Iron Flame: Chapter Summary and Spoilers (Chapters 21-30)

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Chapter Summary & Spoilers (Chapters 21-30)

The Bite-Sized Version

So our girl Violet Sorrengail (who’s rocking a sling because apparently dismounting from dragons is just as dangerous as it sounds – who knew?) is dealing with some SERIOUS drama at Basgiath War College. First off, people from the Battle of Resson keep mysteriously dying (subtle, much?), and then during combat class, her ex-bestie Dain Aetos drops this absolute bomb: Violet’s mom (General Sorrengail) is apparently the one who carved 107 scars into her current boo Xaden Riorson’s back. Talk about awkward family reunions!

But wait, it gets better! The whole squad gets kidnapped for “interrogation training” (because apparently regular training isn’t traumatic enough). They’re chained up, beaten, and threatened, but our girl’s got some tricks up her sleeve. With help from her squad, they pull off this epic prison break that would make the Mission Impossible team proud. The secret MVP? A magical dagger that apparently doubles as a lockpick – talk about a multi-purpose tool!

Meanwhile, some MAJOR tea gets spilled via mysterious leaflets: a city called Zolya just got torched by “blue dragon fire” (suspicious much?), killing 10,000 people. And just when you think things can’t get more dramatic, guess who’s back from the dead? Jack Barlowe! You know, the guy Violet literally buried under a mountain? Turns out he got the Humpty Dumpty treatment and was put back together again.

The spice level goes through the ROOF when Violet hears Xaden might be injured and flies off to the Samara outpost without permission (because who needs rules when your maybe-boyfriend might be hurt?). She finds him totally fine and working out, which leads to the steamiest argument-turned-makeout session in a training room shower that puts any rom-com to shame. We’re talking lightning strikes, shadow magic, the whole shebang!

But the drama train keeps rolling when we meet Cat, a gorgeous gryphon rider who’s giving off major “that’s my ex” vibes toward Xaden. Turns out there’s this whole thing about a luminary that some Viscount Tecarus wants, and he’s apparently got a creepy collection hobby that Xaden’s not too keen on Violet becoming part of.

Finally, Violet decides to come clean to her friends about most of the crazy stuff going on (keeping a few classified bits under wraps, because girl’s got SOME sense). And bless their hearts, they’re actually super supportive and want to help! But just when things are looking up, our girl ends up literally hanging off the edge of a tower during an assassination attempt, because apparently she can’t catch a break for five minutes.

The Bit-Sized Version

Chapter 21

This bit of Iron Flame is WILD from start to finish! Violet Sorrengail’s dealing with an injured arm, an ex-bestie who thinks sparring is an acceptable form of therapy, and the casual revelation that Violet’s mother might be into extreme body modification. All while everyone at Basgiath War College is playing a game of “who’s got the biggest secret?”

• So we kick things off with our girl Violet rocking a sling because apparently dragon rider dismounts are not going super great (shocking, I know – who would’ve thought jumping off a giant flying reptile during training missions could be hazardous to your health?). She’s supposed to chill in the sling for 4 weeks, but in true Violet Sorrengail fashion, she’s like “nah, two weeks max” because staying in formation with her squadmates is clearly more important than having functioning limbs. Classic overachiever moves right there!
• Things get real dark real quick though when word comes in about an attack on the Eastern Wing. Poor Masen Sanborn (who Violet knew from the memory of the Battle of Resson) bit the dust, and here’s the kicker – he’s the FOURTH person from that mission to die. At this point, Violet’s starting to think these assassination attempts are about as accidental as our 3 AM cheese binges. Something’s definitely fishy here in this second year at Basgiath.
• Then we get this absolutely fascinating history class with Professor Devera where they’re discussing how the Kingdom of Navarre became unified, and let me tell you, it’s giving major “we’re one big happy fantasy world… or else” vibes. They lost languages, cultures, folklore – basically everything but their Netflix passwords. And when some dude tries to get snippy about it, Violet goes full history nerd on him and shuts that nonsense down. 10 points for the females!
• But wait, it gets better! During combat class, Dain Aetos (former best friend turned definitely-not-BFF) decides to pull the wing leader card and force Violet into a sparring match. Because nothing says “we need to talk” like forcing your injured ex-bestie into combat, right? During their fight, he drops this absolute BOMB: apparently General Sorrengail’s the one who carved those 107 scars into Xaden Riorson’s back. Talk about awkward family dinners, am I right?
• The chapter wraps with some serious plot twists thickening. Her friend Rhiannon Matthias is getting dangerously close to connecting some very classified dots, while Aaric reveals he’s been playing hooky from his royal guards and knows way more than he should about certain special daggers with metal discs. The chapter ends with Violet realizing just how deep this particular rabbit hole goes, leaving us hanging on the edge of our seats wondering just what other real secrets are about to come tumbling out of the closet.

