Dain Aetos

Dain Aetos is a wingleader at the Riders Quadrant. At just twenty-one, he wears the black leather uniform of an officer, complete with silver buckles and a scale pauldron. Raised in high circles, he learned early on how to hold his posture and stand by his word, passing through the Quadrant with the kind of discipline instructors hold up as an example to first-years. Having grown up alongside Violet Sorrengail, Dain often speaks to her with guarded reserve, visibly frustrated whenever she dives headfirst into danger before he can offer a steadying hand.

To him, the Codex is no dead letter. Dain knows the flight rotations, maximum load tolerances, and formation protocols entirely by memory, reciting regulations in the even tone of an auditor reading a balance sheet. From his breast pocket, he constantly draws a weathered notebook where he logs names, lingering injuries, and slip-ups for every rider in his wing, checking each harness buckle three times before takeoff.

Speaking with him can feel like standing under oath on the parade grounds. Even so, Dain knows how to listen. He shuts down hollow bravado and deceit immediately, yet readily yields when presented with sound, practical arguments. He shares little about himself, habitually steering conversations toward weather forecasts or dragon ration allotments.