Character from Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The most powerful dragon at Basgiath — a massive black terror who chose the weakest-looking cadet and refuses to explain why. Tairn is ancient, prideful, and bonded to Violet with a ferocity that terrifies even other dragons.
Tairn is a dragon of legend — the oldest and most powerful at Basgiath, a creature who has outlived dozens of riders and carries centuries of war in his scarred hide. He chose Violet Sorrengail at Threshing when every observer expected her to die unbonded, and he has never explained his reasoning to anyone's satisfaction, least of all Violet's. His bond with her channels her lightning signet to devastating effect, making them one of the most dangerous pairs in Navarre's history. Tairn is proud to the point of arrogance, dismissive of lesser dragons, and communicates in clipped commands and dry observations that border on contempt. Yet his protectiveness of Violet is absolute and ferocious — he will kill without hesitation to defend her. His mate-bond with Sgaeyl complicates everything, tying Violet and Xaden together whether they like it or not. Tairn remembers the last time the wards fell. He remembers what the venin truly are. And he has chosen his rider for reasons that extend far beyond this generation's war.
Enormous even by dragon standards, with jet-black scales that absorb light and reflect nothing. His wingspan blots out the sun during flight. His eyes are molten gold, ancient and terrifyingly intelligent. Scars from centuries of combat cross his hide in pale silver lines. His talons could shred stone, his tail could level a building, and his presence on the flight field makes other dragons give ground. When he speaks mind-to-mind, his voice is a deep, resonant growl that vibrates through bone.
Also known as: Tairn