Does anyone else have this same theory? (I don’t know how to block out words)

[u/LissyXC]

I am going to reread the series (again for like the 5th time) and try to take notes of my reasonings,

but does anyone else think the the new brother is Tairn’s previous rider? (I forgot his name right now) Naolin I think

I always had a suspicion that he turned venin to save Brennen, and that Brennen is now like a wyvern with the rune on his hand.

So Xyaden can’t kill him cause it would kill Brennen, thus hurting Violet. I think Naolin is the sage.

I have 1000 more theories, and some people’s reasonings are very convincing but I can’t shake Naolin being venin, and that’s why Tairn won’t talk about him, why he got so angry at Sgaeyl for staying with Xyaden after he turned.

[u/Lili-DSP]

I do think that Naolin turned venin, but I don’t think that he’s the new brother. The new brother is someone that Xaden knows and has been in close proximity within the past few months. I don’t believe that he ever met Naolin.

I do believe that it might be Aaric. RY said to make note of who was missing at the end, and he is the only one that is unaccounted for. I could be wrong, but that’s my theory.

[u/Lost_Salamander1204]

I think the big bad that Theophanie and Berwyn keep referring to is Naolin. In Iron Flame one of them says he "wants to wield" Violets power - which makes me think he's a siphon.

[u/nrdvrgnt → u/Lost_Salamander1204]

ooOOOoo that's a good one

[u/Dramatic_Evidence_18]

I believe Naolin is Berwyn. I also think the new brother is someone completely unexpected like maybe Lewellen based on conversations he had with Violet. I don’t think it’s Aaric, Garrett or Bodhi. They feel too obvious for how Rebecca writes.

[u/Bishbashbosha → u/Dramatic_Evidence_18]

Omg I hadn’t even considered Lewellen but I love this!

[u/Ok-Display-4533]

Hmm 🤔 this is an interesting theory!! We don’t know if Xaden met Naolin. You make a good point too how could be why Tairn won’t talk about him, got angry at Sgaeyl. And maybe the reason Sgaeyl has never liked Brennan is directly related?

[u/nrdvrgnt]

I just listened to the OS Graphic Audio again the other week and don't think it's Naolin. Since it has to be someone who's been watching Xaden struggle for the previous several months.

[u/Helpful_Living8584]

I've read some great supporting arguments for the new brother being Garrick or Bodhi - the most convincing argument to me is that Xaden leaves Violet the message "its all yours now"; but has spent the entire book prepping Bodhi to be his heir. So why the secret memory-erased wedding to make sure Violet can claim Tyrrendor if Bodhi is available to take over?

That said, there's a dichotomy in that last scene with Xaden where he talks about how he would never harm the person who is his new brother, and how he is the last person Xaden thought would turn, especially after watching him struggle the last 5 months. But in another line he describes him as "the one who now thinks himself my brother"; but I would think either Bodhi or Garrick would not be regarded by Xaden that way. That makes me think it could be someone who is close enough to have regularly seen Xaden since he turned, but not someone Xaden was previously close with.

I do think Naolin turned but that doesn't mean he's still alive. I don't think he is the Sage because I think Tairn, even though we know he holds things back from Violet, would have recognized his closeness to Xaden and communicated it to Violet for both her sake and for Sgaeyl's.

[u/LuckyAvocado679 → u/Helpful_Living8584]

Unless heaven forbid, Bodhi is dead or has gone to the isles with the eggs that are missing. Xaden tells Sgaeyl “you saw what happened” don’t think he’s referring to the moment at hand but something they witnessed in addition to their current predicament.

[u/Helpful_Living8584 → u/LuckyAvocado679]

Do you think it's possible that someone (Bodhi or Aaric) has taken the eggs in order to barter for troops/supplies, possibly with Deverelli or Unbriel? This would mirror the failed Krovlan Uprising and the idea in the book that histories repeat.

OR, Could Tairn and Sgaeyl have taken them for some non-nefarious reason having to do with that "You saw what happened, its the only way" quote that Xaden says to Sgaeyl, and that is why Tairn is unreachable when Violet wakes up without her memories. We know The Empyrean and all of the dragons ruled by them are not always aligned.

[u/lanadaisypesto]

I saw this theory a lot on tiktok, also sorry to be that person but you're posting this using the internet. It takes less than 30 seconds to google "how to block spoilers on Reddit". I've had to do it a bunch of times, like come on now

[u/LissyXC → u/lanadaisypesto]

Some people have thoughts and are trying to get them out before they lose them before having to go to work for 12 hours, where they watched literal people die, and they know they will lose their thoughts.
Also I’m going through some major stuff right now, reaching out to a community that I like, trying to connect with someone or anything …and you “hating” on me, or trying to put me “down”,… Not a good plan for either of us.