Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale - Colin McComb

populace turn away from its external enemies long enough to watch its own functioning, it is my
belief that we would be torn apart from the rebellion that would surely follow in the next decade.
I believe that it is my duty to press slowly on our enemies, though it benefits our nobles to move
more quickly on their pet villains.
This is, of course, only my view, but it seems to fit. Why else would we not press
aggressively on every tyrant we vilify? Why else would we allow them to grow in power? Our
spies are skilled enough and our intelligence network swift enough that we can identify potential
threats. The other nations of the world could, I suppose, unite against us at once, but even now I
question whether they could overcome us. Possibly they could. Possibly their scattered magi have
developed some sort of secret weapon. They could inflict grievous damage on us, but in return,
they would suffer losses their lands could not sustain. In short, if we die, they die as well. That, at
least, is how it falls out in my mind. It would take our beloved Empire to turn in upon itself for
them to stand a chance of succeeding.
The signs are everywhere that this is about to happen.
The time is six in the evening. Night draws near. The storm is breaking out over the city,
and the wind has a hold of my curtains.
Thirty-five years ago, I was in a good position to advance myself in the army. Because of my
deeds in the Siullan affair, I had risen swiftly and fraternized with the sons of other nobles,
including some of those in the High Houses. I do not know if you have kept current with the
political maneuverings of the High Houses, though as children of the Lesser Houses it behooves
you to understand them so that you can anticipate their moves and be prepared when they call
upon your services.
The Empire balances their influences against each other, but each has its particular
whims, goals, and strengths. All of them, of course, help to fund the military, help to patrol the
borders, and pay to maintain the infrastructure that supports their takings. They maintain their
private armies, with soldiers picked from our academies, but when their soldiers must muster
under my command, they cast off their allegiances and their commanders to become soldiers of
the Empire.
As the great families of the Empire, the descendants of King Martyn’s supporters, they
guard their prerogatives fiercely. They intermingle with one another, marrying each other for
political gain, casting each other aside, and using the peasants to fight their battles with each
Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale
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