| Name | Nadine |
|---|---|
| Age | 21 (Fourth Wing), 22 (Iron Flame) |
| Species | Human, Rider |
| Status | Deceased |
| Quadrant | Riders Quadrant, Basgiath War College |
| Rank/Title | Cadet |
| Signet | Unweaving Wards |
| Eye Color | Unknown |
| Hair Color | Dyed purple |
| Dragon Bond | Gaothal |
| Appears in | Fourth Wing (2023), Iron Flame (2023) |
Contents
Biography
Nadine is a rider cadet in the Empyrean series. She was born in a northern village on the border of Deaconshire and Tyrrendor, and later enters the Riders Quadrant at Basgiath War College.
Although Nadine is not one of the most prominent cadets in Violet Sorrengail’s circle, she becomes a familiar presence within Iron Squad and appears in several key moments across Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Her storyline helps show the tense dynamics inside the Riders Quadrant, especially when it comes to the distrust many cadets feel toward marked riders.
Fourth Wing
After Threshing in Fourth Wing, Nadine joins Violet’s squad when the surviving squads are condensed. During this period, she makes her distrust of marked riders fairly obvious, reflecting the prejudice that still shapes life at Basgiath. Even so, when the final Squad Battle task requires the squad to work together, she agrees to let Imogen Cardulo take the lead.
Nadine’s signet allows her to unweave wards, which makes her especially useful during Squad Battle. She uses that power to help dismantle the wards protecting General Sorrengail’s office so the squad can break in as part of the exercise. The moment gives one of the clearest examples of her abilities in action and shows that, despite her sharper edges, she is a capable cadet who can contribute in high-pressure situations.
Outside of training, Nadine also appears during the Reunification Day celebration, where she joins Violet and Rhiannon Matthias. These smaller scenes help establish her as part of the wider social fabric of Iron Squad rather than just a background name.
Iron Flame
By the start of Iron Flame, Nadine is one of only five surviving members of Iron Squad from the end of their first year. After graduation, she drinks with the rest of the squad and looks ahead to her second year, relieved at the thought of leaving first-year duties behind.
Her interactions in these scenes also suggest some growth. While Nadine had previously shown open bias against marked riders, she seems more at ease around Imogen by this point, hinting that sharing a squad has begun to wear down at least some of her earlier prejudice. That shift makes her feel more layered than a cadet defined by a single trait.
Two nights before Parapet, Nadine sprains her hand after slipping on the steps. As it does not mend immediately, she wears it braced and wrapped afterwards. Later, during Parapet, she is on the tower with Violet, Rhiannon and Dain Aetos, watching the new first-years face the crossing. After Solas breathes fire over the group, Nadine notices that Violet’s back has been scorched.
Nadine’s story comes to an abrupt end on Assessment Day. When a first-year student overhears Violet’s name, Nadine pretends to be Violet Sorrengail, seemingly in an attempt to deflect the danger. However, she is killed by the assassin hunting Violet instead. Her death is brief yet memorable, both due to the shocking nature of the moment and because it transforms her from a recurring minor character into one of the many casualties that highlight how unsafe Basgiath has become.
Physical Description
Nadine’s appearance is not described in much detail. One of her most noticeable traits is that she dyes her hair purple on the night of her graduation at the end of her first year, which gives her a bolder and more playful visual identity than many of the other supporting characters.
Personality
Nadine comes across as outspoken, reactive, and sometimes dramatic, especially in stressful situations. She is not written as especially subtle, and her opinions tend to show on the surface.
From an early stage, one of her defining traits is her bias against marked riders. This attitude aligns her with many cadets who have been influenced by Navarre’s official narrative. However, as she continues to serve alongside Imogen and the rest of Iron Squad, she becomes less openly hostile, suggesting that her assumptions are being challenged by her direct experience.
She also has a curious and social side. Whether she is looking forward to celebrations, asking questions about battle, or commenting during tense moments, Nadine often adds energy to group scenes. Her final act on Assessment Day can also be read as impulsive bravery, showing that when it matters most, she is willing to put herself in danger.
Powers
Lesser Magic
Through her bond with her dragon, Nadine can use lesser magic. Like other riders, this includes abilities such as manipulating mage lights, moving with enhanced speed, and interacting with doors, runes, and other magically responsive objects.
Lesser magic is a standard part of life for bonded riders, but it still marks Nadine as a fully trained cadet with practical magical utility beyond her signet. Even when she is not at the center of the story, she is shown functioning as an active rider rather than simply a named classmate.
Signet
Unweaving Wards: Nadine’s signet allows her to unweave wards, meaning she can dismantle magical protections rather than reinforce them. She uses this ability during Squad Battle to help break through the wards protecting General Sorrengail’s office.
This signet is especially useful in situations involving secrecy, access, and security. While Nadine does not receive extensive page time, her signet stands out because it is specific, tactical, and memorable, giving her a clearer niche than many minor riders in the series.
