Chapter Two:

After basking in the sun for a couple of hours, I headed to Weynon Priory, which was just south of Chorrol. I trekked there on foot, since I didn't own a horse and I really didn't want to steal one. It took me a while, but the walk felt good. A warm breeze blew against my back, the ground was soft beneath my feet, and most of all… I wasn't confined by walls or iron rods. As Weynon Priory came into view, I began to worry about my appearance. I was fairly clean looking, but I was clad in dirty old rags and wrist irons were dangling from my wrists like bangles. Not only that, but by time I could tell my wounded leg was becoming infected. I swore as I glanced down at it, disgusted by the now puffy and oddly colored flesh. I let out a long sigh through my teeth, and ripped some cloth from my outfit to wrap around the festering wound. Once that was taken care of I ran my fingers through my hair, stopped by a stream and cleansed my face. I continued on my way.

Weynon Priory was surprisingly small, and as I entered the building I got the feeling that I was unwelcome in this tightly knit community. I nervously ran my fingers through my hair as I asked one of the residents if he knew where Jauffre was. The monk told me he was up one floor, and to the right. I nodded and thanked him as I climbed up the stairs, eager to deliver the Amulet. It weighed heavy in my hands, and I no longer desired to be responsible for it.

I entered his office cautiously, closing the door behind me when my body was all the way inside. He looked up from his desk, and paid me no mind for a while. After what felt like ages, he finally spoke. "What might I help you with, Miss?..."

"Rowevenna," I supplemented. "My name is Rowevenna. And I'm here because the king has died and has named Martin his heir, and I come to you because, well… You know where Martin is." His face suddenly became withdrawn, as if he couldn't trust me. I tossed the Amulet of Kings onto his desk, and it clinked as it stopped right between his hands. He reached out and touched it.

"How did you get this?" He whispered, awed by the Amulet. He looked up at me as I sank into a chair in the corner of the room, exhausted by my journey.

"I was there when the king died. He entrusted the Amulet to me for a while, at least until I could deliver it to you." I placed a hand on my forehead, my body shivering lightly even though I was burning up. I sighed heavily, knowing that the infection was getting worse. I listened as Jauffre stood, then walked over to where I was seated.

"Your leg is infected," he stated, and I rolled my eyes from under the cover of my hand. Even I could have easily told him that. "I have some medical supplies here, as well as some other items that may be of use to you." He walked away from me and I heard a click as a chest unlocked. "Feel free to use what you wish." I nodded once, and I heard the door open and his footsteps retreat from the room. As soon as I thought it was safe to get up I willed myself to move, and I limped over to the chest. I rummaged through the goods, pulling out some potions and a couple of scrolls. I also found some medical supplies, and I grabbed at them greedily, knowing that they could mean life or death for me at this point in time. The minor heal spell I had learned so long ago could not help me with my infected leg, so I was left to take care of it the old-fashioned way.

I sat myself on the floor, propping my leg up on the chest's lid. I first cleaned the wound, and then wrapped cloth around it, securing the bandage in place. I waited for a few more minutes before I stood. My leg was still causing me pain, but at least now I knew that I wouldn't be forced to cut it off in the near future. After I was finished dressing my wound I went downstairs and walked out of the priory. My eye was caught by a beautiful painted horse, and I hobbled over to get a closer look.

She was quite docile, and she allowed me to stroke her gently.

"Her name is Stella." I turned, and smiled at the man who spoke to me. By his clothing, I assumed he was a monk. I smiled at him.

"She's beautiful." I took a step back, and looked down at my hands before continuing. "I used to have a horse like her… A long, long time ago, back when I was a child." He nodded at me, and folded his hands in front of me.

"Jauffre has informed me of what you are to do. He wishes you to travel to Kvatch; Martin was, last we checked, there." I opened my mouth to speak, but the man raised his hand, and I closed it again, my lips forming a hard line. "You can take Stella with you. I shan't need her services again any time soon, and you have a long journey ahead of you."

I smiled, and then spoke. "Thank you, Sir…"

"Prior Maborel." I nodded, and gave a slight bow to him.

"Thank you, very much kind sir." I walked next to Stella and checked her sadle. Everything was ready for me to go. I carefully swung myself into place, and took hold of the reigns.

"Bring Martin back here as soon as you can," Prior Maborel spoke and a grave tone, and with a single handed salute he gave Stella a good pat. I urged her on into the dusk. I would bring Martin back, no matter what danger I faced. I was ready to prove myself, to show that I was worthy. Of what, I was not yet sure.