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

“I tried to warn my captain of this, and when he tried to have me killed outside his
chambers, I discovered that he was a part of the conspiracy. I escaped, killing two of my brethren.
I went to the nursery and slew the assassin there before taking one of the children; I could carry
no more and still effect an escape. I left through the kitchens, arrived in the stable, found my
courser and destroyed another by overloading the core in its chest so that it exploded, leaving the
keep burning behind me. I came west, seeking the one man whose leadership may save us. There
are others I trust, but they are not leaders of his caliber.”
“How did you find him here, far from Terona?”
“I am one of the Knights Elite,” he said, as if that answered the question.
Toren said, “They have blamed Pelagir for the king’s death, as we have heard, and so we
must assume that they are moving ahead with their plan to discredit the knighthood. What Pelagir
has accomplished is the salvation of the royal family, though what good it will do us now remains
to be seen. At any rate, we should be moving.”
“Of course.” We rose, and I whistled Crosh to round up the sheep. We began walking
back toward the cottage. Pelagir moved quickly, instinctively, his long strides eating up the
ground, and he slowed down only with a visible effort. “Before you go, Pelagir, I have a
question.”
“What is it?”
“Toren knows about the caves, but perhaps you do not. I received some training as a
magus, but I fled Terona in disgrace years ago. I’ve had some time to put together a few odds and
ends that you might find useful, and I’ve had the help of a few townsfolk who’re sick of being
stepped on by the powerful. They’d help you if you’d help them. Give me the word and we'll put
my work to use.”
“No,” he said.
My friend Toren added, “The time isn’t right, and these shepherds and townsfolk will be
slaughtered if they try anything. The army will strike hard at trouble spots during the transition
and will make severe examples of those who think to take advantage of this time. No. Continue
with your livelihood, teach the children, train them quietly, and if we can manage it, someone will
return to check on your progress.”
success.”
“All right,” I said. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed. So nothing now?”
“Not if you value your life. And not if you intend for your revolt to have a chance at
“Fine,” I said, but I was thinking differently. “What are your plans?”
Colin McComb Oathbreaker, Book 1: The Knight's Tale
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