Conflicts in Ranger's Apprentice 4: Oakleaf Bearers

Ranger's Apprentice Book 4 by John Flanagan

The novel's main conflict is the hostility between the Temujai invasion force and the Skandia + Araulan settlement. (Man(s)vs Society) The Temujai are a group of mongol-like riders from the far east. Their hobby is invading, and Skandia just so happens to be their next target. A group of Araulans trapped in Skandia are ambushed by the Skandians, who are originally hostile to them. The Araulans tell a story of the Temujai, and both parties decide that they must unite for the greater good. The first obstacle the protagonists(Araulan party) encounter is the afore mentioned Skandian ambush, which foiled their plans of escape. There just so happens to be tracks of a large party, and the Araulan leader suspects that the footprints belong to the Temujai. He describes his suspicions, and the Skandians take them to the Skandian capital named Hallasholm to be judged by their supreme leader. The second obstacle is hiding Evanlyn's true identity. Evanlyn is a member of the Araulan party, and also the crown princess of Araulan. The whole reason the party was sent was to recover her. It just so happens that the Skandian Oberjarl(Supreme leader) Ragnak swore a oath to avenge the death of his sons by killing the Araulan royal family. This is why Evanlyn's identity has to remain a secret.