Erak's Ransom

When Erak, the Skandian Oberjarl, is taken hostage during a raid on the desert lands to the south of the Constant Sea, his second-in-command, Svengal, is sent to bring back a ransom for Eraks release. Halt and Will must go with Svengal to deliver the ransom and secure Eraks freedom, but a royal presence is needed too. The Princess Cassandra – or Evanlyn, as Will knows her – persuades her father to let her go with them. Horace and the Ranger Gilan round out the group to make sure that Evanlyn is well protected. But will violent sandstorms, warring tribes and danger at every turn keep them from reaching Erak in time? The seventh book takes us back to the final year of Wills apprenticeship, before the events related in Books 5 and 6.