Book Summaries - The Brotherhood of the Eagle

With a long multi-viewpoint tale like The Brotherhood of the Eagle, there’s a lot of plot to keep track of. If your memory is anything like mine and there’s been a gap between books, these summaries of the events in the first three novels might be a useful refresher. Obviously, this page contains major spoilers for the novels, so please don’t read any further unless you want a recap of the key events that took place in Hall of Bones, Sundered Souls or Lost Gods.

Summary of Hall of Bones, Book 1 of The Brotherhood of the Eagle

In the northerly land of Laskar, the Reavesburg Clan led by Kolfinnar Marlson is at war with their great rivals, the Vorund Clan. Whilst Kolfinnar’s younger son, Rothgar, is still a boy, Adalrikr rises to power as the chief of the Vorund Clan, murdering his own father Asmarr as well as his elder brothers to secure his rule.

Rothgar grows up in Ulfkell’s Keep with his elder brother Jorik, who is being groomed to succeed their father as chief, and his younger sister, Nuna. Rothgar is tutored by Etta, Kolfinnar’s elderly counsellor and spymaster. Rothgar is close to Bandor, the son of Johan Jokellsward, an ally of Kolfinnar. Johan pledges his daughter Reesha as Jorik’s wife to cement the alliance between their two houses. Rothgar begins an illicit romance with Desta, a maid at the keep.

When Kolfinnar dies, Gautarr Falrufson, whose household rules from their stronghold in Romsdahl in southern Reavesburg, makes a bid to be chief. Jorik duels with and defeats Gautarr, who is forced to swear loyalty to Jorik in return for his life.

Jorik orders his sister Nuna be married to Karas Greystorm, the Norlhast chief, to forge an alliance against Vorund. Rothgar conducts the negotiations and Karas agrees to Jorik’s proposal. Karas is in thrall to a coven of witches, led by Nereth. Rothgar defeats them, although Nereth escapes. On Rothgar’s return to Ulfkell’s Keep, Etta counsels that magic is still very real and that Nereth may prove to be his most dangerous enemy.

The clans gather at Ulfkell’s Keep for the wedding of Karas and Nuna. Afterwards, a group of Vorund warriors led by Tyrfingr Blackeyes attacks. Jorik, Reesha and their son are murdered. Rothgar is imprisoned, whilst Johan and Gautarr manage to flee.

Tyrfingr announces that Adalrikr has declared himself king of Laskar and all the clans will soon be defeated. Karas surrenders and swears the Norlhast Clan will serve Vorund. The surviving elders of Reavesburg – Sandar, Hrodi and Lundvarr – also pledge their support, rather than fighting on.

Rothgar is put on trial and, under torture with hot irons, falsely confesses to the crime of aiding Tyrfingr and killing his own family. Rothgar is condemned to die in a crows cage and is left hanging outside the gates, severely wounded and close to death.

Rothgar is freed following a daring rescue by Etta, aided by Ekkill, one of her agents. He is brought in secret to the home of the healer Joldir. They are guarded by Thengill, a member of the Vorund Clan loyal to the late chief Asmarr, who fled after Adalrikr’s rise to power.

Rothgar has been left crippled by Tyrfingr’s torture. As he recuperates, he learns from Joldir that he has the Sight, which enables him to watch events through the eyes of others. Joldir and Nereth also have the same magical gift.

Etta tells Rothgar the real struggle in Laskar is against the durath – immortal ‘shadow spirits’ able to take possession of another person, destroying their soul and assuming their physical form. Rothgar learns that Adalrikr is actually one of the durath. Etta is determined to defeat Adalrikr, having lost the person she loved to him, long ago.

Rothgar uses the Sight to find Desta in Ulfkell’s Keep. To his dismay he finds their romance over as Desta believes Rothgar is dead. She has married his childhood friend Haarl and they are expecting a child together.

Johan arrives at Joldir’s home with a small company of warriors and their families, who have survived the fall of Johan’s stronghold, Kalamar. This includes Johan’s wife Damona and their son Bandor. Johan seeks vengeance on the Reavesburg elders who collaborated with the Vorund Clan. He sets out with Rothgar and his warriors to the town of Tullen to confront one of the elders, a man called Sandar.

All the townsfolk of Tullen are revealed to be durath and attack Johan’s men. Sandar has killed all the remaining citizens of Tullen who were not possessed by the durath. Skulls line the walls of an inner sanctum in his long hall, where Sandar has built an altar. During the battle Rothgar saves Johan’s life before Sandar is finally killed by Ekkill. Johan’s company also rescue a young boy called Leif, who Rothgar has connected with through the Sight.

