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

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His father was one of the Knights Faithful and burned to be more, but his desire was too strong and his flesh too weak. He spent his rage on the enemies of the Empire, and when none were available, he spent it on his son Pelagir. He said that he wanted to make his son one of the finest of the knights, and Pelgram knew that the Knights Elite had their feelings beaten out of them. Well, as he had said more than once, he’d bring his boy to them ready, and through his son his own glory would grow. Pelgram’s cruel nature was mirrored in his lean face. His black hair was shot through with streaks of iron gray, and his mustache was beginning to turn as well. His lean body was covered in scars from countless battles, and when he wore no shirt, Pelagir used to try to count them. Pelagir’s face was that of his father, and he was already almost as tall as his sire. He was not extraordinarily strong yet, despite the endless exercises his father forced upon him, but his relentless endurance made him the equal of any boy on the field. Pelagir used to live for the times when his father was away on campaign. But now that he was twelve, he would be expected to travel with his father as a squire. He had only two options: continue to suffer the lash, or flee. He chose to suffer. He chose the long path that could lead him to the place his father had failed to reach. He taught himself silence at the whipping post, taught himself to overcome pain, and buried the small voice within him that cried out at the injustice his father doled out. His face betrayed none of this as he let go of the post and picked up his shirt, slipping it over the burning welts on his back without a grimace. His father had already turned away, telling him that dinner had best be ready by the time Pelgram returned from the knights’ headquarters. Pelagir watched his father stride away, and though his face did not show it, he prayed for his father’s death. Summer, CY 577 In Glendavy, the rebellious northeastern province of the Empire, Pelagir stood watch over his father, a bloody sword in his hand. Shouts rang out across the battlefield, the din of sword striking metal or flesh, the firing of the heavy artillery behind. Muffled explosions and screams. And Pelagir, unshaking, his cold eyes on a Glendavin man moving toward the unconscious knight and Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale 3
the boy guarding the fallen body. The man didn’t seem to notice the body of his compatriot at the boy’s feet as well. The Glendavin grinned through his bushy red beard, hefting his axe as he hiked the short rise, and he began to chuckle as he drew near. “Boy, step away from that knight and you’ll live to see another battlefield. I’ll just be having that armor, and we’ll let the crows have the rest.” “You will not have it.” “I’m giving you a chance to live, lad. Best take it while you can.” “Your friend here thought the same thing.” The Glendavin’s eyes widened for a moment. “You killed him?” “Yes.” “How old are you, boy?” “Twelve.” The man whistled. “That’s impressive work. I killed my first at fifteen. Lost count since then.” He chuckled, but Pelagir kept silent. “Not much for praise, are you, boy?” “No.” Pelagir’s whippings had taught him to keep his face tight, and though he did not show it, terror was twisting his bowels. beaten into him. “Nor do you talk much.” “No.” Pelagir shifted his stance slightly, trying to remember the training his father had “Then let me do the talking. How about you step aside and let me at that armor, and I’ll take you back to Glendavy? We could use fighters, and it’s better you come away now. Look.” He held his bloody axe held loosely in his hand, confident in his ability, and gestured across the battlefield with his left. “The Empire’s lost this battle already, and the scavengers will be coming out soon enough. It all looks like it’s still in flux, but the fact is, it’s over and your side—” Pelagir executed a perfect lunge, his sword piercing the man’s throat and emerging from the back of the neck. The man fell to his knees, his axe only halfway raised, struggling to strike back. But the axe fell from his fingers, and he touched the blade of the sword as if to pull it from his neck. He gasped three times, vomited blood, and Pelagir withdrew the blade with a clean stroke. Pelgram moaned, and Pelagir knelt at his side, eager to take the praise his father would surely give. Maybe, Pelagir thought, maybe this will mean I’ve proven myself at last. “What’s happened?” Pelgram’s eyes fluttered, came into focus. Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale 4
Page 2 and 3: This book is a work of fiction. Eve
Page 4 and 5: Prologue He rode, his proud face bl
Page 8 and 9: “You were knocked unconscious by
Page 10 and 11: The General’s Tale I write this l
Page 12 and 13: I have led men in the Imperial armi
Page 14 and 15: though I have a good idea who order
Page 16 and 17: I will not recount here the full pa
Page 18 and 19: When the 4,000 knights (a mixture o
Page 20 and 21: populace turn away from its externa
Page 22 and 23: Most of the nobles with whom I met
Page 24 and 25: histories, we set off a feud betwee
Page 26 and 27: I gave him my full attention. A sma
Page 28 and 29: a gesture toward my leg: I had band
Page 30 and 31: I found Hargrave and told him to ca
Page 32 and 33: to you. It’s a poor strategist wh
Page 34 and 35: “Glasyin, I would hold you in the
Page 36 and 37: “How did they turn you?” He fro
Page 38 and 39: Interlude: Out of the City Pelagir
Page 40 and 41: at his side and his pet wizard at h
Page 42 and 43: anks of the Knights Faithful, valua
Page 44 and 45: The Forester’s Tale Cold steel pr
Page 46 and 47: It was midafternoon. We had been ru
Page 48 and 49: His hard mouth quirks slightly. “
Page 50 and 51: Like the other recruits, Pelagir wa
Page 52 and 53: The new knights were healing quickl
Page 54 and 55: Caltash said, would develop a uniqu
Page 56 and 57:
The Taverner’s Tale One account o
Page 58 and 59:
Only the man moved way too fast for
Page 60 and 61:
ought before you knew who I might b
Page 62 and 63:
The Sailor’s Tale The errant knig
Page 64 and 65:
“Out of the way,” Pol snarled,
Page 66 and 67:
he said or maybe he was playing a b
Page 68 and 69:
The Ocarina’s sailors began to st
Page 70 and 71:
Tell no one of what you have seen h
Page 72 and 73:
“In a safe place, with trusted co
Page 74 and 75:
“She will be taught of duty, hono
Page 76 and 77:
Winter, CY 585 The Shepherd’s Tal
Page 78 and 79:
Magi might have some stern question
Page 80 and 81:
around long enough for me to know w
Page 82 and 83:
life I’d chosen slipping away in
Page 84 and 85:
“I know this is a shock,” I sai
Page 86 and 87:
“No, I suppose they wouldn’t fo
Page 88 and 89:
“You claimed the king as your fri
Page 90 and 91:
“Though he does not know it yet,
Page 92 and 93:
“Without reserve. He has been cru
Page 94 and 95:
“I can’t tell you that.” He l
Page 96 and 97:
can be refugees looking for a new h
Page 98 and 99:
Glasyin studied him, stroking the b
Page 100 and 101:
Dedication This book is dedicated t
Page 102:
About the Author Colin McComb was b
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Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale - Colin McComb

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