Binding Trial

By S. B. Sebrick

Prince Labek's people face extinction. The barbarian tribes struck as one, cutting down the capital city and his entire family in a matter of a few bloody hours. Now all that remain is a small number of survivors desperate for a power no enemy can match.

But the 'Binding Trial' requires two candidates and if finding a powerful princess weren't issue enough, the price of failure will include the death of every remaining person Labek holds dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Golden Bullet Publishing
• Release date: Mar 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502256546

S. B. Sebrick

S. B. Sebrick was raised in Vancouver, Washington. He has published short stories in 2005 and 2006 of Clark College’s annual ‘Phoenix’ Anthology. He recently finished ‘Dire’, the last of the ‘Assassin’s Rising’ novels. He often posts updates and teasers about the rest of his works from his website at www.sbsebrick.com Email him at [e-mail] You can also join him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Goodreads

Book preview

Binding Trial

S. B. Sebrick

Copyright 2011 Golden Bullet Publishing

Cover Image provided by ermess on istockphoto.com

Draft2Digital Edition

All rights reserved. All similar appearance to other works or people are coincidental.

Also by S. B. Sebrick

www.sbsebrick.com

http,//www.goldenbulletpublishing

Assassin’s Rising Series

Decoy

Deluge

Defiant

Desolate

Deliverance

Dire

Related Short Stories

Fate of the Child

Betrayal

Table of Contents

Binding Trial

Sample of Lucian's Trial

About the Author

Other Books By

Author’s Forward

Special thanks to my friends and family for their constant support. I’d like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Rita Carey, who helped me to find my voice. Thanks to Randy, and DiAnne for challenging me to put Assassin’s Rising on the market.

I’d especially like to extend a special thanks to those of you reading this book. Without your support, stories like these would not see the light of day.

Thank you.

Binding Trial

The shriek and clatter of steel against steel raged beyond the door, tearing Labek from sleep’s quiet lullaby. He leapt to his feet and just managed to don his armor when Osalan entered. We’re under attack, my prince! he reported, clutching the gaping wound in his left arm. It’s a coalition of the other clans. We can’t hold them for much longer!

Osalan leapt aside as an arrow sailed through the open doorway, ricocheting harmlessly off the stone floor. They’re already within the palace walls? Labek asked in disbelief, running to his advisor’s side as he forced the door shut. He pulled the latch, locking it.

That will do little good, sir, Osalan said. They have some new magic we’ve never come across, The ground beneath them shook and in the distance they heard an explosion, accompanied by the brief cries of women and children.

They’re killing the innocent as well? Labek said in stunned disbelief, pulling his mace from the wall. How could the other tribes have agreed to this?

We have to escape, Prince Labek! Osalan demanded. There will be time for this discussion later! A heavy force collided with the door, its magical enchantments keeping their slicing magic at bay with a resounding twang.

These are Prince Labek's quarters! Get an Earth Breaker! someone shouted, the voice muffled as if the stones themselves longed to strangle his throat.

This way! Labek ordered, opening the door to his large wardrobe and entering, feeling along the back wall for the hidden catch. At the fourth wooden plank he pushed hard, hearing the hidden lever give way with a groan of complaint. The floor of the wardrobe fell to form a ramp, revealing a descending staircase. We can fall back to the sacred shrine, he said, walking halfway down the staircase to peek around the corner, mace in hand. Another heavy blow collided with the door.

You can, my prince, Osalan said, standing resolutely above the secret passage.

Osalan? Labek asked hesitantly. Come, we can figure this out later. We must escape first, He headed into the back of the closet and turned to his left, making sure the hidden lever beneath the floor was completely pivoted to prevent premature closing.

They must think they have killed you, my prince, Osalan said, dropping his sword to the floor and extending his one good hand. Give me your royal medallion.

Are you insane, Osalan? Labek demanded. Come on!

They will search for the passage if they find this room empty, Osalan reported simply. But if they think they have successfully killed the prince they won’t have a reason to follow, Another explosion shook the floor, knocking loose dirt from the ceiling. Labek faced the staircase, torn by indecision. The tunnel would partially collapse when their enemies blew the door apart. He needed to get clear.

Osalan, we must— But already