Confused about the title? What if I were to tell you that Brennan and Naolin might have been lovers to enemies, turned lovers again? Our lovely ZUzana Zenáhlíková did a super deep dive into Naolin’s and Brennan relationship.

And honestly, once you read it, you’ll have so many oh and aha moments! It all makes sense and it’s coming together. And of course, Zuzle’s theory will probably open up more questions but that’s the joy of these theories. Together, we might just about be able to work them out.

Before we begin, I just want you to have one quote in mind:

Nothing kills powerful, unshakable love faster than opposing
ideologies. – THE JOURNAL OF WARRICK OF LUCERAS

Brennan and Naolin Deep Dive by ZUzana Zenáhlíková

Zuzle is almost certain that Naolin is a Venin. I am too, btw, no doubt about it in my head.

The likely narrative, she tells us, is as follows: Brennan and Naolin were lovers during their time at Basgiath. However, Brennan probably joined the revolution in secret during the last year in the quadrant, which led to their separation. During the Battle of Aretia, they most likely encountered one another again. Brennan initially employed his mending abilities to repair either himself or Naolin, but in the process he exhausted his power and died.

Naolin then attempted resurrection by imbuing power into Brennan. Since imbuing can only be performed using a rune (unlike the mere transfer of power) and an ordinary mortal is incapable of resurrection, he became a Venin (with Venins comparing themselves to gods—and gods can resurrect). Consequently, Naolin most likely continues to live as a Venin. It is also possible that Tairn bonded with Violet because Andarna severed his bond with Naolin.

My comments: I agree entirely that Naolin is venin. I also agree that we never considered the fact that Brennan might have joined the revolution before The Battle of Aretia. But it kinda makes sense. We always assumed that Fen Riorson put an arrow in Brennan’s chest, Brennan survived and decided to join Tyrrendor. Sounds…extraordinary.

The only part I don’t agree on right now, is that Andarna severed Tairn’s bond to Naolin. I think Tairn managed to do that on his own somehow.

Evidence for the theory

Zuzle provides the following evidence:

Naolin was Tairn’s only rider before Violet. He was known as Syphon, and he died while attempting to revive Brennan, who had been shot in the heart by Fen Riorson during the Battle of Aretia.

Zuzle also notes that Sgaeyl last rider died almost fifty years ago, and, as far as she is aware, she flew wherever and whenever she desired to be near Tairn before Naolin—his final rider—died in Tyrrendor.

One report states, “His father put an arrow in Brennan’s chest, according to battlefield reports.”
“Fen Riorson.” Zuzle nods, adding, “He killed my brother at the Battle of Aretia.”

Let’s go with this a little and learn a little more about Brennan and Naolin from third parties…

—-

“Fine. What was his previous rider’s?” Jack asks.
“Naolin’s signet was siphoning.” Professor Kaori’s shoulders fall as he explains, “He could absorb power from various sources—other dragons, other riders—and then use it or redistribute it.”
“Badass,” Ridoc observes with a tone of unmistakable hero worship.
“He was,” Professor Kaori agrees.
“What kills someone with that kind of signet?” Jack asks, crossing his arms over his thick chest. Professor Kaori glances at Zuzle for a heartbeat before looking away. “He attempted to use that power to revive a fallen rider—which didn’t work, because there’s no signet capable of resurrection—and depleted himself in the process. To use a phrase you’ll become accustomed to after Threshing, he burned out and died next to that rider.” …

Later, it is revealed that Brennan is alive, indicating that events were not exactly as previously assumed.

Option No. 1: Brennan was revived—or rather, kept alive—by Naolin, and in the process Naolin burned out (or died). End of story… but none truly believe that. Given that the subject of Naolin has been dragged on for three books, there is a strong suspicion that more lies beneath the surface.

Option No. 2: “Naolin didn’t fail, but it cost him everything. So Brennan didn’t explicitly say he died. Has anyone directly involved confirmed that Naolin died? Not even Tairn ever said that Naolin died. He always says “the one who came before”.

The only mention of death coming from Tairn is here:

“I will not watch another rider die because they do not know their own limitations. One more strike could be your last. I feel your waning strength.” … “I’m not Naolin.”

