“They are here now. And if it wasn’t for the shadow monsters, it would have answered.”
“How can you know? It said nothing. It might have said nothing.”
“Tristan, please.” She clutched his hand, meeting his blue gaze. “There are answers in reach, here and now.”
He glanced around them. “There may have been, but I see none of those blue flames anymore.”
“Do what you want.” Aloisia pulled her arm free of his grasp. “I’m going to keep looking.” She strode deeper into the woods.
“That’s not fair. You know I won’t walk back on my own. I’m not even armed!”
“Then keep close.”
Aloisia treaded carefully, alert for any signs of the beings. She hoped the shadow monsters had not scared them off for good.
“What if those shadows come back? What is your plan then?” Tristan huffed as he followed behind her.
“They were heading south, away from Littlewatch and the guild. Away from us. I don’t think we have to worry about it.”
“Yes, because it is so far beyond the realm of reason that they could turn back.”
“Stop fretting, they didn’t see us.”
A flicker of blue light shone up ahead.
“See.” Aloisia pointed. “And you would’ve had us go back.”
Tristan tutted.
“Come on.” She darted forth, keeping her footsteps light. It surprised her Tristan’s were as silent. Perhaps he was learning a thing or two. Focusing on the glowing blue orb which flitted between the trees, she slowed her pace, not wanting to startle it away.
The blue orb fluttered, dimming as it transformed into a human form. It peeped from behind the tree trunk.
“I will not hurt you,” Aloisia said, keeping her voice gentle. “I just want to talk.”
The being tilted its head.
“Can you speak?”
It blinked at her, saying nothing.
“Do you even understand me?”
It slanted its head the other way, as a puppy would when spoken to.
The hope which had flooded within her waned. Only last night, the other blue flame had spoken to her. Perhaps only certain ones could? Aloisia didn’t know.
“Go ahead and say I was wrong, Tristan.” She glanced back, expecting some snarky comment from him.
But he wasn’t there.
“Tristan?” White hot panic flooded her veins. Had he gone back after all? Why wouldn’t he have told her? Had the shadows returned, as he’d predicted, and taken him away? Or worse? How would she not have heard it if they had?
Aloisia peered at the blue flame as it vanished with a squeal. Reaching for her bow, she surveyed her surroundings. The forest was quiet, too quiet. There were no shadow monsters in sight, nor any of the blue flames. Careful to keep her footing silent, Aloisia tracked her way back to where she had last spoken to Tristan.
“Vyö hylän,” she uttered. A familiar burning behind her right ear signalled the words taking effect. Her hearing heightened, becoming crystal clear and stretching far beyond earshot.
Nocking an arrow, Aloisia continued through the trees. Now, she could hear the groans of the barren branches above, the flap of a bird’s wings as it took flight, with such clarity as if it were beside her. Her heightened sense also allowed her to determine the distance of those sounds. Taking a deep breath, she honed her senses, letting the most distant noises fade away as she focused on those closest.
