Chapter 21 · The Blood Signature

"Say it again." Ryan had the messenger's collar twisted in both fists before the man finished speaking. "Slower."

"My lord—the writ's three days old. Lord Edmund Ashe was executed for treason at dawn, by the Crown's own order—"

"Executed?" Matthias's voice cracked behind him. "Ryan, let him breathe."

Ryan's grip tightened. The courier's boots scraped an inch above the stones. A horse screamed beyond the gate. Somewhere behind him, a dinner tray hit the courtyard and shattered.

"Who signed the order?" Ryan demanded.

"The royal seal, my lord. I only carry—"

"Ryan." Ivy seized his wrist. Her fingers were cold and hard. "Drop him. He's a courier, not the executioner."

Ryan looked at her hand, then at her face. His own fingers were shaking.

He released the man. The messenger collapsed onto the flagstones and stayed there, gasping.

Matthias crouched beside him. After checking his pulse, he rose with a grimace. "There's more. The granary count came in an hour ago. Three days of grain. Four if we cut rations again."

"Cut them again and the smiths won't lift a hammer," Ivy said. "Cut a third time, and Frosthollow isn't a hold anymore. It's a sickroom."

"Then we don't cut."