The Inheritance and Rebuilding the House

Lorist reaches Norton Castle on White Hill and undergoes a plain inheritance ceremony, becoming the new baron and family head. He finds a 'sinking ship': power squabbles, poverty, a slave camp, an abandoned copper mine, and the town of Beiye's garrison on the enemy's side.

He sets about running the house like a company: recruiting and training guards, abolishing wild customs (sawdust in the bread), freeing the mine's captives, beginning a stronghold fortress in the Morgan Hills, and expanding the domain. Thus the Nortons' new military and economic power is born.