“Hope you’re hungry!”
Aloisia rooted through her small trunk, finding a simple wrap dress to throw on, tying it at the back. The sleeves billowed to her wrists, the pattern of winding pink floral vines twisting across the white background of the material. Still, the clothes Brighde had given her lay atop the trunk, untouched since she removed them the other day. She folded them and replaced them upon the chest.
As she collected the hunting leathers she’d discarded the night before, she searched the pockets for the wooden bead Inari had given her. She wound another section of her hair into a braid, securing it with the bead at the end. Her mind turned to the dream once more. This bead had been in her hair in the dream. She shook her head, casting away the superstitions which clung to her.
She clambered down the ladder and let Kaja in. The plates were heaped with cheeses, breads, and fruits. Aloisia grabbed the cups from her, the sweet scent of breakfast wine filling her nose.
Setting the cups down, she pulled a low table over to the fur covered benches by the firepit. As they settled beneath the furs, she gestured to what Kaja had brought.
“What is all this in aid of?”
“Can’t I do something nice for a friend?”
Aloisia squinted. “And the real reason?”
After a pause, Kaja puffed out a sigh. “I wanted to grill you on where you were last night out of earshot of the others.”
She giggled. “I promise it wasn’t all that interesting.”
“I saw you heading into the Dead Woods again. Were you seeing our mutual friend?” Kaja waggled her eyebrows.
“I paid him another visit last night. But nothing like that.”
“Shame.” She clicked her tongue. “If you don’t, I will.”
“Kaja!”
“Fine, I’ll give over. Did he have any more information then? I assume it’s why you went.”
Aloisia nodded. “He knows far more about magic and the supernatural than anyone in Littlewatch. He’s agreed to help, to read Brighde’s markings.”
“Can he understand them?”
“I’m not sure. He said he would try, if the judiciaries allow it. I told High Priest Silas of him and his willingness to help.”
“Surely, they would? If he could help, why not let him?”
“Mother Lusana isn’t exactly agreeable.”
“True enough. She is a bit of a witch herself.”
Aloisia snickered. “That she is.”
“So, if you spoke to High Priest Silas last night, did you also see Tristan?”
“I did.” Her amusement faded at the mention of him.
“He’ll come around. It’s just going to take time.”
“I’m not so sure he will.”
“You two are like siblings. He won’t stay mad at you for too long. Not at a time like this.”
“I don’t know, Kaja. I’ve never seen him like this.”
Kaja clasped her hand. “Have faith. You have both been through so much before now. And, during all of it, you have been at each other’s sides, supporting one another. He’ll come around.”
Aloisia managed a weak smile. She wasn’t certain Kaja would be right, not after how dismissive he’d been last night. True enough, she and Tristan had supported each other through some of the worst moments of their lives. She thought this would be the same. But, as angry as he was, time might not be enough to bridge the gap between them.
