The Royal Ranger: Duel at Araluen

King Duncan and Cassandra are trapped in the south tower of Castle Araluen, and Horace and Gilan are still besieged in the northern fort. Dimon throws everything at the tower: a trebuchet, fire bladders and even fake peace talks. Merlon, the guard commander, answers every trick. When the talks fail, Dimon orders a brute-force assault, and Merlon dies. Maddie convinces the Herons, Hal Mikkelson's crew, to join the fight. Together they seize the gatehouse and open the castle to Horace's army. Dimon tries to flee, but Maddie and Cassandra corner him. Cassandra challenges him to a duel and kills him with her katana, repeating a move from their training without the tell that gave her away.

1. ReferenceLessons from training

   Dimon helped train Cassandra with the sword. In the final duel he dodges her first thrust because he spots her tell, and she wins by repeating the move without it.

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2. ReferenceThe Herons step up

   Hal Mikkelson's Herons, from the Brotherband series, decide the battle: they seize the gatehouse and open the castle to Horace.

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3. ReferenceThe tower holds

   Merlon, the guard commander, counters a trebuchet, fire bladders and fake peace talks. Cassandra spies on Dimon through the secret passages Maddie found in the previous book.

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