Xaden Riorson from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame
| Name | Xaden Riorson |
| Rank | Rider, Wingleader, Fourth Wing (Fourth Wing) Lieutenant (Iron Flame) |
| First assignment location | Samara, his room is on the third floor, south wing, second door on the right |
| Quadrant | Riders Quadrant (Fourth Wing) Graduate (Iron Flame) |
| Age | 23 DOB: March – DOD: n/a |
| Height | Over 6″4′ |
| Place of Birth | Aretia, Tyrrendor Province, Navarre |
| Family | Fen Riorson (father) Duke Lindell (foster father) Liam Mairi (foster brother) Bodhi (cousin) |
| Relationships | Violet Sorrengail (lover) Garrick (Most Trusted Friend) Catriona (ex-fiance) |
| Dragon | Sgaeyl – bonded Tairn – linked via Sgaeyl |
| Signet | Shadow Wielder and Inntinnsic |
| Favourite food | Chocolate Cake |
| Political Seat | The Assembly |
| Family House | Riorson House |
| Image Gallery | Xaden Riorson Gallery |
Biography
Xaden grew up in Aretia, the capital of Tyrrendor Province in the Kingdom of Navarre. He grew up with both his parents. His father, Fen Riorson was a nobleman in Aretia and is considered by many to be the Great Betrayer as he was one of the leaders of the Tyrrish uprising.
After the capture and execution of his father, Xaden was sent to a foster home in Tirvainne. He met his foster brother there, Liam Mairi. Both children were fostered by Duke Lindell.
In terms of his emotional past, Xaden mentioned that he hasn’t slept well since his father left Aretia to declare the secession.
Physical Appearance
Xaden is a tall man with black hair and dark eyebrows. His facial features are marked by a strong jawline, and his skin is brown tawny in colour. He often has dark stubble on his face and his body is muscular. There is a lethal grace to him.
His eyes are distinctive, characterized by a shade of onyx speckled with flecks of gold. Xaden has a diagonal scar that bisects his left eyebrow and marks the top corner of his cheek.
Xaden has a rebellion relic which starts at his left wrist and stretches all the way up his neck, stopping at his jawline.
Violet Sorrengail describes Xaden’s voice as having a rough pitch, but sounding like velvet along her skin. She refers to Xaden lips as being perfect.
Xaden’s chest is massive, with wide shoulders and heavily muscled arms alongside. Every edge of his body is honed like a weapon.
He smells of mint and leather and something that borders between citrus and floral.
Violet notes that Xaden still looks appealing, even though his tawny-brown skin shows bruises and signs of sleep deprivation. She observes the distinct features of his face: the high slopes of his cheeks, his usually soft dark eyes that change when they meet hers, and the scar that cuts across his brow and ends below his eye. There’s also the intricate, simmering relic mark that extends to his jaw, and the well-defined lines of his mouth. These characteristics together contribute to his unique and striking appearance.
Traits
Despite his fierce appearance, Xaden is compassionate and caring, traits shown the moment we find out that he wears 107 scars on his back for all children of rebellion.
He is a secretive individual, closely guarding his own secrets, he is a master of containing his own emotions. He places his trust in very few, with his closest friends being Garrick and his cousin Bodhi. Unlike Dain Aetos, he doesn’t hold as much faith in the rules and the Codex. His disregard for these regulations is evident when he steps in to (almost) assist Violet during the Threshing, an act that’s strictly forbidden. Furthermore, he defies the law by meeting with more than three other children marked for rebellion.
He acknowledges Violet as merciful, then comments that this is not a “flaw” he possesses.
His presence fills an entire stage, and he seems to possess the same magnetism as his father, captivating crowds with nothing but his words.
Weakness
His past. The fact that he needs to take personal responsibility for the loyalty of 107 kids the rebellion leaders left behind.
Signet
Xaden can wield shadows, which is an incredibly rare signet and highly coveted in battle. This particular signet can disorient and even take down the enemy.
In Iron Flame we learn that Xaden is an inntinnsic.
Relationships
Violet Sorrengail
For the majority of the first book we see Xaden’s development through the eyes and mind of Violet, until the very last chapter when we get to enter Xaden’s mind and see it all from his perspective too.
