Ellorian had spent much more time than he had planned in that tiny room on that uncomfortable bench searching the piles of records, further back than he had originally would have guessed necessary. He found her name at last, a record of discharge, she took leave of the post on the island a little over 300 years ago. He could not help but to notice the date was near to the last time he saw her. The records did not say where she went, only that she had indeed gone.
It was with that news that he returned to the inn. He sat down on his bed and stared at the floor in the very open inn with no privacy at all.
“You look like a man with a lot on his mind”
Ellorian looked up to the man who spoke. It was the one he saw bringing fresh fruit in regularly. He hadn’t spoken to him before. He had always been in such a rush to get back to the building with the records. “I’ve been searching for a friend. I’ve just learned that she was here but is not any longer. I’m unsure where to look next.”
The man placed some fresh apples on a nearby table. He turned and looked at Ellorian, obviously taking note of his garments, “Recently here I assume. I may be able to help. What was her name?”
Ellorian hesitated only a moment, “Aerrissa Summerleaf. Do you know her?”
“Summerleaf. Summerleaf…” The man repeated. “The last name sounds familiar. You know who you may want to ask? Kylanna Windwhisper. She’s an herbalist in the building just north of here. She tends to remember everyone, even when I’ve forgotten.”
Ellorian’s ears perked and he genuinely thanked the man. He also, for the first time since arriving, left some coins in the small bowl next to the fruit as he grabbed an apple. He headed out of the inn and towards the northern building.
He walked up to a woman standing just outside the doorway to the the building, and after asking for Kylanna found it was her. He posed his question again.
“Summerleaf? Oh it’s been so long! She and her children and grandchild moved to… To Auberdine. Oh my, have you heard from them since the town…? Oh you must have. You’re highborne. You haven’t been out of Eldre’thalas that long.”
He knew from her tone something had happened to this town called Auberdine. He glanced over his shoulder at the one island. “I understand neither she nor her children have been through here lately then?”
“I saw someone that looked like her daughter a couple months ago. I was busy at the time and she had left by the time I finished. I don’t know if it was her or not. How do you know them?”
“Aerrissa assisted me when I first left Eldre’thalas.” It wasn’t entirely a lie.
“Tell her to stop by sometime after you find her. We have so much to catch up on.”
“I will. Thank you for your help.” Ellorian nodded in thanks and turned back towards the inn. He walked up the back side of it, the side facing the sea and sat while watching a man fish with a child whom played in the mud next to him. A million questions went through his mind, but he knew his next stop. Auberdine.
All the rest 