Violet assumes Tairn is referring to Naolin. However, might it have been a different rider? Many riders might have died because burnout.
Could it have been Brennan who died because he did not know his own limitations (with Tairn witnessing it)? And how could Brennan have perished in this manner when he was also injured by an arrow?

Several possible scenarios come to mind:

1. Perhaps Brennan attempted to mend himself after being shot in the heart. It is understood that mending oneself is far more arduous than mending another. Considering that he lacked sufficient power when repairing a mortally wounded Mira, it is quite likely that in this instance he exhausted his energy and died.“Do you know how hard it is to mend myself? You? No problem. Doing it for myself? A giant pain in the ass.”
2. Alternatively, Brennan may never have been injured by an arrow at all. The account provided tells us that Brennan fought on Navarre’s side and that the revolutionary leader, Fen, shot him in the heart during the final battle. Miraculously, Brennan survived, only to later awaken and join the side of his murderer. While this sounds rather far-fetched, what if events unfolded a little differently? Check out what Brennan wrote in his journal:
   “Winning the War Games isn’t about strength. It’s about cunning. To know how to strike, you have to understand where your enemies— your friends—are most vulnerable. No one stays friends forever, Mira. Eventually those closest to us become our enemies in some way, even if it’s through well-intentioned love or apathy, or if we live long enough to become their villains.”
   — Page eighty, the Book of Brennan

Is it possible that the person closest to Brennan—who then became his villain—was Naolin? Were they close? Rebecca Yarros confirmed in an interview that they indeed were, and it can also be inferred that their relationship was even more intimate—possibly that of lovers.

“… What about you? Are you married? Kids? Anyone you’ve basically lied to for the entirety of your relationship?” He flinches. “No partner. No kids. Point made.”

“Tairn’s previous rider,” Zuzle suggests slowly, wondering if he meant more to Brennan than merely a comrade in arms. It all points to the idea that Brennan and Naolin were lovers!

“Fine, then who was Brennan’s first love?” Ridoc asks as they near the bottom of the steps. “There’s nine years between us. It’s not like he was filling me in on his romantic exploits—” […] “Though I do remember Mira saying he’d been in a relationship with a rider a year or two older than him.”

So, how could Brennan have come to be regarded as Naolin’s villain? It is known that Tairn played a significant role in suppressing the rebellion, while Naolin was aligned with Navarre’s side. Tairn is revered as a battle dragon among his kind, and without him, it is likely they would have lost during the Tyrrish rebellion.

But what of Brennan? After the Battle of Aretia—immediately following the incident in which Fen allegedly shot him in the heart—Brennan promptly joined Fen’s revolution?!

His new allies cared for him, hid him, and he quickly ascended the ranks to join the highest leadership? I mean let’s remember how Violet was treated in Aretia after one battle and fighting against venin, saving other marked ones. The Aretian leadership wanted to throw her in the dungeon because she is Lilith’s daughter!

Given the behavior on both sides, it seems most logical that Brennan was already in league with, and aiding, the rebellion before that, and that Aretia’s leadership were well aware of him. The timeline supports this as well: Violet enters the Riders Quadrant in 633 AU, while Mira, who is six years his senior, begins at Basgiath in 627 AU. In the same year, Brennan graduates and authors The Book of Brennan for Mira.

“Brennan wrote this for me the summer before I entered the quadrant” (Mira)

That very year (627 AU) the Tyrrish Rebellion begins—one year before the Battle of Aretia in 628 AU. Perhaps then, Brennan was not shot by Fen and the scribes fabricated the entire story about the arrow.

Alternative roles

Alternatively, it might have been Naolin who was actually shot by Fen. In this version, Brennan encounters his dying ex-lover, attempts to mend him, and although he succeeds, his abilities prove insufficient; he exhausts his power and dies. This is where Naolin’s siphon intervenes, necessitating a transfer of power into Brennan. So, where might the fault lie?

1. In Onyx Storm, it is revealed that channeling energy from oneself is dangerous.
   “It’s dangerous to use your own power if you haven’t trained, so take mine. I’m the only one here who doesn’t have to wield today. Just try.”
2. Alternatively, Brennan was technically dead; nevertheless, Naolin succeeded in bringing him back to life. (That rune mark on his palm, the fact that wyvern use runes to “survive” and the fact that Brennan’s last name was resurrected).

