Horace
Tall, broad-shouldered and athletic, Horace is easily accepted into Redmont Battleschool as a warrior apprentice. He soon realises that it’s not all glamour and adventure – his days are filled with gruelling physical training, running the obstacle course, lifting weights, lessons in military history, and still more physical training. His life is made even worse by the fact that three second-year students have chosen Horace as their victim – they constantly torment him, making him obey their orders, and they bully the other students into telling them where Horace is hiding.
Although Horace’s teachers have noticed his outstanding ability at sword practice, they’re puzzled by his behaviour – why does he always seem to have bruises, and why is his classwork so sloppy? It will take someone as intuitive as Halt to work out what’s going on, and help Horace get his revenge on the bullies.
As the Ranger’s Apprentice series progresses, Horace’s uncanny skills at swordsmanship become apparent, and he is soon recognised for the hero that he is, although he’s always happy to rely on the intelligence and strategy of the Rangers when it comes to planning.