The business of growing rare and non-native herbs was a steady source of income for the Jemane family. Due to the fears of a non-native species becoming evasive without proper care, importing live plants was banned in Cyrodiil without the required paperwork... and the process of acquiring said paperwork was often lengthy and costly. But because of the connections Sinderion had outside of Cyrodiil, they were able to successfully import a few live plants without too much trouble. They were currently able to cultivate herbs that grew in Skyrim and Morrowind, but they did manage to bring in a few Coffee plants from High Rock so Tala could enjoy a native drink again. It had been easy to grow things like Frost Mirriam, Hackle-Lo, and Fire Ferns in the Colovian Highland soil, but it took having to bring in volcanic rocks and ash in order to get things like Creep Cluster and Stoneflowers to grow properly. And while these herbs were in decent demand with alchemists, the herb they sold the most didn't come from another province... but rather another realm. Bloodgrass was a key ingredient in most powerful elixirs, but it was a daedric herb... more specifically, in the Deadlands. With the Oblivion Gates closed, most alchemists could no longer rely on experienced mages to enter the realm of a Daedric Prince and collect any rare flora. This caused the supply of bloodgrass to dwindle just as fast as the other daedric items with very few alchemists successfully growing it in their own shops. Upon wandering past a closed Oblivion Gate one day, Tala had caught sight of a small patch of bloodgrass growing beside it. Realizing its rarity, she made the decision to search every abandoned Gate from thereon in and dig up any bloodgrass that started growing there as a result. She would then bring it them home- including the dirt it grew in- and give it to Reynald so he could create a plot dedicated to keeping the bloodgrass from dying off. After a few years of tender care, he had himself a large section in the greenhouse successfully thriving. When word got out that they were not just offering the herb for sale, but growing it, their business took off like wildfire.

Even though this started as a partnership between Reynald and Tala- with the latter even giving it the name "Jemane Botanica" to make it seem like a family-run business- in actuality, this was really Reynald's baby. He was the one who suggested the idea in the first place, after all. When they started the process of building the greenhouse, he was the one to pour every ounce of his time reading various alchemy books in order to do this venture right while Tala was away studying at the University. Over the years as he improved his alchemy skills, he relied on Tala and Sinderion's help less and less. Complicated questions came few and far between... and if they did, he would simply correspond with Sinderion through letters. But otherwise, Reynald was the man in charge. Doing this herbal endeavor was definitely a departure from his previous occupation of doing nothing but living at the Grey Mare drinking his days away. And he was pretty delighted to know that the reputation of his former life was slowly disappearing as he was making a good name for himself with this new one. Tala could see from the beginning how much Reynald loved this new passion. Being the generous, soft-hearted person that she was, she didn't feel like she deserved an equal share, especially since she was gone most of the time while Reynald did the majority of the work. So she and Guilbert decided that with any herbs or proprietary potions they sold, Reynald would take eighty percent of the sales in order for him to keep the roof over his family's head back in Chorrol. The twenty percent she received- and any tips that she received from customers for making delivery runs- went into her savings for emergencies.

Between feeding, pruning, and careful tending to the needs of each herbs in their respective growing sites, it got the point where the greenhouse became Reynald's full-time job. But even though he was the man in charge, he did get help from the family when needed. Tala would always assist by concocting any homemade potions whenever she was home, and Guilbert and Eyja offered their assistance by tending to and preparing any dried herbs for sale. And of course whenever Jena was home from Cloud Ruler Temple, she was out there helping as well. Their son, Amal had been born two months early because her body hadn't handled the pregnancy well, so now that she was three months into a new one, she decided that she wouldn't be returning to Cloud Ruler with Baurus and Roliand so she could stay home to care for herself and take it easy. Regardless of where his wife was, his son was always with him no matter what. More often than not, Amal would choose to spend his time with Marten, as he was still a little too young to understand how to be delicate with certain herbs and would rather play instead. But whenever the boy was curious and wanted to help, Reynald enjoyed showing him where he could be of use.

This particular Morndas morning was routine as usual for Reynald and his family. They were up bright and early and left their home in Chorrol to wander out to Weatherleah and work in the greenhouse. While Reynald went about his business of caring for the plants, Jena put together the herbs they left on the drying rack and catalogued how much was needed for the order they just received from Kvatch. Amal had already broken away from his parents to pester Marten to play. When Tala awoke, the first thing she did was wander out to say hello. She got very ecstatic grins and waves from Amal and Marten before the former grabbed his cousin's wrist and dragged him out into the woods to do something more interesting to the likes of a five-year-old and seven-year-old. Luckily Tala didn't feel the need to shout at them to stay close to the house; usually Marten was the one keeping Amal within sight of the adults. She then strolled into the greenhouse and announced her presence with a knock on the side of the open doorway.

