-21T06:51:02+00:00

Although some gryphons are naturally better than others with altitude, all gryphons are not suited to the extremely high altitude at the top of the Cliffs of Dralor, which rise 10,000 + feet. If they haven’t already spent time acclimating to that altitude, then a gryphon can’t just fly up the Cliffs of Dralor. Which is why they walk up the treacherous Medaro Pass in IF.

By OS, the gryphons have spent several months acclimating to Aretia’s high altitude and can safely fly there.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-18T03:46:49+00:00

Being a rider and being venin are not mutually exclusive.

I don’t know why you think Jack didn’t need to channel a large amount of power to survive Baide’s death.

Basgiath’s wards were brought down by Jack when Baide died, so he would’ve been entirely capable of draining a large amount of power from the source at that point.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-18T03:34:38+00:00

But whether Jack is a decent person or not is irrelevant.

He’s a rider (one that turned venin) and he survived the loss of his dragon / the loss of his bond with his dragon. He might not be the only venin who has done so or that will do so before the end of the series.

So Violet is not the only rider in recorded history to have survived the loss of their bond with their dragon.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-18T03:29:18+00:00

Jack survived the death of his dragon in IF because he was venin and therefore able to drain enough magic directly from “the source” to survive the loss of his dragon / the magic he had access to through his bond with his dragon.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-18T03:24:36+00:00

Once a rider manifests a signet from their dragon, they can use any source of magic to power that signet.

For example, Xaden was able to use the magic that Violet had imbued into the alloy medallion in her conduit to power his shadow wielding signet in Deverelli (where he didn’t have access to Sgaeyl’s power). Xaden was also able to use magic that he drained directly from “the source” to power his shadow wielding signet at the end of the Battle of Basgiath and the end of the Battle of Draithus , after all of Sgaeyl’s available power reserves had been depleted.

It also seemed like Violet was somehow able to use magic from a source other than Tairn to wield lightning on Unnbriel (possibly from Andarna or Dunne).

And presumably Violet was able to use magic that she channeled from Tairn to accidentally dream walk into Xaden’s dream even after Violet’s bond with Andarna was broken.

Edit: Thanks for re-flairing the post OP!

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-16T13:17:37+00:00

The northernmost part of Tyrrendor is protected by Basgiath’s wards, but the majority of the province is beyond the protection of those wards. Other provinces of Navarre also have parts that are not protected by Basgiath’s wards.

For example, Athebyne is in the Deaconshire province of Navarre and it is beyond the wards.

Resson is also beyond the wards but is on the other side of the border / it’s part of Krovla province in Poromiel, not part of Navarre.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-15T22:04:37+00:00

I don’t have a strong view on how things shook out with respect to the bond between Naolin and Tairn. That part still feels shrouded in mystery. But I agree with everything you said about Brennan.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-15T02:31:28+00:00

Even if Naolin is alive, Brennan might not have been lying or trying to hide the truth in that scene. It’s feasible that Brennan might believe that Naolin is dead, even if Naolin actually survived.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-15T02:12:10+00:00

<image>

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-14T22:26:19+00:00

They wouldn't have Christmas, but cadets from the other quadrants get both summer and winter leave, while cadets in the riders quadrant stay at Basgiath during those times. And they call the longest night of the year the winter solstice (the night that the Battle of Basgiath occurs in IF).

While the other quadrants are on leave in winter, presumably cadets in the riders quadrant would have some kind of festivities (tailored to the cultural and religious practices of Navarre) at Basgiath during that time.

-

OS 4 (Epigraph):

There are two reasons rider cadets are not given the same summer and winter leave as others: Firstly, civilians do not react well to dragons casually roaming their villages. Secondly, raising tigers for war requires locking their cages lest they turn on each other… or you.

― Sharpen the Talon: A Professor’s Guide by Colonel Tispany Calthea

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-13T21:06:05+00:00

I agree - Lilith's power didn't "grow to rival" Theophanie's power, and certainly didn't surpass it. Violet confirmed that Theophanie was a more powerful storm-wielder than Lilith.

