Thanks for the reviews, follows, favorites, and views guys! Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Had a little trouble with this chapter. I ended up rewriting it several times. I hope it doesn't sound too disjointed. Criticism is always appreciated and thanks for reading!

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ROGVIR

Rogvir sunk into one of the chairs next to Amir's bedside. He stared numbly at the sleeping man who had been like a father to him for most of his adult life. Amir, who was invincible in Rogvir's eyes, now lay there, looking fragile and broken. Rogvir sighed wearily; this was too much to deal with. Amir was lying on the bed and, although he would live, his arm was crushed beyond repair. At the moment, the crippled limb, covered in a number of numbing poultices and salves, was being prepared for amputation. Amir was going to lose his arm, he would never fight again.

On the other side of the room, Lywel was laid out on a bed as well, still and as pale as death itself. He had been unconscious for most of the day.

"Blasted fool," Rogvir muttered to himself, looking at the boy.

Rogvir's mind kept going back to the moment after Lywel had healed Amir. When Lywel collapsed Rogvir's first thought was that the boy was dead, by a wound that had gone unnoticed by himself and Nyl. Lywel was breathing faintly though and, when no life-threatening wound was discovered, Nyl pointed out that he used some sort of different magic than normal. Not knowing much about magic though, she had no idea what. At that point, Amir started to stir and, although in great pain, he had managed to stand. The trio carried Lywel and their essential provisions to Whiterun, the nearest town and the place Lywel had muttered before he collapsed. There they had found the town's temple, dedicated to Kynareth, and the healers had taken Amir and Lywel for treatment. That had been several hours ago, and Rogvir and Nyl had not left the temple since.

Rogvir was suddenly startled out of his reprieve as Nyl plopped herself down in the chair next to him.

"How is he doing?" She was blunt and to the point, her voice holding no sign of her usual teasing, lilting manner.

"As well as can be expected," Rogvir hoarsely replied. "The priestess here, she said she'll take off the arm within the hour, he won't feel anything."

Nyl gave no response back.

"Did she say anything about Lywel?" Rogvir was asking hesitantly, almost not wanting to know. The boy looked so cold and broke-

"Listen to me," Nyl hissed suddenly, once again startling Rogvir out of his inner monologue.

"Lywel is as good as dead, we both know that, Amir is nothing more than a useless cripple now. I'll wait a few days, but that's it, I'm leaving after that. I know you Rogvir; you're going to stay and try to take care of Amir. Do yourself a favor, leave. You can do better than a life of hard work, and just barely scraping by."

Rogvir was stunned. Although he never liked Nyl, knew she was morally weak, knew she didn't have a scrap of honor he had never thought that she would abandon the group in a serious time of need. Too tired and too shocked to voice words, he simply stared at her as she stormed off and left the temple.

"Don't worry boy, she doesn't mean it, she's just upset." Rogvir looked down with a start to see Amir was awake and had heard the entire exchange.

"Amir!" Despite Nyl's words, Rogvir was relieved to see his mentor awake and talking.

Amir laughed weakly, "Gods, boy, try not to act like an excited puppy, might accidentally piss yourself."

Rogvir chuckled, happy to see Amir being able to joke. "Listen to you old man. Almost on the brink of death today and you still manage to act like an ass."

Amir's smile faded a little, "I am old now aren't I? Not just old even, an old, crippled man." His voice was slightly bitter.

Rogvir looked down, unsure of what to say. Amir looked at him and huffed.

"Don't act like that. I may be an invalid but I can still whoop you in a fight boy, don't forget that." Amir gave him a faint smile.

Rogvir managed to smile back.

"And like I said," Amir continued, "Don't worry about Nyl. That girl's first reaction is to run away from anything that hurts her heart, but she'll be back."

Rogvir frowned slightly, "She seemed pretty serious Amir. I don't know if we can trust her to stay around."

Amir shook his head, "You are so quick to write her off Rogvir. That girl has a hard heart to break through, but it's only to protect herself. Trust me when I say she's had a life of hurt and pain, this is the only way she knows how to react."

Their conversation was broken off when the priestess of the temple came up and said it was time for Amir's surgery. Rogvir stood up and clasped Amir's good arm before walking out of the temple for some air. It was dusk at this point and the area near the temple was bathed in a golden light. He looked up and saw the widespread branches of a great tree; the Gildergreen one of the temple priests had called it. Looking at the enormous tree gave him a feeling of some peace in his heart. Such beauty in the world, he knew that despite Amir's arm, Lywel's fight for life, and Nyl's rant, everything would somehow turn out all right. He just knew it.

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Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. For the next one we'll see a new character introduced :D and it will be a big one.