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Greatcoats #5.6
The Wheelwright's Duel
Trial by Combat
In the troubled nation of Tristia, trial by combat is no mere rustic tradition but the very foundation of their system of justice. Complex legal rules and convoluted procedures ensure great wealth for advocates and entertainment for audiences. But not everyone benefits from such laws...
In the troubled nation of Tristia, trial by combat is no mere rustic tradition but the very foundation of their system of justice. Complex legal rules and convoluted procedures ensure great wealth for advocates and entertainment for audiences. But not everyone benefits from such laws...
Audiobook
Published January 1, 2021
147 people want to read
About the author
Sebastien de Castell
54 books5,053 followersHi Folks!
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 8, 2022
Another brilliant short story from Sebastien Dr Castro and his greatcoats saga.
June 12, 2022
A bloody awesome tale from the Greatcoats world, a brilliant little gem set just after the fourth book Tyrant's Throne. When a woman is sentenced for taking the law into her own hands, she chooses trial by combat in the dualing court. Her opponent her victims brother, a well renowned sword duelist. When approached by one of our Greatcoats hero's and offered some advice on how she might beat her opponent and get through this alive. Terrified and never used a sword in her life, will true justice prevail. Check it out, absolutley brilliant storytelling by Sebastian De Castell. Highly recommended...😁💙🔥🗡
October 16, 2023
Kest is the best.
December 6, 2024
Great addition to the short story collection. Listened to this on audiobook - the narrator, Joe Jameson was being his usual excellent self.
April 21, 2025
4.4 stars.
July 10, 2025
This story takes place before "Saint's Blood" the 3rd book in The Greatcoats series. Where a local woman (a Wheelwright) has chosen trial by combat after savagely beating a noble's daughter. The Wheelwright saw the noble's daughter violate a young boy with 2 of her friends. On the day of the Wheelwright's duel a lone man offers her some dueling advice as the man knows a thing or two about justice as well as swordsmanship. De Castell again does a wonderful job with inciting emotions from his readers as you hope that good will triumph.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews