Plot Summary
Falling Dreams and Ritefest
Skálda Branwright, a tough, solitary girl in the frozen Skonkauld, is plagued by dreams of falling and a desperate, wordless plea for help. On the day of the ritefest—a coming-of-age trial—she's late, hungry, and determined to win the prize: a chance to touch a rare dragon egg. Despite her poverty and outsider status, Skálda's wit and endurance set her apart from the other contestants. The ritefest is a grueling climb up Hrafenfjall, the region's tallest mountain, through snow, wolves, and exhaustion. Skálda's friends, Mat and Kael, support her, but she faces rivals who would see her fail. The event is more than a test of strength; it's a crucible for her hopes and the first step toward a destiny she can't yet imagine.
The Mountain's Silent Test
Skálda's climb is marked by hardship and danger, but also by her refusal to abandon others. After a fall sets her back, she risks her chance at victory to save Ylva, a fellow contestant, from a pack of silent, deadly skáldwolves. Skálda's choice of a shield over a weapon proves wise, both for defense and as a makeshift sled in a daring descent. Her victory is not just in reaching the summit first, but in her resilience and her ability to help others even when it costs her. The mountain tests not only her body, but her heart, foreshadowing the burdens and choices she will face as her world unravels.
Siblings and Scars
The ritefest's aftermath brings a shocking reunion: Eyrek, Skálda's long-lost brother, returns as Eyrekvald Ivarion, the legendary Dragonlord and king-in-waiting. Their meeting is bittersweet—Eyrek is a hero to the world, but a stranger to his own family. He brings gifts, hope, and the promise of a better life, but also the pain of old wounds and the truth of their mother's decline. Skálda's inability to hatch a dragon egg, despite her skill and courage, becomes a symbol of her outsider status and her mother's suffocating grip. The siblings' bond is tested by secrets, regrets, and the weight of destiny.
The Dragonlord Returns
Eyrek's arrival electrifies the Skonkauld. He is both a symbol of what is possible and a reminder of what has been lost. His speech inspires the villagers to dream of more than survival, urging them to join the Realm-Building Enterprise and shape their own futures. Yet, when he offers Skálda a priceless dragon egg—descended from the greatest dragons in history—it refuses to hatch for her. The moment is public, humiliating, and deeply personal. Eyrek's faith in his sister is unwavering, but Skálda is left with a sense of failure and the gnawing suspicion that her fate lies elsewhere.
The Egg That Wouldn't Hatch
Skálda's repeated failures to Bind with a dragon egg deepen her sense of isolation. Her mother's madness and hoarding, the poverty of their home, and the indifference of the villagers all press in on her. Yet, Eyrek's visit rekindles her ambition. He shares the truth of their family's past, the sacrifices and lies that shaped them, and offers her a place in his future—if she can find her dragon. Skálda's promise to Build a realm becomes a vow to herself, even as she faces the reality that her path will not be easy or straightforward.
Scorchfall and Aftermath
Skálda's dreams of falling become reality when a blazing object crashes into the wilderness, triggering earthquakes and chaos across the islands. The event, called the Scorchfall, is a harbinger of change—a literal and symbolic breaking of the world's order. In the aftermath, Skálda's sense of responsibility grows. She is drawn to the site of the impact, compelled by the same plea for help that haunted her dreams. The disaster exposes the fragility of her home and the limits of the old ways, setting her on a path toward the unknown.
The Wild Hatchling
Skálda discovers the source of the Scorchfall: a wild dragon hatchling, black as night and terrified, with a mind-voice that echoes her dreams. Against the laws of Dragonsteel, she brings the hatchling home, hiding him from the Order's enforcers. The bond between them is immediate and profound, transcending the rules that govern riders and dragons. Skálda's compassion and defiance set her on a collision course with the powers that rule her world. The hatchling, named Baelaeryx—Bale—becomes both her hope and her greatest danger.
The Law of Dragonsteel
The arrival of elvish Rangers—enforcers of the Order's harsh laws—forces Skálda to make a choice. The law is clear: wild dragons must be killed. But Skálda cannot surrender Bale, even as the post leader Anders, her friends, and the entire community are threatened with ruin. The tension between law and mercy, tradition and change, comes to a head. Skálda's decision to free Bale, risking everything, marks her as a rogue—kvael-akar—and sets her irrevocably against the Order. The cost is high: the destruction of her post, the loss of her home, and the beginning of a life on the run.
