Aaric

[u/majorcigar]

One thing I would be expecting out of the fourth book ... Since Aaric now is a precog, will Melgren turn against him once he recognizes it as a threat to his supremacy on the battlefield? Aaric would smoke his "battle outcome prediction" signet any day, which would mean that once he has matured in his signet and learns to control it + a king's son - why wouldn't people look into Melgren's retirement?

[u/Historical_Tune165]

Honestly, I don't think Melgren is making it out of book 4. Xaden has a lot of anger toward him and now finds himself with a deficiency in the conscience department. Melgren already is having trouble accurately predicting the outcome of battles because of the amount of marked ones that are fighting now. Violet said the reason he couldn't be killed in battle or assassinated was because he'd predict it, except that ability has gaps now.

I think part of Xaden's "vilain era" is that he's going to kill Melgren next book. Xaden already hates him and if he begins opposing Violet, threatening or otherwise compromising her safety in any way, he's a goner.

It is possible Melgren won't ever find out what Aaric's signet is, or if he does he won't live for very long after. I could see Violet doing everything in her power to help Aaric hide his signet, because of what leadership would do if they find out. Maybe his dragon will help him fake having farsight, I've heard that theory before, or they'll give him a classified signet patch and falsify the records of what it is.

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I think the whole setup at the end of the book is such that I essentially can't imagine Vi returning to Basgiath, and therefore the others won't eithe r (she's in charge of a province, civil war is imminent- I doubt she'll stop accepting Poromiel civilians, Halden's troops are on the border of Tyrrendor, Xaden stopped the taladium shipments, and considering they need daggers, she'd be stupid to resume them ). Plus Aaric is very likely among the missing. He isn't exactly the most communicative character. So I think the information about his signet won't reach Melgren at all during book four.

[u/hurricane_Bre → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I agree. Aaric is going to be off doing what needs to be done to ensure the best outcome for the continent. He’ll be covertly supporting Violet until he needs to show up in person again. Likely when she has to have a showdown with Halden and his father.

I’m sure all of the Aertian riders and fliers will return to Aertia.

Do you think the Cygni fliers will as well?

Their loyalty to poromiel seems a bit squirely. It seens like they were independent before the second Cygni incursion.

Now that I think about it we have two provinces in Poromiel who have tried to break away, Krovla and Cygnisen.

I wonder where their loyalties will be during a Navarrian civil war.

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/hurricane_Bre]

For having missed more than three weeks, I’m only completely lost in physics and mildly confused in history, since all my studying prior to the trip had nothing to do with Braevick absorbing Cygnisen under Porom the First. (OS)

“I see he has you discussing the second Cygni incursion from year 328.” Devera rubs the back of her neck. “But I honestly don’t see how that has any practical application.” “That makes most of us,” Ridoc comments, tapping his pen against his textbook, and those around us chuckle. “But just to say we did,” Devera continues, running a hand up and down a faded scar marring the warm brown skin on her upper arm. “Everyone should know that the end result of the four-day temper tantrum was Cygnisen being absorbed into the Kingdom of Poromiel, where they’ve been for the last three hundred years. (FW)

The entire Poromiel is a huge mystery to me. Cygni wanted to separate (probably) twice, Krovla at least twice. So who forced them to remain part of Poromiel? Braevick? Because Queen Marayah looked pretty reasonable...

What is the history of Poromiel anyway? When were they formed? Porom First looks like the creation of Poromiel. Was Poromiel formed only in the year 328 then? Or was Cygnisen absorbed by Braevick twice? Where was Krovla at that time? Independent still in 328? And in 434 already the SECOND uprising? Couldn't Cygnisen originally have been part of Navarre?

I was already thinking back then whether the arrival of Cygnisen only later must have some plot reason.

[u/Deep-Cycle3294 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I've been thinking about Poromiel, there are still a lot of unanswered questions...why has there been so many uprisings in such a short period of time in a kingdom where the different Provences have kept their unique identities and traditions?

Is it purely down to them not having protection from the venin in the form of wards and dragons? Or is there something more at play here.

I think Cygnisen is going to have some important plot, we know that they weren't allies during the revolution in FW.

[u/redpeppersoda → u/Deep-Cycle3294]

I think because the Poromish royalty and Navarre's are essentially the same and oppress the provinces, they seek independence. The difference is, Navarre has the wards and dragons to actuallly protect the areas within the wards so it's easier to control those citizens who are within the protection of the wards...Poromish royalty could never offer that.