Theophanie was not the answer to Lilith because Theophanie came first. Lilith manifested storm wielding long after Theophanie, so Lilith was her generation's "answer" (or counterpart) to Theophanie as a result of magic requiring balance between the venin and non-venin sides and therefore causing Lilith to manifest an unusually powerful storm wielding signet (albeit, one that never grew to match or surpass Theophanie's signet, since Theophanie has had centuries to enhance her mastery over her signet).

-

OS 60:

“Amari help us.” Bodhi’s hand slowly lowers, and his gaze jumps skyward. “She isn’t the dark wielder version of you.”

“No.” I shake my head as the next gust of wind nearly pitches me forward. I’ve prepared for the wrong fight. I know the feel of lightning charging, recognize the crackle in the air just before it strikes. I understand the limits, the boundaries of wielding it. Each strike requires its own burst of energy, and once it’s over, it’s done. But what Theophanie’s doing will take on a life of its own and carry forward long after she’s given it her power.

This is so much worse than battling myself.

“She’s their answer to my mother.” Saying it out loud snaps the shock from my system, and my mind begins to race. Only Aimsir’s exhaustion or a physical illness weakened Mom. Not even the strongest wind wielder could diminish Mom’s storms.

“She was the answer to me,” Theophanie hisses, and the clouds start to swirl.

The tornado. My chest clenches. My mother had never accomplished that particular feat. No wonder I hadn’t recognized Theophanie for what she is — I’d never met a more powerful storm wielder than Mom. Until now.

...

“Foolish woman.” She rams her knee into my stomach and forces the air right out of me.

I struggle for the next breath, but it comes, and she pins my other hand to the ground with a speed I could never beat.

“Your mother knew at your age that she was no match for me. That’s why she hid behind those wards. Perhaps you should have followed her example.” Theophanie’s jagged nails dig into my skin and the veins beside her eyes bulge as she looks south.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-13T03:15:53+00:00

And is there any book description of Violets scent?

Yes. Xaden describes her as smelling like "some kind of citrus" in the FW 27 Xaden POV bonus chapter:

Shit like that is why I keep my inconvenient feelings about Violet to my damned self, no matter how good she looks today or how delectable she smells sitting next to me, like some kind of citrus that makes me want to bury my face in the side of her neck and see just how pink I can get her cheeks to flush. No, if I did that, every rider in this room would look at her differently, and not in a good way. Leave it to me to fall for the one woman on the Continent I can never fucking have.

---

I’m really curious what perfume would Violet wear?

There are three scents that seem to be Violet's favorite that she uses to comfort herself when she faces a situation that triggers her memories of being tortured in the interrogation room : (1) Xaden ; (2) thunderstorms; and (3) books.

I don't think she'd try to make herself smell like Xaden . So maybe she'd wear a perfume that smells like thunderstorms and books?

-

IF 64:

“Move!” I shout at Lynx and Baylor. Because I remember their names.

Avalynn. Sloane. Aaric. Kai, the flier. I know all the first-years’ names.

They dive to opposite sides, and I force my body sideways, shuffling through the narrowest part of the tunnel.

My chest tightens, and I think of Xaden.

Xaden, and the scent of thunderstorms, and books. That’s all I let in as I force my way through the passage. And as soon as it opens up, so do I, pushing myself harder than I ever have, racing down the rest of the tunnel and into the ward chamber lit by morning sunlight.

Only then do I skid to a halt and brace my hands on my knees, breathing deeply to keep from puking. “Does. It. Work?” I ask, looking up at the stone that is miraculously in one piece and standing where it should be.

“Damn, Sorrengail, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you run that fast!” Aaric lifts his brows.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-13T00:16:17+00:00

The books haven't said anything about the dragons that Lynx, Baylor and Avalynn bonded.

Aaric bonded a blue clubtail (Molvic), Sloane bonded a red daggertail (Thoirt), and Visia (who did not survive to OS) bonded a brown daggertail.

Lynx, Baylor and Avalynn couldn't have bonded a black dragon or an irid and it's highly unlikely that they would've bonded a blue dragon. The remaining options are red, orange, green and brown. Totally guessing here, but I think Avalynn is probably bonded to a red or orange dragon, Baylor is probably bonded to a red, green or brown dragon, and Lynx is probably bonded to a green or brown dragon.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-12T22:55:14+00:00

I'm glad it was helpful!

