Threshing Day is the annual dragon-bonding ceremony at Basgiath War College in Rebecca Yarros’s The Empyrean series. It is also the title of the companion collection, Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection), scheduled for release on September 29, 2026.

In this guide, you’ll learn what Threshing Day means in Fourth Wing, how the dragon bonding ceremony works, why it’s one of the series’ defining moments, and what the book contains, how it connects to Fourth Wing, and what readers should know after its release.

Updated October 5, 2026: Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) is now available. The companion collection contains 13 stories from across The Empyrean, giving readers new perspectives on characters and their Threshing experiences.

The book includes stories from characters including Xaden Riorson, Brennan Sorrengail, Mira Sorrengail, Dain Aetos, Rhiannon Matthias, Liam Mairi, and others.

Quick Facts About Threshing Day

Book: Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) (The Empyrean)
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Series: The Empyrean
First Appearance: Fourth Wing
Location: Basgiath War College
Event Type: Dragon bonding ceremony
Importance: Determines which cadets become dragon riders
Release Date: September 29, 2026

Buy Now: Amazon.com

The 13 Stories in Threshing Day

Threshing Day contains 13 stories from across the Empyrean universe, each following a different rider and their dragon during the moment that changes their lives. The collection includes familiar characters such as Xaden Riorson, Rhiannon Matthias, Dain Aetos, Liam Mairi, and Sloane Mairi, while giving readers new perspectives on characters whose Threshing Days were previously unseen.

Explore All 13 Threshing Day POVs

Want to know more about each character and dragon? We’ve broken down all 13 Threshing Day POVs, including their dragons, individual stories, important revelations, and connections to the wider Empyrean series.

→ Read: All 13 Threshing Day POVs Explained: Characters, Dragons & Revelations

Everything Officially Confirmed About Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection)

Rebecca Yarros and Red Tower Books have confirmed several details about Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection). While many story elements remain under wraps, readers already know the release date, format, number of stories, and that Xaden Riorson’s Threshing will be included. Here’s everything officially confirmed so far.

✅ Companion collection set in The Empyrean universe

✅ Release date: September 29, 2026

✅ 13 stories from across the Empyrean universe

✅ Xaden Riorson’s Threshing is confirmed

✅ Stories are told from riders’ perspectives

✅ Deluxe first edition with 16 original full-color illustrations

Latest Threshing Day News

Updated October 5, 2026: Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) is now available. The companion collection contains 13 stories from across The Empyrean, offering new perspectives on characters and their Threshing experiences.

What Is Threshing Day?

Threshing Day is the annual ceremony at Basgiath War College where dragon rider candidates enter the valley and attempt to form a bond with a dragon. The dragons choose their riders, and the bond determines the future of both the human and the dragon.

Unlike traditional military training, Threshing Day is not a simple test of skill.

A cadet cannot force a dragon to choose them.

The dragon decides.

This makes Threshing Day one of the most dangerous and important moments in a rider’s life.

Threshing Day in Fourth Wing Explained

In Fourth Wing, first-year cadets in the Riders Quadrant spend months preparing for the moment when they will face the dragons.

The path to Threshing Day is already deadly.

Before reaching the valley, candidates must survive:

• Brutal physical training
• Dangerous challenges
• The Gauntlet
• Constant competition with other cadets

Those who survive earn the chance to enter the valley.

But survival is not guaranteed.

How Does Threshing Day Work?

The Dragons Choose Their Riders

The most important rule of Threshing Day is simple:

The rider does not choose the dragon.

The dragon chooses the rider.

Dragons are intelligent, powerful beings with their own personalities and motivations. A successful bond requires compatibility between both sides.

The Dragon Bond

When a dragon chooses a rider, they create a magical connection.

The bond provides:

• A lifelong partnership
• Access to greater power
• A connection between human and dragon
• A new identity as a dragon rider

For many characters in The Empyrean, this moment defines who they become.

Failure Can Be Fatal

The world of Fourth Wing is not a forgiving fantasy setting.

Dragons are not ordinary animals.

They are powerful creatures capable of making their own choices, and a cadet who fails to form a bond may not survive the experience.

This danger is what makes Threshing Day so memorable.

Why Is Threshing Day Important in Fourth Wing?

Threshing Day represents one of the biggest themes in Rebecca Yarros’s series:

Power Must Be Earned

Becoming a dragon rider is not about status or ambition.

A candidate must prove they are worthy of a dragon’s trust.

Dragons Have Their Own Agency

One reason The Empyrean stands out among fantasy romance series is the importance of dragons.

They are not simply weapons used by humans.

They have:

• Personalities
• Opinions
• Intelligence
• Their own relationships

The bond between rider and dragon is a partnership.

Threshing Day and Violet Sorrengail

For Violet Sorrengail, Threshing Day is one of the defining moments of her journey.

Entering Basgiath War College as an unexpected candidate, Violet faces impossible odds.

Her experience during Threshing Day changes everything about her future as a rider.

