The Cursed

Val, Arn and Rowanne visit the village of Serenity, where as a young girl Rowanne spent time with her family. Serenity is no longer as peaceful as Rowanne remembers it, for a feud has broken out between the town's long-time residents, and the "newcomers," the Lusitains. The old-timers, including Rowanne's cousin, Karl, have developed a deep-seated jealousy and resentment for the success of the Lusitains, who have gotten ahead through hard work. When Val asks several long-time residents about the Black Cowls, hooded hooligans who terrorize the Lusitains, he is given only tight-lipped responses. Later, he is knocked out cold by a brutal band of hooded men.

Karl invites Rowanne to a meeting of the Black Cowls. Curiously compelled, Rowanne accepts the invitation. Although repulsed by the Black Cowls' hatred, Valiant, against his protestations, is brought along to the meeting. There, an enormous impassioned crowd rise to hail "The Leader," Mordred, who fans their hatred. Valiant speaks to the crowd urging them not to further divide their society. The people do not want to listen.

Roused by Mordred's fiery speech, a group of Black Cowls torches Adolphus' wagon works. Valiant apprehends the leader of the arsonists, and discovers it is Karl. As the people of Serenity work to extinguish the fire, old-timers and Lusitains alike realize that in order to mend the wounded community, they all have to work together.

Prince Valiant, Arn, Rowanne, Merlin, King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, Sir Bryant, Sir Gawain, Lord Maldon, The Baron, Sir Mordred