The Empryean book series by Rebecca Yarros (a.k.a. the Fourth Wing books) is known for having lots of twists and turns. The cliffhanger ending for Onyx Storm was especially mind-blowing, leaving fans eager for the release of the fourth book. In the meantime, readers can treat themselves to Threshing Day, which was fittingly released on October 1 — the same day as the actual Threshing in the books.
Threshing Day features 13 short stories, all from the perspectives of the cadets in the rider's quadrant at Basgiath. Some take place before the events in Fourth Wing books and some during, but all of them offer insights into the dragon riders and their bonded dragons. And, like the novels, Threshing Day has some surprises in store for readers that they likely did not see coming.
- Mira is "marked" by Teine
- Sgaeyl hints at a secret about Xaden's bloodline
- Imogen and Glane have their own secret
- Sawyer's "failure" is brought to light
- Sloane's true motive on Threshing Day is heartbreaking
Mira is "marked" by Teine
At the start of Mira Sorrengail's story, she knows without a doubt that Teine, the green clubtail dragon, is the one for her. When she meets him face-to-face, however, it isn't as easy as it seems. Teine clearly has a vicious streak, and he plans to test Mira's coolness under pressure, as well as her threshold for pain.
Mira stands her ground as Teine attempts to intimidate her, even as the green clubtail nearly tears down the forest around them. When Mira refuses to back down, Teine takes things a step further by digging a massive claw into her leg. As Teine taunts and tests her, Mira has to take it all without complaint, while the dragon inflicts the painful wound and leaves her bleeding.
I admit, I'm not one to shy away at blood and gore, but this moment in the story had me wincing, Imagine someone tearing a deep gash into your thigh with a huge knife and expecting you not to scream in pain or try to fight it off. Plus, I can only image the scar that was left behind. I have to give big props to Mira with this one!
Sgaeyl hints at a secret about Xaden's bloodline
It's not unusual for a dragon to bond more than once, and sometimes even within the same family tree. This is the case for Sgaeyl, who once bonded with Xaden's great-uncle, Maxim. Maxim had died while in the quadrant at Basgiath at a young age, and the Empyrean books have yet to give us any more details.
However, when Xaden first bonds with Sgaeyl during his Threshing, the navy blue dragon hints that perhaps Maxim was closer to Xaden that he realized. She calls him Maxim's grandson, which he denies, correcting that Corbin Riorson was his grandfather. Sgaeyl's reply is cryptic: "If your grandmother said so, I suppose."
Clearly, Sgaeyl knows something about Xaden's family that he doesn't. It sounds like maybe Maxim impregnated Corbin's wife before heading into the rider's quadrant, which would mean that Fen Riorson's father was actually Maxim. We also learn that Fen was a twin, his sister being Bodhi Durran's mother.
While we know a few things about the Riorson family, there are still a lot of details that the books don't tell us. This news of Fen Riorson's parentage will certainly have some affect on the events of the future. Will Xaden's claim on Tyrrendor be called into question? If so, what would that mean for him and Violet? We'll have to wait for Book 4 to find out.
Imogen and Glane have their own secret
When Imogen sees the image of Glane in Kaori's cards, she recognizes the orange daggertail immediately. The problem is that she'd believed that very same dragon to be dead. It was her grandmother's, after all, although the female dragon was going by a different name then. She's also surprised to find that Glane has marked her with an image of the orange dragon on her hip, claiming her even before the Threshing.
When Imogen confronts Glane, her suspicions are confirmed. According to the records, Glane has never had a rider, and is only 20 years old. But Imogen remembers her well, and Glane remembers the wrongs done to the Tyrrish at the hands of Navarre, and she still holds a grudge. It's revealed that it is forbidden among the Empyrean for Glane to claim Imogen as her rider.
This secret between Imogen and Glane presents many questions, and gives us a deeper look into the workings of the Empyrean. Why would Glane hide her true identity, and why is her bond with Imogen forbidden? Hopefully these questions will eventually be answered.
Sawyer's "failure" is brought to light
For a whole year, Sawyer Henrick has beaten himself up for not finding a dragon to bond in his first year of the rider’s quadrant. A year of wondering what he did wrong, why he was unworthy, and what he can do to fix it. After all, he’s one of the best athletes in his squad —the fastest to run the Gauntlet, and one of the best fighters on the mat. So why wouldn’t any dragon want him?
As it turns out, Sawyer’s failure to bond wasn’t his fault at all. When he meets the red dagger, Sliseag, it’s like they were meant for each other. But it was Sliseag who chose not to participate in the Presentation the year before, a choice the dragon now regrets.
Sliseag insists that if he is to fully commit to their bond, then Sawyer must overcome his shame. It's a tough ask, but now that Sawyer has found the connection he so desperately sought, it is one he is willing to accept.
Sloane's true motive on Threshing Day is heartbreaking
Sloane Mairi has suffered plenty of grief in her young life. First there was the death of her parents in the Tyrrish rebellion, then the loss of her home, and being forced into the rider's quadrant at Basgiath War College. But it's the death of her older brother, Liam, that is the breaking point for Sloane, not to mention having to work at the sides of the ones responsible.
In Sloane's Threshing Day story, we see her with her fellow first-year cadets, who are all excited to bond with dragons. Sloane, however, is only pretending to echo their joy. In reality, she has a very different — and much more fatal — goal in mind. Sloane isn't searching for a dragon to bond with, but a dragon that will end her life.
As her grief and frustration grow, Sloane comes face to face with Thoirt, a red daggertail. Thoirt feels Sloane's inner pain and turmoil, and sympathizes with her. She also knows that Sloane will one day be a very powerful wielder, but only when she is ready. In the meantime, Thoirt is willing to wait patiently for the rider to heal, and Sloane finds comfort in Thoirt's understanding.
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