“Excellent.” Aloisia turned to Inari. “Do you want some food?”
“I would never say no to free food,” he said.
“Somehow I thought that would be the case.”
“The other huntresses would love to meet you,” Kaja said. “Lead Huntress Mavka has extended an invitation for you to join us for meals whenever you wish.”
“She has?” Aloisia asked.
Kaja nodded.
“How kind,” Inari said, pocketing the half-finished owl as he rose to his feet. “It is too much, but kind all the same.”
“I would take up the offer, if I were you,” Kaja said. “The guild’s cooks are the best for miles around. I’m glad being a huntress is for life. I don’t even want to think what would happen if I had to cook for myself.”
“You wouldn’t survive.” Aloisia chuckled.
“You’re right,” Kaja said, leading them to Mavka’s home. “I’d die from food poisoning on the first day.”
They entered the large hall, and the other huntresses surrounded the fire pit. Aloisia picked her way to the bench she would share with Kaja, settling between the huntress and the shaman.
Mavka’s household staff skittered around the room, handing out plates of food and tankards of ale. To their credit, none seemed taken aback by their guest. With everyone served, Mavka clanged her tankard against her plate, calling the attention of the huntresses.
“Welcome Huntresses,” Mavka said. “We have done well this day. You have each earned your fill this night.”
They all banged their cups and plates in accord. Inari paused, with a glimmer of amusement on his face.
“We welcome a guest this night, also.” She smiled at the shaman. “Inari, please eat and drink as much as you like whilst you are with us. Our home is yours.”
“I will not say no to that.” He breathed a laugh.
“I am glad to hear it. As I am sure Kaja will have told you, you are welcome at our hearth any time.”
“How very gracious of you.” Inari inclined his head in thanks.
“I expect my sisters to make you feel at home here.”
The huntresses murmured their agreement at Mavka’s words.
“We will attend the blessing in the morning,” Dhara said. “And there will be another hunt the day after tomorrow.”
Aloisia glanced at Mavka. “The day of the trial?”
“Not to worry,” Dhara said. “We are aware. And we shall schedule around it.”
Mavka nodded. “We will have another evening hunt, since the trial is in the morning. Both of us will be required to attend the trial, so do not worry about missing it.”
“What of the beads?” Morgan asked from across the fire pit, holding her chin a little too high as if she knew she should not have broached the subject.
Aloisia tensed at the words.
“A question for another time, perhaps.” Mavka waved the concern away.
Dhara set her tankard down. “She has a point.”
Mavka met Aloisia’s eyes, a silent apology in her gaze.
“We do not exactly have access to our usual smith.”