The Breaking of Skoll Post
The Order's Judge, Lord Rystendal, arrives with overwhelming force, annulling Skoll Post and unleashing dragonfire on the islands. Skálda's friends are imprisoned, her dragons maimed, and her people scattered. The violence is not just physical, but existential—a breaking of the old world and the rules that held it together. Skálda's guilt is crushing; she blames herself for the suffering unleashed by her defiance. Yet, in the ashes, she finds a new resolve: to protect Bale, to seek justice, and to challenge the powers that have defined her life.
The Bael and the Hunter
On the run with Bale and the enigmatic half-elf Ranger Aesir, Skálda learns the truth: Bale is not just a dragon, but a Bael—a Realm-Breaker, a being of myth with the power to shatter worlds. The old stories come alive, and Skálda is forced to confront the possibility that her bond with Bale is both a blessing and a curse. The choice before her is stark: surrender Bale to the Order, or risk everything to protect him. The journey becomes a test of trust, identity, and the meaning of power.
The Enterprise Unveiled
As Skálda and Aesir travel through the wilds, she learns the intricacies of the Realm-Building Enterprise—the rules, ranks, and strategies that shape the continent's future. The system promises opportunity, but is built on exclusion and violence. Skálda's ambition to Build a realm is rekindled, but she sees the cost: the suffering of the weak, the corruption of power, and the ever-present threat of annihilation. Her bond with Bale deepens, and she begins to dream of a new kind of world—one not defined by the Order's rules.
The Dragonlord's War
Eyrek's campaign in the north is a brutal, bloody struggle against the Wereguild, the ancient enemies of the Order. The battles are epic, the losses staggering. Eyrek's power is unmatched, but his victories are hollow—each triumph brings more death, more enemies, and more doubts about the righteousness of his cause. The war is not just for land, but for the soul of the continent. Eyrek's relationship with the Lord Prince, Vharyn, is tested by politics, betrayal, and the weight of leadership. The cost of power becomes ever more apparent.
The Wereguild's Shadow
The Wereguild, thought destroyed, returns with cunning and ferocity. Their alliance with the giants, the Thomdrim, and their mastery of earth-magic threaten to undo everything the Order has built. The collapse of Tera Beren and the siege of Dellfast are not just military defeats, but existential threats to the world's order. Skálda, caught between the Order and the Wereguild, must navigate a landscape where every choice is fraught with peril. The lines between friend and foe, human and monster, blur as the old world crumbles.
The Elvish Conclave
In the Republic's capital, the Elenntarien—rulers of the realms—debate the future of the Enterprise and the fate of the Dragonlord. Queen Lhyestrae Morghûl maneuvers to strip Eyrek of his crown, blaming him for the fall of Tera Beren and the chaos spreading across the continent. The Conclave is a stage for old grudges, new alliances, and the deep-seated fear of change. The politics of power are as ruthless as any battlefield, and the cost of failure is exile, disgrace, or death.
The Price of Power
Skálda's journey through the wilds is a crucible of pain and growth. She learns the cost of magic, the limits of trust, and the burden of leadership. Her bond with Bale is tested by fear, violence, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. The choices she makes—to heal, to fight, to forgive—shape not only her own fate, but the destiny of those around her. The price of power is never paid in gold, but in blood, loss, and the willingness to stand alone.
The Wolves of Old Svenn
The legends of Old Svenn come alive as Skálda encounters the Vigardians—the Wereguild—in their true form. The ancient warriors, thought lost to history, are revealed as cunning, ruthless, and bound by their own code. Skálda's fight with the Werewoman, Fjella, is a battle not just of blades, but of identities. The question of what it means to be human, to be a monster, or to be free, is at the heart of their struggle. The past and present merge, and Skálda is forced to choose her own path.
The Siege of Dellfast
The attack on Dellfast is a cataclysm—a city destroyed not by armies, but by magic, betrayal, and the unleashed power of dragons. Skálda, Aesir, and Bale fight to save their friends and the innocent, but are caught in a maelstrom of violence and fire. The cost is staggering: the city is razed, the king is lost, and the survivors are scattered. Skálda's resolve is hardened by loss, and her bond with Bale becomes the anchor that keeps her from despair.
