Readers might think that the birth of Prince Valiant's son Arn at the end of the previous volume would have slowed Val's adventuring, but they would be wrong. After the baby has been christened, Valiant and Gawain end up in pitched battle at the aptly-named Castle Illwynde. Then it's off to Scotland to battle the Picts, and then home yet again for Val to visit his growing boy. This volume also features an escape through the Alps, far many too red-headed girls and a tragic, life-changing event for the young squire Geoffrey.