Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
Varrish weaponizes Violet’s signet as punishment for Andarna’s absence, forcing extreme lightning output until Violet nearly burns out. Tairn saves her with an emergency river plunge. As Violet plans to protect Sloane from an unwinnable challenge, she’s ambushed on the stairs and rendered unconscious, escalating immediate danger within Basgiath.
Summary
Returning to Basgiath, Violet and Tairn are ordered to the practice grounds, where Major Varrish and Professor Carr make Violet repeatedly call lightning as punishment for Andarna’s failure to appear. Carr warns of burnout, but Varrish persists and threatens the brig, openly baiting Andarna to show herself. Violet complies to protect the feathertails.
After dozens of strikes, Violet collapses and then loses control of a surge that becomes a continuous bolt, cleaving a ridgeline before she mentally severs the connection. Overheated and barely conscious, she crumples. Carr ends the session, but Varrish issues a final warning and leaves, satisfied by her compliance.
Tairn rushes Violet to the Iakobos and holds her in the rapids, forcing her temperature down until the burnout danger passes. Imogen, Bodhi, and Eya arrive with aid, confirm burnout, and condemn Varrish’s abuse. Shaken and exhausted, Violet returns to the dorms, fearing the next order to present Andarna could be lethal.
Days later in the gym, Violet and Imogen watch Sloane Mairi struggle in sparring against Jacek, a grieving first-year whose brother Navil recently died after scribe involvement. Despite Sloane refusing help, Violet learns her first challenge is Monday against an opponent she can’t beat and resolves to intervene.
As Violet leaves for physics with Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer—still hypervigilant after recent threats—an attack springs in the stairwell. A bag is thrown over her head, and she’s rendered unconscious in an organized ambush inside Basgiath.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailProtagonist; forced into excessive lightning strikes, nearly burns out, saved in the river, plans to help Sloane, then is ambushed.
- TairnViolet’s dragon; protects her, threatens other dragons, carries her to the river to stop burnout, asserts control over dragon matters.
- Major VarrishVice commandant; weaponizes Violet’s signet to punish Andarna’s absence, threatens the brig, issues a final warning.
- Professor CarrSignet instructor; supervises the session, tracks strikes, warns of burnout risk, ends the training when Violet nearly loses control.
- AndarnaYoung dragon; roused by Violet’s distress, wants to help but is urged to sleep to protect feathertails from Varrish’s reach.
- ImogenFriend; answers Tairn’s call, helps Violet recover, pushes Sloane to accept training, discusses rising threats.
- BodhiAlly; attends Violet at the riverbank, promises this won’t happen again, supports plans to protect Sloane.
- EyaAlly; helps at the river, identifies signs of burnout, presses for food and recovery.
- Rhiannon MatthiasSquad leader; runs extra sparring, urges safer practices, escorts Violet toward class before the ambush.
- Sloane MairiFirst-year, Liam’s sister; struggles badly in sparring and refuses help, faces an unwinnable challenge Monday.
- JacekFirst-year; fights Sloane aggressively, grieving his brother Navil Jacek’s death.
- RidocFriend; unintentionally startles Violet, nearly gets cut, invites her to physics.
- SawyerFriend; walks with Violet and Rhiannon to physics, present at the ambush.