Tension knotted in her shoulders. Would they grant a request to see him, even if only for a moment? He had been so dazed at the first trial. Was he even aware of what was happening? Had any of the events of the past few days even reached him yet? Part of her thought it would be worse if he had returned to himself, and he was dealing with all of this from the confines of his cell below the watchtower.
Aloisia took a deep breath and centred herself on the task at hand. Her mind turned to Dhara’s warning. She had called the estate a ‘viper’s nest’. Regarding Mother Lusana, she understood naming her a viper. But she knew little of the magistrate, and he had been fair and just at Fynn’s trial. However, she had not known him previously. Perhaps she had been right in thinking High Priest Silas was the only one she could trust. However, if he’d misplaced his trust in the other two judiciaries…
They approached the grand gates of Magistrate Vester’s home, and servants came forth to collect their horses. Guard Oda did not wait long for them, ushering the huntresses into the estate. The gates closed behind them and Aloisia was suddenly very glad of Mavka’s presence.
Oda led them inside the grand stone building. The entryway rose two stories high, an opulent frieze upon the ceiling above them. Oda did not pause, as Aloisia did, her hard-soled boots clicking across the marble floor as she made her way towards a double staircase on the other side of the hall.
“Come,” Oda said. “We mustn’t make the magistrate wait.”
Aloisia hurried to join Mavka at the base of the stairs.
The lead huntress rolled her eyes. “Divines forbid the magistrate to wait.”
Once at the top of the stairs, Aloisia looked out on the entry hall. How one person, or family, could need so much space, she did not know. Her entire house would fit within the foyer.
The huntresses trailed behind Guard Oda, corridors winding away from the landing. It seemed a maze, and an unnecessary one, to Aloisia. Finally, Oda stopped before a door. Two guards stood on either side. They opened the doors and Oda ushered them inside.
“Huntress Aloisia.” Magistrate Vester rose from his chaise. “How good of you to give us a moment of your busy day.” His dark gaze moved to Mavka. “I do not recall asking for your presence, Lead Huntress.”
Behind him, Mother Lusana lounged in one armchair whilst High Priest Silas leant against the mantle behind her, concern furrowing his brow.
“And I do not recall being asked, Magistrate,” Mavka retorted. “But I am the one who vouched for Aloisia at the trial. I am as involved in this matter as she is.”
“As you say. Please, take a seat.” He gestured to another chaise beside Lusana.
Mavka gave a serene smile. “Much obliged.”
Aloisia perched alongside her, glancing across to the Modäiti who still wore an alarmingly calm expression.
“Thank you, Huntress Aloisia,” Lusana said, “for bringing information to us. The high priest has filled us in this morn. Your aid is appreciated.”
“Appreciated, yes.” Magistrate Vester returned to his own chaise. “However, the Hunting Guild’s involvement in judicial business is unconventional.”
“Come, Asmund.” Mavka leant forward. “It may be unconventional in recent times, but you know as well as I the long-held traditions of Teneria. Any of the four founding guilds can be involved in such matters should the need arise. This tradition predates even the Harteryn line.”
“Well said, Lead Huntress.” Lusana smiled. “The guilds existed long before my family sat upon the throne. Such traditions are sacred and integral to the realm. I am sure my sister, Queen Odalis, would agree.”
Magistrate Vester ran a hand along his jaw, his eyes never leaving Mavka. If it unnerved her, she did not show it.
“What is the reason for calling me here?” Aloisia asked.
“High Priest Silas has told us of this shaman who is willing to read Brighde’s markings.” Lusana shifted in her seat.
Silas stepped forth at the mention of the matter. “We are making little progress with these markings. I had hoped, by now, we would at least have some clue as to their origin. A starting point. But we do not even have that. The aid of this shaman could be of great help.”
Lusana cleared her throat. “These markings may not be of this world at all, if what you have told us is true, Huntress. In which case, I am unsure of the shaman’s abilities to read them.”
“Not of this world?” Mavka frowned.
“These shadow monsters… If they are real, then the question remains: where are they from? If they are what killed the woman, then what connection could the markings have to them or whoever brought them forth? If the priests have not found a language matching it, then it is not a language of this world.”
Aloisia snorted. “It’s a little short-sighted to think the priests know of every language in this world.”
Lusana’s amber eyes flashed with a spark of anger. “My family’s roots go back to the Adarian Empire far west. Said empire, still ruled by my cousins, stretched across this world. The largest empire ever to exist. And the knowledge gained from the empire’s expansion was brought here, when my ancestors conquered this land. If the language were of this world, they would have found it.”
“Forgive me if I don’t agree.”
“Do you think this shaman could read them?” Asmund asked.
