Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Overview
Andarna wakes changed, revealing an underdeveloped wing muscle that means she may eventually fly but can never bear a rider, rattling Violet. In Aretia’s first Battle Brief, leaders confirm Navarre is hiding the truth, fliers attacked Samara, and venin seized Anca. A riot led by Mira arrives to defect; Violet and Mira reconcile, and Mira discovers Brennan is alive—then punches him.
Summary
In the valley above Aretia, Violet visits a newly awakened Andarna, who struggles to fully extend her left wing. Tairn explains that Andarna’s prolonged, interrupted Dreamless Sleep and rapid growth left her without a secondary set of wing muscles. With training she may fly, but she will never bear a rider, a revelation that devastates Violet.
Days later, classes resume under Aretian leadership. Violet continues translating Warrick’s journal—finding references like “iron rain” and a blood-based wardstone method—while cadets endure altitude runs. At Battle Brief in the rebuilt theater, Brennan and Professor Devera outline structure changes, naming new wingleaders and tasking wings to fill leadership gaps. Fourth Wing’s Flame Section is recognized as fully intact. Updates reveal Navarre has suppressed news of the wyvern, border patrols have doubled, Poromish refugees are still refused, and families may be offered sanctuary.
Devera frames fliers as dangerous but not enemies; intelligence confirms a recent flier raid on Samara killed infantry but no riders, likely seeking weapons. Enemy movements show venin have drained Anca and regrouped at Zolya, indicating organized occupation. Cadets are warned they’ll train to fight dark wielders only after graduation, while efforts continue to restore wards and the forge.
An alarm sounds: a riot approaches. Tairn identifies Teine in the lead—Mira’s dragon. Violet sprints outside as multiple dragons land. Tairn intercepts, seizing Teine’s throat without breaking scales, forcing a standoff. Mira dismounts, explaining Xaden guided them and that leadership gave riders a choice to leave; about forty chose to defect. She apologizes and reconciles with Violet.
Brennan arrives, and Mira, shocked to see her brother alive after six years, closes the distance—then punches him squarely in the face.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailProtagonist; learns Andarna can’t bear a rider, translates Warrick’s journal, engages in Battle Brief, confronts arriving riot, reunites with Mira and Brennan.
- AndarnaAdolescent dragon; wakes hungry and defensive. Left wing lacks secondary muscles; may fly eventually but will never carry a rider.
- TairnElder black dragon; explains Andarna’s condition, plans strength work, and threatens Teine to protect Violet during the riot’s arrival.
- Mira SorrengailLeads defecting riders to Aretia, apologizes and reconciles with Violet, then, stunned by Brennan’s survival, punches him.
- Brennan AisereighLeads Battle Brief, sets leadership expectations, shares intel on Navarre, welcomes defectors, reunites with sisters, gets punched by Mira.
- Professor DeveraFacilitates Battle Brief, frames the cadets as ‘traitors,’ elicits analysis, and reports on flier and venin activity.
- RhiannonSupports Violet, queries wardstone translation, offers comfort, and contributes analysis during Battle Brief.
- RidocCelebrates Flame Section’s intact status, pushes the weapons question about Samara, and lightens tension with humor.
- SawyerObserves map changes, steadies for potential attack, and prepares amid the alarm.
- Dain AetosCleared to attend; answers during Brief, sits apart from Violet and friends.
- AaricFirst-year; declines family correspondence, reacts to formation changes, asks about Codagh in the alarm.
- SloaneFirst-year; hopeful about wards, asserts Tyrr loyalty to secrecy regarding the riot.
- Xaden RiorsonOffstage; confirms Mira’s account and guides defecting riders safely to Aretia.
- TeineMira’s Green Clubtail; leads arriving riot, is pinned by Tairn’s threat, then stands down.