The Amulet of Briar Creighton: A Symbol of Misplaced Trust and True Strength in A Dawn of Onyx

Introduction

In Kate Golden's A Dawn of Onyx, the Amulet of Briar Creighton appears as a stolen magical relic that drives the pivotal heist sequence of Chapter Twelve. Though Mari seeks it as a source of power, the amulet ultimately becomes a multifaceted symbol — representing misplaced trust, the weight of inherited expectations, and the dangerous allure of external solutions to internal struggles. This analysis examines the amulet's literal nature, its recurrence in the narrative, its shifting meaning, and its connections to character development and central themes.

Literal Description and Origin

Mari describes the amulet as "a relic that belonged to one of the greatest witches in history, Briar Creighton," who lived hundreds of years ago and remains youthful. Briar Creighton supposedly "put quite a bit of her sorcery into this locket" before gifting it to a young Kane Ravenwood, with whom she was rumored to have been lovers. Physically, the amulet is a locket on a thin leather rope, featuring a purple gem. When Mari finally retrieves it, she exclaims, "Holy Stones! I can feel her power, I can't believe it." This response confirms that the amulet contains real magical potency, not mere legend. Mari uses this power to levitate and restrain Kane's strix — a demonic owl-like creature — demonstrating tangible effect.

Recurrence and Key Scenes

The amulet appears in three distinct moments within the available evidence:

1. Mari's Revelation (Chapter Twelve): Over dinner, Mari confesses her witch lineage and her plan to steal the amulet from Kane's study. She explains that she has been struggling with spells and believes the amulet will fix her magic. Arwen reluctantly agrees to assist.

2. The Heist (Chapter Twelve): Arwen and Mari navigate a hidden entrance into Kane's private study. They encounter the strix, which Mari successfully neutralizes using the amulet after a tense moment. They escape just before guards arrive.

3. Aftermath (Chapter Twelve): Mari, shaken by the nearly disastrous event, opens up about her childhood loneliness and the pressure to live up to her mother's legacy as a witch. The amulet itself is not used again in the chapters provided, but its theft creates ongoing tension — Arwen later "grapples with guilt over stealing Briar’s amulet" in Chapter Thirteen.

The amulet does not reappear in later chapters included in the outline, such as the dragon battle and escape in Chapter Thirty, suggesting its primary narrative function is concentrated in the middle act.

Symbolic Evolution

Initially, the amulet symbolizes power — the key to overcoming Mari's perceived inadequacy. She believes it will grant her the magical competence she lacks, allowing her to succeed where she has failed. This reflects a common fantasy trope: an external object that promises instant skill or confidence.

However, the amulet's meaning shifts during the heist's aftermath. Mari's confession reveals that she sought the amulet not primarily for power, but for self-worth. She admits, "Being good at things, knowledgeable about everything. I don’t know. It’s all I’m worth, I think." The amulet becomes a crutch for her fragile identity, built on her mother's legacy. When Arwen consoles her, affirming that her friendship is not conditional on brilliance, the amulet's symbolic weight transfers from empowerment to misplaced trust — trust in objects rather than relationships.

Finally, the amulet represents deception and risk. Stealing it places both women in grave danger from Kane and his strix. Arwen later suffers guilt, realizing she compromised her integrity for a friend's questionable goal. The amulet stands for the consequences of acting on blind loyalty or fear of failure.

Character Connections

Mari: The amulet is intrinsically tied to Mari's character arc. Her mother was a witch, and Mari grew up idolizing her through stories. The amulet offers a tangible connection to that maternal legacy. Mari's desperation to succeed at witchcraft stems from a fear of being unworthy of her mother's memory. By obtaining the amulet, she hopes to bridge the gap between her own abilities and the idealized image of her mother. Yet the scene shows that the amulet alone does not solve her internal conflict; it is Arwen's acceptance that provides comfort.

Arwen: Arwen's involvement in the heist demonstrates her growing trust in Mari and her own willingness to take risks. However, the guilt she feels afterward highlights her moral compass. Arwen's role in the theft contrasts with her later resolve to stop relying on others' power, as she declares after her mother's death: "She rejects his apology, refuses his protection, and resolves to fight anyway." The amulet episode may be a catalyst for her recognition that true strength comes from within.

