The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 29
Overview
After the Mageguard attack Ava’s Morgaine companions, William and Lark choose to cover Nick’s escape so Nick can continue pursuing Ava. William uses Gawain’s noon power to overpower the guards and discovers that Thompson was carrying syringes labeled for Morgaine samples in enthralled and out-of-thrall states.
The discovery shifts the chapter from a failed ambush into evidence of a hidden Regent investigation into Morgaine magic. William decides the only way forward is to return to the Institute, a place he had sworn to avoid.
Summary
A silver-blue explosion throws William and Lark back as Mageguard enter the parking lot and attack two Morgaines. Lark realizes Cestra likely sent the guards and urges Nick to run with Ava, but Nick hesitates because Nick wants to protect William and Lark instead of abandoning friends again.
William understands Nick’s impulse and tells Nick to go, choosing to trust Nick’s mission. At noon, William’s inherited power from Gawain rises, giving William calm clarity and summoning Gawain’s twin daggers. Nick accepts William’s support and follows Ava into the forest in a flash of aether.
William and Lark attack the Mageguard not to help the Morgaines, but to give Nick a chance to pursue Ava. The Morgaines withdraw into the woods once the fight turns, leaving William and Lark to subdue the two guards. One guard is knocked unconscious, and the other is revealed as Thompson, the Mageguard Nick defeated at his curia.
Thompson claims he acts on Regent business and says the Regents do not trust Nick to complete his mission. Lark tries to question Thompson about why the guards waited to attack until Ava’s companions separated, but William realizes Thompson is stalling. William knocks Thompson unconscious with a precise temple blow, ending the interrogation before reinforcements or the end of Gawain’s power can change the situation.
William searches Thompson’s coat and finds a travel case containing two empty syringes meant for drawing samples. The labels read Morgaine sample one, enthralled, and Morgaine sample two, out of thrall. William concludes Thompson was not merely following Nick to find Ava; the Regents wanted samples from Morgaines in specific magical states, which suggests they know more about Morgaine abilities than William and Lark do.
Because the discovery points to a larger Regent agenda, William decides they need answers immediately. Lark lists the many possible places the Regents might be, but William chooses a more direct destination. Despite having sworn never to return, William drives toward the Institute.
Who Appears
- WilliamPOV character; uses Gawain’s power, subdues Thompson, and decides to return to the Institute.
- LarkWilliam’s ally; helps cover Nick’s escape, restrains Thompson, and aids the search.
- NickHesitates to abandon friends, then trusts William and pursues Ava into the forest.
- ThompsonMageguard agent on Regent business; stalls questioning and carries syringes for Morgaine samples.
- AvaMorgaine target of Nick’s quest; flees into the forest when Mageguard attack.
- Two MorgainesAva’s companions; fight Mageguard briefly, then retreat when William and Lark intervene.
- Young MageguardThompson’s companion; attacks the Morgaines and is quickly knocked unconscious.