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

struck the four blades—each on the flat—knocking them wildly astray. Givens and Teroux nearly
impaled each other, and Drake and Vastone crossed swords before checking their attack. Pelagir
landed on two hands and a knee, his right leg extending out behind him. His eyes raked Drake
and Vastone, judged them pacified for the moment, and he swept his right leg under Teroux’s feet
as he pivoted and took his own feet, and Teroux toppled to the floor. One quick stride, and he was
stamping on the man’s throat with his left foot and deflecting a furious attack by Givens with his
bare hands. As the downed one began to color and strangle, Pelagir feinted with his left hand,
drew another short chopping attack from Givens, and grabbed the man’s sword hand. Drake and
Vastone advanced on him, and Pelagir threw Givens at them—lifted him off the ground and
tossed him, armor and all.
Drake sidestepped the flying body, but Vastone took him full force. The two went down
in a clatter. And while they fought to regain their feet, Pelagir fought this captain of the Knights
Faithful with his bare hands, spinning, ducking, deflecting. As the other two knights stood and
rushed, Pelagir stepped in close to her and slapped her twice, lightly, scornfully. He leapt back
behind the body of the fallen knight, who was choking out his last breaths, and for the first time, a
smile came to his lips. Three Knights Faithful facing him, side by side, with naked blades, and he
smiled.
“Do you yield?” he asked. Drake licked her lips and looked at the other two. As she
calculated the possibilities, Pelagir slowly drew his own blade, and we all knew it for a blade of
power. “Of course not. You are Faithful. Your loyalty is well known.” It seemed like he was
making a joke, but it was so hard to tell. He sketched a salute. “Farewell.”
We all knew then that it is true what they say: the Archmagus makes knights who are not
human. I could not follow all his movements, and though the three Knights Faithful were skilled
warriors, among the best living in the Empire, they were only human. They couldn’t hope to best
this cyclone.
One by one, and quickly, they fell. Drake was last. She got beaten to her knees, and
Pelagir beheaded her before she could beg for mercy. I suppose that’s what’s considered
“guarding your honor” among the knights. Sailors call it killing.
He stood there among all the bodies, and then he said to us, “Sailors, you are outlaws
now. Had you left before you saw me, your lives would be safe. But now you are as complicit in
my crimes as I. You heard the captain before she died—reinforcements are coming, and they will
surely sweep you under their feet. I suggest you pack your gear, take whatever supplies you need
from this guild, and move quickly down to the wharf. I have spoken to… to Early Jon. Your ship
will sail in two hours, and you had best be on it if you wish to escape the wrath of the Empire.
Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale
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