Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Twenty-One
Overview
News of an Eastern Wing attack and Masen Sanborn’s death unsettles Basgiath, while Professor Devera underscores the cultural costs of Unification. Dain abuses his wingleader privilege to force a bout with Violet, then reveals General Sorrengail carved Xaden’s scars before yielding without taking her memories.
Rhiannon presses Violet about secrets and Dain’s signet, straining their friendship. Escorting an injured Aaric, Violet learns he has deduced the hidden threat and came to Basgiath because of it.
Summary
With her shoulder sprained from rolling dismounts, Violet attends history as leadership races to respond to an attack on the Eastern Wing. Professor Devera substitutes and reports one death: Masen Sanborn, which jolts Violet and fuels her fear that War Games survivors are being targeted. Devera guides a frank discussion on Unification’s costs—lost languages, culture, and folklore—sharpening the theme of what Navarre sacrificed for safety.
At challenges, Dain Aetos uses his wingleader authority to force a match with Violet despite her sling. Violet keeps her shields locked and fights defensively with a dagger. Dain pins her but she holds a blade to his throat, warning him not to touch her mind. He admits telling his father about a memory he took and denies knowing about the ambush at War Games, then drops a bombshell: General Sorrengail carved Xaden’s scars. Dain immediately taps out and leaves without breaching her memories.
After the bout, Rhiannon confronts Violet about what Dain stole and the mounting deaths. Violet confirms Dain’s classified signet allows him to read memories but refuses to reveal more, begging Rhiannon not to force her into lies. The exchange widens the rift between them.
Violet escorts Aaric to the infirmary for a broken wrist. In the tunnels, Aaric reveals he slipped his royal guards and inferred the hidden truth from the unusual daggers they carry. He intends to remain through Threshing and implies that knowledge of the concealed threat is the real reason he came to Basgiath.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailInjured shoulder; unsettled by Masen’s death; debates Unification costs; survives Dain’s challenge; learns her mother carved Xaden’s scars; withholds secrets from Rhi; escorts Aaric.
- Dain AetosWingleader who forces a bout to talk; admits reporting her stolen memory; denies ambush knowledge; reveals General Sorrengail carved Xaden’s scars; taps out without reading her.
- Rhiannon MatthiasHighlights loss of folklore; confronts Violet about Dain and the deaths; deduces his memory-reading signet; friendship strained by Violet’s secrecy.
- AaricBreaks his wrist; reveals he slipped royal guards and deduced a hidden threat from their daggers; implies this is why he’s at Basgiath.
- Professor DeveraSubstitutes for history; announces Masen Sanborn’s death; leads discussion on the costs of Unification and cultural loss.
- Bodhi RiorsonRushes in to protest Dain’s challenge against injured Violet; backs her and warns of consequences.
- ImogenSignals Sloane’s readiness; fetches Bodhi when Dain challenges Violet; watches anxiously.
- Professor EmetterioCombat instructor who sanctions the match and declares Violet the winner after Dain taps.
- RidocSupports Violet in class and during challenges; provides commentary and solidarity.
- TairnWarns Violet to keep her shields during Dain’s challenge; shares her agitation.