Damon Rookhart is accused of ordering the slaughter of 30 dragon soldiers after a military order bearing his family's seal is found. He denies the crime, claiming the seal is forged. A commander demands his immediate arrest under wartime authority, ordering the hall sealed. When Damon's ally defies the order to protect him, the commander frames it as a betrayal of their entire faction. The ally chooses to believe Damon's word over the evidence, securing his release but isolating them both. As they leave, a third person warns that this act of trust will now be used by Damon to destroy them.