The identity of the mercenary who appears briefly at the beginning ofA Court of Thorns & Roseshas sparked speculation among readers, and I’m confident that she is way more than just a one-off character. Despite her seemingly fleeting role, her presence feels loaded with potential, leading many to believe she’s far from a one-off character. Speculation will only continue whileCrescent Citybook 4andACOTARbook 6 are in development.
There are some compelling theories about the unnamed mercenary, exploring her possible connections to other characters and storylines within Sarah J. Maas’s interconnected universes. From potential ties to Fury Axtar inpopularACOTARreplacementCrescent Cityto her possible significance inNesta’s character arcand even a connection to Rhysand, this character is far too interesting to let go so easily.
3ACOTAR’s Mercenary Could Be Fury From Crescent City
The Two Maas Characters Share Common Descriptors
The most common theory among Maasverse fans online is that themercenary shown early inA Court of Thorns & Rosesis actually Fury Axtar from Maas’Crescent Cityseries. Both are described as having sharp features and a mercenary background, carrying expensive weapons, and possessing substantial wealth. TheACOTARmercenary has a short, black bob hairstyle, tan skin, and dark eyes with brown flecks; Fury is described with a short black bob, light brown skin, and chestnut eyes. Feyre initially mistakes the mercenary for fae, hinting at an unusual nature beyond a typical human.
Furthermore, the ACOTAR mercenary’s collection of wolf pelts and purchase of the wolf pet from Feyre - avoiding the need to kill them herself - may hold deeper significance. Fury’s role inCrescent Cityreveals she concealed crucial secrets from Danika, including her own bloodhound identity. Fury states,“Danika knew something dangerous about me, and I knew something dangerous about her.”Given Danika’s search for her bloodline, Fury’s interest in wolf pelts inACOTARcouldconnect the Maasverse timelines. Additionally,Fury’s frequent absences inCrescent Citymirror the mercenary’s independent, transient lifestyle.
2The Mercenary Could Be Connected To Nesta Later
Nesta Commissions The Mercenary
In a heartwarming exchange later inA Court of Thorns & Roses,when Feyre is reunited with her family,Nesta confesses that she had actually attempted to track Feyre down. When asked how she did this, Nesta says:
“I hired that mercenary from town to bring me a week after you were taken. With the money from your pelt. She was the only one who seemed like she would believe me.”
Although this primarily works as a logistical explanation, it shows that this particular mercenary was not in town just that one day and she may hold more significance than it seems. This is the last we hear of the mysterious mercenary. However, that Feyre is not the only character who has dealings with her, which makes it more possible for her to appear later in the series.
Bringing back seemingly minor characters much later in a series would not be unheard of for Sarah J. Maas…
While the mercenary may be simply in the novel for exposition to facilitate worldbuilding prior to Feyre crossing the wall, she is an intriguing character. Bringing back seemingly minor characters much later in a series would not be unheard of for Sarah J. Maas - for example, Yrene fromThrone of Glassis first seen inThe Assassin’s Blade,the first book of the series chronologically. She is then not seen again untilTower of Dawn,the sixth book. The mercenary could appear inACOTARbook 6.
1The Mercenary Could Be Related To Rhys
The Mercenary Doesn’t Seem Human
Another theory is that, due to the mercenary’s physical description, she could be Illyrian. This is not the only possibility - her black veins are also reminiscent of the witches inThrone of Glass.At any rate, the mercenary does not seem human. Physical descriptions include“She was massive even sitting down”and“Such interesting eyes - not just one shade of black, but … many, with hints of brown that glimmered amongst the shadows…”The Fae inA Court of Thorns & Rosesare known to be bigger than humans and to have unusual eyes.
The mercenary refers to the“things”beyond the wall, not specifically Fae - she could be referencing anything from the Wraiths to the Puca. Her dark hair and tan complexion, paired with her large stature, could make her at least related to the Illyrian race.
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Her appearance when Feyre takes her wolf pelt to the market and her overpaying for the goods just seem too coincidental. Once again, the mercenary could be a purely functional character inA Court of Thorns & Roses, but if she is connected toVelaris’ High Lord, that would suggest another big reveal that he knew of Feyre even earlier than readers thought.
