A young relative rushes in to tell Uncle Zaiden, the Governor of Northbank, about the Gilmore family's victory feast. Zaiden scoffs at attending until he learns that Zachary Gilmore has been named an Eastern Front Martial Saint candidate and granted a general's rank, so he changes his mind. At the feast General Gilmore boasts of sending his son to the front and announces he will grant Zachary the rank of Major in the Northbank forces. He asks, "Who's in favor, and who's against?" leaving the gathering's approval and the balance of power unresolved.