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My strategic acquisition possesses an inconvenient will.

She will not enter the ordered structure of House Morwen’thir without changing its balance.

9

FIONA

The eastern chamber is larger than my clinic and emptier than the road between Lowtown and the stronghold.

A fire burns inside a carved stone hearth. Heavy curtains cover the windows, shutting out the mountain squall. Gold thread winds through the dark coverlet on the bed. Every chair bears enough carved ornament to feed a Lowtown hearth for a week.

None of it belongs to me.

Briar stands near the door with her hands folded over a grey apron. She is young, human, and too nervous to meet my gaze for more than a few breaths.

“Is there anything else, Mistress Holt?”

“Yes. I want confirmation that all three supply wagons reached Lowtown.”

“Matron Sarveth said they departed.”

“Departure was the promise made before I arrived. Delivery is what matters.”

Briar looks toward the corridor. “I can ask the household office.”

“Please do.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

She bows and leaves.

My travel case sits unopened beside the bed. I remove my wet boots but keep my dress and stockings on. The stronghold walls mute the storm, yet the wind reaches through the stones as a low vibration.

A covered tray waits on the table. Roasted dripir, dark bread, and vegetables fill three silver dishes. The meal could feed several families. I eat enough to quiet my hunger and wrap the remaining bread in a linen napkin from my case.

A lady should not need to hide food.

A human who has watched children go hungry learns different rules.

Briar returns carrying a narrow ledger.

“The grain and firewood were received,” she says. “The medical wagon arrived after we passed the lower gate. The storekeeper signed for all three.”

“May I see it?”

She hesitates before extending the ledger.

Three entries bear the Lowtown storekeeper’s rough mark. Grain. Tiphe. Medical supplies. The final line includes rirzed, fever treatments, linen, and medicinal roots.

I run my finger beneath each amount.

“Were the revised allotments included?”

“The clerk added the southern household and increased the northern fuel share.”

“What about the clinic?”