Book one in the Oathbreaker series

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Assassin's Apprentice: Oathbreaker Part I
Published May 2009
Author(s): J B Redmond, S R Vaught
ISBN: 9781599901626
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Welcome to Eyrie, land of fate and fantasy

A murderer shoves a prince to his “death.”An assassin legally kidnaps a terrified boy.A ruling lord orders an atrocity so devastating it will change the course of history.So begins this highly original and engaging epic fantasy, a story of love, family trust, sworn promises and hard-earned friendships, in which two boys must put aside their childhood understanding of the world and accept their own incredible power to do right.

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As he reached to swipe the golden locks from his eyes, shadows fell across his view, and cold, firm fingers closed on Nic’s ample shoulders. Nic caught his breath, then realized it must be one of the rectors, worried that he might fall.

      “Leave me. I’m fine.” He attempted to twist from the rector’s grasp, but he could not.

        Nic started to turn—but whoever had his shoulder began to shove him forward       
        “Stop!” he yelled. 
    
        The wind turned his cries into whispers. Nic’s heart squeezed into a tiny, pounding fist
        He tried to struggle, tried to throw his weight backward or turn around, but he could only stumble forward. Toward the edge. On the edge!

        Swaying high above Can Rowan, Nic screamed for help. 
    
        He thought about the rectors. Just a moment, but long enough to realize that the rectors in the rookery might be the murderers who poisoned his sister and his brothers, too.   
    
Then Nic was screaming again, this time without words—and flying with no wings to bear him into the sky.