“And sometimes it is difficult for a rider with such a powerful signet to accept his limitations. After all, bonding makes one a rider, but resurrecting someone from the dead? That makes you a god.” Let’s not forget that Naolin’s name = means god!
“Why serve a god when you can be one?” Theophanie snarls.

Thus, the Venin perceive themselves as gods—and gods can resurrect. The theory that Naolin transformed into a Venin has existed from the very beginning.

Initially, Zuzle was not convinced (mainly because there were too many suspects for her liking who are venin), but Onyx Storm ultimately persuaded her.

How else can one explain Tairn’s utterly dismissive attitude towards the subject of Naolin? And, more importantly, his unwavering rejection of Xaden after he transformed—even though Xaden quite literally saved all their arses?

“The Dark One cannot unite what he has broken.”
“We do not speak of the one who came before.”

Although, grumpy Tairn did come around in the end…

Why does Zuzle believe it was resurrection, rather than merely the channeling of power as Sloan did?

The Rune shaped scar

“… and Violet glimpses a rune-shaped scar on his palm before he grips the edge of the table. Brennan throws up his hands, revealing the rune-shaped scar on his palm. In Onyx Storm, it was revealed that the siphon does not leave any mark or rune scar. There is no mark on the back of his neck as there is on his palm—nor was there one on Dain’s wrist.”
BUT
“Transferring is different than imbuing. I know that much.”

What if it was no longer possible to transfer power into the dead Brennan, but—as with any non-living object—he could be imbued? And non-living objects are imbued using runes, aren’t they? Another possibility is that the rune serves an entirely different function. Zuzle finds the following sentence from The Book of Brennan particularly suspicious:

The first rush of power is unmistakable. The first time it forms to you, surrounds you with a seemingly endless supply of energy, you’ll be addicted to the high, to the possibilities of all you can do with it, to the control you hold in the palm of your hand. But here’s the thing, that power can quickly turn and control you.
—Page sixty-four, the Book of Brennan

Brennan – palm of your hand – power – control. … Don’t tell me that’s just a coincidence. But control of what? Does this mean Brennan is under Naolin’s control? His wyvern?
No! Brennan is completely fine under the wards, but wyverns are dying under the wards. So not quite fitting.

We now have Naolin as a Venin, but the full story remains elusive. There are several possibilities—Naolin, like Xaden, may have tried to resist for some time, probably without success. What next?

1. Perhaps Naolin is dead. Could Tairn have killed him, which would explain why Naolin’s death affected him so profoundly? This seems unlikely, as available information suggests that dragons cannot kill Venin. Alternatively, did someone else kill him? That is possible, though Zuzle believes that Naolin will continue to play a role in the story.
2. Alternatively, Naolin is alive as a Venin. In that case, what became of his bond with Tairn?

Zuzle doubts that Tairn severed the bond; according to known information, only Irids can do so. This is the part where I butt heads with Zuzle and we disagree. I am certain that Tairn severed the bond somehow. Ha! I so love a friendly disagreement!

That Tairn remains bonded to Naolin and possesses two riders cannot be entirely ruled out, though Zuzle finds it unlikely, as Xaden would have to recognise the bond (in the same way as Violet).

“See?” Leothan shifts his focus to Andarna. “Humans should only be capable of bonding a single dragon, and yet you forged a second connection where there shouldn’t be one. Only an irid can do that. Your instincts are excellent, but you need instruction. Break the connection and come with me.”
“So end it.” He angles his head, and the scales above his eyes furrow into a single line. “Bonds are merely magical ties. You are irid. You are magic. Bend it, shape it, break it as you see fit.”

Could it be that Andarna severed the bond? Zuzle mused on this option too but nope, I don’t so. Andarna did not hatched at the time. If you read what Leothan says, over and over, it tells me that irids are the only ones who can forge new connections…but it doesn’t say that irids are the only ones who can break connections.