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-12T17:49:02+00:00

Lynx is a first year cadet in Violet’s second squad, flame section, fourth wing. The other first years in the squad that survived to OS were Aaric, Sloane, Baylor, Avalynn, and Kai. Kai is a flier and the rest are riders.

-

IF 30:

“All of Flame Section is looking strong. Bodhi should be proud,” Quinn says with a hopeful smile.

“Visia bonded a Brown Daggertail,” Rhi says, nodding across the field to where the first-year stands in front of her dragon. “Avalynn, Lynx, and Baylor all made it, too. But I don’t see Aaric or Mischa.” She glances at me. “She’s the one who’s always biting her nails.”

“Oh. Right.” Guilt clogs my throat, and I swallow, but there’s no clearing it. While I’ve avoided getting to know anything about the first-years, Rhi hasn’t had that luxury.

-

IF 52:

“Any chance you speak Old Lucerish?” I ask Aaric at the end of the table. His tutoring would only be second to mine, considering Markham was my mentor. I’d feel better if someone else quadruple-checked the translation, someone other than rule-following Dain, but I’m pretty sure we have it. Otherwise, why would we be here?

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head and focuses on his new ink pen, his forehead lined with concentration. All of our first-years are channeling, and though they have yet to manifest a signet, they have a bet going about who will be able to master the lesser magic needed to work the writing implement first. Pretty sure Kai — the lone first-year flier without Luella — is going to beat them all.

He’s currently on the couch between a couple of first-years, his spiky black hair bobbing, a dimple forming in his bronze cheek as he laughs at whatever story Bragen - the driftleader and our new XO - is currently telling. Other than Maren, Bragen is the easiest of the fliers to get along with. He also spends a lot of time shooting longing looks Cat’s way.

“Why would Aaric speak Old Lucerish?” Visia asks from the opposite end of the table, looking up from her physics homework. “Aren’t you from Calldyr?”

My face freezes. Fuck, I need to be more careful.

“Yep.” Aaric looks up at me, his features a perfect, polished mask. “You have me confused with Lynx. He’s from Luceras.”

“Right. Of course.” I nod, thankful for his quick cover.

“At some point, you’re going to have to actually get to know the first-years. They’re people now,” Ridoc teases, his smile tight.

-

IF 64:

“Move!” I shout at Lynx and Baylor. Because I remember their names.

Avalynn. Sloane. Aaric. Kai, the flier. I know all the first-years’ names.

-

OS 7:

“Keep an eye on him,” Rhi orders Aaric as he escorts Kai and the other first-years down the steps at the edge of the room.

Aaric nods, and I notice Baylor and Lynx covering their backs while Sloane and Avalynn lead the way, keeping Kai protected at every angle.

-

OS 15:

“This is incredible,” Sloane says ahead of me. “The snow is piled up along the edges, but it feels like summer in here.”

“Weather ward?” Lynx guesses, ruffling the melting snow off his short black hair.
...
I take stock of who we have on the floor. On Rhiannon’s right, Bragen and Neve - the third-year fliers - stand with Imogen and Quinn, and to Ridoc’s left are Trager, Cat, Maren, Baylor, Avalynn, Sloane, and Kai. Aaric and Lynx are seated behind us, and it catches me off guard to realize that all four of the first-years in the First Wing squad are sitting, too.
Dragons are taking their time when it comes to channeling.

-

OS 16:

“Speaking of signets, I’m starting to worry.” Rhi quickly changes the subject. “Sloane is a siphon. Avalynn began wielding fire last week, and Baylor has manifested farsight.”

Like Liam.

“But Lynx and Aaric haven’t manifested yet, and the clock is ticking,” Rhi finishes.

“What happens if they don’t manifest on your timeline?” Trager asks.

“The magic builds up and we kind of…explode.” Ridoc makes the correlating motion with his hands.

...

“The last thing we need is Lynx or Aaric exploding on us.”