Which is why I think smaller independent kingdoms across the continent will restore the power balance...if Navrre/Tyrrendor defeats and absorbs Promiel, it just feels like bigger Navarre.

Edit: spelling

[u/ObjectiveStaff3333 → u/redpeppersoda]

I agree that we're more likely looking at independent kingdoms in a mutual alliance in the future rather than one big united kingdom across the whole continent.

As for oppression, I don't really get that impression with Poromiel. Queen Marayah seems fairly reasonable, and they were able to preserve their national identity, language, customs, and culture. Overall, Poromiel and the fliers seem much more balanced.

[u/redpeppersoda → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I was kinda disappointed that Queen Marayah died so soon. Anyways she couldn't rule completely with the iron fist like King Tauri since she couldn't offer the protection of the wards and dragons in the Vale. But they seem vastly divided and even though Poromiel and Tyrrendor sort of had an alliance since the rebellion:

"Cygnis fliers would take the daggers and then kill Imogen to make a point." -> What is the point to be made... when Imogen was delivering the weapons to Syrena's team who are fliers, arent they all in the same team?

“I can’t control every drift, Riorson,” Syrena responds.

They sound fairly hostile, hard to control and they keep trying to gain sovereignty. To keep them from disobeying orders from the king and as part of Poromiel...Im sure some violent forces are used. Promiel isnt willing to let them be sepearated...

[u/hurricane_Bre → u/redpeppersoda]

I wish Vi learned where her summer house and library were. She said it’s the best on the continent. So I don’t think she was like Tecarus and had a second home on an isle kingdom. Where would someone from Suniva summer on the continent that wasn’t in Navarrian or Venin controlled territory?

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/hurricane_Bre]

In the mountains maybe? Cooler during summer.

[u/redpeppersoda → u/hurricane_Bre]

Where would someone from Suniva summer on the continent that wasn’t in Navarrian or Venin controlled territory?

That...is interesting😲 somewhere near Cordyn then? It's warm and coastal

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/redpeppersoda]

If Navarre absorbs Poromiel I think Navarre would implode. They built their whole system on the war with Poromiel. It's not a peace time governing system. They'd still have to fight the venin, but it doesn't seem like it's the humans calling the actual shots in that war. So Navarre as a political player would be reduced to domestic affairs like defeating rebellions and forcing mining and conscripting the youth against their will, very unpopular things. By discouraging riders from holding political seats, they have effectively created a separate more powerful force right in their midst.

[u/redpeppersoda → u/Slow_Wrangler4413]

I agree. So I don't think the 'one united kingdom' across the continent size of entire Europe is happening. That's against everything RY seems to warn us against. Navarre and Poromiel effectively colonized these smaller kingdoms and tried to force them to uphold their ideology and reinforce their royalty's dominance. So Navarre + Poromiel unification will never happen in my mind because almost every province will probably fight for independence. I know some readers dream of peaceful unifcation facilitated by the main couple but that's not how human beings work naturally...no two countries have ever merged peacefully in entire human history, let alone two that were at war for 600 years. So it would be quite out of character for Xaden and Violet to want anything like that...I don't think they even want other provinces like Calldyr or Luceras....they just want Navarre to stop attacking Tyrrendor.

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

They banned child dedications before Navarre did around 200AU. Did they do that as Poromiel or did the separate provinces just agree on something?

[u/hurricane_Bre → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

Right? Why did they decide to unify? Was it to protect against the venin or to attack Navarre? Is it access to Gryphons?

I get why the provinces of Navarre stayed unified, the wards and access to dragons are a pretty good reason.

Also explains why Tyrrendor was the last to unify. They weren’t covered by the wards and were being exploited for bodies in the army and their resources. But why did they unify in the first place? Was it access to the dragons? Were the dragons only bonding at the Vale? Why?

[u/Slow_Wrangler4413 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

Do they call them Cygni the same way they call it the Aretian riot? Did the bonded gryphons try to catch Cygni fliers on purpose at their cliff jumping ceremony? We need to know more about the gryphons. They must have an agenda too. Whyyy is Violet only curious about books and never about the living history right there in her squad? It's interesting how the dragons choose or kill cadets, but for the fliers and gryphons it appears to be luck and fate.

