Fumbling through her trunk, Aloisia pulled on some fresh hunting leathers. She fastened her weapons belt around her waist and slung her bow and quiver across her shoulder, knowing they would leave soon for the blessing.
As she passed the log bench, still covered in furs, she spotted a small wood carving of an owl nestled within them, a rune emblazoned upon its chest. She closed her fingers around it and made for the door.
As she headed outside, Kaja passed by, striding towards Mavka’s home.
“Have you seen Inari?” she asked, catching Kaja’s arm.
“Don’t look so frantic.” Kaja laughed. “Inari’s in the hall. He offered to make breakfast as thanks for the hospitality last night.”
“He did?”
“The others are taking a shine to him.” She raised a brow. “Not that I blame them, of course.”
“Honestly.” Aloisia rolled her eyes.
“Did you really think he would bail on you?” Kaja clicked her tongue. “He doesn’t seem like the quitting sort. Anyway, he’s far scarier than the judiciaries. If anyone ought to be concerned, it should be them.”
“That’s what scares me; what they may do if they fear him.”
Kaja nudged her with her shoulder. “Don’t worry so much. They have agreed thus far. If he can provide answers, they would be stupid not to allow him to help.”
“Who’s to say they are not stupid?” She linked an arm with Kaja’s, strolling to Mavka’s hall.
“Have faith. He has won over Mavka and Dhara – a far more difficult task. Especially with Dhara.”
They entered the hall and, just as Kaja had said, Inari was serving food to the other huntresses. She noted how he avoided both Morgan and Valda, allowing Neiris to take their food instead, and smirked to herself. He perched on the bench closest to Dhara and Aloisia was surprised to see the lead huntress smile. She could count on one hand how many times she had seen Dhara smile.
“See?” Kaja said, waggling her brows. “He’s going to be fine.”
Inari glanced their way as they walked forth, gesturing to two plates on the bench beside him. The plates were laden with eggs, tomatoes, and bread. Mavka passed along a bowl full of fruit.
“You did all of this?” Aloisia asked, taking a seat beside the shaman.
He nodded. “It was no trouble.”
The huntresses chatted easily around them, and Inari directed their conversation to their own customs, avoiding any mention of his own. With the meal over, everyone extended their thanks to the shaman again before heading out to the storehouse and stables to ready themselves for the ride to the Temple.
Inari remained beside Aloisia as they went, his arm brushing against hers.
“I’ll show you where Magistrate Vester’s estate is after the blessing,” Aloisia said. “Though I don’t imagine they will let me in with you.”
“We shall see.” Inari wrung his hands, the only sign of nerves if he had any. “Hopefully, I will also be permitted to leave.”
They approached the stables and Aloisia hung back, awaiting her own mare to be brought out. The stable hand returned with her mare and another for Inari. Aloisia was about to head for the cart when Dhara stopped her.
“You ride near the front today,” the lead huntress said.
Aloisia gaped.
“The deer was your kill. You will carry it to the blessing. As it was the largest,” — she indicated the rabbits and ducks the others carried — “you should have the honour of riding up front with Mavka and myself.”
Aloisia looked at Mavka, who gave her an encouraging nod, before turning back to Dhara. “Thank you. Am I to carry it on my mare?”
“You did last night.” Dhara clapped her on the shoulder before heading to take her place at the front of the column.
Kaja grinned, clicking her fingers in front of Aloisia’s face when she didn’t move. “Go. Get the kill and take the honour. We peasants shall be fine at the back here.” She nodded at Inari.
“Peasants?” Inari scoffed.
