Uther Pendragon, the high king of Dumonia, does a poor job leading the Post-Roman Celtic resistance against the Saxon advance, failing to unite the tribal kings. When his son and heir Mordred is killed on the battlefield, he blindly blames, beats and almost murders his bastard son Arthur, the military genius who prevented a fatal defeat, Merlin can only obtain his 'sentence' being limited to banishment. After instructing his friend Owain how to counsel the defense, Arthur leaves to Marin(s druid island sanctuary Avalon, and on the way rescues from a Saxon 'death put' the impaled knave who is named Derfel, found not a Celtic soldier but a Saxon-born slave, who grow up the next years as best friend of exceptionally gifted druid Nimue. When the queen bares Uther a baby heir, Merlin warns the boy is evil and his reign would ruin all Britton kingdoms, but his advice to recall Arthur is waved.
—KGF Vissers