"Tumbleton", the fourth House of the Dragon Season 3 episode, begins with Lord Ormund Hightower at the titular market town. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra is slowly rebuilding her council while trying to deal with the threat of Ormund and his seemingly confusing siege of Tumbleton. As that happens, Daemon Targaryen returns to the Vale for the first time since killing Lady Rhea Royce.The hour-long House of the Dragon Season 3 episode focuses on jumps to five different locations: Tumbleton, King's Landing, The Vale, Harrenhal, and Rook's Rest, setting up the arcs of different characters.House of the Dragon season 3 Episode 4 recap: View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe opening scene of this House of the Dragon Season 3 episode confirms the identity of the real Daeron Targaryen: the squire we briefly saw in the first episode (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) serving Ormund. Ormund's forces have peacefully taken over the market town of Tumbleton. For now, it seems that Ormund's soldiers are residing in the commoners' homes, while the Hightower Lord is residing in one of the noble families' castles.At King's Landing, Corlys Velaryon chooses to confront the Triarchy forces in a battle instead of serving Rhaenyra as the Hand. He appoints Alyn of Hull, his elder illegitimate son, to speak on his behalf. Corlys is still incensed with the queen for not legitimizing his sons despite his explicit intention, which he told Rhaenyra. However, Alyn and Rhaenyra surprisingly get along.The Queen also hires two new additions to her council in this House of the Dragon Season 3 episode: Grand Maester Orwyle, who continues in his position. He even advises Rhaenyra on how to navigate her strained relationship with the faith from last week's House of the Dragon Season 3 episode. Rhaenyra realizes that Ormund has her cornered because he intends to force her to unleash the dragon on Tumbleton to free it.Doing so would taint Rhaenyra's reputation among the common folk. Mysaria suggests that Rhaenyra send a small force to free Tumbleton, with a dragon for backup, but not attack it. Rhaenyra accepts this suggestion. The other major addition is the hiring of Torrhen Manderly as the Master of Coin.However, the hiring of Manderly as the Master of Coin is just a distraction, as the royal treasury is empty, and people will blame him when it affects their finances. However, the new Master of Coin might be safe for now, as Daemon manages to get some gold from Lady Jeyne Arryn, and this is where he finally learns the truth about Sheepstealer's rider, as Daemon's dragon Caraxes flies to a cave despite his instructions.There, Daemon finally learns that the rider of Sheepstealer is none other than Rhaena Targaryen. He tries to convince Rhaena to fly to King's Landing and tell Rhaenyra the truth. Rhaena, on the other hand, tells her King Consort father that Jace's death in the House of the Dragon Season 3 premiere was her fault, and Sheepstealer's wildness is an extension of her. Therefore, she intends to live the rest of her life in exile.Meanwhile, at Tumbleton, things take a dark turn as Hugh Hammer's wife, Kat, is almost a**aulted by one of Ormund's soldiers named Garrick. Her brother attacks Garrick, and the matter is brought to Ormund. Kat's family reveals that Garrick attacked her and broke her sister-in-law's arm in the process. Ormund punishes Garrick but retains the soldier in his service for now. The Hightower Lord intends to use this as a lesson for the young Daeron.The episode then cuts to Larys and Aegon on the road to Rook's Rest. En route, Aegon almost gives his identity away when he hugs the body of Sunfyre, his dragon. It seems that Sunfyre's body has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, as a local takes money from Larys for Aegon touching the dragon's body. Larys instructs Aegon to act like a commoner for a while, and the two head to Rook's Rest.However, the two are shocked to find Rook's Rest in extreme poverty. A settlement has been erected in the ruins of Rook's Rest. Rhaenys's dragon, Meleys's body, lies right in the ruins, making Aegon confront the reality of the destruction caused by the creatures Targaryens like him claim to control. Aegon continues to act proud and haughty like a royal, which results in a thug forcing the former king to bend the knee.Therefore, it seems that the Greens are a bit out of luck, Aegon is struggling at the Rook's Rest, and Aemond heals at Harrenhal. Speaking of which, Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower arrive at the remains of Harrenhal and come across Alys Rivers. The witch lies to the two that Aemond and his dragon have left Harrenhal as Rhaenyra took over King's Landing.The two inform Ormund through a raven about Aemond leaving Harrenhal, making the former lash out. However, Aemond is still healing from the injuries he sustained in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2. At King's Landing, Daemon hands over the gold to the crown and also throws an unidentifiable head at the table, revealing that it belonged to the Sheepstealer's rider.Rhaenyra is a bit unhappy, but thanks Daemon for his work. Mysaria, however, feels something is off with Daemon's story and asks him the identity of the man the head belonged to. But she doesn't reveal this to Rhaenyra for now.The scene cuts to Tumbleton in the closing minutes as Ormund brings Kat's brother to Daeron Targaryen, who is bonding with the latter's dragon, Tessarion. Ormund advises his ward not to show affection to the dragon and instructs Daeron to execute the commoner for striking a royal guard and the crown itself by extension. The young boy does as instructed after much protestation, ending the House of the Dragon Season 3 episode.The fourth episode of House of the Dragon Season 3 is currently available on HBO Max.