The Royal Ranger: The Beast from Another Time is a short story by John Flanagan that follows Maddie, the first female Ranger apprentice, as she handles her first solo mission. Originally released as a bonus in The Caldera (Brotherband Book 7), it is now available as a standalone digital title. Quick Story Summary
Upon reaching Whitby, Will and Maddie find deep claw marks on trees and massive paw prints. Will, drawing on his extensive knowledge of Araluen’s history and Halt’s old lessons, recalls legends of a creature called the Barghest —a supernatural beast from the “other time,” before the Kingdom of Araluen was fully settled. The old stories say these creatures were servants of Morgarath (the villain from earlier books), but were thought to have died out centuries ago. The Royal Ranger: The Beast from Another Time
This story bridges the gap between the first Royal Ranger novel and The Red Fox Clan . Will, drawing on his extensive knowledge of Araluen’s
: A local farming couple seeks help regarding a "mysterious beast" stealing their livestock. The Conflict : A local farming couple seeks
This installment isn't just another patrol through the woods. Here is why fans are calling it "extra quality":
– The novella emphasizes that the world of Ranger’s Apprentice has a deeper, darker history beyond the political conflicts of the main series. The “other time” refers to the pre-Kingdom era when magic and monsters were more common—though Flanagan keeps it ambiguous whether the creature is truly supernatural or just a rare surviving prehistoric predator.