Onyx Storm
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
CHAPTER SEVEN
Overview
In the middle of the night, Violet leads a covert team to alter Basgiath’s wardstone so Poromish fliers can wield safely, defying the Senarium’s stance and risking treason and ward failure. With help from Mira, Brennan, Sawyer, Maren, and others, they successfully remove a selective rune without collapsing the wards. The next morning, Battle Brief announces renewed alliance negotiations and leadership assignments, but Colonel Aetos storms in and publicly charges Violet with high treason.
Summary
At midnight, Violet, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Imogen, Bodhi, and a newly awakened Maren slip into the Healer Quadrant, aided by healer Dyre, who sedates other staff. They recruit Sawyer, who is recovering from losing a leg and doubts his metallurgy abilities, to alter the wardstone material as part of a plan Mira devised to remove a specific protective rune without destroying the wards. Despite Sawyer’s reluctance, the team presses on, citing the imminent failure of negotiations and the threat of Poromish fliers being expelled.
On the way to the ward chamber, Imogen neutralizes guards, but the group finds Mira standing in as the guard, having anticipated Violet’s move. After a tense exchange about the risk to the wards and potential treason, Mira chooses to help rather than stop Violet. Inside the chamber, Brennan joins her, taking charge: Mira will guide the process, Maren will wield lesser magic, and Sawyer will manipulate the metal. Violet wrestles with grief over her mother’s sacrifice as the operation begins.
Sawyer starts altering the iron-bound runes while Maren attempts collection. The first adjustment causes a controlled bubbling of one rune line, then a dangerous split that Brennan and Ridoc stabilize with quick action and ice. On the next attempt, Maren successfully spins the altered stone in her palm, showing the selective rune removal worked while leaving dark-wielder protections intact. Mira estimates with high confidence that Jack Barlowe’s containment remains unaffected, pending confirmation.
With the targeted protection removed, Violet exults that Poromish fliers can wield and remain with their squads, anticipating the accord being signed in eight hours. Sawyer, exhausted but smiling, warns about treason, and Violet immediately instructs Maren on next steps to leverage the success.
At Battle Brief the following morning, the room is tense but hopeful as Violet’s squad assembles. News arrives that negotiations are back on and Professor Kiandra will co-lead with Devera. Devera declares that existing squad structures remain, warns that War Games are now true war preparation, and announces that Dain Aetos will lead Fourth Wing, with other wing leaders retained according to size and composition.
As the room reacts, Colonel Aetos bursts in with riders, calls Violet by name, and formally charges her with high treason in front of the assembled cadets, cutting short the moment of victory and putting Violet’s fate in immediate jeopardy.
Who Appears
- Violet Sorrengailprotagonist; leads the covert operation to alter the wardstone; later publicly charged with high treason.
- Rhiannon MatthiasViolet’s friend; supports the mission and comforts Violet during grief.
- Ridocsquadmate; assists in the mission and stabilizes the wardstone with ice; urges Sawyer to reengage as a rider.
- Imogenshadow-wielder ally; provides infiltration support and neutralizes guards.
- BodhiAretian ally; sets a sound shield and helps coordinate the mission.
- Maren ZinaPoromish flier; wields lesser magic to receive the altered material and confirms the selective rune removal worked.
- Sawyerrider and metallurgist; recently lost a leg; manipulates the iron to alter the wardstone’s rune binding, enabling the plan’s success.
- Mira SorrengailViolet’s sister; intercepts the team, then aids and supervises the wardstone alteration.
- Brennan SorrengailViolet’s brother; oversees the operation and stands by to mend the stone if needed.
- Dyrehealer; assists by taking an extra shift and keeping others sedated.
- Professor Deveraresumes leading Battle Brief; announces integration with fliers and leadership assignments.
- Professor Kiandrafliers’ professor; newly co-leads Battle Brief after alliance talks resume.
- Catally connected to Aretian leadership; times communication to support negotiations; teases effects in class.
- Colonel Markhamreferenced as having led in Devera’s absence.
- Dain Aetosnamed wingleader of Fourth Wing; present during announcements.
- Iris Drueretains leadership of First Wing.
- Aura Beinhavenretains leadership of Second Wing.
- Lyell Stirlingremains leader of Third Wing.
- Colonel Aetosstorms Battle Brief and formally charges Violet with high treason.
- Jack Barlowereferenced as the containment test case for ward protections.
- Amarireferenced by Cat in confirming Xaden’s ducal status paperwork timing.
- TairnViolet’s dragon; provides reassurance about execution risk and notes Xaden is out of range.
- Squadmates and cadets (Aaric, Kai, Baylor, Lynx, Sloane, Avalynn, Trager)appear during Battle Brief seating and protection details.