The Choice of Realms
In the aftermath of destruction, Skálda faces the ultimate choice: to surrender to the world's rules, or to break them and forge a new path. Her love for Bale, her loyalty to her friends, and her defiance of the Order's tyranny become the foundation of a new kind of power. As the world breaks around her, Skálda chooses to stand with the outcasts, the monsters, and the broken. Her promise to Build a realm is no longer just a dream—it is a vow to change the world, no matter the cost.
Characters
Skálda Branwright
Skálda is a fiercely independent, resourceful young woman shaped by poverty, loss, and the harshness of the Skonkauld. Haunted by dreams and a sense of not belonging, she is both hardened and deeply compassionate. Her relationships—with her estranged brother Eyrek, her friends Mat and Kael, and her ailing mother—are fraught with longing and pain. Skálda's inability to Bind with a dragon egg marks her as an outsider, but her bond with the wild hatchling Bale reveals a capacity for love and sacrifice that transcends the rules of her world. Her journey is one of self-discovery, rebellion, and the forging of a new identity as both hunter and protector.
Baelaeryx ("Bale")
Bale is a black dragon hatchling of mysterious origin, marked as a Bael—a being of myth with the power to break realms. He is at once childlike and ancient, terrified and fiercely loyal to Skálda. Their mind-bond is unique, blending human and dragon in a partnership that defies the laws of the Order. Bale's growth is rapid and unpredictable, mirroring the chaos he brings to the world. He is both a symbol of hope and a harbinger of destruction, embodying the tension between innocence and power, destiny and choice.
Eyrek Branwright / Eyrekvald Ivarion
Eyrek is Skálda's older brother, a self-made hero who rose from poverty to become the continent's most celebrated Dragonlord. Charismatic, driven, and haunted by loss, Eyrek is both a symbol of what is possible and a cautionary tale of the costs of ambition. His relationship with Skálda is complex—marked by love, regret, and the gulf created by their different paths. Eyrek's leadership is tested by war, betrayal, and the burden of power. His story is one of glory and sacrifice, as he fights to Build a realm and protect those he loves.
Aesir Luthonder
Aesir is a skilled, enigmatic Ranger serving the elvish queen, but marked by his mixed heritage and outsider status. He is both hunter and hunted, carrying the weight of secrets and a longing for belonging. His relationship with Skálda is one of mutual respect, tension, and growing trust. Aesir's knowledge of magic, politics, and the wilds makes him an invaluable ally, but his own struggles with identity and loyalty mirror Skálda's. He is a guide, a skeptic, and a friend who challenges her to question the world's rules.
Matleif "Mat" Brynhild
Mat is Skálda's childhood friend and a rider at Skoll Post. Jovial, quick-witted, and fiercely loyal, he provides both levity and steadfast support. Mat's journey is one of loss and resilience—he endures the destruction of his home, the loss of friends, and the brutality of the Order. His bond with Skálda is deep, rooted in shared hardship and unspoken understanding. Mat's humor masks a profound courage and a willingness to stand by those he loves, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Jofreid Anders
Anders is the weary, well-intentioned leader of Skoll Post, haunted by failure and the weight of responsibility. He is a surrogate father to Skálda and Mat, offering guidance, protection, and hope. Anders's inability to advance his post or protect his riders is a source of deep shame, but his love for his people is unwavering. His fate is a testament to the costs of loyalty in a world ruled by power and law. Anders's story is one of quiet heroism and tragic sacrifice.
Sigrede Branwright
Sigrede is Skálda's mother, a once-brilliant woman broken by loss, illness, and the burdens of survival. Her madness is both a shield and a prison, isolating her from her children and the world. Sigrede's hoarding, lies, and erratic behavior are rooted in trauma and a desperate need for control. Yet, beneath her madness, she possesses knowledge of dragons, magic, and the world's deeper truths. Her relationship with Skálda is fraught with pain, resentment, and a longing for connection that is never fully realized.
Lord Rystendal Vacerys
Rystendal is a high-ranking, ruthless enforcer of the Dragonsteel Order's laws. He is the face of the system's brutality—uncompromising, violent, and utterly convinced of his own righteousness. His arrival spells doom for Skoll Post and anyone who defies the Order. Rystendal's power is immense, both magical and political, and his actions are driven by a belief in the necessity of order at any cost. He is a symbol of the dangers of unchecked authority and the dehumanizing effects of law without mercy.