Chapter 22

This bit has us about to go on a VIP tour of Basgiath War College’s secret forge when our fave squad gets kidnapped for REAL training with Vice Commandant Varrish. I know they warned us about this 10 chapters ago but we’re still in SHOCK! Violet Sorrengail, please keep those secrets locked up…

• The chapter kicks off with our protagonist having another night without dreamless sleep, trapped in a nightmare that would make your average horror movie look like a Disney film. She’s running across a dead field while being chased by a wave of death, desperately trying to warn Tairn and Andarna. Enter the Sage venin – the stuff of nightmares himself – with his slicked-back thinning hair, gaunt face, and red-rimmed eyes with veins spiderwebbing across his temples. Real charming guy who gives her an ultimatum: join forces and live forever, or die. When she tells him exactly where he can shove that offer with a crisp “fuck you,” he unleashes some serious pain before she finally wakes up clutching her dagger.
• Flash forward to Saturday with Xaden Riorson, who’s finally taking Violet to see Basgiath’s forge. This is HUGE news – she’s about to see where they keep the weapons and the luminary that holds a real secret. They’re having this sweet moment where they’re exchanging secrets about the First Six and new wards, and Xaden’s actually letting his walls down a bit, showing that will of iron can sometimes bend.
• But because the universe has a twisted sense of humor, who should appear but Major Varrish and his squad of joy-killers! Along with Professor Grady (not to be confused with Professor Devera), they’ve got her best friend Rhiannon Matthias and Sawyer already captured, and surprise – it’s interrogation training time! Extra spicy detail: Xaden’s literally carrying enough contraband to get himself executed multiple times over (talk about following your own rules!).
• The lieutenant goes full knight in shining armor, creating an actual wall of shadows to protect her. But Varrish, being the master of manipulation, threatens to cancel next week’s leave – which is a massive deal because of Tairn and Sgaeyl’s bonding needs. There’s this whole telepathic conversation where Xaden’s dragon reminds our girl that she specifically chose Xaden for his stubbornness – just another day of training missions at this college!
• The chapter wraps up with Violet’s activities taking an unexpected turn as she’s led away for interrogation, but not before she and Xaden share this coded message about a book and page 304. They’re clearly onto something big about the First Six and wardstones. The final moment is actually pretty powerful – Xaden reminds her that while Violet’s body might be fragile, just like any other rider’s capacity to endure, she is unbreakable.

Chapter 23

In this bit at Basgiath War College, the squad undergoes some super fun mandatory torture training (yay team building!) where they have to protect secrets while getting interrogated, but just as they’re holding strong against the physical abuse, Vice Commandant Varrish shows up with someone who’s apparently going to make everything way worse.

