He reveals that his daughter Atalantia is heading to retake Mercury, which is not fully protected. They invade his fortress, but find him bedridden. Darrow and the Howlers set off to Earth, where they free Apollonius au Valii-Rath and set off to Venus to kill the Ash Lord. Darrow, knowing that the potential truce is a ploy by the Ash Lord that will never come to fruition, escapes with his closest allies on a dangerous mission to assassinate Magnus. When the Senate learns from Darrow's enemy, Julia au Bellona, that he rejected an overture of peace from the Ash Lord, they issue a warrant for Darrow's arrest.

Ignoring the Senate's orders, Darrow launches a massive assault on Mercury, wresting the planet from the Ash Lord but with great casualties. Darrow's wife Virginia au Augustus governs as the elected Sovereign, but a faction called Vox Populi, led by Dancer, has risen to power in the Senate. Darrow of Lykos serves as ArchImperator of the Republic's forces, which are still at war with the Ash Lord, Magnus au Grimmus, and his allies. Ten years after their victory over the Golds of the Core Worlds, a new Solar Republic has replaced the tyrannical Society. Iron Gold takes place ten years after the events of Morning Star (2016), with Darrow 'The Reaper' of Lykos and Virginia 'Mustang' au Augustus leading the new Solar Republic.

Iron Gold is a 2018 science fiction novel by American author Pierce Brown, the first of a trilogy which continues the story of his Red Rising trilogy (2014–2016).

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