Violet’s experience during Threshing Day becomes one of the defining turning points of Fourth Wing. The dragons she bonds with reshape her future, alter the balance of power at Basgiath, and influence every major conflict throughout the series.

Threshing Day and Xaden Riorson

Xaden Riorson’s Threshing is one of the confirmed stories in the collection. The official book site specifically identifies his story among the thirteen stories included in the book.

The official site has confirmed that Xaden’s Threshing is included, but additional details about his story have not yet been revealed.

Although additional plot details haven’t been revealed, Xaden’s story is one of the confirmed stories included in the collection, giving readers a chance to experience his Threshing from his perspective.

What Chapter Is Threshing in Fourth Wing?

Threshing begins in Chapter 13 of Fourth Wing.

This is when Violet and the other first-year riders enter the valley for the dragon-bonding ceremony. The events of Threshing continue through the following chapters and become a major turning point in Violet’s story.

What Is Threshing in Fourth Wing?

Threshing is the dragon-bonding ceremony at Basgiath War College. During the ceremony, first-year candidates enter the valley and attempt to form a bond with a dragon. The important distinction is that the dragon chooses the rider, not the other way around.

Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection)

Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) is a companion collection set in Rebecca Yarros’s The Empyrean universe. Released on September 29, 2026, the book contains 13 stories centered on riders from across the series.

The book expands the world of Fourth Wing by exploring additional stories connected to dragon riders and their bonds.

Rather than replacing the main series, it gives fans more background and context about the world of Basgiath.

According to the official announcement, Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) includes 13 original stories centered on riders from across The Empyrean. Rather than continuing the main storyline after Onyx Storm, the collection expands the world through pivotal moments from different characters’ lives.

Rebecca Yarros has also confirmed that the stories are told from the riders’ perspectives rather than the dragons’, allowing readers to experience important events—including several Threshings—from new points of view.

When Was Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros Released?

Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) was released on September 29, 2026.

Why Do Fans Say “Happy Threshing Day”?

“Happy Threshing Day” has become a fan phrase used by readers of Fourth Wing to celebrate one of the most important events in the series.

The phrase reflects the excitement surrounding:

• Dragon bonding
• Rider traditions
• Basgiath War College
• The fandom surrounding Rebecca Yarros’s books

Like many fantasy communities, The Empyrean readers have created their own traditions around memorable moments from the series.

Where Does Threshing Day Fit in The Empyrean Reading Order?

Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection) is a companion collection rather than a continuation of Violet and Xaden’s story after Onyx Storm. The official site describes it as a collection of thirteen stories from across the Empyrean universe.

For readers who want to experience the main storyline first, the main novels are:

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The first book in The Empyrean series introduces Violet Sorrengail, Basgiath War College, dragon riders, and the dangerous world of Navarre.

Read our complete review:

👉 Fourth Wing – Epic Dragon Fantasy Series | Rebecca Yarros

👉 Amazon

2. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

The second installment continues Violet’s journey as she faces new challenges, deeper secrets, and the consequences of the dragon rider world.

Read our complete review:

👉 Iron Flame Review — Rebecca Yarros Delivers a Powerful Sequel

👉 Amazon

3. Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

The third main novel expands the conflict beyond Basgiath and explores new threats, alliances, and revelations.

Read our complete review:

👉 Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros – Onyx Storm review

👉 Amazon

4. Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection)

Unlike the main novels, Threshing Day is a companion collection that expands the history of The Empyrean universe.

It is designed for readers who already know the world of Basgiath War College and want additional stories about dragon riders, bonds, and events connected to the series.

Buy Threshing Day: Amazon.com

Why Read Threshing Day After the Main Books?

Reading the original trilogy first allows readers to better understand:

• The importance of dragon bonds
• The history of Basgiath War College
• The significance of rider relationships
• The characters whose backgrounds may be explored in the collection

For new readers, start with Fourth Wing. For longtime fans, Threshing Day offers another way to return to the world of dragons, riders, and the magic of The Empyrean universe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Threshing Day

Why Is Everyone Searching for “Threshing Day”?

Interest in Threshing Day surged after Rebecca Yarros announced the upcoming companion collection. At the same time, new readers discovering Fourth Wing often search for the meaning of Threshing Day after reaching one of the novel’s most memorable scenes.

Today, the term refers to both:

• the annual dragon-bonding ceremony at Basgiath War College
• the upcoming companion book, Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection)

Because “Threshing Day” refers both to the dragon-bonding ceremony and the new companion collection, readers may encounter the term in two different contexts.

Final Thoughts

Threshing Day is more than a single event in Fourth Wing—it’s the moment that defines every dragon rider’s future. The annual ceremony has become one of the most iconic traditions in The Empyrean, and its importance has only grown with the announcement of Threshing Day (Wing and Claw Collection).

Whether you’re looking to understand the dragon-bonding ceremony, catch up on the latest news about the companion collection, or decide where it fits in the reading order, this guide brings together everything currently known in one place.

As more details, reader reactions, and new information about The Empyrean emerge, we’ll continue updating this guide with the latest confirmed details about Threshing Day.