• Our squad – Violet Sorrengail, her best friend Rhiannon Matthias, Ridoc, and Sawyer get led to this super secret facility hidden in the cliffside that’s giving major dungeon vibes (very on-brand for the second year curriculum, if you ask me). As part of their real training, they’re told they each have a real secret phrase to protect, plus they need to share personal secrets with each other, and they’re about to get interrogated to see how well they can keep those secrets under wraps. Talk about a trust exercise gone extreme! (And we thought the forest training missions were rough!)
• During what we can only describe as the world’s most ominous snack time before their first impossible test, the squad shares some pretty heavy secrets. Rhiannon admits she and Violet’s activities included sneaking out to see her family (scandalous!), while Sawyer confesses he never told his parents he had to repeat last year. Ridoc reveals his fear of snakes (honestly, who isn’t?), and Violet drops the mother of all plot twists by sharing that their infantry is killing civilians at the border. And just when you think things couldn’t get more intense, Violet’s quick thinking saves everyone from drinking some sketchy juice that would’ve disconnected the dragon riders from their dragons.Professor Grady pops in and admits this was already part of the test. Go Vi!
• Things take a sharp turn from “mildly concerning” to “oh shit” when they’re all chained up, with Violet’s body getting the special treatment of what we’re dubbing the chair of doom. Two interrogators start their work on the dragon riders, and let’s just say they’re not winning any hospitality awards. We’re talking face-hitting, mind games, the works. But our squad’s got will of iron, refusing to crack even when offered water (which, after dodging that sketchy juice earlier, they’ve got to be parched).
• Just when you think things can’t get worse, in walks Vice Commandant Varrish complaining that the interrogation is taking too long. His solution? Bringing in Wingleader Dain Aetos, which if we remember his signet powers, is VERY bad news for our crew.

Chapter 24

In this bit we get a surprise guest in the interrogation room at Basgiath War College. Things don’t go as planned for whiny villain Vice Commandant Varrish, with the help of her squadmates, Violet pulls off a perfect prison break using magic, melted hinges, and one surprisingly talented dagger. See ya, Varrish!

• In this chapter we’re diving into some serious character development drama here. Violet’s having a really rough day when who should walk in but Dain (yes, bringing all those love triangles energy with him). I mean what’s worse, getting tortured or being locked in a room with an ex during training missions? (we could argue for the latter). He finds her all bruised up in an interrogation room with her friend Rhiannon Matthias and the rest of her best friends, and Vice Commandant Varrish is being extra sketchy. Varrish tries to convince Dain to use his signet powers on Violet and dangles that he could find out why she chose Xaden Riorson over him – talk about political machinations at their finest!
• Violet’s in full panic mode because she’s got some major plot twists to protect (and she’s mentally blocking Xaden out to keep him from swooping in like a dramatic hero). The tension is chef’s kiss when Dain actually considers using his power, but ultimately decides to be a decent human and refuses because Violet’s body is injured. Way to follow those first year regulations, buddy!
• But Major Varrish is NOT happy about this party pooper moment. His response? Just casually punches Violet’s dislocated shoulder and knocks her out. When she comes to, our friendly neighborhood healer Nolon is there, but with some bad news: Varrish plans to keep breaking and healing her until she spills the tea about Xaden’s activities. Yikes! 
• The silver lining? Nolon gets sneaky and creates a distraction by luring Varrish away. This leads to the most Ocean’s Eleven moment ever – with the help of her squadmates, Violet escape becomes reality! Sawyer melts the door hinges, and then – in a moment that screams “fantasy world meets lockpicking 101” – Violet discovers one of her daggers can somehow unlock doors. Talk about real training!
• The chapter ends with them making their daring escape, though something tells us Varrish isn’t going to be too thrilled about his prisoners pulling a Houdini. Let’s hope that magical dagger keeps working its mojo, because they’re definitely going to need all the help they can get with these recent events and assassination attempts!

Chapter 25

In this bit of the Iron Flame saga, we see leaked leaflets reveal a city just got torched by some sus “blue dragon fire,” but that tea gets overshadowed when Colonel Markham pulls the ultimate “guess who’s not dead” card… Let’s dive into these wild plot twists!

