Erak's Ransom

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Erak's Ransom is the seventh novel in John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice series. It takes place after Oakleaf Bearers and before The Sorcerer of the North. Erak Starfollower, the Oberjarl of Skandia, grows restless after becoming ruler and leads one last raid into the desert country of Arrida. His party is ambushed, he is captured, and his release hinges on a ransom.

Back at Castle Redmont, Halt and Lady Pauline are getting married. At the wedding reception, Svengal reveals Erak’s kidnapping and that a faction in Hallasholm, led by Toshak, betrayed him. Princess Cassandra pleads with King Duncan to fund the rescue, and she volunteers to go herself. Will, Cassandra, Halt, Svengal, Horace, Gilan, and thirty Skandian fighters travel to Arrida to deliver the ransom.

They learn Erak has been moved to Mararoc, a fort in the desert. A sandstorm strands Will, who loses his horse Tug; Bedullin nomads rescue him after a riding race against Hassan. Meanwhile, in Arridi territory, the Tualaghi raiders attack. Seley el’then guides the group, and the Arridi and Bedullins join the effort to survive. They reach Mararoc and later a desert town where Erak and the others are held.

Toshak betrays Erak and plans to become Oberjarl. Will and his allies stage a rescue; during the executions, Halt is nearly killed, but Will shoots the executioner. The crowd, with help from the Arridi and Bedullins, turns the battle in their favor. Erak kills Toshak, and Cassandra wounds Yusal in the head, permanently altering his mind. They return home, and some time later Will graduates from the Ranger program, ready for the next chapter of his life.