15-year-old Will, who dreams of becoming a knight but is instead chosen as the apprentice of Halt, a Ranger. Will discovers the fascinating world of Rangers, who are skilled trackers, archers, and warriors, and learns about the dangers lurking in the kingdom of Araluen then Will, Horace, and Ranger Gilan are sent to the neighboring kingdom of Celtica, but they discover it has been abandoned. They uncover a plot by Lord Morgarath to attack Araluen, involving a massive bridge across The Fissure, and Will and Evanlyn work together to burn it, freeing mind-controlled creatures and disrupting Morgarath's plans.
