Chapter 10 · Frontier Lord - Chapter 10: Salt in the Wagons

The wagons rolled in at noon, and Ava knew right away something was wrong.

Three of them, canvas stretched tight over the beds, oxen plodding like they'd been walking since dawn. The lead driver had a merchant's smile—too wide, too practiced. Rain was already moving, his hand resting on the hatchet at his belt. Sera stood by the gate, arms crossed, her gaze locked on the wagon wheels. They were sitting too high. Empty, or close to it.

Ava stepped forward, mud sucking at her boots. "You're early."

The lead driver hopped down, boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. He was maybe forty, clean-shaven, his coat too nice for a supply run to a dead fief. "Lady Windstone. We heard you needed provisions. Thought we'd help out."

"Help." Ava didn't move. "From who?"

"Independent traders, my lady. We heard there were folk settling here. Thought we'd bring what we could." He gestured back at the wagons. "Grain, salted meat, tools. Fair prices."

Rain circled around the second wagon, his eyes on the canvas ties. One of the other drivers—younger, jumpier—shifted his weight. Sera walked up beside Ava, her voice low. "He's lying."

"I know.