Above the Stars and under the Flames

18. Antler

Blood pounded in Lorithiel's ears; she was breathing dangerously fast, but she did not notice. Time slowed, and she could not hear anything around her side from her own scream echoing inside her head. Her feet were frozen to the ground, and her eyes were stretched wide.

Still disoriented, she scrambled to her hippogryph and flew down to the bottom of the cliff. Before the mount had even landed properly, she leaped off and ran to her sister's side.

Thellandria was lying on the ground, eyes closed; her bones were broken, as was clear from the awkward manner in which she was positioned. As Lorithiel watched, her soot-stained olive hair, flaming orange armor, and burnt vermilion skin slowly faded into teal, brown and green, and pale blue respectively.

Lorithiel knelt down and took Thellandria's head in her lap, feeling for a heartbeat. She's alive, she thought to herself, an inkling of hope flourishing in her chest. Just then, the druid opened her eyes, which revealed themselves to be of a silvery hue.

"Mother?" Thellandria whispered hoarsely, blood trickling from a corner of her mouth. "Is that you? Am I dead?"

"No, Thellandria, it's me. Your sister," she replied with a small smile, tears glinting in her eyes. "I've been alive this entire time. I was adopted by travelers in the area. My name is Lorithiel Shaderunner." She brushed away the blood near her sister's mouth. "I'm going to save you..."

Thellandria blinked a couple of times, trying to focus her blurry vision on Lorithiel. "You.." Her words died in her throat, and she seemed shocked for a moment. Eventually, a gentle, if pained, smile spread across her features. "Lorithiel.. what a lovely name.." she murmured softly.

Nahiri landed nearby, having used Dimpy's hippogryph to make her way down. She furrowed her brows and rushed over to the two sisters, confusion filling her gaze. "What.. why..?"

Lorithiel glanced up with glossy eyes at the draenei. "She is my sister," she explained. "Thellandria Cinderpelt." She watched as Nahiri's eyes widened in understanding, and then in horror and guilt.

"I had no idea.. I'm so sorry.. I.."

Lorithiel shook her head slightly. "Don't be; it was not done out of malice. I place no blame on you," she murmured, running her fingers through her sister's teal hair.

"Lorithiel.." Thellandria began, drawing Lorithiel's attention immediately. "What color are my eyes?" When Lorithiel furrowed her brows in confusion, she repeated more urgently, "What color are my eyes?"

"Er.. they are silver, of course," Lorithiel replied, causing Thellandria to let out a wail. Lorithiel blinked and looked around for a wound. "What is wrong? Where does it hurt?"

The druid shook her head slowly. "Nature has left me," she whimpered. "I abandoned it, and it has not forgiven me." She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, trying to hold back tears. "My eyes were amber once."

Realization crashed over Lorithiel as she made connections mentally. Of course, she thought. Many druids' eyes turn amber when they practice the art.

Thellandria stirred in Lorithiel's lap. "Take me to Nordrassil, the World Tree," she begged. "Take me to the shore of the lake below it." She opened her eyes and looked up at Lorithiel pleadingly.

Excitement fluttered within Lorithiel. She knows how to heal herself, she thought. We'll be able to save her. She must know how to use Nordrassil's powers. Carefully, she lifted Thellandria up and climbed onto her hippogryph, followed by Nahiri, who once again used Dimpy's.

The group took off, soaring through the air and heading north. The burnt, ashy region below them soon transitioned into gorgeous mountains and lush, beautiful forests. Various shrines passed beneath them as they made their way toward the looming World Tree, which rose to impossible heights and threw an enormous shadow over the landscape.