Chapter 90 Summary: Sawyer Triumphs and Brennan Reveals the Truth
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed spoilers for Onyx Storm Chapter 90. If you haven't finished the book, proceed with caution.
Summary
Two days after the previous chapter's events, Violet helps Sawyer attempt to mount his dragon, Sliseag, using a custom climbing hook he built into his prosthetic boot. Sawyer's first attempt fails when his boot catches in mud, but after adjusting his technique—using momentum to kick the lever open—he successfully climbs and takes his seat on Sliseag's shoulder. Andarna offers to boost him, but Sawyer refuses, insisting the relationship is between him and his dragon. The squad arrives, and Ridoc's celebratory hugs spread through the group. Violet reassures Rhiannon that Sawyer's progress was always between him and Sliseag, not something Rhiannon could have sped up.
The squadron flies to Aretia, landing in the valley above Riorson House. Kaori and Panchek are present; Kaori wants to study Andarna, but Violet warns him off. Rhiannon gives the squad the evening free. Violet goes to the room she shares with Xaden. Brennan visits, confirms he tried but cannot mend Xaden, who is further along in venin transformation than Jack Barlowe was. Brennan reveals he tried everything—offerings, earth magic, hatching grounds. Despite the grim news, Violet takes hope from Xaden's letter from Lewellen, where he wants to try mending at Basgiath. The chapter ends with a historical record of a venin Sage attack in Braevick.
Key Events
- Sawyer mounts Sliseag using a custom prosthesis hook after a failed first attempt.
- Andarna offers to help; Sawyer refuses, emphasizing his bond with Sliseag.
- The squad witnesses Sawyer's success, and Ridoc spreads hugs.
- Violet reassures Rhi that she could not have accelerated the process.
- The squad flies to Aretia; Kaori and Panchek arrive.
- Violet returns to Xaden's room; Brennan visits with devastating news.
- Brennan tried every mending method for Xaden but failed.
- Xaden's recent letter expresses hope to try mending at Basgiath.
- The chapter closes with a historical account of a venin Sage attack.
Character Development
- Sawyer: Demonstrates resourcefulness and resilience by engineering a climbing aid. His emotional argument with Sliseag shows he values the dragon’s honor and his own independence over an easier path.
- Violet: Acts as a steady support, offering practical advice and emotional reassurance to both Sawyer and Rhi. Her internal grief for Xaden is palpable, yet she seizes on any hope.
- Andarna: Breaks her silence with a positive offer to boost Sawyer, marking a tentative step out of her own grief. Violet’s gentle invitation to grieve is met with a pointed but not hostile response.
- Brennan: Carries the burden of knowing he cannot heal Xaden, yet he still tries everything. His sorrow is matched by his determination to keep looking for solutions.
- Ridoc: Provides comic relief and genuine camaraderie with his over-enthusiastic hugs, lightening the squad’s mood.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Grief and Recovery: Sawyer’s climb mirrors his emotional journey toward accepting his new body; Andarna’s offer to help reflects her slow return from grief over the missing length of her tail.
- Honor and Choice: Sawyer’s refusal of aid underscores the theme that dragon-rider bonds are built on mutual risk and choice, not convenience.
- Hope amid Despair: Violet’s reaction to Brennan’s news—smiling at Xaden’s letter—shows that even a sliver of hope can sustain someone facing inevitable loss.
- The Venin Threat: The closing historical entry reinforces the ancient, cyclical nature of the venin danger, tying Xaden’s personal struggle to a larger pattern.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 90 resolves Sawyer’s physical and emotional arc of returning to flight, proving that a rider with a prosthesis can still bond and ride. It also delivers a major blow to Violet’s hopes: Brennan cannot mend Xaden, indicating the venin corruption is more advanced than previously known. Yet Xaden’s determination to try mending at Basgiath keeps the reader engaged in the possibility of a cure. Andarna’s first positive interaction since the loss sets up her potential re-engagement. The chapter balances a victory with a deepening crisis, propelling the narrative toward Aretia’s future.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sawyer refuse Andarna’s offer to boost him onto Sliseag?
Sawyer believes that the mount must be earned through his own effort and the bond with his dragon. Accepting help from another dragon would dishonor the trust Sliseag placed in him when the Red Swordtail risked his life to carry him after his injury.
2. How does Violet’s reply to Rhi reflect her leadership style?
Violet tells Rhi that Sawyer’s progress “was only ever going to be on their timeline,” absolving Rhi of guilt. This shows Violet values when to let others grow without interference, a shift from her earlier tendency to control every situation.
3. What does Brennan’s failure to mend Xaden reveal about the venin curse?
Brennan’s inability to heal Xaden, despite trying all known methods, indicates that the venin transformation is more permanent than previously thought, especially when compared to Jack Barlowe’s still-reversible stage. This raises the stakes for Xaden’s survival.