The Ruins of Gorlan

More than anything, Will wants to be a knight, but he’s too small. Chosen, not for knighthood, but to become a Ranger, Will struggles with a sense of inferiority until he realizes that heroes come in many shapes and sizes.

His father, or so Will believes, was a knight who died in battle against the forces of Morgarath. To honor him, Will yearns to join Battleschool. The problem is that Will is small and wiry, instead of big and powerful, the basic traits expected of knights. Smart, inquisitive, resourceful, and a talented climber, Will doesn’t realize that his abilities are ideally suited for the Rangers, who spy on the enemy, enforce the laws, and help to protect their king.

At first, being a Ranger apprentice holds little appeal for Will: Slinking around spying doesn’t seem very heroic. When Halt, Castle Redmont’s Ranger, selects Will for training, Will accepts mainly because he doesn’t want to be a farmer. His early tasks amount to little more than housekeeping, but Will also begins to learn how to track, move invisibly, use bows and knives in battle, and ride horses. He warms to these tasks, begins to admire such skills, bonds with his horse,