The Leitmeritz raiders enter the fortress and Elen and Mila engage in a duel. The duel is interrupted by the final member of the Seven Chains who attempts to assassinate the war maidens, only to be killed by Tigre. Mila then recognizes Tigre as the hunter she met earlier and realizes that he truly only wants to protect Alsace. In gratitude for him saving her life, Mila declares her neutrality in the war between Vorn and Thenardier, thus ending the standoff with Leitmeritz. On the western border of Brune, Roland, the leader of the Navarre Knights and wielder of the legendary sword Durendal, receives a message from the king at Thenardier's request, ordering him to mobilize his men and kill Tigre. In Territoire, Viscount Augre's land, Tigre's allied forces and Elen's men form an uneasy alliance which they name the Silver Meteor Storm. Sofy arrives at the camp and informs them that King Viktor sent her as an envoy to the capital, Nice, and that the situation in the royal palace is very grave; Faron is very ill and Tigre has been stripped of his rank for his treason. Sofy also informs Elen of the positions of the other four Vanadis, while Tigre and Hughes struggle to retain the loyalty of their allies. The Navarre knights approach but Roland rejects all offers of parlay and the armies clash in the plain of Orlange. The Silver Meteor Storm suffers heavy losses and even Elen has trouble facing Roland. Tigre intervenes, killing Roland's horse and escaping with Elen but he is severely injured in the process. Elen is torn between seeking medical aid and facing the pursuing knights. Fortunately, Sofy appears allowing Elen to aid Tigre.