When she lifted the newest scroll, a faint frown creased her brow.
The handwriting was different from the others, the ink slightly darker, and though it carried the seal of the border command, something about it felt wrong.
Her gaze swept over the text again. Then her eyes narrowed.
One line mentioned a village she had studied before, Vareth. In the previous report, its healer had died within the first week. But here, he was listed among those giving testimony two weeks later.
Her pulse quickened.
She reached for the earlier scroll, setting them side by side.
Same seal. Same phrasing. But not the same truth.
Someone had copied these reports. Altered them.
And now that she had confirmed that what Alaric had told her was true; that this was no natural sickness, then someone was working to hide what it really was.
She leaned back, heart pounding softly in her chest.
The air suddenly felt heavier, the room smaller.
