Threshing

Threshing is where Mira received her scar.

Threshing is a ceremonious event taking place on October 1st where cadets bond with a dragon. Threshing takes place two days after Presentation in the bowl-shaped valley beneath the citadel, to the southwest. Sometimes, dragons pick their rider during Presentation, so once Threshing starts all the cadets have to do is listen for a call from their dragon. There are never enough dragons willing to bond, so many cadets are left dragon-less. The year before Violet arrived at Basgiath, 34 cadets were left unbonded. In this circumstance, they must restart the year with the new cadets for another chance to bond (see Sawyer).

A common occurrence during Threshing is the killing between cadets. If cadets have a personal vendetta against each other, they are able to kill each other without any repercussions. This is also a chance to show the dragons your true colors. Some dragons value bloodthirsty, murderous humans who have no problem eliminating those they find weak.

Once a cadet bonds with a dragon, they move to the rank of “rider.”

If a cadet doesn’t bond by nightfall, they are going to be brought back by a professor or senior leadership and will have to bond next year. During Violet’s first year, only 100 dragons were willing to bond. That’s 37 fewer than the year before, and 26 fewer than the year before that. After her Threshing, 41 cadets remained unbonded. Unbonded cadets are given less desirable duties after Threshing. They fall to the bottom of the hierarchy and are treated as such societally.