- Main articles: The General's Hand/Script and The General's Hand/Conversations
In Castle Gaddos, a senator chastises Zelgius for retreating instead of ordering an all-out attack, despite how unwise it would be. Levail attempts to rebuff the senator, but Zelgius ultimately accepts the senator's order. Back at the Laguz Alliance camp, Skrimir thanks Soren for his ingenuity in the previous battle. Soren plans for the Alliance to negotiate a peace treaty with Begnion, given that, despite their previous victory, Begnion's Central Army is still intact. Skrimir disagrees, and Ranulf clarifies that it is simply laguz nature for them to only see the enemy in front of them once they begin fighting. After thinking it over, Soren then discusses a new plan with them.
After they complete their preparations, the Alliance makes their way to Soze Pass. Lyre informs Ranulf that Tibarn's decoy caused the Begnion forces to move, allowing Ike to attack from the south and for Skrimir to attack from the west. Kyza, however, informs Tibarn that Skrimir and his forces are charging down a cliff, as Skrimir accepted a duel from Zelgius. Worried, Ranulf sends a message to Ike's group, urging them to help him rescue Skrimir from certain death. The two thusly charge up to Soze Pass to do so.
The two, however, are too late, and Skrimir is soundly defeated by Zelgius before their own eyes. Having defeated the commander of the Laguz Alliance, Zelgius commands them to cease fighting and leave. Though the laguz wish to keep fighting, Ranulf orders them not to. After the other Begnion soldiers leave, Zelgius reveals that he spared the Alliance under the wishes of the apostle. He suggests that the Alliance present a peace treaty to her, and gives them three days to do so. Later that night, Ranulf informs Tibarn of the situation. The Alliance worries about the notion of the peace treaty, believing that it will be difficult with the senators in control of Begnion. Reyson soon appears and also reveals that the apostle does not even meet with the Holy Guard as of late, hinting at something yet more sinister brewing in Begnion.
Beginning log
The Laguz Alliance, bolstered by the hawk tribe and by Soren's tactical genius, thunders across the Begnion-held river. Emboldened by their success, they move east with amazing speed and capture the northern stronghold, Castle Seliora. The Laguz Alliance has made a vital step in its march toward the Begnion capital, Sienne. Begnion has now lost a valuable defense line in the Ribahn River, and the Central Army has been forced to retreat east, taking refuge in Castle Gaddos. The morale of the Begnion soldiers is kept high by their faith in General Zelgius, while the Begnion nobles smolder with resentment at their defeat.
