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

That same day, as I stood winded atop the small hill near my cottage, my leg afire from
my exertions and sweat running into my eyes, I looked down on the main road and saw a pair of
riders on gray horses galloping at top speed toward Dunlop. I caught my breath and limped
carefully down the hill to my cottage. I was there for perhaps thirty minutes when Paul came
tearing to my door. I rose from my sturdy old chair to greet him, but he waved me down, caught
his breath, and gasped. When at last he could breathe, he said, “The king's been attacked!”
himself.
“What happened? Do you know?” I had expected this day since Glasyin had revealed
“Two post riders came to town on horses near dead, told the mayor the news, and tore
south on fresh horses from the post.”
quiet.
“How did it happen?”
“Mayor says that it was one of the King’s Chosen who did it.” His voice was awed and
“Did they catch the one responsible?”
“No. They say he slaughtered the king’s kids, escaped, and set Terona on fire before he
left. The knighthood is looking for him, and they say that the magi are, too, and they'll be
combing the country to find him. The queen fled the city, they say, and they don’t know where
she is either.”
“Did they tell the mayor who’s going to rule now?”
“I heard that it was a duke. I don’t remember his name. They said it was just until the
king got better or they figured out the succession.”
“Thank you, Paul.”
He left, and I sat and massaged my leg and stared into the fire and thought dark thoughts
about the projects I had brewing in my sheds and how that work looked like it had all gone to
waste now.
out today, aye?”
in well.”
When Toren put the sheep in that night, I made my way to the barn and said, “Nice day
“Nice enough, I’d say. The snow has melted from the pastures, and the fields are coming
“Think the sheep are ready to leave the barn for forage?”
“I’d think so.”
“Good, good. Toren, have a seat. You'll want to sit.”
His face closed, guarded, he sat. “Yes?”
Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale
84