• So we start with Violet Sorrengail and her best friends making a dramatic escape from the interrogation room at Basgiath War College. But before they can catch their breath, they run into Professor Grady who’s just chilling outside with his coffee mug like it’s no big deal…sir, do you know what just went on in there with your second-years?
• Fast forward a bit, and we’re dealing with some heavy stuff in this second book. The intense interrogation assessment already claimed two second year students’ lives. Violet’s squad made it through their interrogation, even earning themselves a fancy new silver patch with a black key. Naturally, everyone at Basgiath War College is super curious about how they managed to escape, especially since they apparently left the interrogation room in quite a state!
• But hold onto your dragon fire, because that’s not even the biggest drama bomb of the chapter. Someone’s been passing around these mysterious leaflets announcing that Zolya, this huge city in Braevick Province, has fallen to “blue fire dragons” (wink wink, nudge nudge on that specific wording). We’re talking major casualties – like 10,000 people. Violet, being our clever cookie, notices the leaflets were printed right there at the academy, which is… let’s just say not great for whoever did that.
• Colonel Markham, being the master of political machinations that he is, pulls a classic “nothing to see here folks” move. He dismisses the leaflets as obvious propaganda (spoiler alert: they’re probably not), using the clever argument that Navarre would never use only blue dragons in an attack. Smooth operator, that one.
• But wait, there’s more character development! Just when you think the drama meter can’t go any higher, they drop the mother of all plot twists: JACK BARLOWE is back from the dead! You know, the guy Violet literally buried under a mountain during those intense training missions? Turns out Nolon’s been playing Dr. Frankenstein and managed to piece him back together. And judging by the ice-cold stare he gives Violet at the end of this drama, he’s not coming back to sing kumbaya around the campfire.

Chapter 26

In this bit of the Iron Flame saga, we learn news of another military outpost attack, but unfortunately this one hits too close to home for our favorite dragon riders…

• Everyone’s sitting in Battle Brief at Basgiath War College when in walks not-so-dead Jack Barlowe (talk about plot twists!). And instead of his usual “I hate you” vibe toward Violet Sorrengail, he gives her this mysterious little smile. Her best friends Ridoc and Sawyer are immediately in “maybe we should kill him again” mode (which, honestly, fair).
• Just as everyone’s processing the whole “guess who’s not dead” situation, Professor Devera drops another bombshell: there was a massive attack on the Samara outpost involving the gryphon fliers of Poromiel. The good news? The outpost was defended successfully by just three riders. The bad news? Someone got seriously injured, and based on Professor Devera’s not-so-subtle neck scratch gesture at Xaden Riorson’s relic location… well, let’s just say Violet puts two and two together regarding recent events.
• And that’s when our girl goes into full “I’m out of here” mode. She literally gets up and leaves mid-briefing (bold move, Vi!). Thankfully, one of her squadmates, Bodhi, catches up with her to hand over his flight jacket – because apparently rushing to your maybe-injured dragon rider boyfriend without proper cold weather gear isn’t the best plan.
• The chapter ends with Violet heading out to Tairn, her trusty black dragon, so they can get to Samara ASAP. Talk about leaving us on a cliffhanger!

Chapter 27

This bit has us landing at the military outpost of Samara in search of Xaden Riorson. Readers finally get the SPICE we have been waiting for in this fantasy world. Honestly, are we following the plot twists at this point or are we just waiting for more lightning strikes and shadow scenes from our favorite duo… it’s hard to tell!

