Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.Rebecca Yarros left readers with a major cliffhanger at the end ofOnyx Storm, something the New York Times bestselling author has done for eachEmpyreanSeriesnovelthat came before. Yarros' largely unexpected plot twist has left readers with an abundance of questions. But perhaps one of the biggest revolves around Navarre’s missing dragon eggs. This reveal was introduced in quick succession with a variety of other plot twists—includingViolet and Xaden’s marriage, and the fact that several characters are still missing.
When Violet returns to Aretia with no memory of what happened in the twelve hours since the battle, she is informed that six dragon eggs are missing from Navarre’s vale. Navarre’s vale is filled with hundreds of dragons, so the fact that six go missing right under their noses proves it was an incredible feat. When looking back atOnyx Storm’s narrative, there are a few more obvious possibilities when it comes to who took the eggs, but the purpose they will serve in future books still remains to be one ofOnyx Storm’s biggest questions.
The Dragon Eggs Were Likely Taken To Unnbriel
Unnbriel Made It Clear They Desired Dragons
Onyx Stormsaw Violet and her squad traveling the Isle Kingdoms in hopes of searching for the seventh breed of dragons and obtain allies for the brewing war with the venin. However, it’s quickly made clear that Unnbriel wouldn’t be extending their help any time soon—unless Violet was to provide them with dragons. However, Queen Marlis doesn’t just want dragons,she requests that Navarre provide them with twelve dragon eggs—two from each den—as they believe feathertails will be more malleable and controllable than grown, headstrong dragons.
“What do you want?” I call after her as Aaric, Cat, and Dain head our way. “At least name your price”.
“The same thing everyone in the isles craves.” She pauses and looks back over her shoulder. “Dragons.”
—Onyx Storm, Chapter 32
As Unnbriel has no magic, it’s understandable they would desire the power that can be given to those who bond with dragons. But Violet makes it clear that it’s a deal Navarre would never accept.Onyx Storm’s endinglater reveals that six dragon eggs were stolen from the vale, and while no one can confirm who it was—Unnbriel’s desire for dragon eggs makes them a likely suspect. However, knowing how long it can take for dragons to travel to Unnbriel, it’s unlikely they retrieved the eggs themselves, and it’s possible they had a partner in Navarre who orchestrated the theft.
Who Took The Dragon Eggs At The End Of Onyx Storm?
There Are Potentially More Traitors Among Navarre’s Ranks
The stolen dragon eggs will be a huge focus in thenextEmpyrean Seriesnovel, but finding out who stole them and for what purpose remains the biggest mystery. Violet and her squad are already aware that Unnbriel has a desire for dragons and the magic they bring. But if Unnbriel were the ones to receive the eggs,someone would have had to steal them from inside Navarre’s ranks. The ending ofOnyx Stormhas already revealed Colonel Panchek to be a traitor in alliance with the venin, and his betrayal could be the first of many serving at Basgiath.
The ending ofOnyx Stormhas already revealed Colonel Panchek to be a traitor in alliance with the venin, and his betrayal could be the first of many serving at Basgiath.
It’s also possible the Isle Kingdoms worked together to orchestrate this theft—as each and every one were expecting to receive Violet and her squad. This is likely due to Courtlyn, the king of Deverelli, giving them a heads-up—but his intention behind it is incredibly suspicious. Even Courtlyn is in awe of Violet’s dragons, and it’s possible the Isle Kingdoms have partnered together to obtain dragons of their own. And, after Halden’s disastrous attempt to play royal ambassador,it wouldn’t be a stretch to imagine he would foolishly secure a deal trading dragon eggsin return for the Isle Kingdoms' assistance.
Could The Venin Have The Dragon Eggs?
The Venin Are Drawn To Power
The venin, above anything else, are drawn to power and constantly desire to obtain more.Iron Flamehas already suggested the venin had a goal of reaching the vale, but it was previously believed that if they did, they would drain it of its power, not steal away a small number of dragon eggs. Knowing this, it doesn’t add up that the venin would steal the eggs but leave the rest of the vale unharmed—as the vale is the largest source of magical power they could ever hope to find.
Their actions towards the end of the novel also suggestthe venin don’t value dragon life—as Berwyn planned to kill Sgaeyl before Xaden stopped him, and Theophanie even tells Violet she’d let her keep her dragons if she turned. However, dragon eggs likely hold immense power, and it’s possible they could be used to sustain the venin until they find a way to access the vale again if Navarre’s wards were to fall.
Where Else The Dragon Eggs Could Be
The Irids Are Another Likely Suspect
InOnyx Storm,Andarna’s seventh den of dragons,the Irids, do not shy away from their disdain and disappointment with the dragons of Navarreand the humans' involvement in war. It’s revealed that Andarna was left behind as a measurement of the humans' growth, hoping that, instead of using dragons for war, they would have evolved into a peaceful society. Knowing the Irids believe in peace and that dragons should not be involved in human wars, it’s possible they stole the eggs to raise them in a way they believe is best.
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The Irids also have the unique ability to camouflage themselves into the environment,giving them the ability to enter the vale and steal the eggs, and no dragon or human would have known. Their ability to enter locations unnoticed is proven true when they first speak to Andarna in the Isle Kingdoms, and when Leothan arrives in Aretia without anyone’s knowledge—and only appears when he decides to reveal himself. It’s also possible the Irids chose to gift the eggs to a different territory, like the Isle Kingdoms, in the hopes they would do a better job raising the dragons than Navarre.
Why The Missing Dragon Eggs Will Be So Important
Dragons Are Loyal To Dragonkind Above All
The missing dragon eggs are bound to be one of the more important plots found in thenextFourth Wingbookfor a multitude of reasons. For one, the amount of power one dragon can provide could be destructive in the wrong hands, but with six even more so. The unknown of what purpose the dragon eggs will serve to whoever stole them is one of the more concerning elements, and it’s likely the main mission will be to track them down and discover who was responsible.Onyx Stormalso reiterates on several occasions thatdragons are first and foremost loyal to dragonkind.
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The stolen eggs will likely cause a major issue among the leadership in the Empyrean—their governing body of dragons—and it’s unknown how this will affect their relationship with riders and humans in general. It’s possible that finding and securing the stolen eggs will be seen as their most important task, even over helping their riders fight the venin. This could also reveal more about the Empyrean’s inner workings and divulge a history the dragons have been keeping to themselves. Only time will tell, but no doubt this will be an extremely important issue in a futureOnyx Stormsequel.
Onyx Storm
Violet Sorrengail faces new political intrigue and battles old enemies while uncovering the secrets of her second signet. As she strives to save Xaden from venin corruption, her relationships with allies and dragons are tested, leading to intense confrontations and unexpected revelations in a world of dragons and magic.