Lhyestrae Morghûl
Lhyestrae is the High Queen of the elves and a central figure in the Republic's politics. She is brilliant, manipulative, and unyielding, wielding power with a cold precision. Her relationship with Eyrek and the other leaders is marked by rivalry, suspicion, and a willingness to sacrifice anything for the greater good—or her own interests. Lhyestrae's vision for the world is both grand and ruthless, and her actions shape the fate of realms. She is both a guardian and a threat, embodying the complexities of leadership in a fractured world.
Sorenthor Draughammr (The Were King)
Sorenthor, once a prince of Fjorland, is now the feared leader of the Wereguild. He is a man shaped by loss, vengeance, and the weight of history. His war against the Order is both personal and political—a struggle for survival, justice, and the restoration of his people's legacy. Sorenthor's relationship with Skálda is adversarial, but marked by a recognition of shared pain and the possibility of something more. He is both monster and martyr, a symbol of the world's brokenness and the hope for something new.
Plot Devices
The Realm-Building Enterprise
The Enterprise is the continent's grand experiment—a set of rules, ranks, and rewards that promise anyone, regardless of birth, the chance to Build a realm and shape their destiny. It is both a ladder of opportunity and a mechanism of control, designed to repopulate the world with dragon riders and defend against existential threats. The Enterprise's rules—start a post, advance in rank, never go rogue—structure the narrative, driving characters to ambition, rivalry, and rebellion. The warboards, zones, and chapters provide a game-like structure that both empowers and limits the characters, reflecting the tension between freedom and order.
Binding and Mind-Bond
The magical Binding between rider and dragon is the heart of the Order's power, but Skálda and Bale's mind-bond is something new—an unregulated, forbidden connection that transcends the rules. This bond is both a source of strength and a target for destruction, challenging the very foundations of the world's order. The mind-bond allows for shared emotions, thoughts, and power, blurring the lines between human and dragon, self and other. It is a symbol of the possibility of a new kind of world, built on trust and love rather than law and fear.
Foreshadowing and Prophecy
Skálda's dreams of falling, the recurring plea for help, and the legends of the Bael and the Realm-Breaker all serve as foreshadowing for the upheavals to come. The narrative is rich with prophecy, myth, and the sense that history is repeating itself—or being broken. The return of the Wereguild, the breaking of the realms, and the emergence of Bale as a Bael are all signaled long before they occur, creating a sense of inevitability and tension. The characters are caught in a web of fate, but their choices still matter.
Political Intrigue and Betrayal
The world of A Breaking of Realms is one of shifting allegiances, hidden agendas, and ruthless politics. The Elenntarien Conclave, the machinations of the elvish queen, and the betrayals within the Order all drive the plot forward. Characters must navigate a landscape where trust is scarce, and every alliance is provisional. The interplay of personal ambition, prejudice, and the greater good creates a world where no one is safe, and every victory comes at a cost.
War and Cataclysm
The narrative is punctuated by moments of cataclysmic violence—the Scorchfall, the breaking of Skoll Post, the siege of Dellfast, the burning of Tera Beren. These events are not just battles, but existential ruptures that reshape the world and the characters. War is both a crucible and a curse, forcing characters to confront their deepest fears and desires. The destruction of the old world creates the possibility of something new, but only at a terrible price.
Analysis
A Breaking of Realms is a sweeping, emotionally charged epic that interrogates the nature of power, belonging, and change. At its heart is Skálda, an outsider whose journey from hunter to rebel mirrors the breaking and remaking of her world. The novel uses the structure of the Realm-Building Enterprise—a system that promises opportunity but enforces conformity—to explore the tension between individual agency and systemic oppression. Skálda's bond with Bale, a forbidden and unprecedented connection, becomes a metaphor for the possibility of a new kind of world—one built on love, trust, and the courage to defy unjust laws. The narrative is rich with political intrigue, mythic resonance, and the ever-present threat of violence, but it is ultimately a story about the choices we make in the face of overwhelming odds. The lessons are clear: true power lies not in domination, but in compassion; the rules of the old world can and must be broken; and the future belongs to those who dare to imagine—and Build—something better.
Last updated:
