The Tournament Of Gorlan
Vernie Montagna
In the story "The Hibernian" in The Lost Stories, it is described that Halt was living in Hibernia as an heir to the throne, but his younger brother kills his father to take the throne and attempts to murder Halt, forcing Halt to travel as a fugitive. Along the way, Halt met and was trained by former Ranger Pritchard, who had been dismissed by a baron named Morgarath. Morgarath was holding the King in his castle at Gorlan Fief using the excuse of protecting him from his son Prince Duncan, who had supposedly tried to poison the King. He was trying to gain influence over the King to eventually seize the throne, and was also trying to weaken the Ranger Corps by dismissing all senior "old-fashioned" Rangers and putting his own associates in their place.
Halt and Crowley are journeying together in the woods of Gorlan Fief. They leave the fief and travel to a nearby village for the night. While at the village, they learn that Prince Duncan is supposedly raiding villages with a gang of men. Halt and Crowley then travel to another village, where they save the inhabitants from foreign invaders angry about Duncan's raiding. While at the village, Halt and Crowley later hear a raid by Duncan, where they realize that the "Duncan" is an impostor. After leaving the village, they intercept one of Morgarath's messengers, and discover through letters a list of 12 Rangers to be dismissed and that the real Duncan is being held captive at Castle Wildriver, while the fake Duncan was actually someone named Tiller. Halt and Crowley then travel to recruit the 12 Rangers, intending to capture Tiller and rescue the King and Duncan, and then reveal Morgarath's schemes at a tournament. They ultimately manage to recruit 11, since 1 Ranger was murdered, as well as Baron Arald, a baron who had defeated Morgarath in a major tournament and wielded significant influence among the barons. This would give the Rangers more political power if Morgarath had a trial. While traveling towards Castle Wildriver, the Rangers reunite with the old Ranger Pritchard.
The story not only serves as an introduction for the early Rangers Corps, but it brings new life to characters mentioned in The Ruins of Gorlan and The Burning Bridge that ultimately lead to Will Treaty joining the team and beginning his great adventure.
At the tournament, readers will learn about jousting rules and weapons and a bit of what the atmosphere must have been like at a medieval competition. On the road with the Rangers, they'll learn a bit about outdoor cooking.
Crowley and Halt make a good team. Crowley is a humble leader who takes his responsibilities seriously. Halt is supportive and loyal and a skilled fighter and tactician. The Rangers overall exemplify respect for the rule of order and work tirelessly to restore it.
No one is underage here. Ale, wine, and brandy wine show up often in scenes. It's mostly bad guys who drink to excess and pass out. One Ranger is recruited after he's found drunk at a bar on brandy wine -- something he'd been doing daily since he lost his job. He promises Crowley he won't drink again when he joins the Rangers.
This prequel to the Ranger's Apprentice series moves slowly and predictably, but the characters are admirable and stalwart. Readers who enjoyed that series will dig right in, as will anyone who loves a good joust and a look back into medieval times.
THE TOURNAMENT AT GORLAN takes its time getting to the actual tournament, slowly gathering the Rangers, camping with them, buying horses with them, traveling with them. Readers will almost forget what's at stake. Even Crowley and Halt's bold rescue feels five parts set-up and one part breaking-free action. The tournament brings all to a head and finally throws in an unpredictable twist -- and, predictably, sets up an intriguing premise for the series to continue.
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.
This origin story brings readers to a time before Will was an apprentice, and lays the groundwork for the epic battles that will culminate with The Ruins of Gorlan and The Burning Bridge--Books 1 and 2 of the Ranger's Apprentice series.
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