Rhiannon Matthias: The Unwavering Squad Leader of Onyx Storm

Overview

Rhiannon "Rhi" Matthias is the squad leader of Violet Sorrengail’s Second Squad, First Wing, in Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm (The Empyrean Series, Book 3). A steadfast friend and tactical commander, she balances the demands of war with fierce loyalty to her riders. Her primary signet allows her to summon objects to her hand, but her true power lies in her judgment, courage, and ability to hold her squad together under extreme pressure.

Plot Role

Rhiannon serves as Violet’s anchor and the squad’s operational brain. She oversees patrols, leads votes on dangerous missions, and makes life-or-death command decisions. In Chapter 44, she reports an “alarmingly routine” patrol while managing tensions between Navarrian and Aretian riders. During Battle Brief (Chapter 87), she publicly proposes sending Violet against the Maven Theophanie, treating her friend as a military asset rather than shielding her. Later, in Chapter 104, Rhiannon takes point guarding the Medaro Pass, commanding dragons and gryphons under an impossible sky. She is the one who must weigh the lives of thousands of civilians against the fate of one friend.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Loyalty to her squad drives nearly every choice. When Maren’s family is threatened in a small village (Chapter 52), Rhiannon initially hesitates, weighing unknowns—but she calls for a vote and joins the rescue, because “that’s what we did at Resson.” Her humility appears in her willingness to second-guess orders and in the private admission that failure isn’t an option when down three key fighters. Pragmatic leadership defines her; she tells Violet, “It’s her job as a squad leader to see me as an asset and not just her friend,” acknowledging the emotional cost.

Emotional honesty emerges in her conversation with Violet about dreams (Chapter 52): her nightmares center on failing Sawyer—on “making the wrong call.” She models self-awareness, confessing fears of freezing under pressure. Respect for boundaries is shown when she and the squad wait for Violet during her interrogation of Jack Barlowe (Chapter 55) rather than intruding, stating, “We respect boundaries.” Yet she also pushes when needed, challenging Sawyer to accept his new leg and prodding Violet about Xaden’s brooding.

Chronological Arc

(Note: Because full chapter texts are not available for every chapter, this arc relies on the provided evidence and chapter summaries.)

• Two weeks post-battle (Ch. 1 – 3): Rhiannon flies patrols at Basgiath, reports cold reception from leadership, and supports Violet’s secrets (e.g., keeping Xaden’s status quiet). She later backs Violet’s vote to rescue Maren’s family without knowing the enemy count.
• Mid-book training (Ch. 15 – 20): She participates in Xaden’s signet sparring (“the pit”), where her blade is plucked from her grasp. In private, she confides in Violet about her relationship with Tara and leadership struggles.
• Battle Brief pressure (Ch. 44): Rhiannon publicly volunteers Violet as the counter to Theophanie, earning quiet shock from the squad. She holds firm even when Devera pushes back.
• Runes class (Ch. 55): She offers the “careful smile” to Violet, balancing sympathy with the need for Violet to remain functional. Her loyalty remains unquestioned.
• Pass defense (Ch. 61): In a rare Rhiannon POV chapter, she commands the defense of Medaro Pass, engaging wyvern with limited assets. She prioritizes the evacuation of civilians over Violet’s personal safety, accepting the emotional weight.

Relationships

Violet Sorrengail: Their friendship is the novel’s most stable bond. Rhiannon protects Violet’s secrets (e.g., the visit to Jack Barlowe, Xaden’s venin status) without demanding reciprocity. She trusts Violet’s tactical instincts and pushes her to speak up: “Then say something… like it’s first year all over again” (Ch. 44). In return, Violet acknowledges Rhi’s authority as squad leader.

Sawyer: Rhiannon challenges him to accept his prosthesis and return to flying. She argues with him about his self-doubt, telling him, “You’re still a rider.” Her nightmare of failing to reach him reveals how deeply she cares.

Ridoc and the squad: She tolerates Ridoc’s humor and defers to his combat suggestions. She manages friction between marked ones (Imogen, Cat) and Navarrian riders, maintaining unity.

Tara (mentioned): A scribe and former romantic interest. Their relationship quieted because “leadership is hard on both our schedules,” but Rhiannon implies they remain exclusive.

Xaden Riorson: Professional respect; she reports to him during signet training and never betrays his secrets, even when his shadow signet pushes her limits.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Theme and Symbol Connections

• Sacrifice and Leadership: Rhiannon embodies the theme that leadership means making impossible choices. Her arc directly connects to the sacrifice and leadership theme and trust and betrayal.
• Trust and Betrayal: She keeps Violet’s secrets despite the risk, and her trust in the squad is repaid when they follow her into danger.
• Grief and Resilience: Her nightmares about failing Sawyer reflect the grief and resilience of the entire squad; she continuously pushes forward.
• Dragon Bonds and Identity: As a bonded rider (dragon Feirge), her signet (summoning objects) symbolizes her ability to bring resources to her allies—a physical metaphor for her role as the squad’s logistical anchor.
• Venin Corruption: She is acutely aware that venin infiltration could hide in any rank, and she works to counter it through disciplined tactics.

Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Rhiannon call a vote instead of ordering the squad to save Maren’s family? A: She recognizes the unknown risk and wants collective buy-in, reflecting the precedent set at Resson where the squad voted before a deadly mission. Interpretation: Her leadership style values consent and shared responsibility.

2. What does Rhiannon’s nightmare reveal about her character? A: In Chapter 52, she confesses she dreams of failing to save Sawyer because she makes the wrong call. This shows her fear of tactical failure and her deep attachment to the squad.

3. How does Rhiannon handle the tension between friendship and duty when she suggests sending Violet against Theophanie? A: She separates her personal affection from strategic need, stating, “It’s her job as a squad leader to see me as an asset and not just her friend.” This decision is explicit in Chapter 87.

4. What is Rhiannon’s relationship with Tara, and why does it end? A: They are “old news” because “leadership is hard on both our schedules,” but she implies they remain exclusive (Chapter 56). This suggests a respectful, amicable pause rather than a breakup.

5. In Chapter 104, why does Rhiannon choose to protect the civilians instead of going to help Violet? A: She explicitly decides that “we’re guarding thousands who are fleeing… and we owe them the same protection” as she would give her own family. She accepts the emotional cost of prioritizing the many over the one.