Fourth Wing
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
CHAPTER TWELVE
Overview
Second Squad completes the Presentation walk among gathered dragons, placing eleventh. A rare feathertail appears, triggering scorn from Tynan and Luca. A red dragon kills Pryor for his dithering, and later another blast kills Luca after further insults. Two greens confront Violet, drawn by Teine’s scales hidden in her vest, then withdraw.
Summary
With 169 cadets remaining, Violet’s squad places eleventh for Presentation. Garrick briefs them on spacing and restraint, then a senior wingleader orders chatter as they walk the valley path so dragons can assess them. Dragons line both sides, watching. Liam Mairi is named fastest on the Gauntlet, but the focus shifts to the looming evaluation.
As the squad moves, Tynan boasts about choosing a dragon while Violet and Rhiannon talk to steady nerves. At the line’s end they see a small golden feathertail, which sparks derision from Tynan and Luca. Tensions spike as Sawyer stops Tynan from insulting Violet in front of the dragons, and the squad turns back down the path.
On the return, banter about folklore briefly lightens the mood until Pryor hesitates. A red dragon steps forward and incinerates the path ahead, leaving Pryor as ash. Shocked, the squad keeps moving under orders. The danger underscores how swiftly dragons cull those they deem unfit.
Moments later, two green dragons close on Violet. She lowers her gaze and realizes they are scenting Teine’s scales sewn into her vest—Mira’s hidden protection. After a tense inspection, the greens withdraw. Violet confides the secret to Rhiannon, asking for discretion. As Luca resumes insulting others and the dragons, a new blast of fire strikes, killing her. The squad exits the valley shaken and down to six first-years.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailProtagonist; survives Presentation path, inspected by two greens who scent Teine’s scales hidden in her vest.
- RhiannonViolet’s friend; steadies Violet, survives near a scorch, promises mutual help and keeps Violet’s armor secret.
- TynanArrogant squadmate; mocks Violet and the feathertail, provoking conflict and risking dragon ire.
- LucaCaustic squadmate; insults dragons and peers; later killed by a dragon’s fire on the return walk.
- RidocWry squadmate; reacts to danger, offers commentary, and survives the deadly walk.
- SawyerSquadmate; intervenes when Tynan insults Violet, urging discipline in front of unbonded dragons.
- PryorIndecisive first-year; hesitates on the path and is incinerated by a red dragon.
- Senior WingleaderLeads the Presentation path; instructs the squad to talk and avoid eye contact.
- GarrickSection leader; briefs the squad on spacing and restraint, then hands them to the wingleader.
- Feathertail (golden dragon)Rare, small golden dragon at the line’s end; draws scorn and unease but doesn’t engage.
- Two green dragonsApproach and scent Violet; recognize Teine’s scales in her vest and withdraw without harming her.