Unsatisfied with the troubadour lifestyle, Max dreams of becoming a knight. After a run-in with a thief Max and Uncle Budrick travel to Byjovia, Budrick's hometown, but when they arrive, it is not as Uncle Budrick remembers it. In Byjovia, they meet Kevyn and learn that King Conrad disappeared and King Gastley, King Conrad's younger brother, took the throne and instituted strict and ridiculous rules. Their conversation is interrupted when Max sees two orphans being chased by King Gastley's Royal Guards. Seeing two people in trouble, Max stands up to King Gastley and his guards, saving the two orphans-Millie and Simon. However, Max's decision puts her in danger when King Gastley sentences her to death. Therefore, Uncle Budrick sacrifices himself to save Max and is taken by King Gastley to be the Royal Jester. Max is forced to run away with Kevyn, Simon, and Millie so that she can live to fight and save Uncle Budrick another day.