Aloisia scoffed. “You would dismiss them so easily?”
Mavka gripped her fingers, a warning to stop.
“I may not be a warrior, but as a huntress, it is my duty all the same to protect the people of Littlewatch. And protect them, we must. However, you would rather allow these monsters to walk our land whilst you hang my brother for a crime you cannot prove he committed. You would rather allow your people to be in peril than admit there is something to fear.”
“Enough!” Magistrate Vester bellowed. “If you speak one more word, Huntress, I will hold you in contempt of court.”
Aloisia stepped back down from the stairs, satisfied she’d made her point.
“If the shaman can help, then why don’t you let him?” one person called out.
“That book proves nothing!” shouted another.
“Something needs to be done about the monsters!” a voice from the back of the square yelled.
“Divines save us!” many others cried. “Send for the Warriors of Ravencross!”
“Call for the Mage’s Guild!”
Fury burned in Asmund’s eyes. She knew they wanted to avoid hysteria, and if that was what it would take to push them to do something, then she would continue to prod the townsfolk until hysteria was what they had.
“Silence!” Magistrate Vester roared. “I understand your fears. But be reasonable. If these creatures are behind this murder, we must logically look for the one controlling them. They do not operate of their own accord.”
“How can you know?” Aloisia asked.
Asmund turned his glare back to her. “From what limited knowledge I have, I know such creatures from centuries past could not appear unless called upon. I assume it is the case here, if these creatures are indeed behind this.” He turned back to the now silent crowd. “And, thus far, only one has fallen victim to them. There is nothing to fear. Not yet. You have my word; they will be stopped. However, we must search for the one behind this, the one who called them forth. We have two people in custody – the first being the accused before you, and the second the shaman, Inari. You must have faith in the light of the Father that we will find the truth and through that truth there will be justice.”
“Truth and justice,” the crowd echoed back to him.
Aloisia ground her teeth.
“We are still questioning this shaman,” Magistrate Vester continued. “And we will find out what connection he has with the murder of Brighde Smith. I am sorry there is nothing more substantial to bring before you all today. We will continue to work diligently to find the truth behind this.”
Lusana stepped forth, her false calm regained. “We shall continue this investigation and the research into the markings on the victim. We will leave no stone unturned until we find out what happened.”
“Let us pray to the Father,” Magistrate Vester said, bowing his head, “so that he may guide us in this endeavour.”
The crowd inclined their heads in prayer. Aloisia kept her glare on the magistrate, her blood boiling at how he had smoothed it all over. The crowd was now pacified, but she hoped her words had at least stirred up an undercurrent of fear. A fear she would continue to nurture until the judiciaries took notice and finally did something.
“Take the prisoner away.” Asmund gestured to the guards.
The pair of guards moved forwards and helped Fynn to his feet. He met Aloisia’s gaze for a final time before marching back to the prison, the guards flanking him to either side.
Aloisia remained in place as the judiciaries retreated within Magistrate Vester’s estate. Silas patted her shoulder as he passed. The crowd dispersed around her, as if their lives would go on as usual after what was likely to them just an eventful morning.
Mavka grabbed Aloisia’s wrist. “Do you have a death wish, child?”
“If I do, it hasn’t worked.”
“I warned you to tread lightly.”
“Treading lightly wasn’t quite cutting it.” Aloisia jerked free. “They will never listen. Not until more die at the hands of those monsters. And, even then, they will still try to pin it on Fynn, if not Inari.”
“There is still time. Another nine days yet.”
Aloisia couldn’t help but wonder if it would be enough. Without Inari’s help, where would she go from here? What further proof could she provide with pages she could not translate and no way to prove these creatures existed without bringing one before them.
“Come, child.” Mavka wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her back to their horses. “We have a hunt to get to. Perhaps it will provide a welcome distraction.”
