Erak's Ransom
Second Australian edition cover of
Erak's Ransom |
|
| Author | John Flanagan |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series |
Ranger's Apprentice (Book no. 7) |
| Genre | Fantasy, Adventure |
| Publisher | Random House (Australia) |
|
Publication date
|
1 November 2007 (Aus) 5 January 2010 (USA) |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 441 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 271078389 |
| A823.4 | |
| Preceded by | The Siege of Macindaw |
| Followed by | The Kings of Clonmel |
Erak's Ransom is the seventh novel in the continuing Ranger's Apprentice series by Australian author John Flanagan. The book was released in Australia on 1 November 2007 and in the United States on 5 January 2010.
In 2008, Flanagan won the Australian Publishers Association's Book of the Year for Older Children and the International Success Award for Erak's Ransom.
Erak's Ransom is set between book 4: Oakleaf Bearers and book 5: The Sorcerer of the North
Skandian Oberjarl Erak Starfollower becomes tired of paperwork and leaves Borsa, his attendant, to take care of matters while he goes on one last raid to Arrida. When he arrives though, his raiding party is surrounded by the Arridi. The Arridi general releases everyone to obtain ransom money for Erak, who is left behind. Meanwhile, at Castle Redmont, Halt and Lady Pauline are getting married. Pauline even convinces Halt to get a proper haircut. During the wedding feast, Will shares his amusement with Alyss about Halt's wedding dance – citing the fact that the elder Ranger is a "total fumblefoot". However, unbeknownst to everyone, Halt has secretly taken dancing lessons from Lady Sandra (Baron Arald's wife). Being a Ranger, he's already light and quick footed. In just 10 days she manages to turn him into a "consummate dancer" and he shows off his newly acquired skills to the delight of those present at the wedding. Just as everyone is joining the newlyweds on the dance floor, Svengal (formerly Erak's first mate) appears. In a small meeting with Will and Horace, he reveals that Erak's been kidnapped. He also tells them that Erak thinks he was betrayed.
In a meeting the next morning with nearly all major character's present, Will relays Svengal's story – explaining that the Arridi will release the Oberjarl for a price. Princess Cassandra begs King Duncan (her father) to supply the money for Erak's release. After all, if it weren't for the Oberjarl, she and Will likely would have been killed or kept as slaves permanently by Ragnak (the former Skandian Oberjarl). Duncan agrees, but is unable to go himself to negotiate the release as he's in talks with the Hibernian kings. Halt offers to go, but it's revealed that he wouldn't be the proper representative. Cassandra eventually volunteers herself, much to Duncan's chagrin. It's only after much debate and heartache that the King finally agrees to let his daughter take on this dangerous mission. Will, Cassandra, Gilan, Halt, Svengal, Horace, as well as thirty of Erak's men (who also promise a blood oath to King Duncan that nothing will happen to his daughter) go to deliver the ransom. Once in Arrida, they meet a man who claims to be the Wakir, the lord of the area. Cassandra however finds out that he is actually the Wakir's accountant. The real Wakir, who the foreigners call Selethen, tell the group that Erak had been sent to Mararoc, a fort in the desert. So the party, along with Selethen and some his men, go to Mararoc.
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