After discovering the true nature of the durath, Johan vows to free Reavesburg by destroying Adalrikr and all his kind. Rothgar realises that with his magical abilities he also has a place amongst Johan’s company, now known as the Brotherhood of the Eagle.

Meanwhile Humli, Desta’s fisherman father, rescues a destitute woman drifting in a boat on the river. The woman is Lina, Leif’s mother, who is now possessed by the durath.

Summary of Sundered Souls, Book 2 of The Brotherhood of the Eagle

Rothgar becomes more powerful as he works together in a Sight Fellowship with Joldir and Leif, who also share the gift. Joldir also serves as Johan’s artificer, creating magical runeblades with the power to destroy the durath forever, which are carried by full members of the Brotherhood of the Eagle.

Djuri Turncloak, a Reavesburg warrior who joined forces with Tyrfingr Blackeyes, is given command of a small army and is sent out from Ulfkell’s Keep to defeat Johan. His forces include Haarl, Rothgar’s childhood friend and Desta’s husband.

Desta’s father Humli has taken in Lina (the only surviving durath from the battle at Tullen) who is with child. Etta is curious to know the nature of this child. Desta is now raising her own baby boy, Finnvidor (known as Finn), and is living with her father and Lina whilst Haarl is away.

Johan musters more warriors to break the Vorund siege of Romsdahl – Gautarr’s stronghold in the south of Reavesburg. He attempts to broker an alliance with Hrodi Whitebeard in Olt, one of the Reavesburg elders who surrendered to Tyrfingr Blackeyes. Hrodi demands a meeting, betraying Johan and handing him over to the Vorund Clan. However, Hrodi’s own men are divided and some, led by Hrodi’s bastard daughter and shieldmaiden Jolinn, choose to fight for Johan and enable him to escape.

Johan makes for Romsdahl to break the siege. The Vorund army is led by Sinarr the Cold One. A previous host for Adalrikr’s spirit, Sinarr now exists as an undead shadow, carrying out the bidding of his master.

The durath infiltrate Johan’s camp and try to assassinate Rothgar and his Fellowship, fearing his power. The attack is led by one of the Sundered Souls, one of the original twenty-one durath and a leader of their race. He is killed by Joldir, using his runestaff.

Johan sends an advance delegation to Gautarr, led by Rothgar. Rothgar and his companions reach Romsdahl Castle by means of a secret smuggler’s passage that leads to a series of caverns under the city. Gautarr agrees to fight in order to have his vengeance against the Vorund Clan for the deaths of his brothers and to break the siege. He makes clear that he sees himself as the rightful chief rather than Johan.

In Romsdahl Rothgar meets Throm and Freydja, the children of Egill, Gautarr’s late older brother and the well-respected leader of the Romsdahl House until he was slain by the Vorund Clan. Throm offers the support of Egill’s house in deciding whether Gautarr or Johan should lead the clan.

Channelling dark magic, Sinarr the Cold One sacrifices some of Gautarr’s captured men to bring the three worlds closer together (the worlds of the Real, Dream and the Dead) as he prepares to fight Johan. As a result, Rothgar encounters the shade of the Weeping Warrior, who is the wandering spirit of Sinarr, the former host of Adalrikr. He offers to help Rothgar defeat the undead physical form of Sinarr the Cold One.

Johan and Gautarr attack. However, as Sinarr is no longer a durath the Brotherhood’s runeblades prove ineffective and Joldir’s staff is destroyed. Rothgar uses the Sight to defeat Sinarr, using new runes of power etched by the Weeping Warrior onto his sword.

With the various realms close as a result of Sinarr’s magic, Rothgar finds himself drawn to Vorund Fastness, where he encounters Adalrikr. Adalrikr’s madness and ambitions are revealed. Adalrikr has created a gateway in Vorund Fastness leading to the Shadow Realm. This is being used by the Sundered Souls to draw the durath to them as they build their army. The Weeping Warrior saves Rothgar, wounding Adalrikr and leaving his face scarred.

Rothgar returns to Romsdahl, where the sky cracks and the ground shakes as Sinarr dies. The Vorund Clan panic, allowing Johan and Gautarr to defeat them. Djuri Turncloak flees and brings the remains of his forces back to Ulfkell’s Keep. In the aftermath of the battle, Rothgar finds Haarl’s body on the battlefield and ensures he is treated with honour. Old Hrodi dies in front of Jolinn before they can be reconciled.

