Every year on October 1, the first-year cadets at Basgiath War College gather for Threshing Day. As fans of Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing book series (also known as the Empyrean series) already know, this is the most important day in a student’s life — the day they bond with a dragon, or die.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, Yarros has released Threshing Day, a book consisting of short stories detailing beloved characters and their bonded dragons. With a total of 13 stories, Threshing Day takes a closer look into the perspectives of other cadets besides Violet Sorrengail, the series' main protagonist. Family, friends, and rivals all must undertake this trial, and each has their own unique story to tell.
- Brennan Sorrengail
- Mira Sorrengail
- Xaden Riorson
- Garrick Tavis
- Dain Aetos
- Bodhi Durran
- Imogen Cardulo
- Rhiannon Matthias
- Sawyer Henrick
- Ridoc Gamlyn
- Liam Mairi
- Sloane Mairi
- Aaric Graycastle
Brennan Sorrengail
Since the shocking revelation of Brennan’s survival at the end of Fourth Wing, Violet’s older brother has had a significant role in the Empyrean series. His is the first story in Threshing Day, as we go back in time to witness the first meeting with his bonded dragon, the orange daggertail, Marbh.
As the eldest son of General Lilith Sorrengail, Brennan is very aware of the expectations placed upon him, and he is feeling the pressure. Ironically, he is willing to bond with any color of dragon except for orange, as they are known for being impulsive and unpredictable.
As it turns out, Marbh is a fitting opposite to Brennan’s cautious manner, making them the perfect team. And with the long road ahead, we know that Brennan can use all the help he can get.
Mira Sorrengail
Next is the second Sorrengail sibling, Mira, who not only has her mother’s standards to live up to, but also her brother’s stellar example. Thanks to the book that Brennan had left for her, Mira at least has some idea of how to prepare for the biggest day of her life, as she treads into dangerous territory in Threshing Day. She may not be as prepared as she thought, however, as her experience differs considerably from Brennan's.
Much of Mira’s perspective could be summed up in three words: middle child syndrome. Brennan has his mother’s leadership ability, while Violet has her father’s intellect, leaving Mira to wonder exactly where she fits. It’s her bond with Teine, the green clubtail, that helps Mira understand her place in the world, and gives her the confidence to make her own way.
Xaden Riorson
Naturally, Xaden’s experience during his Threshing is very different than the Sorrengail siblings’. As the son of the hated leader of the Tyrrish Rebellion, Xaden has much more to worry about — such as all of the Navarrian students who want to see him and his comrades dead. Finding his dragon is the last thing on Xaden’s mind as he and the other relic-marked cadets walk into extreme peril.
While Xaden’s focus is on protecting his friends, his mind goes to dark places as he ruminates on his hatred for Navarre, and especially on the general who gave him his physical and mental scars. When Garrick’s life is threatened, he quickly shifts into tactical mode to escape and eliminate the threat, gaining him the attention of Sgaeyl, the feared blue daggertail.
Despite the rage with him, Sgaeyl sees Xaden's potential, which begins their lifetime bond.
Garrick Tavis
Garrick's story picks up right after Xaden's, with the two narrowly escaping death at the hands of Alic Graycastle. His father was Fen Riorson's right-hand man, and Garrick has taken on a similar role for Xaden. Garrick knows the pressure that Xaden is under, and yet the pressure of aiding his closest friend also weighs heavily on him.
As Garrick feels the pull of his dragon leading him forward, his mind is still focused on the ones he cares about most. One woman in particular is in his thoughts, a woman who he clearly loves, but who remains nameless (perhaps it could be a certain pink-haired girl that has caught his interest?).
When Garrick at last meets his dragon, the brown scorpiontail, Chradh, their bond is seamless, as Chradh is drawn to Garrick's willingness to put others before himself.
Dain Aetos
Dain has had one of the most interesting character arcs within the Empyrean series, which makes the story of his Threshing all the more compelling. It begins with a conversation with his father, who is currently the aide to General Sorrengail.
Dain's respect for his dad is tempered with frustration, as Colonel Aetos seems to be watching Dain's every move. While Dain loves his father, he also longs to be out from under his shadow.
If Dain prides himself on anything, it's that he always follows the rules. As a dutiful son, he tries to heed his father's advice when Aetos tells him to look for a green dragon to bond with. However, when the red swordtail Cath stakes his claim on Dain, the normally obedient son has a choice to make: do what he's told, or follow his gut.
A similar choice would later impact the events of the Empyrean books, as well as Dain's relationships.
Bodhi Durran
In his first year at Basgiath, Bodhi resents being constantly compared to his cousin, Xaden Riorson. He hopes to prove himself at Threshing, but it doesn't help when Xaden, now in his second year, shows up to offer him guidance. While Bodhi loves and admires Xaden like a brother, he is determined to go his own way, even if it's to his own detriment.
As Bodhi ponders the events of the Tyrrish Rebellion, including the deaths of his and Xaden's parents, he worries about how his cousin has changed, becoming almost unrecognizable in his ruthlessness. Yet Bodhi recognizes that he has also changed, and fears that he will go down the same road.