Kane: Though Kane never directly interacts with the amulet in the provided scenes, its theft occurs in his private study, a space filled with his secrets. The amulet is a relic from his past with Briar Creighton, adding a layer of intimacy and betrayal. Kane's reaction to the theft is not shown, but the amulet's presence in his study suggests he values it personally. The theft undermines the fragile trust Arwen and Kane are building.

Thematic Links

The amulet weaves through several major themes of A Dawn of Onyx:

• Trust and Betrayal (link: [/books/a-dawn-of-onyx/themes/trust-and-betrayal/]): Arwen and Mari's scheme is an act of betrayal against Kane, though born from Mari's personal desperation. The amulet becomes the object that tests relationships — between friends and between captor and captive.

• Power and Control (link: [/books/a-dawn-of-onyx/themes/power-and-control/]): Mari seeks the amulet for its magical power, yet the narrative implies that real power lies in self-acceptance. Arwen's healing gift, which she hides and later embraces, contrasts with Mari's external pursuit.

• Self-Discovery and Bravery (link: [/books/a-dawn-of-onyx/themes/self-discovery-and-bravery/]): Both women display bravery in the heist, but the deeper self-discovery comes afterward — Mari admitting her vulnerability, and Arwen recognizing her own complicity. The amulet serves as a catalyst for introspection.

• Healing and Sacrifice (link: [/books/a-dawn-of-onyx/themes/healing-and-sacrifice/]): Arwen's sacrifice of her safety to help Mari echoes her healing nature. The amulet, ironically, offers no healing — only temporary magical leverage.

The amulet also subtly underscores the theme of light versus darkness (link: [/books/a-dawn-of-onyx/themes/light-versus-darkness/]), as it is a tool of witchcraft associated with the shadowy world of Onyx, yet Mari uses it to protect them from a creature of that same darkness.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Mari believe the Amulet of Briar Creighton will give her, and how does this belief contrast with what she actually gains?
Mari believes the amulet will grant her the magical proficiency she lacks, allowing her to successfully cast spells and live up to her mother's witch legacy. In reality, she successfully uses the amulet to subdue the strix, but the deeper gain is emotional: Arwen's reassurance that she is valued beyond her intellectual or magical achievements. The amulet provides a moment of power but does not resolve Mari's core insecurity.

2. How does the heist scene illustrate the theme of misplaced trust?
Arwen trusts Mari's plan despite obvious dangers, following her into Kane's study with only Mari's word that it is safe. The near-disaster with the strix shows that Mari's trust in the amulet is also misplaced; she struggles to control it initially. Furthermore, Mari trusts that the amulet will fill her emotional void, but the scene ends with her unburdening herself to Arwen, not celebrating the object. Trust is placed in a relic rather than in human connection.

3. In what ways does the amulet relate to Arwen's journey of self-discovery?
Arwen's participation in the theft marks a departure from her cautious nature. She later feels guilt, suggesting she is learning where her loyalties lie and what boundaries she should uphold. The episode may parallel her later realization that she must stop relying on others (e.g., Kane's protection) and instead embrace her own Fae power. The amulet, as a stolen external source of power, contrasts with Arwen's inherent healing gift.

4. Why does the amulet remain significant even after the heist is over?
The amulet's significance endures because it serves as a permanent reminder of the risk taken and the trust shared. In Chapter Thirteen, Arwen "grapples with guilt over stealing Briar’s amulet," indicating that the act haunts her and colors her relationship with Kane. For Mari, the amulet may continue to be a tangible link to her mother, but its theft also represents the lengths she will go to achieve worth. The object becomes a symbol of both friendship and transgression.

Conclusion

The Amulet of Briar Creighton is far more than a plot device. It encapsulates the tension between seeking power from without and finding strength within. Through Mari's desperate need for validation, Arwen's complicit guilt, and the danger of the strix, the amulet reveals how easily characters can misplace their trust — in objects, in past legacies, or in rash plans. By the end of Chapter Twelve, the amulet's true significance lies not in its sorcery, but in the self-awareness it provokes in both young women. In a novel about healing, sacrifice, and the fight between light and darkness, this small purple locket reminds readers that real power often hides in the bonds we forge, not the relics we steal.