Rothgar visits Joldir in hospital, as his hands have been badly injured in the battle. Nereth traps Rothgar, disguising herself as Nuna, pretending his sister is reaching out to him with the Sight. Joldir and Leif are trapped too as Rothgar’s whole Fellowship is drawn into Nereth’s world. Working together, they manage to escape and break Nereth’s magic.

In Norlhast, Nuna awakes from her sick bed as Nereth’s spell is broken. Nereth is revealed to be Nuna’s maid in disguise. After unsuccessfully trying to kill Nuna, Nereth flees Norlhast.

A clan moot takes place between the Brotherhood and Gautarr’s warriors from Romsdahl. Throm proposes Johan becomes the Reavesburg Battle Chief. This keeps the clan united and avoids the need for a contest over who will be chief. Bandor and Freydja, who have been betrothed for many years, choose to marry, also helping bring together the two Reavesburg factions.

Rothgar’s friendship with Jolinn deepens and he reflects that with this victory the Brotherhood is growing in power and his vengeance on Tyrfingr is one step closer.

Summary of Lost Gods, Book 3 of The Brotherhood of the Eagle

In Norlhast, Nuna meets with Orglyr the Grim, the former jarl of Bekan Bekansson, who was deposed as Norlhast chief by Karas Greystorm. Orglyr agrees to help unite the Norlhast Clan and muster an army to overthrow Vorund’s occupation so they can aid the Brotherhood of the Eagle.

Despite his defeat in Romsdahl, Randall has been appointed as a jarl by Adalrikr upon his return to Vorund Fastness. This results in increased rivalry with Vorund jarl Joarr the Hammer and his loyal second, Hasteinn the Cruel. Randall is charged with the defence of Vorund Fastness against the Brotherhood.

Following the Battle of Romsdahl, Djuri has retreated to Ulfkell’s Keep and Desta is distraught upon learning of her husband Haarl’s death. Nereth has also fled to Ulfkell’s Keep from Norlhast after her plot against Nuna was uncovered. Nereth is injured and too weak to face Rothgar and his Fellowship, taking Djuri as a casual lover as she begins to make new allies at court.

Joldir’s hands were badly injured in the Battle of Romsdahl and he is no longer able to act as the Brotherhood’s artificer. The Weeping Warrior warns Rothgar the gateway to the Shadow Realm created by Adalrikr is slowly destroying Amuran. The Brotherhood also faces a deadly challenge, as six of the Sundered Souls have gathered to Adalrikr in Vorund. With Joldir unable to forge more runeblades, the Weeping Warrior tells Rothgar to seek out the aid of Bruar, avatar of fire, on the Fire Isle in order to defeat them.

Led by Johan, the Brotherhood make ready to sail south to besiege Vorund Fastness, whilst Rothgar, Etta and Jolinn join the crew sailing north to the Fire Isle on the ship Stormweaver. After becoming aware of this plan through magical means, Adalrikr orders Hasteinn the Cruel to take three longships from Vorund and intercept Rothgar.

Orglyr recruits Norlhast jarl Limping Tidkumi to his cause. After a short battle they kill Vorund’s warriors occupying Taur and put out word to muster Norlhast’s forces as the rebellion grows.

The Sundered Souls Kolsveinn and Eidr arrive in Ulfkell’s Keep and speak with Tyrfingr and Nereth. Adalrikr has ordered Lina be brought to Vorund Fastness, suspecting she may have a child. Tyrfingr learns about the previous relationship between Rothgar and Desta, so Djuri is ordered to capture both Lina and Desta, who are living in the house of Humli, Desta’s father.

Kolsveinn arrives at Humli’s cottage only to find they have fled, having been secretly warned by Djuri. Humli, Lina and Desta have travelled to the port town of Noln, where the town elder, Lundvarr, reluctantly agrees to help them find safe sea passage.

A group of warriors led by Kolsveinn and Djuri arrive in Noln, torturing Lundvarr to death to reveal the plans of Humli and his companions. Kolsveinn and his warriors attack them as they try to reach their ship but Djuri has a change of heart and fights against the Vorund warriors. Lina reveals herself to be one of the durath during the fight, killing Kolsveinn who, as a shadow spirit, then tries to possess Djuri. Djuri encounters the Weeping Warrior in the realm between life and death and learns of the durath and the damage caused by the Tear. Djuri fights against being possessed, ultimately breaking Kolsveinn’s spirit and destroying him. Afterwards Djuri decides to return to Ulfkell’s Keep to plant a false trail, giving Humli, Lina and Desta more time to head west, seeking safety in Vittag. After Kolsveinn’s failure, Eidr sets out in pursuit, following Djuri’s misleading directions.

