Sunlight.
Naturally, rumors of dark magic just had to lead her towards a place full of sunlight. Thiadis, hidden under a large cloak, thrust her burning hands under her arms and sniffed the air. What little relief the shade that the central statue cast was overwhelmed by the vast number of people crowding the bazaar. Women shouting at their stalls, men arguing by their shops, sweat, sand, throbbing heartbeats, rotting foods, barking dogs, swirling colors, chaos.
And yet, there was a trace to the north. She felt the presence of a strong enchantment tugging at the corners of her mind, all pointing north. Perhaps her journey was not a waste after all. Would there be any payoff? she wondered. A bit of knowledge, a pretty trinket, anything?
Thiadis scooped up her journal, shouldered her bulging canvas pack and picked her way among the crowd towards the scent of magic.