Onyx Storm: Chapter 33

[penwalla]

Do not mistake a dragon’s bond for fealty. If you expect a dragon to choose their rider over the well-being of their own kind, prepare for two things: disappointment and death.

—Colonel Kaori’s Field Guide to Dragonkind

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Hey, just some quick questions: if so, why do multiple dragons bond to people with bad intentions against dragonkind? Why do all the Navarre military higher ups who want to experiment on feathertails get to be dragon riders? Can't the dragons sense which humans are right, and if they can't do it well enough to account for the Melgren and Aetos types, can't they, like, eat them if they step out of line? We saw dragons let their riders fall to their deaths in Fourth Wing on their first ever rides.

If the dragons always choose their well-being over the well-being of their riders, why do the dragons allow Navarre to wage a pointless war against Poromiel instead of actually defeating the venin? The venin have existed for some time, since we know the Navarre government was actively working to censor their existence out of history. And the venin hate dragons, as we learned from Jack. And the venin pose a huge threat, where as the gryphons simply do not.

So why are the dragons okay with fighting a war against the Poromish? What's their gain? An alliance against the venin might have prevented the situation everyone is in now!

The actual question we have to ask is: why don't we know anything useful about the dragons? Why are they just Violet's sassy accessories?

Okay. Okay. Let's start the actual chapter.

Violet's dragons are super pissed.

“You can’t be serious.” I shake my head at the Queen of Unnbriel’s ludicrous suggestion.

“We want dragons,” she repeats with an infuriating nod. “Not fully grown, of course. Your kind has let them become too headstrong, too arrogant.”

“I will show her arrogance,” Tairn threatens, and I wince at the godsawful sound he makes dragging his talons along the stone walls.

Yeah, okay. Does the queen know Tairn can hear and understand her? Like, is she not worried about getting eaten in this moment? Also, does she realized that baby dragons, uh, grow up? What's your plan there, ma'am?

The queen asks for a dozen eggs, two of each breed, in exchange for her army's support against the venin.

“Even thinking we might accept that offer makes you unworthy,” I tell the queen. “We don’t trade in dragons.”

“That’s what I thought.” Marlis lowers her hand. “Hold on to that indignation, at least for now. But do visit again when you feel more desperate. From what I know of them, they’re rather dedicated to protecting their own, and perhaps a dozen eggs aren’t such a bad price for saving the rest of them.” She leaves without another word, flanked by guards as she climbs the terraced seats to the gateway above.

I don't understand why Marlis is talking to Violet here as if she has any say. It's irrelevant. Even if she wanted to take her up on their offer, it would extremely difficult and dangerous for her to steal twelve dragon eggs, and if she gets caught that's the entire dragon riding quadrant of Navarre toasted. Marlis needs to convince one of the actual dragons here, and she seems to understand that they are sentient, so why not address them directly?

Violet and co have to leave, since their attempt at an alliance has gone sideways and half of them are injured. They meet up with the rest of their party, including a worried Mira, who wants to know if Violet wielded her signet. Violet says it was a coincidence, which is stupid, because as Mira points out, Violet is the only one who has retained her bond with her dragons off the continent.

“Me too.” My brow furrows as I remember the priestess. “When did my hair turn silver at the ends?”

“Turn?” Mira’s expression mirrors my own. “It grew in that way. Are you all right? I thought Dain was the one knocked unconscious.”

“I’m fine,” I assure her as Xaden reaches us. Of course my parents didn’t dedicate me. That practice was outlawed in the two hundreds, and even earlier in Poromiel.

Okay, so her parents definitely dedicated her. Violet, I am begging you, draw the obvious conclusion just one time. Just one time I want you to figure something out in a timely fashion.

Violet gets her ribs wrapped and they settle in for the night. This is bad medical practice, we don't wrap broken ribs anymore, but who knows what the level of medical knowledge in this world is, I will forgive this.

Scene change.

Violet and co arrive on Hedotis, an island kingdom dedicated to "knowledge and peace." Really? Even though they're right next to Unnbriel and Deverelli? Honestly, I wish Yarros had fleshed these isles out so that they were more than just two adjectives and one royal. Then again, it's not like we know that much about Poromiel. Or even about fucking Navarre.

“One of us has to prove wisdom in order to meet with the triumvirate,” I answer.

“I can’t believe they elect people for high leadership,” Cat mutters, glaring at the city like it might bite. “Town councils? Sure, but how can you confirm someone has the skills to lead if they’re not trained from birth?”

“Being trained from birth doesn’t make you any more qualified,” Aaric retorts from the right, Trager at his side. “Any of you truly excited at the prospect of being led by Halden?”

It's very convenient that every isle has a themed challenge that they can complete to meet with the leaders.

As they walk, Trager flirts with Cat and Mira flirts with Drake, two more side character romances that I do not care about, like, at all. Mira's been so insanely rude to the fliers and is right now arguing with one of them about battle tactics that she used to kill them, so it is wild to me that this is supposed to be, like, cute romance. Mira's never even expressed remorse about killing the Poromish.

Okay, now a group of locals come over to greet them. They seem friendly enough and marvel at the dragons. They're led by one of the aforementioned triumvirate, here to welcome Violet and co and take them somewhere to rest.

“I’ve brought my household to formally make your acquaintance and escort you through our beautiful city. If you’re amenable, we have room for you to rest at our home on the northeast shore.” He gestures up the beach, then glances back over his shoulder. “Darling, won’t you come say hello? I apologize for my wife. Talia seems to be overcome by your magnificent dragons.”

“I’m here, my love,” Talia says as she walks up the pathway behind him, her pale green gown and long black hair catching in the breeze. She moves to his side, then quickly laces their fingers before lifting her gaze. Her dark-brown eyes settle on Xaden immediately, and they flare in blatant, palpable shock.

And...it's Xaden's mom. Chapter end!

Did not see that coming! Interesting. I guess the last two isles were both entangled with Violet's family, so it's Xaden's turn. I definitely have some questions, like wasn't Xaden's mom dead? Guess we'll find out.