Chapter 80: Poison, Threats, and the Arrival at Zehyllna
Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed plot points from Onyx Storm Chapter 80. If you haven't read this chapter yet, proceed with caution.
Summary
The chapter opens with Ridoc accidentally stabbed by a kitchen cook. Violet panics, fearing her friend is wounded, but the knife only sliced his flight jacket—not his body. Ridoc quickly knocks out the cook. The real crisis unfolds when Garrick collapses after eating poisoned cake. Violet consults her father's field guide and identifies arinmint berries fermented with tarsilla bark as the poison. She orders Dain to crush figs into a slurry, which is the antidote. Xaden and Trager force the mixture down Garrick's throat, and he revives within minutes.
Faris, the triumvirate member who orchestrated the poison, is cornered by Xaden, who nearly kills him. Violet intervenes, talking Xaden back from his violent rage. She then confronts Faris, revealing that she knows about his sons because Andarna—an irid dragon—is watching them. Faris, fearing for his children, drinks the antidote she prepared and agrees to let them leave. The squad departs, flying northwest.
After hours of flight, they reach the archipelago leading to Zehyllna. Tairn notes that fliers are cheering and waving, unusual behavior. Andarna flies freely, enjoying the spectacle. They approach the capital city Xortrys, built around a massive waterfall with a unique gate that doubles as an amphitheater. Thousands of people sit in stands and cheer as the dragons land. Andarna senses magic—a feeling Violet recognizes. The chapter closes with a quote about luck and chaos from Asher Sorrengail's field guide.
Key Events
- Ridoc is stabbed but unharmed because the blade only cut his jacket.
- Garrick is poisoned by arinmint fermented with tarsilla in the cake.
- Violet uses her father's field guide to identify the poison and prescribe a fig-based antidote.
- Dain retrieves figs and prepares the slurry; Garrick is saved.
- Xaden threatens to kill Faris; Violet pulls him back from his rage.
- Violet leverages Faris's love for his sons, revealing Andarna is watching them.
- Faris drinks the antidote and the squad leaves safely.
- The group flies to Zehyllna, where they are greeted by cheering crowds.
- Andarna feels magic in the air, surprising Violet.
Character Development
- Violet Sorrengail: Demonstrates strong leadership under pressure. She uses her father's knowledge to save Garrick and outmaneuvers Faris by threatening his family. She also shows emotional control when talking Xaden off his killing edge.
- Xaden Riorson: Nearly loses control when Garrick is poisoned, revealing his deep vulnerability. Violet brings him back by appealing to her need for him, not the rage.
- Ridoc Gamlyn: Shows humor and toughness—he is more upset about the damage to his jacket than the attack. He also urges restraint when Xaden goes after Faris.
- Garrick Tavis: Survives the poison thanks to quick action; his recovery reassures the group.
- Dain Aetos: Steps up by fetching figs and helping mix the antidote, showing he can be trusted in a crisis.
- Faris: The triumvirate member is outwitted and forced to yield when his family is threatened. His fear for his sons outweighs his political stance.
- Andarna: Acts as a silent threat (watching Faris's house) and later revels in the welcome at Zehyllna, calling the excitement "contagious."
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Knowledge as Power: Violet's father's field guide provides the antidote formula. Her encyclopedic recall of plants like arinmint and tarsilla saves Garrick and gives her leverage over Faris.
- Deception and Alliance: The chapter explores the thin line between enemies and allies. Faris intended to kill them, but Violet forces an alliance through fear and family bonds.
- Poison as Motif: Both literal poison (arinmint) and metaphorical poison (distrust, betrayal) are present. The antidote (figs) symbolizes clarity and loyalty.
- Luck and Chaos: The chapter ends with a quote about Zihnal, the god of luck. The squad's survival depends on quick thinking (Violet's intelligence) and favorable circumstances (Garrick's recovery).
- Family: Violet's father (Asher) helps her from beyond the grave; Faris's love for his sons is his weakness. Family ties drive key decisions.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter resolves the conflict on the triumvirate's isle without a battle, showcasing Violet's political acumen. It also advances the quest for the irids by bringing the squad to Zehyllna, the last major isle. The presence of cheering crowds and Andarna sensing magic hints that this new land may hold answers—or new dangers. Additionally, Xaden's near-loss of control foreshadows deeper struggles with his own power or Sgaeyl's influence.
Study Questions and Answers
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What poison was used on Garrick, and how did Violet identify the antidote?
The poison was arinmint berries allowed to ferment, combined with shredded bark of the tarsilla bush. Violet found the treatment—figs or lime applied to the back of the throat—in her father's field guide in the flora chapter. -
How did Violet force Faris to drink the antidote and let them leave?
She revealed that Andarna, an irid dragon, was watching Faris's young sons at his parents' house. Faris, fearing for his children's safety, agreed to drink the antidote and let the squad depart without alerting the city guards. -
What unusual reaction did the squad receive upon arriving at Zehyllna?
The people in the capital city Xortrys cheered and waved, rather than fleeing or attacking. Crowds filled an amphitheater-like area, and Andarna said they were expected. Violet and Tairn found the welcome unsettling but hopeful.