The Unfortunates

Part 22

As the three quest bound friends continued along the dusty highway, Ember tried to straighten her flying thoughts. Whispers had reviled her family name. Finally, after years of wishing, dreaming and wondering, finally she knew her full name. Ember Zealous Jelomang. The name flew through her head, causing others to flutter blurrily around her. Would she ever meet this family? Would they welcome her back? Would they be proud to have a daughter or sister? 

Breaking the silence, Mayabelle spoke.

"Thank you guys, thank you so much," she started a little shakily. "I wouldn't have survived much longer I don't think."

"What if," thought Idril, "we had whistles for each of us, like the one Ember has for Ceaser? They could be different sounds so we could tell who needed help, or if somewhere was safe?" 

Ember nodded, beginning to smile again. "Yea, that's a good idea! I bet this next town would have a shop or somewhere that would sell something like that!"

Idril peered over Ember's shoulder as she pulled out the map Illaman, the man at the tavern, had given them. Mayabelle stood on her tip toes to peek at the map, pointing to the nearest town. 

"How far out is that?" she asked, teetering slightly. 

"About five miles," Ember said, running her finger along the trail. "We should be there in a little over an hour!"

Soon, they arrived at the crest of a hill, the city in view. Even from a distance, Ember could tell it would be a large, bustling city. She could see Idril tuning her guitar and Mayabelle grinning at the thought of human interaction. Ember, although hungry and wanting to find whistles, was not looking forward to the tumultuous crowds, the buzz of conversation, the screams of vendors and yells of children. 

"Hold tight to your moneybags," Ember whispered to them as they started toward the flood of carts and foot traffic. 

"What if I tried to earn extra money?" asked Idril, eyes wide with excitement. 

"Good idea," squeaked the smiling Mayabelle. "Ember and I can find lunch! Then we'll find you!" 

"How will you find me?" asked Idril, happy but still a bit concerned. 
"Simple," said Ember, grinning at her friend. "We simply follow the sound of the best music in the whole city."

Idril beamed as they split ways and headed into the mob of people.