While trying to learn why one of Merlin's friends has lost contact with him, Valiant, Arn, Rowanne, and Sir Bryant encounter people saying their village was destroyed by something like a dragon. Then they find the fort they were headed for completely, inexplicably destroyed, and a neighboring one in the same state. They approach the son of one of King Arthur's vanquished enemies living nearby, Lord Maldon, who houses a Chinese guest who seems to want to distance himself from Camelot. Valiant learns that Lord Maldon is in league with the Vikings against Camelot and has tricked his visitor into distrusting it. Maldon catches him spying and spares the four only to let them see the Chinese invention that demolished the two forts, "Gun-powder", obliterate a third and sends them back with the message that he intends to use it to attack Camelot. King Arthur and Merlin are informed and their army's battle begins with the enemy having the advantage of a deadly weapon.
—brainybrailler@comcast.net