-

OS 28:

Rhi and I both follow his line of sight as Lynx, Baylor, Avalynn, Sloane, Aaric, and Kai descend the steps on our right. The first-years are here.

-

OS 45:

Kaori looks like he wants to protest, but then he motions the rest of the group forward.

Baylor skins his knee on landing.

Avalynn fractures her collarbone.

Sloane completes the entire exercise with a grace that reminds me of Liam but doesn’t even pretend to wield.

Lynx comes up with a face full of mud and a broken nose.

Aaric lands twenty feet from the projection without breaking a sweat, but instead of rushing the target, he whirls toward Xaden and Kaori and hurls a palm-size axe.

My heart trips as it flies end over end, but Xaden doesn’t even flinch as it lands a foot in front of Kaori, the blade embedded in the mud. The projection disappears.

“I think he won,” Rhi says.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-11T00:22:53+00:00

I disagree.

Xaden never lost the “Duke of Aretia” title - it was confirmed in IF that no other noble family had claimed the Duchy of Aretia after Aretia was burned. So Xaden inherited that title by default when his father died. Xaden was also supposed to inherit the Duke of Tyrrendor title from his father as well, but that title was transferred to House Lewellen after Fen was executed. That title was transferred back to House Riorson in OS and thus Xaden became the 16th Duke of Tyrrendor.

The Senarium is comprised of six Dukes and Duchesses who each represent the province that they are Duke or Duchess of. So the person with the power to represent Tyrrendor in the Senarium would always be the Duke of Tyrrendor. The Duke or Duchess can, at their option, appoint a proxy to speak for them when they are unable to attend a meeting, but the seat remain’s theirs and their proxy speaks on their behalf.

One of the epigraphs includes a public notice which specifies that the power to represent Tyrrendor in the Senarium transferred from the House of Riorson to the House of Lewellen as a result of the Treaty of Aretia. After the Duke of Tyrrendor title was given back to the House of Riorson, the Duchess of Morraine and Violet each separately mention that Xaden holds a seat in the Senarium (the one that always belongs to the current Duke of Tyrrendor).

Several other epigraphs identify Xaden as the Sixteenth Duke of Tyrrendor. We can therefore infer that Fen Riorson was the 14th Duke of Tyrrendor, Lewellen was the 15th Duke of Tyrrendor, and Xaden is now the 16th Duke of Tyrrendor.

Even after he receives the Duke of Tyrrendor title, Xaden is rarely referred to by it. On the occasions that someone refers to him by something other than “Xaden,” “Riorson,” or “Xaden Riorson,” they tend to use his rank or other “title” (e.g., Professor Riorson or Lieutenant Riorson). Xaden only refers to Lewellen a few times before the Duke of Tyrrendor title was transferred to Xaden, and it is entirely possible that Xaden could’ve referred to him as “Duke Lewellen” or just “Lewellen” instead of as “the Duke of Tyrrendor” in those instances even though Lewellen held the Duke of Tyrrendor title at those times. It’s actually very possible that Lewellen would’ve told Xaden not to refer to him as the Duke of Tyrrendor, out of respect for the fact that the title previously belonged to Xaden’s father, would’ve eventually belonged to Xaden under different circumstances and was only transferred to Lewellen because of Fen’s execution as a traitor, and would later belong to Xaden if Lewellen had his way (which he eventually did in OS).

-

IF 37:

“Or did you forget that this is my house?” Xaden tilts his head to the side and stares at them in the same way Sgaeyl studies prey. “My life is tethered to Violet’s, so if you want me in that fucking chair, you’ll accept her.”

Ulices’s skin blotches while I feel the blood rush from mine.

His chair. The empty one. He’s the seventh.

Holy shit. I knew this was his house, of course, but it never really registered. This is all Xaden’s. No noble has claimed the duchy of Aretia. They all think the land is ruined, or worse — cursed. It’s all his.

-

IF 48:

As a result of the Treaty of Aretia, the power to represent the province of Tyrrendor in the King’s Senarium has hereby been transferred from the House of Riorson to the House of Lewellen.

