Rangers Halt and Will are accompanying Alyss, a courtier of the kingdom of Araluen, on a diplomatic mission in the country of Toscana when an unexpected visitor shows up. The crown princess of Araluen, also known as Evanlyn, brings news that their friend Horace is missing. Horace had been on assignment in the kingdom of Nihon-Ja learning the ways of their fierce warriors, the Senshi, and simply disappeared. Worried for Horace's safety, the small party from Araluen sets off to find out what happened. For his part, Horace was simply following orders. He had spent the last few months on a fact-finding mission learning all he could about the calm and serene fighters of Nihon-Ja. In the company of the emperor, Shigeru, Horace had learned the great fighting arts of the Nihon-Jan along with the peace and tranquility that accompanied the people who occupied the land. So Horace simply couldn't stand by and watch as dissenters blindly attacked Shigeru in an attempt to remove him from power. As emperor, Shigeru was attempting to reach out to the poorest people of his nation, much to the dislike of the upper ruling class. By saving the emperor's life, Horace firmly planted himself on the emperor's side of the brewing civil war and was forced into hiding. Aided by a Skandian captain and his boat, Halt, Will, Alyss …show more content…
John Flanagan doesn't let up at any point during the finale. There are the usual quibbles among Halt, Will and Horace that readers have grown accustomed to and chuckled over through the years. There are also the epic battle scenes that show off the wide range of Will and Halt's talents as rangers. All the loose storylines are wrapped up neatly even as the novel thunders towards the conclusion. And thunders it does, as each chapter is filled with thrilling clashes, adventures and battles that are worthy of a final book in an epic