The Cripple and the King

By Peter J. Hopkins

The ancient Nacian Empire is gone, and in its place, a shell of a kingdom lives in exile off the coast of their former glory. King Lucan ascends the throne unprepared and unwilling to meet the challenges ahead. Lucan has assumed power only after his brother, the capable and charismatic Vespasian, was brutally blinded and forced to abdicate the throne. With the help of his older brother, Lucan must navigate an ever-growing web of politics and schemes, face off against enemies both foreign and domestic, and learn to govern greater than Vespasian ever could. To the homefront, Lucan finds no comfort as he alienates his new bride, Mila, whose marriage was Vespasian's attempt to buy time with an old enemy, and their son Hadrian whom Lucan can hardly stand to hold. With a wit greater than a match for Lucan, he must discover that his closest allies are already close at hand, and take their advice. To the sea, one thousand ships appear on the horizon, ready to swallow the whole kingdom into the sea with merciless marauding. To the fields and hills of Nacia, banners rise in a civil war as lords break their vows to fight both the king and amongst themselves. Lucan must unite his squabbling lords and crush his enemies before the burden of crown crushes his erudite and fragile mind.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1980686076
• ISBN13: 9781980686071
• Release Date: April 2018
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 466 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.2" x 6.0"