Onyx Storm Chapters 36–39 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 36–39

Chapter 36

Xaden attempts to revive his best friend, but Garrick doesn’t wake. Violet reveals to the triumvirate that she has also poisoned them with the arinmint (she gave her friends the antidote prior to dinner), and that they will die within the hour. She attempts to bargain her antidote for theirs. Faris refuses, even though his and his wife’s lives are in danger, and demands that Violet figure it out for herself. Violet sends Dain to get her father’s book on plants and takes Ridoc with her to the kitchen to question the cook. A fight breaks out between Violet, Ridoc, and the cook, resulting in Ridoc being stabbed.

Chapter 37

Violet panics, but soon realizes only Ridoc’s jacket was stabbed. She’s able to figure out the poison (zakia berries) and uses her father’s book to find the antidote (figs or lime to the back of the throat) in time to save Garrick’s life. Xaden, in a rage, goes to kill Faris and the rest of the triumvirate, then turns his rage on Ridoc when he tries to stop him. Sensing that Xaden is starting to slip, Violet puts herself between Xaden and Ridoc, forcing him to calm down. Faris still doesn’t want to join Navarre’s fight against the venin and claims that his country will not help them with “their” war. Violet insists it’s everyone's war—the venin will come for non-magical lands once they drain everything else. She cleverly negotiates for their release and attempts to convince the triumvirate to agree to an alliance in exchange for her antidote. She explains that arinmint becomes poisonous when mixed with certain plants such as the tarsilla plant that grows on their beaches, and that this is how she managed to poison them all. Faris is still hesitant to accept her terms, but Violet puts forth her final play: she sent Andarna to tail his and Talia’s sons, and she will only leave them be once the quest squad exits Vidirys safely with an alliance.

Violet and her team depart the isle and land in Zehyllna, a land that worships Zihnal, the god of luck. They are drastically outnumbered immediately upon arrival, but the residents appear to be excited to see them—almost as if they were waiting for them. This confuses Violet, but she is distracted when she realizes she can feel magic.

Chapter 38

They meet Calixta, the mistress of festivities, and learn that she has been awaiting their arrival ever since King Courtlyn informed her that Navarre was seeking alliances. She asks to see Andarna, clearly excited and intrigued by her. Violet and her companions learn they must play a game of cards in order to see the queen. Each card reveals a gift and they must express gratitude for each gift, regardless of what it is, to prove that they will allow the god of luck Zihnal to determine their fate. Essentially, they cannot react negatively to their own gift or anyone else’s, lest their forfeit their chance to meet the queen. Mira receives wine, Maren two orange tunics, Dain a slap in the face, Aaric a broken hand mirror, and Garrick a rusted steel bucket. Xaden gets an empty glass box, and Violet a broken compass (which she is told to use wisely). Ridoc is given a kiss on each cheek, Cat a gold and ruby necklace, and Drake a kitten. Finally, Trager draws last and receives an arrow to the heart, killing him instantly.

Chapter 39

Silaraine, Trager’s gryphon, dies with him. Violet is almost overcome with emotion and nearly costs them the mission by reacting, but she manages to pull herself together and thank Trager’s killer, even though it “expels” a piece of her humanity to do so. The group decides to head to Losyam, a small nearby isle, in the morning to burn their bodies. As their group passed the test, Zehyllna has agreed to the proposed alliance—they will be sending an advance party within the next couple of months, and the rest of their troops whenever Navarre is ready to receive all forty thousand of them.

Violet and Xaden get ready for bed, and Violet admits that she froze when Trager was killed. Xaden tells her not to be too hard on herself, as it is always hard to lose someone under your command. Violet believes someone else should be the leader, but Xaden says Violet is always going to have to lead because Tairn chose her. He is, after all, one of the oldest and largest dragons, and a leader among them. Xaden reminds her that she already is a good leader and says she will be an even better one once she becomes confident in herself. He says he needs her to do so; he doesn’t believe he can be cured and will need her help to protect Tyrrendor when he is no longer able to.