Chapter 19 · The Crown's Debt

"They're at the tree line." Matthias caught Ryan by the shoulder before he reached the top stair. "Six hundred, maybe more. Victor's riding in front like he's already won."

Ryan twisted free and grabbed the parapet. His lungs burned from the climb. Below, spear points pushed through the fog, and Victor's black banners rolled toward Frosthollow's gate.

"Where's Ivy?" Ryan asked.

"Right here." Ivy stepped out from behind the battlement, one hand resting on the hilt at her hip. "You wanted a front-row seat to your own siege. Congratulations."

"It's not a siege." Ryan pulled three letters from inside his coat. The wax seals were warm from his body. "It's a collections notice."

Ivy looked at the papers, then at the army. "You plan to stop six hundred soldiers with mail?"

"Not mail. Their creditors." Ryan shoved one letter into Matthias's hand. "Get this to the Halworth agent in the merchant camp. Don't stop to explain. Don't let Victor's officers see it."

Matthias broke the seal and scanned the first lines. His face drained. "You're pulling Halworth's grain contract? Today?"

"This hour."

"Ryan, if Halworth cuts them off, Victor won't negotiate. He'll burn the villages around us for food.