Xaden has a clear affinity towards Violet from the moment he sees her. Despite his harsh gazes towards Violet, he does give her advice and offers ideas on how to better survive the challenges and keep people like Jack Barlowe at bay.
In Chapter 10, he mentions that keeping Violet alive is causing him the majority of his problems, as if he’s yearning for her.
In the aftermath of the Threshing, the bond between Xaden and Violet takes on a new dimension. With their lives now inextricably linked, Xaden commits to safeguarding Violet, understanding that her death could inadvertently cause his own.During a tense dispute with Dain, Xaden commends Violet for her courage, despite considering her actions reckless. Witnessing Violet put herself in harm’s way prompts Xaden to lose his temper for the first time, allowing his usually controlled emotions to surface.
Xaden shares his first kiss with Violet on the night when Tairn begins to channel his power through her. A month or so later, he brings Violet to the mat and gives her the opportunity to disarm him, thereby rightfully earning the new daggers he had specially crafted for her. This gesture not only demonstrates Xaden’s respect for Violet’s abilities, but also his willingness to support her growth as a warrior.
At Montserrat, Xaden kisses Violet again. Upon their return back to Basgiath, Xaden confesses to Violet that he can’t stop thinking about her. He admits that his thoughts of her extend beyond just wanting to kiss her.
Xaden increasingly finds himself drawn towards Violet, going as far as to assist her in maintaining her position on Tairn. To facilitate this, he designs a custom saddle specifically tailored to her needs.
After Violet discovers her Signet, he goes to her room to comfort her, and their relationship turns intimate. During their intimacy, Xaden admits that he always wants Violet and he can barely think when she is around.
Xaden tells Violet her mind is sexy as hell, and she is the only one he’s thinking about.
On July 1th, he admits to Violet that he wanted her from the second he saw her.
After Athebyne, Xaden admits to himself that he should have never fought his feelings for Violet. He tells himself that Violet is cunning and has such a sense of honour. He realises that he fell for her a long time before they even kissed for the first time. Xaden admits to himself that her hazel eyes have haunted him since Parapet. In his own words, Violet is the only woman he’s ever fallen for.
Liam Mairi
Xaden grew up with Liam in foster care. Xaden trusts Liam with his life and he puts him in charge of looking after Violet and protecting her with his life. He admits to Violet that Liam is important to him.
Garrick
Garrick has always been Xaden’s best friend. His father was Fen Riorson’s aide. After Liam, Bodhi was and still is the closest thing Xaden has to a brother, perpetually tagging along a step behind.
Dain Aetos
The rivalry between Xaden and Dain is palpable. Xaden often adopts a condescending attitude around Dain, responding with quick, snide remarks. He makes it clear to Violet that he believes Dain is coddling her, rather than helping her progress.
Xaden admits to Violet that he was jealous when Dain kissed her at Threshing. Dain uses his ability to read Violet’s mind to uncover crucial information that he can use against Xaden. He then shares this information with Colonel Aetos, leading to Xaden being sent to Athebyne.
The moment Dain begins to coddle Violet, suggesting she should refrain from using her powers, Xaden intervenes. He firmly pushes Dain away from Violet, indicating his disagreement with Dain’s approach.
The final straw comes during the last challenge of the War Games. Xaden gives Dain the order to release a few people, including Violet and Liam, from his formation and bring them with him to Athebyne. Dain protests and accuses Xaden of being driven by revenge in his relationship with Violet.
Theories about Xaden Riorson
Fourth Wing Theory: Xaden is Inntinnsic
Xaden is a morally grey character
Xaden Riorson Quotes
“You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”
Xaden Riorson, Chapter 7, Page 85
“Defenceless women have never been my type.”
Xaden Riorson, Chapter 9, Page 110
Killing you wouldn’t be any trouble, Violence. It’s leaving you alive that seems to cause the majority of my trouble”
Xaden Riorson, Chapter 10, Page 129
“Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it towards the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs -on the probabilities.”
Xaden Riorson, Chapter 10, Page 130
“Every day I let you live, I get to convince myself that there’s still a part of me that’s a decent person.”
Xaden Riorson, Chapter 10, Page 131
“The right way isn’t the only way.”
Xaden Riorson, chapter 10, Page 131
Xaden Riorson Gallery
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