Chapter Two: One Cup Kills Three Men

Lord Herbert claimed it as an offering. Under royal property law, all wine must be sealed and its handler detained.” Herbert stared at the forged signature. He knew it was false because the real order lay hidden in his study. He could not expose the forgery without admitting he had intercepted the original. “Absurd! Uncle, this woman—” Mordred struck him across the face. “At court, you address offices, not relatives.” Herbert finally understood that he had become the shield. The detained servant twisted free. A black vial fell from his coat, engraved with a frost dragon. Red nobles rose. Frost guards reached for their swords. In Lain’s vision, this vial had begun a war.