The Reluctant Knight Returns

Becoming a knight has changed the Weasel very little. Galen Pathwarden is still reluctant to adventure, still out to save his own skin at virtually any cost. But when his brother Brithelm vanishes mysteriously, Galen sets aside his better judgement and embarks on a quest that leads under the earth, deep into a conspiracy of darkness, and to the end of his courage.

Galen returns to imperiled Solamnia in this exciting sequel to the top-sellling Weasel's Luck, also by Michael Williams, the bard of the Dragonlance saga.

Galen Beknighted, the sixth volume in the Dragonlance: Heroes series and the sequel to Weasel’s Luck, continues the story of Galen "Weasel" Pathwarden. Once a cowardly and self-serving squire, Galen is now a Knight of the Crown, striving—often reluctantly—to live up to the ideals of knighthood. Set about a century before the events of the Dragonlance Chronicles, this novel blends high fantasy with wit and introspection, charting the journey of a flawed but evolving hero.

Three years have passed since Galen helped defeat the villainous Scorpion. As his formal knighting ceremony approaches, Galen experiences a disturbing vision during his vigil: his brother Brithelm being kidnapped. Although his warning is dismissed by others, Galen is convinced of its truth and takes action. Accompanied by an unusual band of companions—including the brooding Sir Ramiro of the Maw, the noble Lady Dannelle di Caela, his older brother Alfric (who serves as his squire), and a blind juggler named Shardos—Galen sets out to rescue Brithelm.

Their journey leads them deep into the Vingaard Mountains, where they uncover a dire threat. A dark cleric named Firebrand, devoted to the evil god Sargonnas, is collecting thirteen magical opals. With them, he hopes to forge a crown that will grant him control over life and death itself. What Galen and his allies do not realize at first is that this mission is part of a greater divine scheme: Sargonnas intends to awaken Tellus, an enormous serpent whose rise would fracture the world and shatter the ancient covenant that banished the evil gods from Krynn.

Meanwhile, back at Castle di Caela, Sir Bayard Brightblade—now aging and injured—makes a startling discovery. Beneath the castle lies a dormant device, left behind by the Scorpion, which also threatens to awaken Tellus. Bayard’s wife, Lady Enid, and a handful of loyal allies undertake their own dangerous journey to neutralize the growing threat.

As Galen and his group press on through a maze of underground passages, they face illusions, internal conflicts, and painful sacrifices. Alfric, Galen’s steady and supportive brother, dies during the mission, leaving Galen devastated but more determined than ever. In the climax, Galen confronts and defeats Firebrand, preventing the completion of the opal crown and the serpent's awakening.

The story ends with the balance restored and a tone of hopeful resolution. Galen returns to Castle di Caela a changed man—no longer the bumbling, reluctant figure from earlier years, but a true knight in spirit as well as in name. He and Dannelle are expecting a child, and for the first time, Galen looks forward to the future not with dread or evasion, but with a sense of duty and hope.

Galen Beknighted stands out in the Dragonlance series for its mix of humor, personal growth, and serious mythological stakes. It’s a story about embracing responsibility, facing fears, and discovering that even the most unlikely hero can grow into greatness.