• After hearing that Xaden was wounded in one of many assassination attempts on the Samara outpost, our favorite tiny-but-fierce dragon rider Violet Sorrengail basically said I make my own rules and flew there without permission. Tairn, her black dragon, was also freaking out about his dragon-partner Sgaeyl (Xaden’s dragon), so their combined panic had Violet operating at about 11 on the anxiety scale.
• When she arrives at the fortress (which, BTW, looks like it went through the fantasy equivalent of a wrecking ball during recent events), she finds Xaden completely fine… and sparring in the gym. Well, mostly fine – he does have a gnarly new scar on his arm that could have cost him the limb. But watching him sweaty and angsty demolishing poor best friend Garrick in training? Chef’s kiss.
• Xaden takes Violet into the bathing chamber where he’s trying to help her get control of her Tairn-influenced emotions with some impromptu cold water therapy. Right as they’re having this intense conversation about her flying there without leave, Mr. Super Observant FINALLY notices what she’s wearing. His mood switches faster than a dragon during mating season when he spots that it’s not her flight jacket. The exact quote is this gem: “Who the fuck’s flight jacket are you wearing?” Violet talks back immediately and is like “It’s Bodhi’s, you territorial asshole!”
• What follows is basically the steamiest argument-turned-makeout session in a training room shower that you could imagine – giving Fourth Wing readers exactly what they wanted. The start of the sexual tension? Xaden, somehow showing a will of iron, wants Violet to say “I love you” before they get physical again, while Violet’s like “actions speak louder than words, my dude.” There’s some great character development about who’s really fighting for their relationship, with Xaden dropping some swoon-worthy lines about how much he wants her (while trying to maintain his principles) and Violet basically saying “put up or shut up.”
• Spoiler alert: His principles don’t win this round! Let’s just say the bathing chamber at this military outpost gets quite a workout, complete with some signature lightning strikes and shadow magic displays that would make Professor Grady proud (or mortified, depending on how you look at it). The dirty talk goes to LEVEL 10, maybe go read this one because the expletives might get us banned from the internet.  Amongst all the STEAM, Xaden is spilling his emotions going as far to say “Gods, look at you. You are all I’m ever going to want. Just you. Just this. Just us.” IM SORRY but are they dating or not?!?
• The chapter ends with Xaden offering three options for what to do next – more fun in the bath, more fun in his room, or heading out to complete a personal mission to deliver some daggers. Our practical girl Violet Sorrengail, despite the tempting alternatives, chooses the mission. Even with all these recent events and plot twists, I really think we had time for round two with our favorite rider’s capacity for multitasking… just sayin’.

Chapter 28

This bit starts with a secret midnight weapon delivery, and the real drama starts when a gorgeous gryphon flier of Poromiel, Cat, shows up dropping hints about Viscount Tecarus’s deal and throwing shade at Violet Sorrengail. Plus, those pesky venin might crash the party sooner than anyone thought.

• Violet is sitting pretty on her black dragon Tairn’s back as they head out beyond the new wards for a secret meeting. Tairn, being the overprotective drama queen that he is (giving us some serious character development), is NOT happy about this little excursion but flies her anyway because he promised to let her make her own choices after the memory of the Battle of Resson. Talk about dragon daddy issues!
• They fly with Xaden Riorson and his dragon Sgaeyl to rendezvous with some gryphon rider cadets, and here’s where it gets interesting – Tairn refuses to let Violet dismount (insert eye roll). He’s basically putting her in time-out while the grown-ups talk, which is hilarious considering she’s, you know, a powerful war mage with signet powers.
• The group of gryphon rider cadets shows up with seven riders, led by our old friend Syrena (you might remember her from that lake scene in Fourth Wing). There’s this gorgeous young rider named Catriona (or “Cat”) who’s giving Xaden some VERY interesting looks. Turns out she’s got history with our brooding bad boy from his Riorson House days, and honey, she is NOT thrilled about Violet’s activities.
• The meeting’s purpose? Weapon distribution. Xaden’s playing magical arms dealer, delivering daggers to the gryphon fliers of Poromiel. But there’s drama – some rogue riders have been trying to steal daggers from outposts, which is a big no-no since those power the wards. Without those wards, the venin could drain the hatching grounds and become unstoppable (yikes!).
• The spiciest of plot twists? There’s also some mysterious talk about a “luminary” that Viscount Tecarus wants, with Cat implying Xaden could’ve handed over something – or someone – to get it. cough Violet cough. Xaden shuts that conversation down faster than Violet’s lightning strikes, but our girl’s definitely adding it to her “Things Xaden Needs to Explain” list.
• The chapter ends with Violet having an extremely delayed revelation that Cat is THE Catriona – the one previously mentioned, which puts a whole new spin on those death glares she was throwing Violet’s way. And a bomb drop that the venin are coming faster than expected – they calculate it’ll be MONTHS not years! Time for some serious deep diving into research, girlfriend!

Chapter 29

This bit spills the tea on the ex girlfriend drama while filling us in on some much needed plot details from Iron Flame. Back at Basgiath War College, the professors finally get it together and Violet Sorrengail’s friends are about to be let in on some very secret operations. FINALLY, all of this secret keeping is exhausting.

