The Missing Prince (officially Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger 4 - The Missing Prince) is the fourth book in The Royal Ranger series. It was released on September 29, 2020.
Blurb[]
Ranger Will and his apprentice Maddie are back in an adventure that takes them across the sea to a land where no one can be trusted - not even the King.
King Philippe of Gallica appeals to King Duncan for help. His son is being held hostage by a baron who is making demands. The Gallican King wants Duncan to send a Ranger to rescue the boy.
Will and Maddie would be an ideal choice for the mission. They can pretend to be father and daughter to dispel suspicions, with Will posing as a jongleur and Maddie as a knife thrower. They'll travel to Chateau des Falaises and see if the rebel baron will demand they perform for him. If he doesn't, they’ll break in some other way.
But travelling through Gallica proves to have its own risks – armed bandits, treacherous royals, and even a mysterious follower.
Will they ever find the prince? And if they do, how will they rescue him?
Plot[]
The story begins with Philippe, King of Gallica, his brother, Louis, and a retinue of guards arriving at Castle Araluen on mysterious business, desiring to see King Duncan. Greeted by Lord Anthony, the Royal Chamberlain is quickly disgruntled by Philippe dismissively voicing what he sees as confirmation that Duncan is still a cripple. Meanwhile, in Redmont, a band of four bandits lead by Barton 'Bearkiller' watch a farmer's cart come too and from the market. When they attempt to rob the cart, however, the farmer reveals himself to be in fact Will Treaty, who, with the aid of Madelyn, take out and arrest Barton, Walter Scar and One-Eyed Jem before capturing Donald, who had fled at the sight of danger and bring them to Willow Bend Village for imprisonment till they can be taken to Castle Redmont to face trail at Baron Arald's court. As they leave, Maddie expresses her annoyance on the false name Will had given her (Madelyn Regale), although she quietens after Will revealed how for most of his life, unlike his four fellow wardmates, he had grown up without a family name. While camping out, Madelyn expresses her desire to never give up the life of the corp, and, when Will points out how she might have to one day take the throne, she dismisses this, pointing out how their were other candidates who would be worthy.
Following their return to the Ranger Cottage, Halt, who has travelled down to return Sable and deliver a message to the pair. The three travel to Castle Araluen, where they discover from Duncan what has happened. Gallica is on the brink of another royal coup! The evil Baron Joubert de Lassigny has captured Philippe's son and, armed with the knowledge that, should he make a direct threat, Philippe will be able to gather support from the other nobles, has instead claimed that Prince Giles is remaining at the Chateau of his own free will, something the other Barons of Gallica's fiefs have accepted. Instead, Lassigny has made a silent ransom demand, give him power over a neighbouring fief who's baron died sometime prior to this which had formerly merged with Lassigny's domain to form one single barony, which Lassigny has been ejecting towards for some time and Giles will be allowed to return.
Philippe has thus pleaded for aid from the Rangers in liberating his child from Lassigny's grasp, which Duncan, knowing that a strong leader like Lassigny will be more of a threat to Araluen than a weak king like Philippe, has agreed to provide.
Notable Characters[]
- For a full list of characters, see Category:The Missing Prince Characters.