(A/N:. HUGE THANKS to Mritha for being the first one to review! It's the very first review I got from my very first fanfic. Thanks again! Here comes chapter three. Enjoy!...)

Chapter 3: Oaklore

After limping and generally feeling miserable for fifteen minutes with my leg going numb every single step and constantly dripping blood making a tiny flood in my boot, I managed to make it to the gates of Oaklore Keep. There were three people and a large black dragon, but not as large as the one I encountered earlier, outside. One of them was fully suited in armor so I haven't been able to identify him. The other two, however, had their faces without their helms covering them. The first one to my left had long brown hair cascading down to his back. He had a bushy beard and a serious expression. He also wore a different kind of armor and a bull helm. I limped past him and he just snorted and went back on arranging the straps of the dragon's saddle and didn't even give me a second look. The other one was a little more friendly though as I approached him and asked where a guy named Captain Rolith is.

"You're hurt!", he said ignoring my question, " Why don't we visit Sir

Junn first in the infirmary? Your name is-?

"Umm…its Vincent", I finally said. A little reluctant to give my real name due to the fact that they may identify me as one of the well-known assassins in the realm of Locklaven, my hometown. That's the only thing I need for them to lock me up in the dungeon and rot there for eternity or they won't waste any time and just burn me at the stake.

"Mhm… my name's Ano but call me Sir Ano since I'm a knight and all!," he chuckled, rubbing his dark hair and then his pointy nose. He doesn't seem to find my name even slightly familiar, which is good. " C'mon, I'll take you there", He slung my arm around his back and we walked in.

The infirmary was located in the farthest corner of the castle. Sir Junn was arranging his medical shelf with his back turned when we arrived. He had short cropped red-orange hair with one of those headbands with a metal circle that doctors wear.(A/N: Honestly, I don't know what that is or what it is for). " Hey Junn! I got another one for you here.", Sir Ano called out.

"Another one?", Sir Junn said. His voice sound a little tired. " You knights simply don't eat your apples everyday anymore do you?"

I glanced around the room and saw injured knights, with full armor included, resting on a dozen beds. No wonder he's tired. He turned around and saw me. " Well, well. It's a rogue this time?" He looked down and saw my leg. " Mhm…." He studied my wound as he bent down to have a better look at it. " A little deep but not that bad, have him sit in that bed over there Ano." He ordered as he over went to his medicine shelf and Sir Ano obeyed.

I sat down as Sir Junn walked over to me carrying a white towel, some bandages, a glass jar filled with brown substance, and a vial with red liquid on it. He bent down, lifted my leg and pulled back my pants leg. He then poured the red liquid from the vial to my wound and it began to sizzle and turn to red foam. It didn't hurt since its all numb and all. He then wiped it off, exposing the now clean but open flesh. The cut wasn't really that deep as I thought. And then, he poured the content of the jar on the cut this time, letting out a thick amber-colored substance that smelled suspiciously of honey and my leg lost its numbness and felt the cool touch of the honey substance. Finally, he wrapped my leg with the bandage. "That should do it!," he stood up and concluded while dusting his hands.

"Its disgusting!", Sir. Ano who was watching this whole time exclaimed.

" You will see more of that", Sir. Junn said to him "A life of a knight is an occupational hazard you know. Maybe one day you'll visit me without an arm or leg or your body even cut in half! I'm not saying I didn't encounter any situation like those. "

"I'm going back to my post!" said Ano, totally disgusted. And with that, he left the infirmary in a hurry.

Sir. Junn sighed and muttered, "Newbie", he turned to me and said, " Well it seems you're ready to go. You may resume you business whatsoever or stay here and rest for a while Mr.-?"

"Vincent, its Vincent." I said. Now a little more confident that no one recognizes me. " I better go find Captain Rolith."

"Okay Mr Vincent , don't come back here so soon! Captain Rolith is always at the Keep's front doors. Farewell!" he waved and went back to arranging his medicine shelf. I stood up, checking my leg. It seems fine, like nothing really happened. I then left the infirmary and headed to the Keep.

As I was walking, I happened to pass by two knights by a catapult. They were talking about some kind of lightning weapon and a faster way to travel the kingdom. One of them was sitting on the catapult's spoon and I'm guessing that's the 'faster way' they were talking about. He was totally excited while the other one was just giving sarcastic comments. I decided not to butt in their business and continued walking. I then passed by a building with an image of a candle imprinted on the sign above the door. The door was slightly ajar and a brown-haired woman wearing large round glasses with the same gray eyes as mine, was peaking. I waved at her and she giggled and closed the door abruptly. Oookkkaayyy…. I thought, moving on. Finally I arrived at the Keep. Its large double oak doors stood nearly 30 feet. I approached a blonde knight, assuming that he's Captain Rolith since he wore a grander type of armor with black trim and a gold strap hanging on the breastplate, he also wields a large golden hammer instead of a standard longsword.

"So another rogue happens to find this place again." He walked over to me, " Ano told me that your name is Vincent and you were looking for me. Well don't keep me waiting." He said with authority. He's the captain alright.

"Well sir, the priestess wants me to tell you that they are going to take shortcut and won't be passing by Oaklore." I reported.

"What were they thinking!", the captain said, aghast, " My knights reported that there has an increase in bandit activity in the woods nowadays and who knows what else!" The captain took a deep breath and ruffled his hair. When he finally calmed down, he spoke to me again. " Rogue, you're the one for this job. Judging by the time you arrived here, she ay not be out of the woods yet and maybe she'll never will. Find her and make sure she arrives at Falconreach at all costs. Do you understand?"

"Ummm…. Y-yes sir!" I stuttered, feeling like I'm a new recruit. I was about to turn around but he stopped me by the shoulder.

"Since you're going on a quest that I issued, you are now an honorary Pactagonal Knight and you have been granted access to the keep's armory. I suggest to pay it a quick visit before going on your way." With that, he let me go and went to the armory which is adjacent to where he was standing. I talked to knight named Sir Lee and he showcased the selection of daggers the he said where perfect for me. I turned down the offer since I already have one. He shrugged and just gave me a thin dark metal armor plate. It fitted me just right and its color went with my mostly black outfit. I thanked him and left the armory. Rolith nodded at me and I nodded back before dashing straight into the forest, hoping that I'm not too late.

(A/N: Chapters 4 and 5 are coming right up. All I have to do is type them!)