Kaja watched her. “Nothing?”
“It’s there, and it’s not.”
“Not to worry. As long as the rest of your mind is there, one painful experience won’t go amiss.”
Aloisia barked a laugh. “Yes, that’s the right mindset.”
Kaja helped her to her feet. “Let’s get some food in you, so Mavka and Dhara will loosen the reins and let you see the shaman.”
TWENTY SEVEN
WithbelliesfullandtheleadhuntressesconvincedKajawouldlookafterAloisia,thehuntressesheadeduptoLittlewatch.WhilstKaja’smarewasbeingsaddledupfortheirjourney,Aloisiacooedtoherownmare,makingsuresheknewitwasallrightandshewouldn’tbeholdinganygrudges.DharahadspecifiedAloisiawouldnotbetakingahorseofherown.Thelastthingsheneededwasanotherfall,she’dsaid.ShehadtodoubleupwithKajainstead.
They came upon Execution Square and made their way towards Magistrate Vester’s estate. Kaja swung down first, helping Aloisia from the saddle. Knowing they would need permission, and no longer possessing the golden coin which had granted her access several nights before, Aloisia proceeded to the gates where Guard Oda stood at attention.
“Huntress,” Oda addressed her. “I suppose you are here for an audience with Magistrate Vester about the shaman.”
“I am,” Aloisia answered.
“It’s good to see you on your feet, Huntress.” Oda bowed her head and retreated beyond the gates.
Regardless of whatever animosity there had been between them, losing a huntress was a grave thing. News of Aloisia’s accident must have travelled around the town. Even so, the change in the guard surprised her. Aloisia wondered if she would see the same change in Asmund. She doubted it.
Oda returned and beckoned the huntresses inside. She led the way through the vast estate to the drawing room, where she had met with him before. Within the room, the judiciaries had gathered once again.
Magistrate Asmund Vester gestured to a chaise opposite him. “Please take a seat, huntresses.”
Lusana hovered behind the magistrate’s own chaise, her gaze lowered and hands clasped on the back of the seat. Silas sat back in an armchair. The high priest seemed to have aged a decade in the days Aloisia had been unconscious, his face drawn, his beard speckled with more grey than she remembered.
Kaja helped Aloisia to the seat, keeping a palm on her back as if she may collapse any moment.
“I am sorry to hear of those priests,” Aloisia said, her attention on Silas.
He drew a hand down his face. “It is a dire situation we find ourselves in, Aloisia.”
“A situation,” Asmund said, “we hope the shaman can aid in.”
“If he will help.” Aloisia raised a brow. “I could not blame him should he decline.”
“You must understand why we had to question him, at least.”
“Question him, yes. Arrest him, no.” Aloisia leant forwards, meeting the magistrate’s eyes. “If you had taken his warning seriously, followed his instructions, those priests may still be alive now. Their deaths could have been avoided if you had destroyed those copies.”
“And we hope,” Magistrate Vester said, “you can convince him to aid us in destroying them. After all, they need to be dispelled. He is the only one who can help with that. The Mage’s Guild is too far away. And there are… processes to involving them.” He glanced at Lusana.
“Will you permit me to speak with him?”
Asmund nodded. “I will give my consent.” He held out a golden coin, the scales of the Father etched on its surface. “This will grant you entry to the prison, Huntress.”
Aloisia took the coin, turning it over in her fingers. She had not thought they would give her permission so easily.
“We would ask,” Lusana said, speaking for the first time since they had entered, “for you to pose some questions to him.”
“If I refuse?” Aloisia raised a brow.
“We simply wish to know where he is from and why he is here. Perhaps he would divulge such information to you.”
“Perhaps. If I choose to ask.” And if she chose to tell.
