Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Five
Overview
At a raucous celebration, Violet’s squad reflects on Resson, with Imogen crediting Violet and Xaden and a toast to Liam. Violet meets departing Xaden; their dispute over secrecy remains unresolved. Colonel Aetos introduces new Vice Commandant Major Varrish and enforces orders limiting Violet and Xaden to fortnightly contact, threatening their dragons and tightening Basgiath’s control.
Summary
Second Wing celebrates as the cadets revel in new second-year freedoms and speculate about lifted bans and fraternization. Violet drinks with Rhiannon, Ridoc, Nadine, Sawyer, Imogen, and Quinn, who trade jokes about downtime and Chantara. Talk turns to Resson; Violet struggles with guilt while Tairn and Andarna counsel in her mind.
When asked about the battle, Imogen bluntly states that without Violet and Xaden they would have died, then leads a toast to Liam. The moment steels the group while Quinn warns Violet not to get close to first-years until after Threshing.
Violet notices Xaden by the door and joins him. Garrick urges them to resolve their tension and leaves for the flight field. Tipsy but candid, Violet flirts, then reiterates she won’t sleep with someone she doesn’t trust. Xaden pushes back, calling it boundaries and claiming he’s “picking a fight for” her, but their rift over secrecy remains.
Colonel Aetos approaches with a major, introducing Major Varrish as the new vice commandant who answers only to Panchek. Aetos needles Xaden about leaving for the Southern Wing and the front, then presents sealed orders. He adds that Xaden will only be allowed to return once every fortnight.
Violet’s orders grant her two days of leave every fourteen days solely to fly to Sgaeyl’s location. She realizes the enforced schedule could separate Tairn and Sgaeyl beyond their tolerance, causing pain. Tairn roars in protest as Xaden replies that dragons give their own orders. Aetos departs with a final warning: “Secrets make for poor leverage. They die with the people who keep them.”
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailSecond-year rider; celebrates with squad, wrestles guilt and trust, receives restrictive leave orders limiting contact with Xaden.
- Xaden RiorsonNew lieutenant bound for the front; argues boundaries with Violet and accepts fortnightly-visit restrictions, asserting dragons set their own orders.
- Colonel AetosBasgiath officer who taunts Violet and Xaden, unveils Varrish, and delivers orders limiting their visits.
- Major VarrishNew vice commandant answering to Panchek; presents missives, condescends to Violet, signaling stricter oversight.
- ImogenSquadmate who bluntly recounts Resson, credits Violet and Xaden, and leads a toast to Liam.
- RhiannonViolet’s closest friend; deflects probing questions, anticipates letters, and teases Violet about Xaden.
- RidocJokes about Chantara and fraternization, eager for second-year freedoms.
- NadineWarms toward Imogen, asks about the battle, drinks with the squad; newly purple hair.
- SawyerQuips about chores and gryphon talons, sharing drinks with the squad.
- QuinnWarns against getting close to first-years; joins the celebration with Imogen.
- GarrickXaden’s ally who urges Violet and Xaden to resolve tensions before leaving for the flight field.
- TairnViolet’s dragon; advises her and roars in protest at the restrictive leave orders.
- AndarnaYoung dragon who suggests the others are better off not knowing details about Resson.