The young heroes led by Willow are pursued by assassins who have been infected by dark magic.
With Elora captured, the stakes have become even higher for Willow and his ragtag group. Circumstances lead them to the Slaughtered Lamb inn — and a confrontation with Ballantine’s corrupted forces.
Story Gallery
Boorman explains the legend of the Kymerian Cuirass to Kit: A young heir to the throne of Kymeria was in danger of being killed by his younger brother, so their mother forged a cuirass of pure chromium to protect him. It came with a magical key — the “lux arcana” — to activate the enchanted armor “so that it would only serve he who was worthy of its awesome power.”
Boorman’s telling of the story is interrupted by Willow, who asks where Elora has gone. The group searches for her in the surrounding woods, where Kit discovers the sprouted plant that Elora was so desperately trying to grow.
Jade finds Ballantine tying an unconscious Elora to his horse and confronts him, sensing he is not himself. Joined by her colleagues, a tense stand-off with Ballantine and his men erupts into an all-out fight, which ends with Ballantine making off with Elora.
Stopping atop a mountain overlook to view what lies ahead, a dark, brewing storm is swirling over the landscape below, a place Willow describes as “a noxious twilight vale, a swirling vortex of rage and madness that there is no escape from.”
After cutting her bonds and fleeing her captors into the woods, Elora happens upon a humble dwelling inhabited by two woodswomen, Hubert and Anne. Desperate to convince them that she is in mortal danger, Elora is assured that Hubert’s axe — “Rogarth” — will protect them from any attack.
Elsewhere, Jade and Kit talk about their confrontation with Ballantine, and Jade reveals that she had been letting Kit win their sparring matches. “I never thought you would be fighting for your life,” Jade tells her.
Reaching a crossroads, Boorman suggests they take the Pitiless Pass, which will take them by an inn called the Slaughtered Lamb, a place familiar to Boorman and Madmartigan. Kit joins Boorman, who quietly signals to her that they may find clues about the Kymerian Cuirass there.
Back at the woodswomen’s homestead, Elora has revealed herself as Elora Danan, and shows them the mark. Awestruck, the woodswomen declare their loyalty and service to her. “We answer the call,” says Hubert. “When the True Empress, that being you, returns, she is to gather a great host at her back and lead them against the forces of darkness!”
Ballantine and his men discover the three women, and after a brief and futile encounter with Hubert’s axe Rogarth, Ballantine successfully recaptures Elora.
Boorman and Kit arrive at the remains of the Slaughtered Lamb, which appears totally destroyed. Boorman explains that the owner was a close friend of Madmartigan, and that he trusted him with the secret of the cuirass. The two descend into the catacombs below the remains of the inn.
Arriving at the Slaughtered Lamb themselves, Ballantine and his men pause with the captive Elora, who refuses to continue. After a brief scuffle, Willow and the others arrive to defend her.
Meanwhile, in a pit below the tunnel, Boorman locates the cuirass key and secretly conceals it in his belt, hiding it from Kit.
Outside, Elora, Willow, and the others are joined by Boorman and Kit, and together they confront Ballantine and his men. The battle seems lost until Willow summons an unexpected blast from his staff, killing or incapacitating their foes. Willow races to help his friend Silas, who was critically injured in the fight. “I died doing what I was supposed to,” he tells Willow. “Protecting my best friend.”
Ballantine is beaten. The evil appears to have been purged from him, but at a high cost. He tells Jade how proud of her he is, and that Elora must reach the Immemorial City. He begs Jade to finish him: “It has to be you.”
Blocked from going back the way they came, Willow and the others proceed up the mountain. Graydon falters, revealing a black magic wound he received during the battle. To heal him they’ll have to go into the heart of the swirling vortex they spy below — Nockmaar Castle.
Trivia Gallery
Thraxus Boorman’s cleaver weapon underwent numerous designs during the concept phase, including ones that were hinged to open like an immense straight razor, or with a sliding extension to the blade.
Anne the Woodswoman does not get a word out in this episode; Hubert does all the talking.
The script specifically noted that the magical thunderhead created by the Crone dominating the horizon resemble a “cloud tank” effect, a type of visual effect common in 1980s fantasy movies.
The grave markers at the Slaughtered Lamb were at one point to be marked with the names of characters from American Graffiti and Radioland Murders.
The sunken steps and doorway into the Slaughtered Lamb catacombs are a real location: the entrance to Morlais Castle, a 13th century structure in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, of which only one room remains. The actual catacombs were shot on a stage.
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Explore more
Chapter 1: “The Gales” Episode Guide
A sudden attack by the mysterious Gales prompts Queen Sorsha to seek help from an old friend.
Chapter 2: “The High Aldwin” Episode Guide
The Nelwyns welcome the outsiders to meet with their High Aldwin leader.
Chapter 3: “The Battle of the Slaughtered Lamb” Episode Guide
The young heroes led by Willow are pursued by assassins who have been infected by dark magic.
Chapter 4: “The Whispers of Nockmaar” Episode Guide
The journey leads the adventurers to seek refuge in the haunted castle of Nockmaar.
Chapter 5: “Wildwood” Episode Guide
The enchanted fairy forest beckons, but is home to dangerous Bone Reavers.
Chapter 6: “Prisoners of Skellin” Episode Guide
Taken prisoner by Trolls, Kit and Willow meet a new companion.
Chapter 7: “Beyond the Shattered Sea” Episode Guide
Our heroes finally reach the place where all maps end: the infinite expanse of the Shattered Sea.
Chapter 8: “Children of the Wyrm” Episode Guide
The Immemorial City awaits -- Refuge of the Wicked Crone and her dark designs.