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

“Glasyin, I would hold you in the highest esteem. I would not allow any to cast doubt or
blame on you.” He kept his gaze steady on mine as he said this. I decided that he was lying, and I
think that may have been the moment I made my decision.
“In exchange for this,” I said, “you will allow me to name my successor. I would not
have that smirking toad Beremany leading my forces to war. I think he would kill too many of
our men because he does not value them.”
slate clean.”
family.”
He frowned. “I owe my cousin several favors. This appointment was to have wiped the
“That is my price. That, and the knowledge of what you intend to do with Fannon and his
He sighed and looked to the sky. “Exile. We would need to take the king and his family
someplace far away, where they could not build an army of loyalists to restore themselves to
power. I love the old man, too, you know. You are not the only person who has a history with
him. I would not see him suffer. I wish him no harm.”
“And our new ruler?”
He glanced down at his hands. “I have done the hard work of organizing this. I
understand the course of history. I intend for the Empire to survive the coming years. As the man
who brought us this far, as the man with the vision to see that it must be done, I believe that I am
the one best suited to lead us.”
“Of course, of course.” The sun began to crest the peaks on the far side of the Carrerel
Range. “How do you intend to deal with the Knights Elite?”
“I have planned for that as well. I flatter myself by imagining that I have a plan for nearly
any eventuality. You are at one of the decision points right now. I need an answer so I know
which strategy moves forward.”
“May I give you my answer tomorrow morning?”
“You are one of my key elements. By revealing my plans to you, since they are months
from fruition and can still be stopped, you become a danger. I need to know where you stand.”
morning?”
“You have given me much to think about. You know that I do nothing rashly.”
He looked inward and nodded toward the rising sun. “Are you sure it cannot be this
“Yes.”
“Very well. Think deeply, sir. I am certain that you will come to the proper answer.
Should you realize the right path, send a courier today.” He rose, turned, and gave me a slight
Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale
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