Chapter 20 · Untitled Chapter

"Read the seal again, boy." Victor held the document out like a knife. "Royal treasury. Guaranteed. Your embargo just became treason."

Ryan reached for it. Victor snapped it back.

"Ask nicer next time."

"Matthias," Ryan said without looking away from him. "The banners."

Matthias braced his spyglass against the wall. "Gold and red. Crossed swords over a crown. Ten riders, a scribe wagon behind them. They're coming fast."

"An auditor," Ivy said.

She stood at Ryan's shoulder, her coat brushing his sleeve when she leaned toward the road. He caught the sharp smell of gun oil and cold leather, then forced his attention back to the approaching column.

"Not soldiers," she continued. "Which means this isn't over. It's worse."

"Explain."

"An auditor doesn't ride to a siege to watch men fight. He rides to decide who owes the crown what." She tipped her chin toward Victor. "Whoever he believes first wins without drawing a sword."

Victor's grin widened. "She's smarter than she looks, Ashe. Enjoy losing."

The column rode through the gate between both camps and stopped in the open ground. The lead rider wore plain gray beneath the crown seal. He carried no sword.