“Although one officer considers himself an expert on all matters concerning dragonkind, there remains a great deal unknown about the way dragons govern themselves. There exists a clear hierarchy among the most powerful, and deference is paid to elders, […] at what point a dragon decides to bond with only one rider rather than opting for the improved odds of two.”
—Colonel Kaori’s Field Guide to Dragonkin

Does Zuzle believe that Naolin is The Sage? No. Even though she is not particularly fond of the notion that all dreams featuring The Sage belong to Xaden, Onyx Storm assures us that this is indeed the case. In the first dream—in IF Chapter 22—The Sage declares that he has been waiting for centuries:

“Fight me and die, or join me and live beyond the ages, but you will never escape me, not when I’ve waited centuries for someone with your power.”

That doesn’t sound like someone who is around 30 years of age.

Zuzle’s conclusion

Zuzle thinks the likely story is as follows: Brennan and Naolin were lovers during their time at Basgiath. However, Brennan probably joined the revolution in secret during the final year in the quadrant, which led to their separation.

During the Battle of Aretia, they most likely encountered one another just before one of them died. Brennan initially used his mending abilities to repair either himself or Naolin, but during the process he ran out of power and died. Naolin then attempted to resurrect him by imbuing power into Brennan.

Since imbuing can only be performed using a rune (unlike simply transferring power), and because an ordinary mortal cannot be resurrected, Brennan transformed into a Venin—after all, Venins compare themselves to gods, and gods can resurrect.

Zuzle tells us that Naolin most likely continues to live as a Venin.

Cory’s conclusion

The Circumstances of Naolin’s Death: Naolin reportedly died while trying to save Brennan. Consider Brennan’s condition for a moment. According to battlefield reports, Fen Riorson shot an arrow into Brennan’s chest. Thus, he was severely injured and likely nearly depleted of energy. Any time someone is severely injured (look at Sawyer at the end of Iron Flame), they don’t appear capable of using their signet.

Naolin had to siphon enough energy from somewhere, “power up” Brennan enough for him to be able to mend himself.

Now, Naolin couldn’t have siphoned energy from Brennan, as Brennan was in a weakened state. And this wouldn’t make any sense anyway. You don’t take energy from the almost dead to give it back to them. So where did Naolin siphoned all the energy from?

Three options here:

1. Naolin simply tried to distribute his own energy to Brennan. Tairn is a powerful dragon with lots to offer. Naolin didn’t siphon from a source first, but simply imbued Brennan with his own energy. In this case, all stands, Naolin burnt out.
2. Naolin reached for the ground and siphoned some energy from there. Then he distributed some of that power to Brennan. So many questions now. If the energy from the ground was distributed to Brennan does that mean that not just Naolin but Brennan turned venin too?
3. Naolin was burning out, Brennan didn’t want that to happen and reached for the ground himself. Could it be that he killed Naolin because Naolin was too close to Brennan? You know how venin basically drain everything within their path?

One thing is certain: According to Brennan, Naolin did die. In Iron Flame, Brennan states in front of The Assembly that Naolin’s death nearly killed Tairn. Is this the case, or is Brennan covering for Naolin? The same way as Violet is covering for Xaden..

My unhinged theory is that Tairn killed Naolin. Maybe Tairn himself killed Naolin the moment he turned. Which is why Tairn almost die himself in the process. I can only imagine that killing one’s rider and severing the bond this way would take a HUGE toll.

We know that a dragon killing another dragon takes a huge toll on the soul (Andarna killing Solas). We can only imagine what would mean killing your own rider. And btw, could it be that this is WHY Tairn is so respected and riveted by the elders, because he stood out for dragonkind and was stronger than others (Andarna’s words)? Is this why Sgaeyl hates Brennan?

Or another way to look at it. Tairn killed his own rider and broke a sacred law in the Empyrean. If you pay heed to the books, you realise that riders die all the time. Some riders who have been bonded for decades and when they die, their dragons still survive. So why would Tairn “almost die”. Doesn’t seem logical.

Could it be that Tairn almost died because the Empyrean wanted to initially execute him for killing his own rider? Seems like a fair assumption. Especially because Tairn himself said in Fourth Wing:

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t think I’d make it this far.”

A loud sigh resonates through my mind. “I didn’t think I would, either, so we have that in common.”

What does Tairn really mean by that? I feel like Tairn knows a lot more and he is hiding so, so much.

Of course, there is also the option in which I agree with Zuzle: Naolin is venin, but in my mind, Tairn severed the bond. It was him who did it. We just aren’t privy to the details yet.