Sorcerer of the North, by John Flanagan

When Will Treaty finished his ranger apprenticeship he halfway hoped his first assignment would be routine. He had had enough excitement to last him for awhile. Alas, this was not to be the case. Will, disguised as a traveling musician, is sent as a spy to the northern kingdom . There he investigates the strange sickness that has stricken the baron, along with rumors of a mysterious sorcerer who has great and evil powers. Fans of the first four books of the fantasy series, Ranger’s Apprentice will not be disappointed with the latest installment.