A mortally wounded, one-legged messenger from King Richard flees Locksley Manor pursued by Gisborne's men and ends up in the arms of Robin. In his dying breath, he tells Robin that the King needs him to return to fight in the Holy Land, and utters the word "Lardner".

The Sheriff is furious that the messenger got away, especially now that he and Gisborne are also on the hunt for Lardner, having received a prediction from a fortune-telling Fool that the "ring of Lardner" spells trouble.