Iron Flame

Violet dreams again of the Sage. She and Xaden meet with Brennan and the Assembly, who are angry with the sudden influx of riders. Xaden presents the journal they stole from Basgiath, belonging to a member of the First Six named Warrick. Violet’s dragon bond stirs as Andarna wakes from the Dreamless Sleep.

Andarna has aged into a short-tempered adolescent dragon with a wing that will not fully cooperate. Tairn reveals that Andarna’s growth was stunted due to “the mass expenditure of energy at Resson” and her disrupted Dreamless Sleep (349). While he believes she will eventually become strong enough to fly, she will never be able to carry a rider. Cadets resume classes at Riorson House, but history classes are devoted to explaining the true events of the Tyrrish Rebellion six years prior. Professor Devera and Brennan lead Battle Brief, delivering news that General Melgren has managed to keep Navarrian citizens unaware of the wyvern Xaden dumped along the border outposts and the mass desertion from Basgiath. Mira and many other riders from Samara arrive in Aretia; all have been told the truth by General Sorrengail after spotting the wyvern carcasses. Mira is shocked to discover Brennan is alive.