The second audit covered the manor, the warded roads, the storehouse, and the waystation.
By the time Tristan stepped into the courtyard, a small party of inspectors was already dismounting. They weren't the same stern faces from before.
These men and women wore travel cloaks dusted with road grit, their boots practical rather than polished. One of them, a wiry man with sharp eyes, greeted Tristan with a polite nod.
"Lord Mendez. We are here on behalf of the High Crown for a routine review."
"Routine review?" Tristan echoed, not quite able to hide the edge in his voice. He broke the seal on the parchment.
"New ventures attract attention," the man said easily. "Better to check early and often than let mistakes grow into trouble."
