541

MUSKOVIA has attacked the KNIGHTS of the ROUND TABLE in a treacherous ambush. BARON MELADIUS was wounded by SIR ALBEUS but fled, swearing revenge.

Now MUSKOVIA’s legions are on the march! The Order of the Crow scouts through the woods, finding pathways for the Orders of the Wolf and Dragon, while the Order of the Bull charges ahead. The Orders of the Shark and Squid raid the coasts.  Somewhere in SAXONY, the armies of MUSKOVIA and BRITAIN shall meet, and decide the destiny of the world.

Also, MELADIUS kidnaps KATHERINE, the sister of BRIAN BORU and SIR VANDEGRIFF’s intended.

The Muskovians use Saxons as their front line. Sir MICHAEL THE PANGOLIN discovers that the Saxons have BLACK JEWELS embedded in their skulls; gradually, the Jewel has eaten the Saxon’s brain, so he is naught but a puppet of the Jewel’s master, whoever it is.

SIR VANDEGRIFF defeats the WILD HUNTSMAN in single combat.

SIR MARTH destroys the ORDER OF THE EAGLE and its Grand Constable, COUNT DUCLOS.

SIR VANDEGRIFF and SIR ALBEUS try to come to grips with BARON MELADIUS. But SIR PEREGORN, the old black knight, knocks MELADIUS from his saddle. When he swings back onto his wolf, SIR VANDEGRIFF descends on him in a fury and destroys him with two mighty blows. But it isn’t MELADIUS at all under the helmet, but a Muskovian knight whom MELADIUS has placed his own wolf-mask upon! VANDEGRIFF chases MELADIUS into the distance.

SIR BENILAC chases down the Order of the Dragon and slays its knights, but KING LUKE catches the Grand Constable of their order and strikes him from his war-lizard, wounded but not dead.

SIR ARNO VORIAN fights side by side with KING ARTHUR to hold back a horde of Order of the Wolf knights, and though wounded hip and thigh, holds his place. Afterward the King clasps his arms and says he owes him his crown and his life.

Meanwhile, in Paris, SIR ALBEUS seeks clues to the fate of his son, vanished along with MERLIN THE MAGICIAN. He hears that a red-headed boy is being raised as a Muskovian prince by SHENEGAR TROTT, the Count of Novgorod and Grand Constable of the Order of the Bear.

Meanwhile, in Spain:

Sir Benilac’s army drives the Vandals back to the Tower of Otranto in central Spain.

Count Brass brings in Lepidus’ two legions (must pay 100 L) and Vandegriff brings in his siege train.

The Vandals are defeated when Count Brass kills the Vandal chieftain. They flee to North Africa.

Lepidus tells his Emperor he has conquered Spain. Count Brass provokes a quarrel with Lepidus and kills him. The legions return home.

Count Brass swears perpetual peace with Duke Benilac, and makes it known that a share of the income from Spain would not go amiss. But he cannot spare the knights to garrison Spain, so he will not insist on it.