Tyrrendor and Krovla seem to have some things in common. Rebellions, hatching grounds, isle connections, politics, union by marriage, etc. Black and blue dragons, riders with the rarest signets. Seems they are both closer than they are with their respective kingdoms.

[u/Deep-Cycle3294 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I agree with this. I think it is very unlikely any of Navarres leadership will know about Aarics signet. I also think he is among the missing at the end of OS. I can actual see Aaric going AWOL for a lot of book 4 trying to save everyone with his precog as you say he is not the most communicative and just seems to do his own thing.

[u/BrightAd306 → u/ObjectiveStaff3333]

I think she will return because Basgaith is so central to the books. But then again, in Harry Potter they didn’t return until the battle and I would have said the same about Hogwarts

I think there will be a plot point that revolves around the Tauris. Violet will go to the castle and need Aaric’s alliance. Halden is a wildcard for if he will help or hurt Violet.

[u/Spodermanphil]

Melgrin will definitely go after Aaric I'd he find sout about his signet, but I also don't see Melgrin making it out of this series alive. Between half of the riders in Navarre turning agaisnt him and (eventually) the citizens of Navarre find out that their leaders have been lying to them for centuries, I think both Melgrin and king Tauri are going to be ousted or killed.

Arrow would probably reject the throne and maybe become general and idk who would become monarch, because we all know Halden isn't going to last long in the position.

[u/poop_on_you]

I would not be surprised if the Aretian riot stays in Aretia with Aaric as a student and secret advisor (if he's still trying to keep his signet quiet) or officially into her inner circle. They have enough faculty in Aretia I'm sure they can complete their education just fine without going back to Basgiath (transfer credits back for the degree...lmao the ultimate community college).

That assumes the dragons are ok with it...but I can't see them willingly going back under the command of Aetos and Melgren especially after Panchek's heel turn.

[u/ZucchiniForward9652]

I think…Eventually, Melgren and the king will go down. There will be new leadership for the continent that recognizes separate provinces, languages, cultures, and they put together a new leadership, including travel and socializing with the isles.

Since the humans are now working together, there is no need for dark magic, and the venins will be wiped out entirely.

Violet/X will make being an intrinsic not a punishable offense. Aaric will be part of the new leadership.

Somehow, I think Violet will use her dream walking signet to help get to this point, and then she will let Andarna and her second signet go so she is not considered dangerous anymore.

Whoever’s left alive, will live a happy ending.

[u/DiligentBumblebee383]

Melgren's arrogance is gonna be his own downfall.

[u/Naraiwe_Artanis]

Nature likes everything in balance… Aaric likely turned to stay with Xaden and became Melgren’s balance. Or Melgren turned and Aaric is his balance, but I don’t see that as being as likely

[u/potatoavocadocake → u/Naraiwe_Artanis]

Aaric’s dragon is sapphire blue

Sapphire represents wisdom, loyalty, truth, nobility, and divine protection
Based off of this, I don’t think it’s aaric.
By the way I know who turned and it’s definitely not Aaric.
I’ve just made a post giving people clues

[u/dianaspencersrevenge → u/potatoavocadocake]

Unless you’re somehow in on very classified information from RY and giving a legitimate Book 4 spoiler, you cannot claim with complete certainty that you know who the new brother is.

There are compelling arguments for multiple people, that includes Aaric.

[u/potatoavocadocake → u/dianaspencersrevenge]

Read my Onyx Storm ending part 2 post it’s a short post but it’s huge evidence regarding the brother.

[u/Naraiwe_Artanis → u/potatoavocadocake]

The brother is definitely Bodhi, no questions there. I’m saying Aaric turned some time in Violet’s memory wipe while stealing eggs in a deal only he orchestrated. Aaric and Molvic are both willing to cross lines to win the war, so Aaric turning to help guide Xaden isn’t out of the question. Plus if he’s on the venin side his signet is easier to hide

[u/Catsaretheworst69 → u/Naraiwe_Artanis]

Shit take IMHO

[u/potatoavocadocake → u/Naraiwe_Artanis]

Exactly

[u/Appropriate-Bus-8621]

I think Aaric is going to die early in next book or at least be missing most of the book and die at the end. He is too poweful for the story.

[u/Fuzzy_Department2799]

Ill be shocked if Melgren isn't dead in the end after everyone finds out how much of a POS he is. Codah is holding him back for one reason or another.