His last statement somewhat shattered her hopes of Tristan’s research finding anything on these beings. If his people’s stories were all verbal, and anything her own land had written on such things were destroyed or secured, what would they be able to find?
She thought of the stories they had been told as children, of times long ago where their ancestors had practiced magic and worshipped other gods, older gods. Aloisia knew of shrines within the Great Hawk Forest, remnants of their past, but whilst the stories held a lot ofwhatthey did, there wasn’t much of thehow. And, if magic was a skill to be learned, the same as shooting a bow or wielding a blade, then their stories held little information on how one learned it.
“Anything else?” Inari asked.
“Is there any way to stop the Forgotten Gods? A way to send them back where they came from?”
“In what limited knowledge I have of summoning, the one who brought them forth is the only one who can send them back. They are bound by their words, so cannot be released by another’s.”
Aloisia’s face fell. The only way to stop the Forgotten Gods really was to find the one who had released them.
“I am sorry if these are not the answers you wanted to hear.”
“Lis?” Kaja reached for her. Aloisia stepped out of her range, pacing.
“I know you want answers, regarding your sister-in-law’s death,” Inari said. “But tread lightly. Your people went to such lengths to bury this knowledge. There will be those who would do anything to keep this hushed, to keep you hushed. Do not push this too far. You may lose your head for it.”
Aloisia stilled, narrowing her eyes. “What are you saying?”
“There are things which ought not to be meddled with. This may be one of those things. Mind your step as you go. Do not step too close to the edge, for there is the risk you may fall.”
“What alternative do I have? What would you have me do? Sit idly by as my brother hangs for the murder of his wife?”
Inari recoiled as if struck. “Your brother?”
“All the while,” Aloisia continued, ignoring him, “I know he is innocent, and some heathen gods brought forth by Divines-knows-who are the ones behind it.”
“I didn’t… He has been accused of this?” He moved towards her.
“What if these gods take it upon themselves to kill others? Is it not my responsibility? After all, I am one of the few who saw these things. Am I to remain silent whilst they storm through our land?” Aloisia shook her head, marching back the way they had come.
Inari caught her wrist. “Lis, wait—”
“Do not call me that.” She whirled around to face him, wrenching her hand from his. “You’ve no right.”
“I know you by no other name.”
“Even so.” She folded her arms over her chest. Flames crept over her cheeks, tarnishing them red, and she hoped the shadows of the branches above were enough to conceal it. “Thank you for answering our questions, shaman.” She started back towards the trees, wishing she could take back her harsh words.
“The offer of coming to the guild still stands, Inari,” Kaja said.
Aloisia swatted at her. “Stop it!” she hissed under her breath.
“What?”
“We should do this again sometime,” Inari called after them.
Aloisia scowled at him over her shoulder, resolving they would not be doing this again anytime.
“You should go a little easier on him, Lis,” Kaja said.
She rolled her eyes, though she had a point. “Why? Because he’s dreamy?”
“No.” Kaja clicked her tongue. “Though it doesn’t hurt. I only mean he didn’t know the whole of everything. I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Regardless of what he knew, it is not his place to tell me what I should or should not do.”
“If you say so.”
