Winner of the Australian Book of the Year Award for Older Children, John Flanagan has sold millions of his popular Ranger's Apprentice series. A fledgling Ranger, Will has walked along many a dangerous path, but none more treacherous than the one before him now. Following Araluen's truce with the Skandians, a desert tribe captures the Skandian leader. The Rangers are sent to free him, but the searing desert has swallowed whole more than one brave adventurer.