Born to the Blade is an original Realm fantasy serialized fiction and audio drama created by Michael R. Underwood, written by Michael R. Underwood, Marie Brennan, Cassandra Khaw, and Malka Older, narrated by Xe Sands, and cover art is made by Jared Blando. It was released on July 27, 2018. It has 1 season and 11 episodes.
Synopsis[]
In a floating world, two young bladecrafters must use their mastery of sword and magic to stop a bloody war.
Official synopsis
Premise[]
This serial is about how, for centures, the Warders' Circle on the neutral islands of Twaa-Fei has given the countries of the sky a way to avoid war, settling their disputes through formal, magical duels. However, the Circle's ability to maintain peace is slowly fading: the Mertikan Empire is preparing for conquest and the trade nation of Quloo is sinking, stripped of the aerstone that keeps both ships and island in the sky. When upstart, Kris Denn tries to win their island a seat in the Warder’s Circle and colonial subject Oda no Michiko discovers that her conquered nation's past is not what she's been told, they upset the balance of power. The storm they bring would either bind all the peoples of the sky together or tear them apart.
Characters[]
- Oda no Michiko - a young bladecrafter from Kakute. She is also related to the Golden Lord Nobu.
- Golden Lord Nobu - controversial warlock who is responsible for ages of civil war in Kakute.
- Kris Denn - first junior warder from Rumika.
- Ojo Kante - warder and gifted bladecrafter from Quloo.
- Adechike - Ojo's nephew.
- Lavinia Junius - warder and the hand of the empress of Mertika.
- Bellona Avitus - a junior Mertikan warder.
Episodes[]
| # | Title | Reading length | Listening length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrivals | 44 minutes | 69 minutes |
|
Two young bladecrafters get a brutal introduction to politics. | |||
| 2 | Fault Lines | 39 minutes | 58 minutes |
|
The board is set for a deadly game. | |||
| 3 | Baby Shower | 40 minutes | 68 minutes |
|
Keep your friends close and . . . invite your enemies to a party? | |||
| 4 | The Gauntlet | 47 minutes | 71 minutes |
|
Kris steps into the dueling circle. | |||
| 5 | Trade Deal | 35 minutes | 53 minutes |
|
The warders tally the cost of victory. | |||
| 6 | Spiraling | 40 minutes | 61 minutes |
|
Defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory. | |||
| 7 | Dreadnought | 40 minutes | 70 minutes |
|
Twaa-Fei descends into suspicion and fear. | |||
| 8 | Refugees | 40 minutes | 62 minutes |
|
The winds of war blow, but the nations of the sky wait. | |||
| 9 | Assassination | 33 minutes | 54 minutes |
|
A declaration and a revelation on Twaa-Fei. | |||
| 10 | Shattered Blades | 40 minutes | 62 minutes |
|
War across the entire sky. | |||
| 11 | All the Nations of the Sky | 46 minutes | 71 minutes |
|
The only way out is forward. | |||