When he meets his dragon, the green swordtail, Cuir, everything becomes clearer, and he begins to realize that his destiny belongs to him alone.
Imogen Cardulo
Like the other bearers of the rebellion relic, Imogen has her own personal demons to contend with. She has a lot to be angry about: the injustice against her people at the hands of the Navarrians, for one. Then there's Garrick, for whom she has romantic feelings, and yet holds a grudge against him for not saying goodbye when he left for Basgiath.
On top of all that, the orange daggertail, Glane, has claimed her before the Threshing even began. Not one to have decisions made for her, Imogen resists Glane's call with every step, and yet there is no denying the clear bond between them. After all, Glane was also her grandmother's dragon, and hates the Navarrians as much as Imogen does.
Despite her initial reluctance, the connection between Imogen and Glane is a powerful one bound by blood and a shared goal. The two also share a secret that could have serious repercussions in the as-yet-unforeseen future.
Rhiannon Matthias
Unlike her fellow classmates, Rhiannon is filled with excitement at the prospect of riding a dragon. Her confidence trumps any thoughts of fear as Threshing begins, and she knows exactly which dragon is hers: Feirge, the green daggertail.
As she begins her search, however, Rhiannon is distracted by thoughts of home, and of her pregnant twin sister. She is also waylaid by a fellow first-year who was badly injured by dragonfire, and refuses to leave their side without offering aid. Her leadership qualities quickly become apparent, a trait that will serve her well in her second year as squad leader.
When she is bonded with Feirge at last, she knows it is the best day of her life. Little does she realize that there are many more difficult days to come.
Sawyer Henrick
The stakes have never been higher for Sawyer as he enters into his second attempt to bond with a dragon. After a year of being filled with self-doubt, he is committed to either bond with a dragon or die trying. Finally, he meets his match in Sliseag, the red swordtail.
Sawyer’s bond with Sliseag is not exactly a smooth start. The humiliation he has suffered begins to turn to anger, as he vents all of his frustration upon the dragon. To his credit, Sliseag takes it all in stride, even putting the blame on himself for not participating in the Threshing the previous year.
With their cards all out on the table, both Sliseag and Sawyer find camaraderie with one another, and Sawyer finds the confidence he so sorely needs.
Ridoc Gamlyn
Although Ridoc's best trait is his sense of humor, even he knows that Threshing Day is no laughing matter. All the joking is put aside as he is overcome with nausea, vomiting multiple times before the hunt even begins. When he stops for a drink of water at a stream, he is surprised to find a brown swordtail who, instead of attacking, splashes him playfully with water.
Ridoc recognizes the dragon as Aotrom, one of the youngest dragons in the bunch at only 20 years old. He tries to warn the dragon away, insisting that one of them has to be the responsible one, and it sure as heck isn't him. Ridoc needs a dragon who is grounded, someone serious to counter his jovial spirit.
But when Aotrom accuses Ridoc of underestimating him, he soon learns that he and Aotrom may have more in common than he realizes.
Liam Mairi
Compared to the rest of the cadets in his class, Liam's Threshing is almost a piece of cake. Instead of traversing the dangers of the field, Liam patiently sits and waits for his dragon — a red daggertail called Deigh. While he waits, he whittles a wooden figure of Deigh with knife, recalling better days in his home from long ago.
Although Liam's Threshing Day story may not be action-packed, we get a nice little moment with the beloved character that brings a tear to the eye. Liam's fate at the end of Fourth Wing was devastating for readers, and it's good to see him in a moment of peaceful reflection. We also get a glimpse of his brotherly relationship with Xaden, reminding us how much he was loved.
Sloane Mairi
As cathartic as Liam’s Threshing story is, his little sister Sloane’s is downright heartbreaking. It’s been only months since Liam’s death, and Sloane has been doing her best to hide her grief while at Basgiath. She pretends to be eager to bond with a dragon like her classmates, but on the inside, she dreads it. In fact, she is dead set against it.
As Sloane makes her way through the trial, she is determined not to bond, even when Imogen informs her that a dragon has already chosen her. She is even ready to take drastic measures to make sure she never bonds, but all that changes when she meets Thoirt, the red daggertail.
Finally willing to let go, Sloane finds healing in her bond with Thoirt, and allows herself to fully grieve her brother's death.
Aaric Graycastle
As the youngest prince of Navarre, Aaric has taken advantage of his lack of royal responsibilities. The discovery of a secret war, which the king has hidden from his citizens, gives Aaric a purpose that being royalty never could. He makes it his personal mission to go against his own father and fight the threat, no matter what, even if it means dying at Basgiath.
Armed with that same determination, Aaric walks confidently into the Threshing field. He has already honed in on the dragon he knows is his: Molvic, a blue clubtail. Molvic, meanwhile, isn't convinced, and Aaric has to work hard to change his mind. When Molvic learns just how determined Aaric is, and what he is willing to sacrifice, the bond between is solidified forever.
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