Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
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The Royal Ranger: Escape from Falaise (Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger)
International bestselling author John Flanagan returns to world of Ranger's Apprentice in the fifth installment of the Royal Ranger series starring Maddie, Will Treaty's fearless young apprentice.
After their plan to rescue the prince of Gallica has gone horribly wrong, Will Treaty and his apprentice, Maddie, are being held captive at the Chateau des Falaises in Gallica. The dangerous baron Lassigny is intent on keeping them-and the prince-no matter what. But Will and Maddie are determined to escape.
If they ever want to return to their home, they'll have to find ways to outwit the baron and get outside the locked tower. When friends from home endeavor to find their own way to help it seems escape is closer than ever. But the dirty tricks of the baron are no laughing matter.
Facing dangerous threats, battles with knights, and a new and risky plot to save the prince-the odds are stacked against them. But the Rangers will use all the tools of their trade to save themselves and save the day.
Internationally bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband series, John Flanagan returns in the captivating next installment of the Royal Ranger series: The Royal Ranger: Escape from Falaise. Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Jacques's Redwall, and George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones!
After their plan to rescue the prince of Gallica has gone horribly wrong, Will Treaty and his apprentice, Maddie, are being held captive at the Chateau des Falaises in Gallica. The dangerous baron Lassigny is intent on keeping them-and the prince-no matter what. But Will and Maddie are determined to escape.
If they ever want to return to their home, they'll have to find ways to outwit the baron and get outside the locked tower. When friends from home endeavor to find their own way to help it seems escape is closer than ever. But the dirty tricks of the baron are no laughing matter.
Facing dangerous threats, battles with knights, and a new and risky plot to save the prince-the odds are stacked against them. But the Rangers will use all the tools of their trade to save themselves and save the day.
Internationally bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice and Brotherband series, John Flanagan returns in the captivating next installment of the Royal Ranger series: The Royal Ranger: Escape from Falaise. Perfect for fans of J.R.R. Tolkien, Brian Jacques's Redwall, and George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones!
Readers Top Reviews
JCBE SampsonSara Liv
Do yourself a favor and read his latest book from cover to cover. You will be compelled by the suspense issued by Will and Maddie’s situations and their rescues. Don’t put it down till you are through. Thanks John for another Great Tale. More Please!
thess
I want the whole book a once, not in installments. it is a good tale while it continues and finishes the story
jeanene
I have read all of John Flanagan's books (twice ;D) and have always been so very impressed! This book continues right after his previous book "The Missing Prince" and had me holding my breath the entire way through! His books suck me in and I feel as if I'm right there watching everything go down! They keep me on the edge of my seat and make me wish I was a ranger myself! "Escape from Falaise" was action packed, fun, and had me rooting for Maddie 'till the end. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction, strong characters, a bit of wit and sarcasm, and just full on adventure! I bought this book and it was totally worth it!
Maighan Hall
Couldn't help but read it as soon as it released! Maddie is so much like her parents and the influence of her mentor(s) have well and truly engrained themselves into her personality. I love the character development! I haven't found any other story with the same amount of care and attention as these characters have had by their author. I wish I could speak to them in real life, shake their hands, and give Cas a big hug for all the worry her mommy heart is sure to be going through! This has been the best book to read and kick off the month of NaNoWriMo with! Thanks for the best John!
Brad
A great book from the wonderful imagination of a fantastic author and I'm greatly looking forward to the next one.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter One
"Tie them up," Baron Lassigny ordered. "They're under arrest."
Maddie and Will stood silently while two of Lassigny's men moved forward, plucked the Rangers' saxe knives from their scabbards and tossed them to one side. Then they quickly bound Will's and Maddie's hands in front of them. Maddie tried to tense her wrists so that the bonds would loosen slightly when she relaxed them. But the soldier was awake to that trick. He slapped her wrists with the back of his hand.
"That's enough of that," he ordered roughly.
She shrugged and released her muscles, and he strained the cord tight, preventing any possible movement. Before long, she felt her hands growing numb from the restricted blood flow.
Lassigny gestured to Prince Giles, who was looking slightly dazed and confused by the rapid sequence of events. "Take him back to his room," he ordered.
A third man seized Giles's forearm and led him away. The prince went without protest. Lassigny turned his attention back to Will and Maddie. "These two go to the dungeon," he said.
Will and Maddie exchanged a glance. Will shrugged. There was nothing they could do to resist. They were bound and unarmed. The men who had tied their hands now drew their daggers and stepped behind the two Rangers. Lassigny, seeing they were offering no resistance, sheathed his sword and pointed toward the stairs.
"Get moving," he ordered.
Will hesitated for a second and felt the sharp point of a dagger pressing into his back. He took the hint and began to move toward the staircase, Maddie beside him and the two men-at-arms following close behind. Lassigny and the other three soldiers followed a few meters back.
They went down the stairs, passing the guardroom level with the castle's battlements, where several yawning guards peered curiously at the little procession. Reaching ground level, they exited into the bailey. The prisoners hesitated, not sure which way they were meant to be heading. Another prod with the dagger directed them to the keep.
"You could have just told me," Will protested mildly. The dagger was sharp and the prodding was none too gentle.
"Shut up," he was told. He shrugged and moved toward the heavy door that led into the keep. This time, mindful of the need to avoid another jab with the dagger, he seized the iron ring of the door handle with his bound hands and opened the door, leading the way inside.
"Which way now?" he asked as they entered the keep.
"Down," the guard told him, gesturing toward the stairs in the center of the vast hall. Will headed toward them, but a word from Lassigny stopped him as he reached the head of the stairs.
