Itwasn’tlongbeforeMoragreturnedwithKaja,Inari,andtheguardsintow.Oda’sfranticeyeswerewideasshestaredamongsttheclansmen.ChieftainCathanaccompaniedAloisiaoutofthehut.HisgazewenttotheshacklesaroundInari’swrists.
“You did not mention there was a prisoner in your midst, Huntress,” the chieftain said.
“He is the only one who can read the map,” Aloisia replied. “And I am not the one who put him in chains.”
Oda narrowed her eyes.
“Come along,” Morag said. “We haven’t all day. And I think I am not the only one who would like to be home before dark. And you have much further to go than I.”
Cathan clapped Aloisia on the back as she turned to join the others. “Remember our deal. I help you; you help me. Whatever answers you find, I’d like to know of them.”
Aloisia nodded. “Of course. Hopefully, what we find will help us all. If we can get to it.”
“If?” Oda asked. “What do you mean ‘if’?”
“Clan Tolmach doesn’t own the Vale of Poppies. Before we can get to wherever the map leads us, we will need to convince those who own it to allow us in.”
Oda shook her head. “This is going on too long. We should have gone back when I said.”
“And what would that have achieved? We’re one step closer now, thanks to me. Just one more step once we reach the vale, and we’re there.”
“You had better hope it will be so easy.”
They trailed behind Morag and a few of his men as they led them through the clearing and down another path amongst the trees. Oda and Ludin still flanked Inari, as if – even in the clan lands – he was still the most dangerous amongst them. Aloisia pushed to the front, gritting her teeth as the pain blossomed once again in her ribs.
“The Shadow Sisters,” Aloisia said, reaching Morag. “Tell me more about them.”
“There are many clans within the mountains.” Morag held out a hand, helping her over a crop of rocks. “Clan Tolmach is only one of them. The Shadow Sisters, another. Each possesses their own lands, their own customs. And we each keep to our own. The vale is the largest of the mountain passes. It is also the site of the bloodiest battle between the clans and your people. Back before then, long before I was born, it was said the soil there was the most fertile. Now, only poppies grow there.
“The Shadow Sisters,” he continued, “were formed after this battle. The wise women of the other clans all joined together. Back then, the clans made a pact. They would fight together, as one, against a common enemy.” Morag looked pointedly at Aloisia.
“The empire.”
He nodded. “So, when our people fell, the wise women and their apprentices were the ones who had to deal with the injuries and deaths. After the battle, after such bloodshed, they vowed to honour every fallen warrior. The battle was won, of course, but at a terrible cost. The Vale of Poppies is a graveyard for those who fell in battle. And the Shadow Sisters are the ones who guard and care for it.”
“They will not take kindly to our being there.”
“No, they will not. The vale is sacred land to them, to us all. Even other clans, like our own, stay away.”
“What are the chances they will allow us into the vale?”
“Slim, at best. It is still worth trying. The Great Hawk Forest is hunting land for most of the clans. I would wager they are having the same trouble as we are, with the attacks.”
“And, hopefully, that we may provide answers, maybe even a solution, could sway them.”
“Potentially. Maili is a tough nut to crack. All of them are hardened by their duty to the vale.”
Aloisia’s lips pressed into a thin line. They couldn’t stop now, not when they had come so far. The only way was forward, but she hoped the price for the pursuit would not be too high. She couldn’t see any other way, however, with the trial fast approaching. She glanced at the sky through the canopy. The day was fading. They had yet to find any answers, and they still had to return before the trial in the morning.
As they traipsed along the side of the mountain, the path becoming steeper with each step, exhaustion weighed heavily on Aloisia. Her fingers went to her ribs again, the ache now a constant companion. Kaja passed her the skin of water and another piece of dried meat.
“Are you all right?” Kaja asked.
Aloisia waved away her concern. “I’m fine. We have to keep going.”
“The last thing we need is you passing out.”
Before she could answer, Morag held up a hand, gesturing for them to halt.
