Even though she was used to it, Lydda was definitely getting sick of dead ends. The large tome on the table stared back at her, its words a blur as she scanned over them once more, looking for some sort of hint to a code, riddle, or even invisible ink. Anything to assure her she hadn't just wasted another journey for a rumor that had proven false. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the travels and the adventures that came with them, but she'd spent the last two years with absolutely no sign of mercy from the heavens, and the Twilif's heart was beginning to grow heavy."Nothing," she said with a frustrated sigh, gently turning the next couple pages and finding no change. "Still nothing." Shaking her head, she shut the tome and returned it to its proper place on the dusty shelf, stretching on tiptoes to make sure it was secure.
Someone in town had mentioned an abandoned house that had belonged to a herbal healer. It was said to be completely forsaken, as though the owner had disappeared one day and never came back...and leaving a personal library of plants, herbal and otherwise, and their various purpose. Someone else had even said there were other books of different varieties, though why such rarities would be lost in a little village, Lydda wasn't sure. What she did know, however, was that she couldn't pass up the opportunity to see if part of her search might finally end at last. The little Twilif couldn't remember the last time she had this much hope; not in a long time, for certain, but she had lost track of the days and months a long time ago.
Only the rumors had proven to be just that - rumors. She hadn't found a single grain of truth to it, and was quickly growing tired, not to mention she was covered in dust.
"There's only a couple more left," she realized. Even if she could find part of what she sought, it would make everything okay again. As it was, she was beginning lose faith. Perhaps a break was in order.
"It's not like they're going to grow legs and walk away," she reminded herself as she left the study, brushing off the dust that coated her skin and fussing with her hair.
Outside, dusk was beginning to claim its rein over the sky, the soft blue of daylight giving way to the deep, dusty purples and dark blues that promised a rich night to come. The air was crisp and clear, a balm to Lydda's lungs after being stuck in the stale house all day.
"Won't hurt to stretch my legs some," she decided, bending over backwards until her vertebrae popped and her back ached from the strain. It was quiet for the most part, the forest lush and thick with the chorus of crickets and other creatures. Ahead, part of the path that lead back to the village could be seen, though it too was fading with daylight. The moon was playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, accompanied only by a few stars. It was still too early for them to orchestrate their nocturnal fantasies.
"Mmmm." Smiling somewhat, Lydda closed her eyes and took a deep breath, absorbing the senses of the world around her. The world was entering its quiet time, but it was still alive and willing to show the world, if only it would open its eyes and take a step into the unknown.
"How long was I in there?" she wondered with a startled laugh. It hadn't been that long...had it?
