Oda followed her gaze, paling upon sight of the man. “Who is he? Is he what you found?”
Aloisia paused a moment too long.
Oda waved forth a pair of guards. “Arrest him.”
“Wait!”
“You said yourselves the map would lead to the one who started all of this. If he is what you found at the end of the map, then he needs to be taken to the magistrate.”
The huntresses closed ranks around Ezra and Inari, blocking the guards’ way.
“If they are to have an audience with Magistrate Vester,” Mavka said, “then we shall escort them.”
Oda bristled. “With all due respect, Lead Huntress—”
Mavka ignored the guard, guiding her guild and the prisoners to the stables. The guards looked at Oda for command. Dhara smirked as they went.
Within the stables, Aloisia turned to Mavka. “What now?”
“We take you to Magistrate Vester.” She glanced at Dhara, who gave a curt nod.
The stable hands rushed about them, readying the mares.
“What if he does not permit Ezra’s testimony?” Aloisia asked.
“You will not be going alone,” Mavka said. “I vouched for you. This involves me. I will not allow justice to be shirked any longer.”
Dhara clapped Aloisia on the back. “Likewise. If he wants to bring my guild into this, then so be it. But he shall deal with the consequences.”
Not for the first time, Aloisia wondered about the past the lead huntresses shared with the magistrate.
“By the Guild Charters, we have as much right as any of the other four founding guilds to pull rank in trials of justice. You enacted those rights. It’s time we see those rights respected.”
They brought the horses out and Dhara lifted Aloisia onto her mare.
She clicked at Inari. “Shaman. You double up with Aloisia. Scholar, you’re with Kaja.”
Inari swung up onto the horse behind Aloisia, reaching around her to grab the reins.
Oda stormed after them. “I really must insist—”
Dhara turned, looking down her nose at the guard. “You, girl, are a thorn in my side. Follow us if you wish. Your duties are being followed through. We shall deliverourprisoners to the magistrate.”
“You are outnumbered. Stand down.” Oda shook her head. “I do not wish for there to be quarrel between our guilds, Lead Huntress.”
“Good. Then follow along behind us like good little puppies.” Dhara mounted her mare. With everyone prepared, she clicked her tongue and set off at a canter towards Littlewatch, the huntresses in formation around Inari and Ezra at their centre.
Aloisia peered over Inari’s shoulder where the guards were scrambling back to their horses. She bit her lip. Ezra’s testimony was the only evidence she had to bring to the trial in but a couple of hours. They had done so much just to find and release him. If the magistrate took him into custody…
Hooves pounded across dirt paths which swiftly turned to cobblestone roads. Dhara led the way up to Execution Square, Mavka at her side. Aloisia squeezed her eyes closed, queasy from the ride, and still unsettled from the ordeal of the past few days. Inari’s arm wound around her waist, holding her steady in the saddle.
They stopped outside the gates of Magistrate Asmund Vester’s estate. Inari helped Aloisia down from the mare.
“Lead Huntress?” one guard addressed Dhara with a wary gaze.
“We request an audience with Asmund,” she said. “Rather, he requested one with two of my huntresses. Inform him we are here.”
The guards exchanged a look of uncertainty. Oda and her group of guards entered the square then.
