SOLVED. Fantasy - main character defeats a champion in possibly rigged competition and joins band on a quest to defeat an evil overlord. [s]

[Kathryn]

The main character is a young man who defeats a champion/swordsman to join a group of heroes on their quest to defeat the evil ruler. The former champion was traveling around looking for someone younger to take his place. The main character gets a talisman to show he is the new chosen swordsman but he has doubts about if the former champion lost on purpose. One of the other heroes is a man who only remembers the truth and forgets the lies. That's how they find out someone has betrayed them to the ruler because the traitor told a lie in the past that the one hero no longer remembers. Been googling but no luck so far!

[Ayshe]

The Wizard Lord by Lawrence Watt-Evans?

[Kathryn]

yes! thank you!