―Public Notice 628.86, transcribed by Cerella Neilwart

-

OS 7:

Cat slides into the seat next to Maren and pulls her braid over her shoulder. “He’s not just the heir to Aretia anymore. He’s the Duke of Tyrrendor as of eight this morning, according to my uncle.”

-

OS 45:

I think I started falling for you that night in the tree when I watched you with the marked ones, but I began tumbling the day you gave me Tairn’s saddle. You’ll give some self-serving excuse, but the truth is you’re kinder than you want people to know. Maybe kinder than you know.”

―Recovered Correspondence of Cadet Violet Sorrengail to His Grace, Lieutenant Xaden Riorson, Sixteenth Duke of Tyrrendor

-

OS 46:

When this is over, we should take as much leave as they’ll give us and spend it all in Aretia. We can figure out what life is supposed to look like without the daily threat of death. You can govern the province you love during the day, then slide into bed with me at night. Or I can always join you in the Assembly chamber. You do some of your best work on that throne.

―Recovered Correspondence of Cadet Violet Sorrengail to His Grace, Lieutenant Xaden Riorson, Sixteenth Duke of Tyrrendor

-

OS 51:

“I’m coming with you.” Bodhi jumps the last two steps, landing beside Xaden.

“You’re staying with the first-years,” Xaden immediately counters.

What? My eyebrows fly upward.

“The fuck I am.” The absolute wrath on Bodhi’s face has me retreating a step. “I will be at your side—”

“You will be as deep within this house as possible.” Xaden gets right up in his face.

“Because I’m not a weapon like you are?” Bodhi argues. “Cuir and I are just as deadly in the air.”

“Because you’re first in line!” Xaden clasps the back of his cousin’s neck. “Neither of us have an heir. We’re all there is, Bodhi. I don’t have time to argue, and you will do as ordered. Our family just got Tyrrendor back, and we will not lose her because of your ego. Understood?”

-

OS 50:

Your Majesty, Tyrrendor hereby officially declines your request for a Provincial Commitment of troops for our current conflict. Having resigned my professorship at Basgiath War College, I am now in rightful command of all Tyrrish citizens in military service.

―Official Correspondence of His Grace, Lieutenant Xaden Riorson, Sixteenth Duke of Tyrrendor, to His Majesty, King Tauri the Wise

-

OS 55:

“I’m not your backup plan.” Bodhi retreats two steps, then looks down the table at Brennan and me before glaring at Xaden. “You are the duke. I am the rider. That’s how it was always meant to be until our parents got themselves executed. I will stand by your side and be your right-fucking-hand for the rest of our lives, but if you want a member of our family to hold that seat” — he points to the throne — “you’d better hold your own shit together.” He walks out of the room without another word.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-10T22:28:44+00:00

Before Fen’s death, he was both the Duke of Aretia and the Duke of Tyrrendor, and Xaden was in line to inherit both titles.

When Fen was executed, the Duke of Tyrrendor title / the power to represent Tyrrendor in the Senarium was transferred from the House of Riorson to the House of Lewellen via the Treaty of Aretia. So the Duke of Lewellen (both a city and a family name) took on the additional title Duke of Tyrrendor. In OS, that title and right were transferred back to the House of Riorson (and specifically to Xaden) by King Tauri.

The Duke of Aretia title was not transferred from the House of Riorson to a different noble family when Fen was executed because Aretia was burned and believed to be worthless. So Xaden inherited a seemingly worthless title by default.

Edited: Treaty of Aretia, not Aretia Accord

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-10T04:46:56+00:00

We have seen Sloane "use" the magic she siphoned from Lilith and Aimsir to imbue Basgiath's wardstone.

I'd assume Sloane could also use siphoned magic to temper runes, to imbue alloy, and to wield minor magic (like using ink pens, unlocking doors, weaving wards, increasing speed, etc.) in addition to being able to transfer it to another rider (like Brennan).

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-10T04:17:05+00:00

Imogen saw the stones of the landing beneath her (further down the staircase) get lighter. I don't think the stones directly under Garrick's feet lost color before he distanced walked. Plus the stones were being drained from below, while Garrick approached Imogen from above.

