Chapters (132)
- COVER PAGE
- CHOSEN: LOST BOOK 1
- BEGINNINGS
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- INFIDEL: LOST BOOK 2
- BEGINNINGS
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- RENEGADE: LOST BOOK 3
- BEGINNINGS
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- THIRTY-ONE
- THIRTY-TWO
- THIRTY-THREE
- THIRTY-FOUR
- THIRTY-FIVE
- THIRTY-SIX
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- CHAOS: LOST BOOK 4
- BEGINNINGS
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
Four days. It was too soon for sixteen- and seventeen-year-old fighters! They would be slaughtered. True, on a good day one guardsman could handle ten Scabs, but these new recruits would be lucky to handle one.
This was grave news indeed. Johnis felt a terrible pity for the twenty-four young fighters on the field, not to mention the other 976 pups who would rush out to face the Horde in four days.
Thomas continued. “I know they are young, but they are strong. We have no choice. The ten-thousand-member Guard we now have in this forest needs every advantage.”
The somberness of his decision to throw the young recruits into battle so soon began to sink in. Johnis felt a knot rise in his throat.
“I need four strong leaders under my seasoned commanders, and today I have found them,” Thomas said. “As agreed, each will be given a house, a choice of horse, and an emerald-handled sword. In addition, as soon as they have finished one final test this very day, each will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant.”
Johnis watched the four who would receive the honor. He couldn’t quite imagine Darsal or Billos, or even Jackov, swinging a sword into the chests of the beasts called the Horde. They’d be shredded like taro root.
Thomas faced the recruits. “Take a knee, all of you.”
They all knelt.
“If you are willing to give your life for the forests and for Elyon, and to lead others to that same end, stand and step forward as I speak your name.”
As was customary for special selection, the twenty-four fighters lowered their heads.
Thomas pointed his sword at the witty, dark-haired boy with high cheekbones who was well known as Billos. “Billos of the Southern Forest, step forward if you will.”
Billos rose, stepped forward, and kissed Thomas’s sword, signifying his acceptance to die if his service required it. The silence was thick.
Thomas pointed to Silvie, the spicy blond with brilliant eyes and as-of-yet unscarred skin. “Silvie of Northern, step forward if you will.”
She rose, kissed the sword, and took her place next to Billos.
“Darsal of the Southern Forest, step forward if you will.”
She did.
Still no cheering. The moment was too sacred, for this was a moment in which each was choosing to die as much as live.
Thomas pointed his sword at Jackov of the Northern Forest. Johnis felt gratitude flood his chest. It had been one thing to beat Jackov in the game, but he didn’t want the boy to miss such an opportunity on account of him.
He sighed softly and lowered his head. For the first time since he dumped the Horde football in the end zone, Johnis smiled. The day had turned out well.
“And for the fourth I choose you,” Thomas’s voice rang out. “Step forward if you will.”