Above the Stars and under the Flames

15. The Right Direction

It took Lorithiel hours to fall asleep the night before, and when she woke up, she still felt sluggish. She managed to work off some of her fatigue, but she remained weary for quite some time. As she looked around, she noticed that most of the other inhabitants of Astranaar were exhausted as well.

It was rather warm last night, Lorithiel thought to herself. We probably just couldn't get to sleep because of the humidity.

She found Darren and Koran sitting on a bench outside the inn, struggling to keep their eyes open. When she came into their line of sight, they appeared not to see her. Eventually, Koran opened his eyes a bit further and processed her presence. He elbowed Darren sharply in the side, causing him to jump up and glance around wildly for a few seconds until he recognized Lorithiel.

"You two didn't sleep well either, I take it?" she greeted, lifting a hand to her mouth, unsuccessfully trying to stifle a yawn. The others mumbled agreement to her question, and she chuckled a bit. "Right, well.. shall we get going? The sooner we start searching this town for clues about Thellandria, the sooner we can shake off this tiredness and wake ourselves up a bit."

The trio began searching for hints around Astranaar. A few people had met or heard of the druid, but they had not seen her in many moons, and they were unable to provide any help. Still, Lorithiel and her sleepy comrades pressed on, struggling to find someone who had even the tiniest bit of information.

"Sister Kimlya," Lorithiel said, smiling up at the innkeeper. "We were wondering if you have any idea where we might be able to locate a woman named Thellandria Cinderpelt. She's a Druid of the Antler, but I'm not sure where to find her. Do you happen to know anything that might be of use?"

Kimlya tapped her chip pensively for a moment, then frowned and shook her head, causing her short emerald hair to jostle. "No, I'm afraid not," she replied, fluffing the pillow of a nearby bed that she was cleaning up. "I'm sorry that I cannot be of more help-"

"Thellandria Cinderpelt, you say?"

The trio blinked and spun on their heels to face the source of the voice. Lorithiel briefly thanked Innkeeper Kimlya, then quickly turned her attention back to the person in front of her: a night elven man with azure hair and a well-trimmed beard.

"Er.. yes," Lorithiel said, nodding once. "I am looking for her. She is my sister, and I'm trying to find her. Do you know where she might be?"

The man dipped his head in assent. "Yes, I heard word of her whereabouts going back.. mmm, a couple of weeks ago. Last I heard, she was in Silithus. She had been there for some time, so I can only assume that she is still there now, though nothing is certain."

Lorithiel looked at Darren and Koran, shock and excitement sparkling in her vision. "Thank you so much, brother!" she exclaimed, then bit her lip, trying to contain her exhilaration.

"Please, call me Tharos," he said, then took a step forward. "I would be willing to escort you there, if you are able to rent hippogryphs for yourselves temporarily from Daelyshia. The ride from here to Silithus on a speedy mount's back would be over in no time; the cost would be minute."

Lorithiel quirked a brow a scratched the back of her head. "Er.. well.. I suppose if you're offering, I wouldn't object, but I don't want to put you out of her way," she said slowly, slightly puzzled.

Tharos waved his hand dismissively. "It's not a problem; I was headed down that way anyhow to visit Uldum. I might as well help a fellow traveler out." He beamed a bright smile.

Lorithiel softened and returned the smile, then inclined her head respectfully. "It would be an honor, brother. I am Lorithiel, and these are my companions. This is Darren," she introduced, pointing at Darren, "and this is Koran." She gestured toward the dwarf.