Pursuing his plot to have Richard killed, King Philip joins forces with Prince John. Together, they challenge Richard to face Saladin, in a 'friendly' tournament.

Determined to join Richard's Crusade, Kenneth, a young Scottish warrior, arrives at Richard's castle. While attempting to impress Richard. he loses the King banner - and sentenced to death.

Arnold, master of Kernak Castle, is a Crusader in name only. So when he hears that the King is travelling to query his absence from court, he plans to have Richard killed.

Gravely ill with fever, Richard is taken to the vamp of his allies where, unknown to his friends, the attendant physician is in the pay of Saladin, Richard's enemy.

On the pretence of Lady Edith's marriage to Sir Kenneth, Richard sends his confidant to Saladin to propose that the Moslem leader consolidate the peace between them marrying the girl.

Fearing for her safety, Richard orders Queen Berengaria to return to England, so she takes her entourage yet tries to travel in disguise. She's captured not by Saladin or Muslim raiders, but by unscrupulous rival crusader Conrad of Montferrat.

Prince Otto's castle is the only barrier in the Crusader's path. He insists on being paid before he'll allow anyone to pass – including the British sovereign.