Merlin narrowly escapes with his life when he is attacked by a mysterious and terrifying creature with the body of an eagle and the head of a lion. At the last moment a young stranger appears and manages to fight the monster away. A grateful Merlin introduces himself to the wounded hero who tells Merlin that his name is Lancelot before promptly passing out.

Merlin rushes Lancelot to Gaius to treat his wounds. Meanwhile a distraught Uther and Arthur visit a village which has been torn apart by the mysterious winged beast. It has left all livestock intact, preying only on humans – whatever this thing is, it has a taste for human flesh.