We open on the evil Knight Valiant buying a magical shield embossed with snakes.  The sorcerer from whom he buys it enchants the snakes to come alive, they will kill his opponents in battle but Valiant orders the snakes to kill the sorcerer. They have a new master now.

Valiant rides into Camelot and enters the annual sword fighting tournament, where he’ll face the reigning champion, Prince Arthur. The snakes on his shield are hidden for now but they await only his command to strike.

Meanwhile, a disgruntled Merlin is getting to grips with his many arduous duties as Arthur’s new servant. Likewise Arthur is not exactly impressed with Merlin’s lack of talent for his new job.