• This chapter starts with Violet and Xaden Riorson having a rather awkward conversation mid-flight about his ex, Cat. Our favorite second year at Basgiath is dealing with a cocktail of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity – which her black dragon Tairn is absolutely DONE with, basically telling her to get it together because hello, TWO dragons chose her while Cat got zero. Woah nice burn, Tairn!
• Then we get to the meat of the drama: Xaden finally spills the tea about why he won’t deal with Viscount Tecarus for this super important luminary device they need. Turns out, Tecarus wants to see Violet wield lightning strikes (she’s the first lightning wielder in like, forever) but Xaden’s worried the guy has a habit of “collecting precious things” against their will. Yikes. Despite Violet pointing out it should be her choice to risk it, Xaden’s all “I’d rather lose the final battle than lose you”.
• But wait, there’s more! Xaden gives Violet a special dagger for killing venin. Then we get a rapid-fire update on all the recent events they’ve missed: the Battle of Zolya got leaked, there’s some sketchy signet-blocking elixir going around, and Dain Aetos is still being… well, Dain.
• The chapter really heats up when Violet returns to Basgiath and immediately runs into Professor Devera who basically gives her a wink-wink-nudge-nudge about how to handle her punishment for going AWOL. But then our villain of the hour, Vice Commandant Varrish, shows up with his goon squad and tries to search her. He tries to bust her for wearing Xaden’s jacket, but Professor Kaori swoops in like a boss to save the day with some epic verbal smackdowns. Thank gawd some of these professors are starting to catch on!
• The real MVP moment? Best friend Rhiannon Matthias manages to use her signet powers to pull the venin-killing dagger through a WALL to hide it from Varrish. The chapter ends with Violet deciding to tell her best friends the truth about the dagger being used for killing venin, which is a pretty big deal considering it seems like this was supposed to be hush-hush.

Chapter 30

This bit opens with Violet Sorrengail finally spilling (most of) her secrets to her best friends and squad who – plot twist – actually take it like champs and volunteer to help research ancient ward magic at Basgiath War College! After discovering there might be some First Six journals hidden in a secret vault and watching the first year Threshing ceremony with the other dragon riders, Vi’s tower watch duty turns into one of several assassination attempts that leaves her dangling off the edge.

• Violet talks to her squad – Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer about the real reasons behind recent events. She tells them pretty much everything: the assassination attempts, the truth about Deigh’s death (definitely NOT gryphon fliers of Poromiel), the whole venin situation beyond the new wards, and her covert book club with Jesinia about ward-making. Well, almost everything – she keeps the revolutionary town of Aretia stuff under wraps because, you know, global security and all that.
• And here’s the wholesome plot twist: instead of getting mad at her for keeping secrets (unlike how she reacted to Xaden Riorson doing the same thing – oh, the irony!), her friends are actually super supportive. Squad leader Rhiannon even gives her this heart-melting “I’m not mad, I’m just sad you couldn’t tell me sooner” moment.
• The gang decides to help research ancient ward-making techniques. Ridoc drops a major bombshell: apparently there are journals from two of the First Six (Lyra and Warrick) hidden in some secret sublevel vault that even Vi didn’t know about.
• Fast forward through a few weeks of Xaden and Vi barely seeing each other (thanks a lot, Vice Commandant Varrish), and we get to Threshing day for the first-years. Good news: Sloane Mairi (who still hates Vi’s guts, btw) bonds with a Red Daggertail just like her older brother Liam. Aww, keeping it in the family!
• Then this second half of the chapter pulls a complete 180°. Vi’s covering watch duty at the academic tower when BOOM – four infantry soldiers-turned-assassins attack her and another rider named Eya. Things get DARK real fast – Eya gets knocked out, and Vi ends up dangling from the edge of the tower after taking out most of the attackers. Just when the last assassin is about to make Violet escape impossible by “accidentally” letting her fall to her death, someone sneaks up and stabs him through the throat from behind.
• Talk about ending on a cliffhanger… literally!