The Burning Bridge

Halt is an older Ranger and a mentor to Will, as well as a former mentor to Gilan. He has a reputation across the realm as a legendary hero and highly moral character. When he accompanies Alyss to deal with Sir Montague, the boorish knight is frightened when Halt eventually reveals his identity. Halt then throws Sir Montague into his moat as a punishment for disrespecting Alyss, which illustrates his sense of justice and loyalty.

Halt is depicted as smart, thoughtful, and taciturn, with Will often commenting on Halt’s patient, quiet demeanor: “One [of Halt’s eyebrows] rose slightly. […] Will knew that was the equivalent of a shout of astonishment. He also knew that if he interrupted Halt before he had finished reading, his mentor would simply ignore him” (6). However, Lady Pauline points out how much Halt’s relationship with Will has enabled the older Ranger to come out of his shell: “Halt has become as much a surrogate father as a mentor to Will. […] He’d never admit it, but I think he’s been enjoying having a young person around” (62). Halt’s protectiveness over Will is made especially evident at the end of the story, when he learns that Will has been taken prisoner by his enemy. When he finally reaches his apprentice, who is being taken away on a ship, Halt swears that he will find him wherever he is.

Horace is a Battleschool apprentice at Redmont Castle and, after being Will’s rival at the beginning of The Ruins of Gorlan, became his best friend. He is depicted as a very skilled warrior, especially with a blade, a quick learner, and a friendly and honest boy. The narrative repeatedly underlines Horace’s ability to relinquish authority rather than automatically assuming a leadership role: “Horace was essentially a simple soul. He reacted well to commands and to other people making decisions. […] As long as he trusted the person making the decisions, he was happy to abide by them” (116). Will also points out Horace’s humility when they practice sword fighting together: “[Horace] didn’t do it with any sense of superiority […]. Instead, he used his superior ability to help Will” (71).

After Gilan leaves Will, Horace, and Evanlyn, Will and Evanlyn’s relationship is initially a bit rocky. Importantly, Horace provides comic relief that relieves the tension between the other two. He also proves to be “methodical and, in his own way, logical” (128) and joins Will’s efforts to destroy the bridge because it is the right thing to do despite the risk. On the other hand, Horace’s emotional growth is depicted by his growing awareness of the reality of war: “Horace viewed the battlefield with mixed emotions. […] The reality of battle was far removed from the glamorous dreams he had entertained as a boy” (231). However, Horace is able to prove his courage at the end of the story when, driven by his sense of duty and loyalty to his friends, he challenges Morgarath to a duel. Although the fight initially seems unfairly balanced in favor of Morgarath, who is more skilled and more experienced, Horace’s natural abilities with a sword enable him to defeat Morgarath. Significantly, Horace eventually uses a Ranger technique he learns from Gilan earlier in the book to kill Morgarath, making the young apprentice a hero.

The young girl who introduces herself to Gilan, Will, and Horace as Evanlyn Wheeler, a maid to a noble lady, is actually Cassandra, King Duncan’s daughter and princess of Araluen. After Evanlyn/Cassandra was visiting a friend in Celtica when Morgarath’s forces attacked the country and drove them out. Evanlyn/Cassandra was the only survivor in her party and, after surviving on her own for a week, she meets Will, Horace, and Gilan on their way to King Swyddned’s castle.

Evanlyn is described as “beautiful [with] strawberry blond hair and green eyes […] complemented by a small, straight nose and a full mouth” (98). She is characterized as strong-willed and resilient, although traumatized by recent events. Although she and Will are initially at odds because Evanlyn/Cassandra seems unwilling to do her part of the chores when they are setting up camp, they quickly warm up to each other. When Will and Horace decide to investigate Morgarath’s bridge, Evanlyn/Cassandra volunteers to go with them despite her fear of the Wargals, prompting Will to admire her character: “Will regarded her with a new respect. She had every reason to fear the Wargals, more than he or Horace. Yet she was willing to put that fear aside in order to strike a blow against Morgarath” (131). Later, she does not hesitate to help Will restart the fire on the bridge and is reluctant to let him sacrifice himself, further illustrating her courage and selflessness. At the end of the book, the young girl is taken prisoner by the Skandians along with Will, who is still unaware of her true identity but suspects that she is hiding something. Her character arc ends on a cliffhanger as the Skandian ship leaves Araluen just before Halt catches up with it.