The King's Chosen
Book One: Blood Ties
Lucas has been raised as a blacksmith's son; an outsider ostracized by the other village children. One night, at a nearby monastery, a mysterious black stone whispers a haunting premonition to Lucas. When his father is brutally murdered, the monks take Lucas in, convinced he is an extraordinary hero foretold by destiny. However, a restless and eager Lucas runs off to join a traveling circus where he draws the attention of the powerful King Itan, who believes Lucas is one of "the chosen"—a group of boys who are descendants of warriors that once fought in a great battle. The king will stop at nothing to compel Lucas to join his chosen army, all while the soldiers who killed Lucas's father are closing in. Before long, Lucas is embroiled in a covert plot to defeat the king while an unseen enemy begins planning to bring the young man down before he learns the truth of his remarkable power.
The King's Chosen
Book Two: Hidden Enemies
When Lucas awakens disoriented one morning on a riverbank, he has no memory of the evening before, and evidence of a poisoned dart is visible on his neck. Although Lucas is now undoubtedly someone’s target, when King Itan asks him to spy on a rival ruler, Lucas readily obeys. During his dangerous journey, young Lucas will be reunited with his friends in the traveling circus, escape a dreadful attack, and learn the truth of his existence. When a plot by the maniacal King Boran to seize control of Itan’s land is discovered, and he experiences the loss of a friend, Lucas realizes that the only way to save his people will be to surrender himself to the enemy. He can only hope that King Boran won’t kill him—believing the prophecy that anyone who kills Lucas will also perish. This page-turning novel will leave readers breathless as they follow Lucas’s quest to do right and fulfill his destiny.
Publication release date, March 12th 2024
The King's Chosen
Book Three: Lost Souls
In the third book of The King’s Chosen series, young Lucas’s wits, powers, and courage are put to the test as he unravels an intricately woven web of deception and betrayal. As a battle between King Itan and King Boran threatens to brew, young Lucas bravely surrenders himself to Boran in an effort to save his people. The chosen, unable to accompany Lucas into Boran’s castle, anxiously watch his every move from afar. Lucas hopes that Boran’s knowledge of the prophecy will keep him from harm—anyone who kills the true king’s protector, it states, will also die. But from the moment Lucas crosses the threshold into Boran’s castle, he is in peril. Intrigued by the prophecy and whether Lucas is really the true king’s protector, Boran devises a series of dangerous trials for Lucas. To everyone’s surprise and the great displeasure of some, Lucas slowly gains Boran’s admiration and trust. Lucas discovers that not everyone in Boran’s inner circle is who they seem and learns of Boran’s cunning plan to infiltrate Itan’s lands. What lies on the other side of the mountain may be a test no one—not kings, usurpers, the chosen, nor believers of the prophecy—expected.
About Me
L.Waithman
An Author
Leonie Waithman was born and raised in The Netherlands as the youngest of three girls. She attributed her passion for storytelling to her early years when her father made up stories at bedtime. Leonie’s first writing took place in elementary school, where she wrote in a diary every Monday morning that was sent home to the parents at the end of the semester. Her mother said that since Leonie was always playing outside, reading the vivid stories in her school diary of adventures that had taken place on the weekends with neighborhood kids was something she treasured.
TRAILER : BLOOD TIES
TRAILER : Hidden Enemies
The King's Chosen
Book One:Blood Ties
“It’s time, Lucas—they want to test you today,” a familiar voice whispered. “You have to get up.”
Lucas tried to say something, but his tongue was swollen from dehydration and no sound came out. He knew that if he did not give them a sign of life soon, it would all be over . . . Two strong hands lifted him up under his arms and leaned him against the cell wall.
Officer Verron stood before him and gave him water to drink. “You don’t have to speak—just nod,” he said while supporting Lucas. “Can you fight?”
Lucas was struggling to regain control over his muscles . . .
“Can you fight, Lucas?” Officer Verron asked again, more urgently this time.
“Yes,” managed Lucas, and straightened himself up against the wall.
“There are people out there who do not believe in you,” he heard Verron say quietly, “but you need to prove them wrong.”
Verron then left his side and went to speak to the stern-looking king’s guard . . . Lucas started to make his way along the wall. Each step he took was painful, but with each one he also gained more strength. He was determined to get out. He grabbed the iron bars of the door and slowly stepped outside. The sun was too bright, and he shielded his eyes with his arm until he grew somewhat accustomed to it. He saw soldiers and guards lined up on the walls above, watching his every move. The entire castle had gathered in one place to watch the fight.
Lucas took a deep breath and let go of the bars.
The King's Chosen
Book Two: Hidden Enemies
Two riders—dressed in black—emerged from the mist hanging between the trees.
They rode toward Lucas.
He felt for his sword and realized he had made a huge mistake by leaving it on his saddle. Lucas spun around on his heel, but he was too late. He was struck down by the dark rider with the eye patch and scar—the leader, from the inn!
“Secure him, Byram!” the man with the scar called out. “We finally have him!”
The rider named Byram jumped off his horse and rolled Lucas over onto his back. Byram grabbed his arms and tried to tie his hands together with a rope. Even though he was still dazed from the blow to his head, Lucas did his best to fight him off. He clenched his hands into fists and jerked his arms back while thrashing his body around, making it hard for Byram to keep his grip on him.
“Hold the boy!”
“I’m trying, Garam,” answered Byram, “but I may need some help here!”
The other man, Garam, leapt off his horse and helped pin Lucas to the ground. With no way out, Lucas tried to connect with their horses but failed. Their minds appeared to be blocked, and he could not reach them, which was strange, but he had no time to worry about it.
Lucas continued to struggle and kick, but these men were strong and seemed to anticipate his every move. With his hands now almost tied and two more riders ready to cross the creek, Lucas connected with his horse, who stood some distance away. His horse snorted, threw his head up in the air, then turned and came charging. The animal kicked at Lucas’s attackers with his back legs, and the men had no choice but to let go and dive to the side. Lucas jumped to his feet and grabbed the pommel of his saddle with both hands. He lifted himself over the back of his horse, swung his leg over, and let the horse take off. He pulled at the rope around his wrists with his teeth until it was loose enough that he could undo the knot and grabbed the reins when he was free.
All four riders pursued him on their horses, splitting up across the rocky forest terrain in an attempt to cut him off.
The King's Chosen
Book Three: Lost Souls
From Lost Souls
Lucas was pushed down onto his knees, and he felt the cold steel of the officer’s sword on the back of his neck.
He knew he should be quivering with fear, but he wasn’t. He lowered his head and waited for the sword to end his life. The crowd was still and silent.
“One moment!” Boran shouted, just before the blade came down.
The officer froze with the sword still in the air, and everyone stared at their king.
“You show no fear,” continued Boran. “And are not pleading for your life. Do you not value it?”
Lucas knew his life would depend on the answer he was going to give—referring to the prophecy would likely be his best bet. He raised his head and looked Boran directly in the eye. A slight breeze ruffled the king’s hair, and he was frowning.
“My life, sire,” Lucas said, “was given to me by the gods in the night of the brightest star. I was sent to protect the true king. If my life is to be taken here today, then they have already made their decision, and my death will be your death.”
Lucas lowered his head. It took every fiber in his body to continue to come across confident and serene—he was playing a dangerous game with a dangerous man.
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