The king orders General Valerie to surrender her banner, stripping her of command. Her loyal soldiers pledge to follow her instead of the crown, ready to defy the order. Valerie vows to uncover the truth behind the murder of House Grey, her family, but refuses to let her men be branded rebels. She sends them away. At Grey Keep, royal guards attempt to seize the bodies as evidence of heresy. Valerie intervenes, declaring the land is Grey territory. The royal commander orders the bodies hung as traitors and the keep burned, escalating the conflict.