I lay awake in my room, waiting for Rowan to fall unconscious. It didn't take long.
Once I was sure he was asleep, I got up, got dressed, and grabbed Ilargia.
I hopped out the inn window, and flew over the city, looking for the shrine.
I needed answers.
I found it and flew to the entrance.
The trees and vines grew together, thick and tangled. A natural barrier that explained how the shrine had been lost.
I put my hand on the wall of leaves and focused for a few moments.
A query, a challenge, a denial of entry, a trial to prove my worth.
"I was here with the goddess," I said. "Let me in."
Denial.
"I'm a Master Mage of the Academy. Let me in."
Denial.
"If you don't let me in I'll set you on fire?"
Amused denial.
Damn.
An idea struck. One that had been forming from my first interaction with the goddess.
"The Twisted Weave demands entrance."
The thick branches and leaves shuddered and shook, and parted.
"Thank you."
