“What are they?”
“Perhaps we could have this conversation without an arrow pointed at me?” He gestured to her bow. “Or maybe even without an arrow in my wrist?”
Aloisia held fast, keeping the bow steady. “Or, you know, you could tell me now and I don’t kill you?”
“Lis!” Tristan hissed.
The shaman narrowed his eyes. “You are no killer.”
“Actually,” she said, “it happens to be my profession.”
“There is a difference between killing for sustenance and killing for sport. And I think you know that.”
“Do not make presumptions about me, shaman.”
“You want this information. And I may be the only one who could give you this information. I do not think you would kill me, even if you had it in you to do so. It would not be conducive to your goal here.”
“All right.” Aloisia switched her aim to his leg. “I could litter you with arrows until you tell me.”
The muscle in his jaw twitched as he considered her words. “I do not doubt you could. But would you?”
“Try me.”
The shaman stepped forth. “Go on then. Perhaps a foot this time? Or a thigh? Maybe the other arm?” He edged closer again. “Take your pick, little wolf. I am waiting.”
Aloisia clenched her teeth. He had called her bluff and he knew it. Whilst shooting him when he had a blade at Tristan’s throat was justifiable, shooting him for the sake of it was not.
“I will tell you how this will work.” The shaman gave a calm smile. “You will both accompany me back to my home, where you will aid me in removing this arrow and binding the wound. Then, in exchange for your help, I will give you what information you require.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then it is your loss. And I am in for a painful night.”
Aloisia kept her bow trained on him, considering her options. She wanted answers. Thus far, he was the only one who could provide them. And he was willing to share those answers. But how could she trust him? He would have killed Tristan if she hadn’t stopped him. Even wounded, he would find little trouble overpowering them, as strong as he appeared. Two sacrifices for the price of one.
“Lis?” Tristan murmured. “Would it be so bad to help him? He didn’t have to answer us. If he can help us with Fynn’s trial, what’s the harm?”
“This way, we all gain something,” the shaman said. “I get help with my wound. You get the answers you seek. We all win and part ways as friends.”
Aloisia scoffed. “Unlikely.”
“Do we have a deal? I cannot stand here bleeding out all night.”
Aloisia hesitated.
“Yes,” Tristan answered. “Yes, we do.”
“Tristan! Hold on a moment.” She inclined her head, indicating for him to come closer. “How do we know we can trust him? What if he turns on us?”
“What if we make him swear not to?”
She stared at him. What good was his word?
“Fear not, little wolf. I take my oaths seriously,” the man said. “And I am sure if I am not true to my word, you will see to it another arrow finds me. Perhaps somewhere more fatal next time. I would say that is motivation enough to be on my best behaviour.”
She looked between them, still unsure. Yes, she wanted answers, but at what cost? Her gaze went to Tristan.
Trust me, he mouthed.Please.
