Chapter 6 · Ash Ledger - Chapter 6: The Missing Rations

"Three crates short." Bram's voice cut through the yard before I even made it past the gate. "You signed for them yesterday."

I stopped. The quartermaster stood by the supply shed with his arms crossed, ledger open in one hand. Two guards flanked him. Not the usual morning count.

"I signed for what came in," I said. "Check the manifest."

"I am." He tapped the page. "Your mark. Three crates hardtack, two salt pork. Only two crates made it to storage."

The yard was too quiet. Men who should've been loading wagons just stood there, watching. Waiting for me to say the wrong thing.

"Then someone lifted them between the gate and the shed," I said. "Not my problem."

"It is when you're the last name on the chain." Bram stepped closer. "Steward Voss wants an answer by noon. Either you find what walked off, or he finds it for you."

Ilan. Of course.

I kept my face flat. "I'll look."

"You do that." Bram's eyes flicked past me, toward the barracks, then back. "And Vale? Don't make me come looking."

He turned and walked off, guards trailing.