Under the command of Geilir, Vorund’s warriors mount an attack against the Norlhast rebels. Orglyr’s forces are defeated and retreat to the Baros Mountains, the Vorund Clan hard on their heels.

Johan’s army lands at Vorund Fastness. Randall favours waiting the Brotherhood out, but Adalrikr prefers Joarr’s proposal to attack before Johan’s reinforcements arrive. Joarr and Randall lead a counter attack against the Brotherhood but fail to breach their defences. Joarr is killed by Throm and Randall leads the retreat as Adalrikr suffers a heavy defeat. Johan’s siege engines begin their assault to breach Vorund’s curtain walls.

Stormweaver’s crew reach the ice shelf, transporting the ship across the ice on rollers. They are attacked by some of Hasteinn’s men but manage to defeat them. They then travel across the ice shelf and reach the Fire Isle. Rothgar and Jolinn begin a romantic relationship as they explore the mysterious island.

Rothgar meets Jade, a dragon in human form who was once the illicit lover of his long-dead ancestor Sigborn Reaveson. She brings him to the hidden city of the dragons, who are the guardians of the avatar Bruar. It is revealed Jade is an exile, having once betrayed the other dragons. Rothgar is brought before Bruar, who agrees to help the Brotherhood by fashioning magical weapons to defeat Adalrikr.

Rothgar and his companions return to their camp and, during this journey, they are dismayed when Jade reveals Etta is one of the durath. Etta appeals to Rothgar, explaining Adalrikr tried to kill her when she refused to join him and she remains loyal to the Brotherhood. Etta flees into the forest, pursued by her chief spy Ekkill. In order to protect Rothgar, Jade transforms into her dragon form and attacks and kills Hasteinn’s men, reducing their camp on the Fire Isle to ashes.

Humli and his companions join a larger group of travellers heading west, where they are eventually captured by Eidr and returned to Ulfkell’s Keep. Tyrfingr imprisons them whilst Vorund Fastness is under siege. Djuri persuades one of Desta’s friends to look after their children.

Stormweaver’s crew construct a more permanent home on the Fire Isle as they wait over the winter for Bruar to finish his work. Ekkill tells Rothgar Etta deliberately awoke the Sight in him on the night of his rescue from the crows cage, risking his life in the process. Shortly afterwards Ekkill is found dead, presumably killed by Etta.

Orglyr’s warriors winter in the abandoned city of Dunfalas in the Baros Mountains, preparing to resume their campaign in the spring.

Despite being badly burned, Hasteinn has survived Jade’s attack and, having already murdered Ekkill, he tries to kill Rothgar. Jade saves him, killing Hasteinn.

Bruar completes his work and presents Rothgar with the sword Death’s Gift and the spear Lightning’s Fire. Both weapons are warded to destroy the undead and powerful enough to kill the Sundered Souls, including Adalrikr. Lightning’s Fire is also designed to close the gate to the Shadow Realm. In addition, Bruar gifts them Eagle’s Defender, a shield that repels the durath and which only Rothgar can use. Through the Sight, Joldir brings the news to the Brotherhood that Rothgar has succeeded in his quest, giving them heart they can win the war.

Jade reveals she has been sheltering Etta through the winter. Etta is exiled on the Fire Isle as the crew of Stormweaver leave with the spring and set sail for Vorund Fastness. Rothgar and Jade part on good terms, Jade appreciating his kindness and friendship.

Stormweaver’s crew successfully cross the ice shelf, despite bitter driving winds that slow their progress south, losing a number of crew to the conditions. Rothgar is close to death but the Weeping Warrior brings him back, marking his right shoulder with a black handprint.

Emerging from the mountains, Orglyr’s Norlhast warriors gather near Norlhast Keep. Geilir prepares for battle, placing his ally Lefwine’s Riltbalt warriors in the vanguard in order to protect his own men. In the battle Lefwine turns against Geilir, which proves decisive and gives Orglyr victory. However, Geilir escapes.

Stormweaver is shipwrecked on her return voyage, washing up on the Norlhast coast where Nuna and Rothgar are reunited after two years apart. Together, they make plans for the Norlhast Clan to fulfil its broken pledge and support the Reavesburg Clan in its fight against Adalrikr.

Afterwards Jolinn visits Rothgar and, prompted by Nuna, he finally realises their future lies together.

Adalrikr uses scrying magic to learn that Rothgar has succeeded in his quest. Adalrikr prepares for the final conflict with the Brotherhood, telling Randall to ready their defences for the coming war.