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The Tournament at Gorlan (officially Ranger's Apprentice: The Early Years: The Tournament at Gorlan) is the first book in a series of The Early Years series by John Flanagan. It was released on September 16, 2015.

Blurb[]

When Halt and Crowley discover that the ambitious Morgarath has been infiltrating the Rangers in order to corrupt the Corps, the young Rangers travel north to find Prince Duncan, seeking a royal warrant to stop Morgarath before it is too late. By weakening the Rangers, the most powerful force in support of the King, Morgarath plans to steal the throne.

Yet when Halt and Crowley arrive in Gorlan, they discover just how close Morgarath’s scheme is to success. Morgarath has a plan to discredit the Prince and alienate him from his father. At the same time, the Baron of Gorlan has been conspiring to win the trust and admiration of the Council of Barons to further his plan. If the young Rangers are to prevent the coup from succeeding, they will have to tread a dangerous path, which leads them to a thrilling climax at the annual tournament at Gorlan, where a series of bitter duels must be fought and won.

Plot Overview[]

After heading north from Gorlan, Halt and Crowley learned that Prince Duncan, heir to the throne, was raiding across the border into Picta with his men, ransacking and plundering food and drink and brutally terrorizing the people. Shocked but doubtful and suspicious of Duncan's sudden change of heart, the two Rangers headed to his location, discovering that Duncan was being impersonated by a man called Tiller.

Their suspicions of Morgarath were confirmed when they intercepted several messages from the baron, one listing twelve Rangers to be dismissed from the Corps, and another stating that the real Duncan was imprisoned in Castle Wildriver and that Morgarath planned to force King Oswald to disinherit Duncan and name Morgarath heir.

Halt and Crowley began to assemble the dismissed Rangers. With their help, they rescued the real Prince Duncan and captured Tiller. At the Gorlan Tournament, they were able to free the King, though Tiller was killed. Duncan publicly confronted Morgarath, backed up by Oswald, but Morgarath was able to retreat into his castle.

Gallery[]

Notable Characters[]

For a full list of characters, see Category:The Tournament at Gorlan Characters.
Books in the Ranger's Apprentice Early Years Series
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