What Has Gone Before – Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 4, “What Has Gone Before,” is a comprehensive recap of the storylines leading into The Fury of the Gods. It follows five central characters.
Orka tracks her son Breca to the Grimholt fortress, where she is captured by the Galdurman Skalk but escapes with the help of vaesen. Reunited with the Bloodsworn (led by her brother-in-law Glornir), she learns that the dragon-god Lik-Rifa has been freed. Orka later visits Rotta’s chamber, captures the dragon-born Myrk, and follows a false trail to Starl. She makes a deal with Elvar and the Battle-Grim to stage Myrk’s escape, then tracks her to Svelgarth. There she rescues Breca but is bitten by a frost-spider and, with her last strength, throws her son into a river.
Varg, a slave who killed his owner, joins the Bloodsworn and discovers he is tainted with wolf-blood. He travels to Darl, learns that his sister Frøya was sold to Drekr, and sails to Iskidan with the Bloodsworn. They fight tongue-eaters, free the Seiðr-witch Vol, kill Prince Jaromir, and find Tainted thralls in his fortress.
Elvar journeys to Oskutreð, where Lik-Rifa is freed. After Agnar is slain by Biórr, Elvar captures the winged warrior Skuld, resurrects the wolf-god Ulfrir, and becomes chief of the Battle-Grim by defeating Huld in a duel. She meets Orka at Starl and later fights her father Jarl Störr at Snakavik, becoming the Seiðr-lord of his Berserkirs.
Biórr, a Tainted rat-blood, infiltrates the Battle-Grim, kills Agnar, and joins the Raven-Feeders under Lik-Rifa. He travels to Nastrandir and later to Svelgarth, where he kills one of the Bloodsworn but fails to stop Orka.
Guðvarr, a drengr from Fellur, slays Mord at the Grimholt and becomes Skalk’s pawn, implanted with a hyrndur. He uncovers Prince Hakon’s conspiracy with Drekr and betrays Skalk and Queen Helka to Lik-Rifa. He helps orchestrate the dragon-god’s attack on Darl and kills Hakon while Lik-Rifa destroys the resurrected eagle-god Orna.
Key Events
- Orka reunites with the Bloodsworn at Grimholt and learns of Lik-Rifa’s freedom.
- Orka captures Myrk at Rotta’s chamber and later tracks her to Svelgarth, rescuing Breca.
- Varg discovers his sister was sold to Drekr and joins the Bloodsworn’s voyage to Iskidan.
- Elvar resurrects Ulfrir, becomes Battle-Grim chief, and wins her father’s Berserkirs.
- Biórr kills Agnar and aligns with Lik-Rifa, participating in the assault on Svelgarth.
- Guðvarr betrays Skalk and Helka, leading Lik-Rifa to Darl where Orna is destroyed.
Character Development
Orka is defined by her relentless maternal drive and primal wolf-blood. Her journey from captured mother to desperate rescuer highlights her ferocity and sacrifice.
Varg evolves from a vengeful slave into a loyal Bloodsworn apprentice. His quest for truth about his sister’s death deepens his connection to the Tainted community.
Elvar shifts from a member of the Battle-Grim to a leader. Her victory in the holmganga and her rise as Seiðr-lord show growing authority and ruthless pragmatism.
Biórr embodies cunning betrayal. His infiltration of the Battle-Grim and subsequent loyalty to Lik-Rifa reveal a calculating nature and commitment to the dragon-god’s cause.
Guðvarr is ambitious and adaptable. From a lowly drengr to Skalk’s pawn and then to a key betrayer, he survives through manipulation and quick decisions.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Captivity and Freedom dominate: Orka’s son abducted, Tainted children imprisoned, and the release of Lik-Rifa from her bonds. The thrall-collar and slave motifs recur across all storylines.
Familial Bonds drive Orka (mother and son), Varg (sister), and Elvar (father and brother). These ties motivate vengeance, rescue, and political power shifts.
Betrayal appears through Biórr’s deception, Guðvarr’s double-cross, and Hakon’s conspiracy. Trust is fragile in a world of gods and mercenaries.
Gods and Mortals examines the tension between divine beings (Lik-Rifa, Rotta, Ulfrir) and human agents. The resurrection of gods and the use of Seiðr emphasize that mortals seek to control powers beyond themselves.
Why This Chapter Matters
As a recap chapter, “What Has Gone Before” serves as a vital refresher before the final volume. It ties together the many threads from earlier books, clarifying the positions of all major characters and plotlines. New readers can catch up, while returning readers can reorient themselves for the events to come. The chapter also reinforces the stakes: Lik-Rifa’s freedom, the fate of the Tainted, and the various quests that will converge.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What deal did Orka make with Elvar in Starl?
Orka agreed to send word to Glornir and the Bloodsworn, telling them that Elvar wanted to hire them to fight Lik-Rifa. In return, Elvar and the Battle-Grim helped stage a fake escape for Myrk so Orka could track her.
2. How did Guðvarr betray Skalk and Queen Helka?
Guðvarr volunteered to carry a message to Lik-Rifa, confessing Skalk and Helka’s plan to resurrect and thrall the eagle-god Orna. He then helped orchestrate Lik-Rifa’s attack on Darl, during which his aunt killed Helka and Guðvarr killed Prince Hakon.
3. Why did Varg and the Bloodsworn sail to Iskidan?
They pursued Prince Jaromir, who had taken Vol captive. The Bloodsworn followed him to his fortress of Valdai, fought a battle, freed Vol, killed Jaromir, and discovered his secret dungeons filled with Tainted thralls.