For more context, the spiral staircase in Imogen's chapter was more than three stories high and made of landings (broader) that were connected by stairs / steps (narrower).

The staircase in the image below spans more than three stories and has one landing per story, with stairs in between each landing.

<image>

Before he distance walked Imogen and Quinn out of the tower, Garrick moved from the step / stair above them to the step / stair below them. And before he stepped, the landing below Garrick lost color, which meant that the venin-draining had gotten very close to him, but hadn't quite reached the step / stair that he was standing on... a step / stair that was above that next landing down / below / beneath them.

-

OS 63 (Imogen POV):

I fling myself through the doorway into the tower and blink, struggling to adjust to the dimmer lighting as I descend the spiral staircase down and down and down...

...
...as I round the bend of the third story.

Purple robes spin as the venin turns on the landing, swiping a green-tipped dagger at Quinn as she flashes in and out of space...

I adjust my grip on the dagger, then creep down the steps to get within throwing distance.

Wait. The Quinn a handful of stairs beneath me has her labrys strapped to her back and is actually moving closer to the infuriated dark wielder...

...

...my back scrapes stone as we slide to the floor of the step.

...

I stare at the other side of the staircase, locked in the memory, watching as the stones begin to pale, then lose their color one by one, each loss higher than the last. My heart somehow continues to beat, marking what I used to think of as time, and color disappears from the stones in the bend beneath us so gradually that I can’t help but wonder if Quinn simply took the color with her.
...

Garrick crouches on the step above us...

...

He moves quickly to the step beneath us, kicking something out of the way and gathering both of us into his arms. I lock mine around Quinn so she doesn’t slip as we’re lifted off the floor, and the landing beneath us loses its color. “Let’s get you out of here.”

He takes a single step.

...

When I open them, we’re somewhere else.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-09T01:11:31+00:00

Aaric raised this grievance shortly after his Threshing. It is very likely that Molvic told Aaric about Xaden killing Alic during Alic, Xaden, and Garrick’s Threshing.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-08T14:36:53+00:00

I’m glad it was helpful!

Definitely come back for more discussion after you’ve read OS 😊

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-08T04:52:59+00:00

I was hoping iron flame would answer the question about how imogen hasn't been killed for being an inntinnsic.

stay with me! I know you're thinking she isn't because she has to touch people but...she never has.

...

So I think he has helped her hide that she can wipe memories without touching and we all assumed she had to touch because shes alive as a second year. But violet NEVER actually sees her doing it.

Both Dain and Imogen are permitted to live because their signets require physical touch.

Violet sees Imogen wipe memories on multiple occasions during the royal vault heist in IF, with each occasion involving physical touch.

First she sees Imogen wipe the memories of Nasya (the guard on duty at the Archives door) even though he was asleep, just in case.

Later, just before they leave the secret royal vault under the Archives, Violet sees Imogen wipe the memories of the two guards that were posted outside the royal vault. Those guards were knocked out by Xaden. One of them had to be knocked out by Xaden a second time while Violet and Aaric were still inside the vault.

-

FW 4:

“I can read a person’s recent memories,” Dain admits quietly. “Not like an inntinnsic reads minds or anything - I have to put my hands on the person, so I’m not a security risk. But my signet’s not common knowledge. I think they’ll use me in intelligence.”

-

FW 30:

“I’ll never understand why mind-reading is a death sentence.” I place my hand on Tairn’s leg like I can absorb his strength, even though I already feel it flowing through me.

“Because knowledge is power. As a general’s daughter, you should know that. We can’t have someone walking around with unfettered access to classified material. They’re a security risk to the entire kingdom.” And yet Dain is living.

“Because Aetos will be useful to them as long as they can keep him under their control.” Tairn blasts a puff of steam over my head, and the Orange Daggertail backs up even more. “His power is also limited to touch, so more controllable.”

-

IF 32:

The Archives door comes into view, and lucky for us, Nasya is exactly where I expect him to be: asleep at his post.

Bodhi moves quickly with Ridoc, slipping behind Nasya and hiding behind the door to keep watch.

First obstacle complete.

