A general's inheritance

The king declares the Whitebridge attack a coordinated rebellion before a full inquiry can begin. Saye presents selected evidence linking the mercenaries to Rusk's river lords. Some links are real, but payments passed through intermediaries also used by the crown. The player should not be asked to memorize a conspiracy chart. The central discovery is simple: officials knew the truce was vulnerable and chose not to send the escort that had been requested.

Ciro's senior commander is removed for the failure. Edric promotes Ciro to General of Menelea's armies, praising his courage while placing responsibility for restoring order on his shoulders. Ciro knows the appointment is premature. Refusing would leave the army to Halbrecht and confirm every courtier who thinks him merely a spare son. He accepts, hoping he can prevent retaliation from becoming indiscriminate.

Xeno is returned to the palace and told that his participation nearly destroyed the dynasty. His guards are doubled. Letters to provincial witnesses must pass through the chancellor. The king does not acknowledge Pyrrhus publicly, but sends an offer of discreet employment in exchange for silence. Ciro delivers it because he believes an official position might protect his new brother. Pyrrhus hears an improved version of the exile bargain offered to Mara.

The act ends with Pyrrhus taking a temporary oath to Cinderford's council. He will defend its roads through winter and represent its claim to the disputed grain. The oath does not make him king or lord. It gives him limited authority that can be withdrawn. For the first time, people knowingly choose him rather than being assigned to him by blood or contract. Whether he honors the limits of that choice becomes the campaign's central test.