Onyx Storm: Chapter 46
Apr. 24th, 2025 08:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
penwallaViolet opens this chapter with complaints about how her arms hurt from Signet Sparring, which is the official name for this class they're doing, I guess.
Xaden's been called to Tyyrendor, and Andarna is giving Violet the silent treatment, so she's having a bad time. The venin are closing in. Third years are now routinely being deployed in the field. Which is supposed to be a sign of how bad things are, but they've been deploying them since the first book because of the shortages in available dragons.
As the gang walks, they run into a loud argument between Senarium members.
Are we going to find out what the heck was going on with that opening quote a couple chapters ago about the queen's death and the treaty? I assume that this argument is about Xaden allowing civilians across the border.
Draithus--I assume this is the closest Poromiel area to Tyrrendor? It's hard to tell because this book throws the names of places at you constantly without any context--is going to fall in weeks, so Xaden has decided to try to save the civilians by letting them enter. Not that it matters that much, since the wards are failing rapidly and the venin will soon be able to reach them.
I think Lynx is one of the first year cadets in Violet's wing? ANyways, she's shocked because Xaden is their generation's shadow wielder, and Xaden tells that "magic knows". And hang on a minute. Is it canon that there can only be one shadow wielder alive at a time or something? Since when? And what does he mean, magic knows? So now the magic of Navarre is a sentient force that chooses signets for riders, instead of it just being a manifestation of the rider's character? Hold up.
Xaden tells Violet that he needs to go to Tyrrendor to handle a bunch of problems, and Violet begs him not to go outside the wards because he's obviously struggling right now and she's worried he'll succumb.
I want you to remember that this book didn't have an actual consequence of Xaden being a venin over 60% in. Two-thirds of the book is just Violet being upset about it without any actual problems. At least we're finally getting to it.
Okay, so immediately after this conversation, Lewellen has a super unnatural conversation with Violet about how loving a powerful man is so hard. Why is he having this convo with her when they barely know each other? Who talks like this? He tells her she needs to be what Xaden needs because the needs of the province outweigh the needs of their relationship. Which...one, that's none of his business, and two, he's wrong because if Xaden goes out of the wards, channels, and succumbs to being evil that's actually worse for Tyrrendor in basically every way.
It's baffling how invested every character in this book is in Xaden and Violet's romance.
Xaden's been called to Tyyrendor, and Andarna is giving Violet the silent treatment, so she's having a bad time. The venin are closing in. Third years are now routinely being deployed in the field. Which is supposed to be a sign of how bad things are, but they've been deploying them since the first book because of the shortages in available dragons.
As the gang walks, they run into a loud argument between Senarium members.
Ah, Lewellen must be serving as proxy for Xaden’s Senarium seat… but they usually meet in Calldyr. Are they here for a war council?
“I don’t want to serve a kingdom that leaves civilians to die!” Lewellen snarls.
“You let them in, and there will be no kingdom to serve.” Calldyr lifts his nose. “We have already weakened the outposts by stripping them of all but the necessary alloy, and look what that got us in Suniva. We have sent riders. Lost riders. What more would you have us do? Starve when we cannot feed double our current population?”
“You are a pretentious, spoiled child who has never known suffering a day in your—”
Are we going to find out what the heck was going on with that opening quote a couple chapters ago about the queen's death and the treaty? I assume that this argument is about Xaden allowing civilians across the border.
Draithus--I assume this is the closest Poromiel area to Tyrrendor? It's hard to tell because this book throws the names of places at you constantly without any context--is going to fall in weeks, so Xaden has decided to try to save the civilians by letting them enter. Not that it matters that much, since the wards are failing rapidly and the venin will soon be able to reach them.
“But—” I pause as whisps of shadow spread from behind me in an unfamiliar pattern.
Maren gasps.
“What the fuck?” Ridoc whispers.
Xaden glances behind me, and his eyes flare.
“That’s not possible,” Imogen says.
I turn around, reaching for a dagger, and freeze completely.
Lynx stands in the middle of the hallway, shaking from head to foot, staring at the darkness that envelops his hands.
“It’s all right.” Rhiannon rushes to Lynx’s side. “Breathe. You’re just…”
“Manifesting,” Xaden says, putting himself in front of Lynx. “Don’t be scared. They’re defending you. Fear. Anger. Whatever it is, level out your emotions, and they’ll recede.”
Manifesting? Shadows?
I think Lynx is one of the first year cadets in Violet's wing? ANyways, she's shocked because Xaden is their generation's shadow wielder, and Xaden tells that "magic knows". And hang on a minute. Is it canon that there can only be one shadow wielder alive at a time or something? Since when? And what does he mean, magic knows? So now the magic of Navarre is a sentient force that chooses signets for riders, instead of it just being a manifestation of the rider's character? Hold up.
Xaden tells Violet that he needs to go to Tyrrendor to handle a bunch of problems, and Violet begs him not to go outside the wards because he's obviously struggling right now and she's worried he'll succumb.
“What happens to me if you turn?” My hands curl at my sides. “What happens to Tairn and Sgaeyl if you give in?”
Xaden’s jaw flexes.
“Do venin get once-a-week visits?” I take a step closer and lift my chin. “Does their bond survive you turning? Does ours? You and I are tethered for life, Xaden Riorson. Am I expected to turn with you? Is that the only way to keep our dragons alive if you give up?”
A thousand emotions flit across his face… and then they’re gone.
He’s on the ice.
My stomach flips.
“Stay,” I demand. “Or meet me in Aretia. The man I love stays. He fights.”
“Riorson?” Lewellen asks from the doorway of the great hall. “Luceras wants a word regarding mining production.” “
You have to accept what I already have,” Xaden says to me. “The man you love no longer fully belongs to himself.” He walks past Lewellen into the great hall, taking my heart with him.
I want you to remember that this book didn't have an actual consequence of Xaden being a venin over 60% in. Two-thirds of the book is just Violet being upset about it without any actual problems. At least we're finally getting to it.
Okay, so immediately after this conversation, Lewellen has a super unnatural conversation with Violet about how loving a powerful man is so hard. Why is he having this convo with her when they barely know each other? Who talks like this? He tells her she needs to be what Xaden needs because the needs of the province outweigh the needs of their relationship. Which...one, that's none of his business, and two, he's wrong because if Xaden goes out of the wards, channels, and succumbs to being evil that's actually worse for Tyrrendor in basically every way.
It's baffling how invested every character in this book is in Xaden and Violet's romance.