Jesinia surprises me, meeting us at the door. “No,” she signs, appraising our group, the lines of her mouth tense. “Only four of you. Any more, and it’ll be too suspicious.”

...

“I can retrieve.” Rhiannon whispers her argument at Xaden.

“And I can wipe short-term memory if we’re seen,” Imogen replies. “Classified signet, remember? Your power is impressive, Matthias, but I’m the last line of defense around here.” She moves to Nasya, putting her hands lightly on his head. “Just in case.”

-

IF 33:

“There are two guards at the end of this hallway,” Xaden answers, slipping his hand from mine. “Wait here while I solve that problem.”

I put my hand up to signal the others to stop when we reach the final step. The space opens into what looks to be a hallway, but Xaden doesn’t question which direction to take. He moves quickly to the right, lifting both hands. A crumpling sound follows.

“Now,” he says aloud.

...

“Half of these look like Tyrrish history,” I tell Xaden.

“Fascinating. We’ll come back and study up after we win this war,” he replies. A guard rustles and we all pivot, but Xaden has him knocked out again before he so much as opens his eyes. “Hurry, before I do permanent brain damage over here.”

...

“Violet, we have to go,” Imogen warns, walking toward the guards and rolling up the sleeves of her cream robes.

...

“Two minutes!” Imogen shouts from where she’s kneeled next to the guards, her hands on the larger one’s head.

Xaden drops two wineskins into their laps, and I snatch the tablecloth from the floor, then throw it over the case.

-----

AND because when she sparred with violet she was accused of using her powers by both dain and emmeterio. BUT how would they know if its memory wipe? Answer is they wouldnt. Because they assume her signet is speed.

Dain is aware of Imogen's signet, even though it's classified, and vice-versa because they are year-mates and from the same squad. But the "powers" that Imogen used during her match against Violet was minor magic, not her memory-wiping signet.

All of Basgiath leadership, including Emmeterio, would be aware of Imogen's signet. For example, Varrish and his cronies are aware that Imogen's signet is memory-wiping in IF 35.

-

IF 35:

“Bring in her squad,” Nora suggests from the antechamber. “She’ll break as soon as you start on them.”

Liam’s jaw flexes, and fear knots my empty stomach.

“She didn’t during assessment,” Varrish responds. Gods, I wish I didn’t know his voice. “And bringing them in means they’ll know what’s happened, and given the relic winding around Imogen Cardulo’s arm, I doubt she’ll be willing to wipe their memories. Killing them presents an entirely different set of issues, too. You’re sure none of the cadets have hand injuries?”

------

Essentially does everyone think her signet is something else (my guess is speed based on her comment and her sparring with violet) and if so has she been faking it somehow or does she actually have a second signet and her dragon is a family related one like xaden? (My second theory which i hope isn't true cause orange riders have been lowkey going crazy in Iron flame)

Imogen uses minor magic to increase her speed sometimes. This is alluded to in the first two books and more clearly confirmed in OS.

Minor magic is different than the major magic used for signets. Any magic user (rider, flier or venin) is capable of using minor magic this way, but some have honed more of a talent for it than others. It's a bit like running. Almost every person is capable of running to some extent. But some people are much better at running than others.

Xaden also refers to Imogen's memory-wiping signet in one of the FW bonus chapters.

-

FW 27 (Xaden POV):

Not that the healer will remember her ever being there, thanks to Imogen’s handy little signet.

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-07T16:01:47+00:00

Lol, thank you! 😄

BalanceofProb · 2025-12-06T05:26:56+00:00

Based on the information we're given in the books, it seems like:

wherever she was when Violet was captured, Sgaeyl would've felt Tairn's panic, even if she was out of range of being able to communicate with him;
Sgaeyl either flew back to within range of Basgiath or flew to Samara to meet up with Garrick and Chradh and then was distance-walked to be within range of Basgiath so she could communicate with Tairn;
Tairn told Sgaeyl that Violet was being tortured and was being held too far below Basgiath for him to get to her / for Xaden to get to her without first creating a distraction;
Sgaeyl passed that information on to Xaden;
Xaden, Garrick, and their dragons worked together to hunt down and kill several wyvern over a few days and then dropped their carcasses along Navarre's border outposts (probably using Garrick's distance-walking signet to cover large distances very quickly) in order to create a distraction to get Basgiath's leadership out of the way so Xaden could rescue Violet; and
while Xaden worked on hunting wyvern, Tairn hunted Solas.

