It goes without saying that THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven’t read this chapter of Onyx Storm, please go read it first.

I was wondering when we were going to learn what happened to Jesinia, and woah, Markham is gruesome. She has been removed from her adept path. What we do know, however, is that something will dramatically change in the way leadership works and is organized. Because at the beginning of every book, we learn that Jesinia Neilwart is Curator of the Scribe Quadrant at Basgiath War College.

The chapter eases us into new theories and Easter eggs but doesn’t miss a beat.

“Legacies usually make for stronger riders, and with as much power as you two wield? Melgren will probably escort you both to a temple of your choosing the second you’re commissioned.”

I wonder—what does “legacies” mean here? I know it refers to children, but why would legacies make for stronger riders? Aren’t riders meant to have a signet based on their unique chemistry between dragon and human?

Also, a couple more notes. Violet replies by saying, “Doubt Loial would let me in.” Loial being the Goddess of Love. Interesting—so the only way to get married is by going to Loial’s temple? In the same paragraph, we also learn about our sixth God: Hedeon, the God of Wisdom.

“If the general even waits that long.” Rhi lifts her brows. “Riorson’s already graduated.” Meaning they can get married at any time. Well, Riorson can marry whoever he wants, right? Fair to put this into the Easter Egg category.

[…] “Personally seen to the arrangements in the hope that your kid will be the next one with battle foresight in twenty-one years.” I suppose this is one of the moments where a lot of the fan community has said that Rebecca Yarros is foreshadowing a potential child in the series. Maybe even that Violet is already pregnant with Riorson’s kid. But then again, I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that in one of the Q&As, Rebecca Yarros has said that Tairn and Sgaeyl do not have babies because it’s not a stable environment. So I am hopeful that this applies to Violet and Xaden too—we don’t really need kids running around Basgiath.

The next part has me confused, to be fair. When Ridoc asks Jesinia about the research and Jesinia is sarcastic, I can’t help but feel like there is a prophecy about Violet. Why do I say that?

“It was recorded that when the last irid hatches and bonds the cadet born of rider and scribe, she’ll be gifted with two signets.” She admits to this statement being silly and her just being sarcastic.

But then again, Andarna did say in Iron Flame:

“I waited six hundred and fifty years to hatch. Waited until your eighteenth summer, when I heard our elders talk of the weakling daughter of their general, the girl forecasted to become the head of the scribes, and I knew. You would have the mind of a scribe and the heart of a rider. You would be mine.” She leans into my hand. “You are as unique as I am. We want the same things.”

“You couldn’t have known I would be a rider.”
“And yet, here we are.”

We also know that Violet has been given access to Andarna’s gift (time stopping), which can accidentally be passed on to humans. And we know that Violet has a second signet. Something tells me that Rebecca Yarros, through Jesinia’s sarcasm, told us something valuable.

Another piece of information is here: “I am not some oracle high off whatever they’re serving in the temple that day. I am an extremely educated scribe.” They have oracles? Maybe those oracles might be onto something…I feel like Violet might just need to go talk to one of them.

And finally, going back to the feathertails. I’ve been wondering when we’re going to learn more about Violet’s father’s research. Also, who the hell is General Cadao? And in the good spirit of a non-stop thrilling adventure, we always have to break into something. First, General Sorrengail’s office, next the royal archives, and now it looks like we need to get research from General Aetos’ quarters.

The chapter continues with a Battle Brief. There are three very important books there: Captain Lera Dorrell’s Guide to Vanquishing the Venin; Venin, A Compendium; and Dark Wielders and Dark Times.

We learn that all cadets will have to fly to Aretia every couple of weeks for rune intensives, which makes me wonder what else are we going to learn about runes moving forward. Kudos to Trissa for not accepting a position at Basgiath after all.

As I was saying in a previous article, there are four levels of venin. Turns out Sages and Mavens can and do wield signets. But we still don’t know if this was via dragon at some point, or they can just do it. This opens up so many questions about how signets actually work.

Well, while the next part is cute—Xaden teaching—I do have to sigh a little bit. “The Dark One teaching how to defend against the dark arts?” At the same time, we get to learn a little more about the Code of Conduct. Turns out, anyone can be with anyone, but not teachers and cadets. Oooops. I feel like Rebecca Yarros knows just how to make these two stay separated.

Onyx Storm Read Along

• Onyx Storm Read Along: Prologue
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 1
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 2
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 3
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 4
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 5
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 6
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 7
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 8
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 9
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 10
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 11
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 12
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 13
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 14
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 15
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 16
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 17
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 18
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 19
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 20
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 21
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 22