Chapter 19 · I am listening

"I am listening," Rayne said.

"Then listen to me. The patrol is moving toward the hollow. Your quartermaster sent them there. If you waste another minute, the child dies."

"You expect me to take your word over a signed military order?"

"I expect you to use your eyes. That order was written to make you look the other way."

I snatched the paper from the soldier's hand and shoved it under Rayne's nose.

"Look at the seal."

He took it.

The order carried Ironfang's black wax, but the edge had been pressed twice. Once with the camp seal. Once with a narrow crescent cut into the wax.

Rayne's expression changed.

"Where did you see this mark?" he asked the quartermaster.

The man laughed.

"You know exactly what it means."

Rayne folded the paper once.

"Lock him up."

The soldiers dragged the quartermaster toward the command building.

"Commander!" the man shouted. "If you hide her, the whole camp falls with you. Cole's people are already inside your walls."

Rayne didn't answer.

He turned to the patrol captain.

"How many men are at the eastern timber line?"

"Twelve. Maybe fourteen."

"Bring them back."

"Sir, the order says—