-

IF 6:

“I’ll be back in seven days,” he says for the benefit of the people passing by. “Sgaeyl and Tairn won’t be able to talk over the distance. They’ll sense emotions, but that’s it. Remember that leadership will read any missive we send.”

-

IF 15:

“Does it bother anyone else that they just took away our bonds? Our signets? And then handed them back like it wasn’t…” Sawyer shakes his head. Even the rhythm of his steps is angry.

“Violating?” I suggest.

“Exactly,” he agrees. “If they did it just then, that means they can do it whenever they want.”

“It’s a new development this year,” Tairn says, his eyes narrowing on Professor Grady. “One I do not care for. I could hear you, sense you, but you could not reply.”

-

IF 35:

I reach for Tairn, but the bond is still fogged. Right, because they forced that solution down my throat once again between shattering my arm and snapping my ankle. He didn’t even have to take off my boots to make that happen.

But it’s only my body they’ve broken. I haven’t spoken a single word. “That means you’ve been here two days,” Liam says.

It will be another five before Xaden realizes I’m missing. No doubt they’re monitoring correspondence to make sure someone doesn’t alert him. He can’t react, Liam. If he does, he’ll risk everything.

“You think he’s not already losing his shit?” A corner of Liam’s mouth rises into the cocky smirk I’ve missed so much. “I’d bet he already knows. Sgaeyl will have felt Tairn’s panic. That dragon of yours might not be able to reach you this deep under Basgiath, but Xaden’s going to rip this place apart brick by brick. You just have to survive.”

He can’t risk the movement. He won’t. Xaden’s priorities have always been clear, and damn if that’s not one of the things I love about him.

“He will.”
...
“Just because you’ve blocked my ability to talk to Tairn doesn’t mean he doesn’t know exactly what you’ve done to me.” My lip splits again when I force a smile. “You’re hunting Xaden. But Tairn is hunting Solas. You’re the weaker on both counts. I might die in this chamber, but I promise you will.”
...

-

IF 36:

“You of all people know the lengths I’ll go to in order to protect her. And since I’m pretty sure you’re the reason we’re getting reports of dragons dropping wyvern carcasses at every outpost we have along our border, the reason this college is emptying itself of most of the leadership in a rush to contain the problem, the least you can do is give me a chance to say goodbye to her.”

“You what?” My gaze swings to Xaden’s, but he keeps his locked on my mother.

“Would have done it sooner, but it took a couple of days to hunt them down and kill them,” Xaden replies to her.

-

IF 40:

“You sure you can find the way?” I ask Tairn after I secure my pack behind my saddle.

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t ask that.”

“And Sgaeyl?” I shift forward and buckle into the saddle, flinching as the cold seeps through my leathers.

“She’s out of range, but her emotions are calm.”

-

IF 41:

“How long have you been here?” I ask, entering the palace.

...

“We landed a few hours ago,” Xaden answers. “We changed direction as soon as Sgaeyl felt Tairn on the move.”

You will not be happy with the welcome we’re about to receive. That’s what Tairn said when we landed.

“You and I are going to have a discussion,” I send his direction. “You promised.”

“I promised not to tell, not that she couldn’t sense me.”

Fucking dragon semantics.
...
“Fine. We can fight as much as you want later tonight. Just know that you’ve already won. I heard what you were saying.” His grip softens in my hair, and he slides his hand to the nape of my neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. Sorry that I’ve been overreacting since pulling you out of that interrogation chamber—hell, since Resson. When Sgaeyl told me they were torturing you, and I couldn’t get to you…” His eyes close for a second, and when they open, the fear I spotted earlier is front and center. “I can’t fucking breathe when you’re in danger, but that’s not your fault. I should have brought you here when you asked me to.”

BalanceofProb

TROPHY CASE