Sir Thomas and Richard are walking down the stairs into the great hall. They are discussing their journey to Sussex.
Richard: I've spoken to the reeve and he'll make the crop delivery while we're away. I've asked him to clear the north field as soon as he's done with the other side.
Sir Thomas: And for the journey?
Richard: The horses are being groomed, the armor is being polished, the supplies are being stocked, and the tax monies are being counted.
Cedric: Isn't anyone interested in what I've done to prepare for this journey?
Sir Thomas and Richard are not responsive.
Cedric: Well, I've spoken to the reeve's daughter and not a moment too soon. It was obvious that she was distraught and practically in tears over the thought of my leaving. I have no clue as to why. I consoled her of course as any good student of the cloth would do to ease another's pain and lighten their burden. And you'll be relieved to know that I made her feel much, much better.
Eleanor walks in holding a piece of parchment.
Sir Thomas: What is it? What's wrong?
Eleanor: This just came from the king's guard. He said it was about Armus.
Sir Thomas: Armus?
Sir Thomas unfolds the parchment and reads it.
Sir Thomas: He's coming home. He's coming home.

Armus and his friend are riding up to Covington Cross in the distance. The Grey family is walking out to meet them.
Richard: What's the sword for?
Cedric: A knight like Armus will need someone to help keep him in shape while he's home and well I available.
Richard: Don't be ridiculous, he's going to want to practice with someone who is actually good.
Sir Thomas: Richard, Cedric, Armus wasn't the most robust boy when he left. The Crusades have most likely weekend him. For me, please go easy on him.
Cedric: Yes, father.
Friar: A horse!
Armus and his friend ride up to the family. Eleanor runs up and hugs his friend who he mistakes for Armus.
Friend: Eleanor? Armus told me all about you. When your brother told me you'd welcome me with open arms he wasn't jesting.
Eleanor looks mortified and walks over to the real Armus.
Sir Thomas: (to Armus) You have grown. Really grown. You'll be pleased to hear that I have two volunteers to help keep your sword arm in tune.
Thomas points to Richard and Cedric.
Cedric: He'll do it.
Richard: He'll do it.
They start to walk back to the castle.

Armus is talking to his brothers and father in the grounds of the castle.
Armus: We were going home together, we decided to ride together. Trade battle stories and other conquests. A fine knight that one. You could tell the way he took on the whole lot.
Richard: And yet you didn't lend him a hand.
Armus: It was his battle brother.
Cedric: How many men did you kill?
Richard: Did you prefer the long bow or the cross bow?
Sir Thomas: How did you get so big?
Sir Thomas says this just as Armus takes a bite out of an apple. They all laugh.

A group of armed bandits are stealing all of the tax money and have taken a large group of people hostage including the Grey's except for Eleanor, Richard, and Armus. The leader is standing on a table full of money.
Leader: I might not kill anyone. I might kill all of you. I don't know. Now you know what they say; two things you can't avoid in life, death and taxes.
He walks over to John Mullins' daughter.
Leader: Ohh, I see I've offended the lady, so sorry, we've been too long in a king's prison, manners have become frayed around the edges.
He grabs her by the arm.
Leader: Don't you worry. I'll see to it that you won't have to see me long. I promise I'll kill you first.
The leader walks towards the table.
Mullins: You scoundrel!
The leader turns around and puts a knife to Mullins' throat. Cedric walks over to Mullins' daughter.
Cedric: It's going to be all right. I promise.

The leader is taking all of the hostages into a tunnel out of the castle. He pushes Mullins' daughter and she falls.
Cedric: Leave her alone!
He helps her back up to her feet.

The bandits and hostages are back in the great hall.
Leader: It seems we have quite a dilemma. The only thing keeping you alive is me. The only thing keeping me alive is the threat of killing you. Fascinating when you think about it. Only in your death do I lose my bargaining power. However, and here's the part I like, there are several of you. How many will they see killed before they withdraw and which ones will they be.
He pulls Alexandra's (Mullins' daughter') hair.
Mullins: There, there, Alexandra. Don't cry. I won't let them hurt you again.
Alexandra sits down and cries in the corner. Mullins walks up to the leader. Cedric walks up to her and offers her his scarf.
Cedric: Here.
She doesn't take it.
Cedric: Why won't you take it?
Alexandra: We shouldn't even be talking.
Cedric: Why not?
Alexandra: You're a Grey.
Cedric: You know I can always change my name. Look we're both captives right now. Can't we take care of each other at least for this moment?
She takes the scarf.
Alexandra: Thank you.

A little while later, they are still being held captive.
Alexandra: I'm frightened, Cedric.
Cedric: You need not be. My brother Armus is a great worry. He'll rescue us.
Alexandra: You're so unlike what I expected.
Cedric: What did you expect?
Alexandra: Father says the Grey's are not to be trusted, but I feel like you are telling me the truth some how.
Cedric smiles and they start to kiss when Mullins walks up.
Cedric: This is not what it looks like.
He raises Cedric up and goes to strike him when Sir Thomas runs up and grabs his arm.
Mullins: Your son has violated my daughter!
Sir Thomas: Leave my son alone!
Mullins: And watch him ruin her, not in this lifetime.
Sir Thomas: Your lifetime may have just become quite short.
The leader runs up to them.
Leader: Hey, hey, hey, enough! Enough!

Mullins and Alexandra and Sir Thomas and Cedric are on opposite sides of the great hall.
Sir Thomas: (to Cedric) Don't we have enough trouble?
Cedric: Why should the daughter pay for the sins of the father?
Sir Thomas: That has nothing to do with it. Her father is who her father is. Can you not see the consequences these actions could bring? For God's sake Cedric think before you let your whims take hold of you.
Leader: (to Sir Thomas) Your children have caused me a lot of trouble Great Knight.
He glances at Cedric and then looks back at Sir Thomas.
Leader: Also one of yours?
Sir Thomas: No.
Mullins: A son.
Alexandra: No!
Mullins: (to Alexandra) Stay out of it!
The leader grabs Cedric and pulls out his knife.
Elizabeth: Cedric, no!
Mullins: (to Alexandra) It could be you next.
The leader ties Cedric's arms behind his back and pins a note on his shirt.
Leader: When the great door opens, you walk towards the King's guards. You prove a coward and stop before they get close enough to read the note, your death will be for nothing. Now you do want to help your family don't you?
Cedric: Are you going to kill me or talk me to death?
Leader: Aren't you a brave one, you won't be smirking with a hundred long bows pointed at you.
Cedric: I'm not afraid to die.
Leader: No? I'm told when arrows rip into a man he can here his flesh tear.
Richard and Eleanor are on a balcony up above the great hall getting ready to attack the bandits. Richard tries to shot the leader and a fight erupts. Cedric and Alexandra are hiding in a corner of the room.
Cedric: I don't think I can change my name after all.
Richard traps the leader. They won the fight. The Duke comes out as the person who planned the whole thing. When he is about to kill them, Armus comes riding in and defeats all of them. Cedric and Alexandra end up making out in the corner.