The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Nick's sanctioned quest is granted, but the Regents immediately constrain it by forcing William and Larkin onto his team as observers whose lives are tied to his compliance. The decision shows how the Order can manipulate even its own traditions to control Nick while appearing to obey its Oaths.
The curia then turns violent when Thompson, a Mageguard grieving Maxwell Zhao, tries to assassinate Nick. Nick survives, exposes Thompson's personal motive, and defeats him without killing him, proving both his danger and his restraint as internal fractures within the Order become impossible to ignore.
Summary
William is overcome by shame as Nick's accusations force William to question whether he ever truly named the violence Bree endured or recognized who Bree might become outside the Order's harm. Nick, still furious with the Council, insists that Bree belongs to no one and demands that the Regents grant his quest without further delay.
Regent Cestra uses the old quest traditions against Nick by insisting that a sanctioned quest requires companions. William impulsively volunteers as Nick's quest second, despite Nick's immediate rejection, and Larkin volunteers as quest champion. The Regents approve both men, making them responsible for monitoring Nick and warning that if Nick abandons the quest, all their lives may be forfeit.
Nick reluctantly accepts the quest, but before he can conclude the curia, a Mageguard throws an aether dagger at Nick's back. William shouts a warning, and Nick barely catches the weapon, taking only a shallow wound at his sternum. The room erupts as Mageguard arm themselves and Legendborn rush forward.
The attacker, Guard Thompson, traps himself and Nick inside a blue dome onstage. Thompson refuses Erebus's command to stand down, declaring that Nick killed Max Zhao. Serren blocks Erebus from dissolving the barrier, revealing that parts of the Council are willing to let Thompson kill Nick now that the Regents cannot directly harm a questing Scion. Erebus frees Nick from his void cuffs, but Gillian stops William from intervening because the situation is too volatile.
Nick fights defensively at first, using Lancelot speed and hand-to-hand tactics against Thompson's Merlin-forged weapons. During the fight, Nick realizes that Thompson's grief is personal because Thompson loved Max. Nick apologizes for Thompson's loss and warns that Thompson risks paying another price, but Thompson continues attacking.
Nick finally drops his weapon, evades Thompson's flaming staff, sweeps Thompson's legs, and kicks Thompson unconscious before Thompson can recover. The room falls silent. William recognizes that Nick's childhood training with Gillian and years of sparring with Sel have made Nick lethal even against an adult Merlin, and Gillian's pride reveals that Nick had been holding back throughout the fight.
Who Appears
- WilliamPOV character; feels shame over Bree and volunteers as Nick's quest second.
- Nick DavisScion of Lancelot; gains his quest, survives assassination, and defeats Thompson with restraint.
- ThompsonMageguard and Merlin; attacks Nick in grief and rage over Maxwell Zhao's death.
- LarkinVolunteers as Nick's quest champion and accepts responsibility to monitor the mission.
- Gillian HanoverStops William from intervening and recognizes Nick's control during the fight.
- AldrichLord Regent who grants Nick's quest while enforcing traditional companion requirements.
- CestraRegent who weaponizes quest tradition and ties the companions' lives to Nick's compliance.
- Erebus VarelianSeneschal who tries to stop Thompson and frees Nick from void cuffs.
- SerrenSeneschal who blocks Erebus, allowing Thompson's attack to continue.
- Maxwell ZhaoAbsent murdered Mageguard; Thompson's loved one and the cause of his revenge attack.