"Put them in the eastern cells," the Baron said. The guard acknowledged the order with a grunt, and Lassigny continued,
speaking to Will and Maddie for the first time since they had started down from the tower.
"We'll talk in a few days," he said.
"Do we have anything to talk about?" Will asked.
Lassigny smiled-a smile totally devoid of humor. "Oh, I think we do," he said icily. "We'll see how a few days in the cells will loosen your tongue. Perhaps you can sing for me again."
He turned away and mounted the stairs that led to the higher levels of the keep, heading for his quarters. Will felt another jab in his back.
"All right. All right," he said, and started down the stairs. His ever-present shadow went after him, with Maddie and her guard following. The other three men-at-arms continued with them, their boots clomping on the wooden stairs.
One level down, the stairs changed to rough stone and the air was noticeably cooler and damper. The stone stairs wound down for two more levels, then the two captives were guided to the right.
The walls down here were rough-hewn stone. Burning torches in wall sconces provided a dim light as they moved along a narrow, low-ceilinged passageway to where an iron gate was set in the wall.
"Stop here," Will's guide told him. Apparently, the dagger was only used for commands that involved going, not stopping. Then he called out, his voice echoing along the stone-lined passageway.
"Marius! Where are you?"
They heard a muttered exclamation from the darkness farther along the passage, then a door creaked open on complaining hinges, allowing yellow lamplight to flood into the passage. A
heavily built figure, stooping under the low headroom, shuffled out of the doorway and headed toward them.
"Coming! Coming!" he called, his voice rough and throaty. He shambled toward them, his gait a curious shuffling hop, and stopped to survey them. The light from the nearest torch showed a heavy-browed face, with shaggy eyebrows and a tangled, matted beard. The nose had been flattened at some stage, presumably by a heavy blow, a...
"Tie them up," Baron Lassigny ordered. "They're under arrest."
Maddie and Will stood silently while two of Lassigny's men moved forward, plucked the Rangers' saxe knives from their scabbards and tossed them to one side. Then they quickly bound Will's and Maddie's hands in front of them. Maddie tried to tense her wrists so that the bonds would loosen slightly when she relaxed them. But the soldier was awake to that trick. He slapped her wrists with the back of his hand.
"That's enough of that," he ordered roughly.
She shrugged and released her muscles, and he strained the cord tight, preventing any possible movement. Before long, she felt her hands growing numb from the restricted blood flow.
Lassigny gestured to Prince Giles, who was looking slightly dazed and confused by the rapid sequence of events. "Take him back to his room," he ordered.
A third man seized Giles's forearm and led him away. The prince went without protest. Lassigny turned his attention back to Will and Maddie. "These two go to the dungeon," he said.
Will and Maddie exchanged a glance. Will shrugged. There was nothing they could do to resist. They were bound and unarmed. The men who had tied their hands now drew their daggers and stepped behind the two Rangers. Lassigny, seeing they were offering no resistance, sheathed his sword and pointed toward the stairs.
"Get moving," he ordered.
Will hesitated for a second and felt the sharp point of a dagger pressing into his back. He took the hint and began to move toward the staircase, Maddie beside him and the two men-at-arms following close behind. Lassigny and the other three soldiers followed a few meters back.
They went down the stairs, passing the guardroom level with the castle's battlements, where several yawning guards peered curiously at the little procession. Reaching ground level, they exited into the bailey. The prisoners hesitated, not sure which way they were meant to be heading. Another prod with the dagger directed them to the keep.
"You could have just told me," Will protested mildly. The dagger was sharp and the prodding was none too gentle.
"Shut up," he was told. He shrugged and moved toward the heavy door that led into the keep. This time, mindful of the need to avoid another jab with the dagger, he seized the iron ring of the door handle with his bound hands and opened the door, leading the way inside.
"Which way now?" he asked as they entered the keep.
"Down," the guard told him, gesturing toward the stairs in the center of the vast hall. Will headed toward them, but a word from Lassigny stopped him as he reached the head of the stairs.
"Put them in the eastern cells," the Baron said. The guard acknowledged the order with a grunt, and Lassigny continued,
speaking to Will and Maddie for the first time since they had started down from the tower.
"We'll talk in a few days," he said.
"Do we have anything to talk about?" Will asked.
Lassigny smiled-a smile totally devoid of humor. "Oh, I think we do," he said icily. "We'll see how a few days in the cells will loosen your tongue. Perhaps you can sing for me again."
He turned away and mounted the stairs that led to the higher levels of the keep, heading for his quarters. Will felt another jab in his back.
"All right. All right," he said, and started down the stairs. His ever-present shadow went after him, with Maddie and her guard following. The other three men-at-arms continued with them, their boots clomping on the wooden stairs.
One level down, the stairs changed to rough stone and the air was noticeably cooler and damper. The stone stairs wound down for two more levels, then the two captives were guided to the right.
The walls down here were rough-hewn stone. Burning torches in wall sconces provided a dim light as they moved along a narrow, low-ceilinged passageway to where an iron gate was set in the wall.
"Stop here," Will's guide told him. Apparently, the dagger was only used for commands that involved going, not stopping. Then he called out, his voice echoing along the stone-lined passageway.
"Marius! Where are you?"
They heard a muttered exclamation from the darkness farther along the passage, then a door creaked open on complaining hinges, allowing yellow lamplight to flood into the passage. A
heavily built figure, stooping under the low headroom, shuffled out of the doorway and headed toward them.
"Coming! Coming!" he called, his voice rough and throaty. He shambled toward them, his gait a curious shuffling hop, and stopped to survey them. The light from the nearest torch showed a heavy-browed face, with shaggy eyebrows and a tangled, matted beard. The nose had been flattened at some stage, presumably by a heavy blow, a...