"Morning." Tala greeted. "I heard you guys have an order going out to Kvatch."

"Yes, we're working on putting that together right now." Jena replied as she wrapped up another bundle of herbs and tucked them into an alchemy satchel.

"Marten was really wanting to go make the errand run for this one. Any chance I could be of help and take it there?"

Reynald stepped away from the Frost Mirriam he was watering and turned to face her fully. "Didn't you just get back from Anvil?" He asked in disbelief.

"I did, but I couldn't bring myself to say no to his request." She bashfully admitted. "I've been spending a lot of time working at the Fighters Guild lately and I feel like I need another bonding moment with my son."

Reynald pensively hummed for a moment as he gave the idea a little more thought. "I suppose you could take this order to Kvatch... Means I don't have to." He started mumbling. "If you take it, then I can stay here and work on tending to the new seedlings. Plus, we're low on some of our potions and I need to refill the supply..."

"Great!" Tala chirped, taking his public musings as a 'Yes'. "I'll work on packing up and getting ready to leave later this afternoon. I'll need to head to Chorrol really quick and inform Modryn Oreyn that I completed my contract and that I'll be gone for a few days."

"While you're there, would you mind taking this bundle of Hackle-Lo leaves to Kyana? I just put them together and was planning on bringing them back with me after I was done here. But if you're heading into town, you could drop them off for me and I can spend the day getting things done around here."

"Reynald, it's no big deal for us to take that." Jena lightly chided. "Tala isn't our errand girl."

"I don't mind." Tala sweetly interjected. "I can take that now if you want. Does she owe us for it?"

"No, she paid me already." Reynald replied as he resumed tending to the Frost Mirriam. "She's just waiting on me to harvest the plants. They should be dried out by now."

Jena then wandered over to a table where another small alchemy satchel rested and handed it to Tala. "Here you are." She casually said. "Dried out and already packed."

"Thanks!" Tala replied as she graciously took it and slung it over her shoulder.

"So... how did the contract in Anvil go?" The Imperial suddenly questioned.

Tala's left eyebrow twitched as she gave Jena a grimacing frown. "Don't ask." She groaned in response.

Jena raised a curious eyebrow. "Was it bad?"

"No. It went fine. But I'd rather not talk about it."

"Alright, I won't pry. Well, while you were down there, did you ever decide what you're enchanting your katana with?"

Tala's annoyed stare slowly shifted to embarrassed as she nervously smiled. "Um... no, I still haven't decided."

A smirk then formed in the corner of Jena's mouth as she chuckled. "You spent all that time from here to Anvil and back and you still can't decide? Why's this one so difficult?"

"I don't know." Tala continued to grumble. "This is my main sword. I don't want to enchant it with just anything and then regret it later."

"I know you're being very conscientious about this, but don't overthink it either. Just take a moment to really sit and trust the first thought that comes to mind. You won't regret it, I'm sure."

"I'll... give that some thought. Thanks for the advice."

She then waved to Jena as a parting gesture before walking out of the greenhouse and making the trek back to the house. Halfway there, she made a point to turn and look to see where the boys were. Coincidentally, they were playing out by the wayshrine to Julianos. She stopped for a moment and simply watched them spin around the worn-down pillars and talk boisterously as her mind slipped back to the dilemma of taking the pilgrimage.

'Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just start slow. I can pray at these three wayshrines nearby like Guilbert said and see what happens. I just need to pray at each of the Nine wayshrines to be granted a sign, right? It isn't timed or anything. I don't have to go to each one right after another until it's complete. On my travels, I could make a point to visit a wayshrine anytime I'm near one. Or... do I have to be committed and devote my waking hours to it? I probably do. Its why it's called a pilgrimage, not a leisurely pleasure trip.'

She grew so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice her husband walking up behind her to get her attention. Rather than say something right away, he took a moment to watch what she was intently staring at before finally making his presence known.

"Are you planning to leave for Kvatch first thing?" He softly asked.

Tala quickly snapped out of it and partially turned around to face him. "Not yet. I need to pack and get the horses saddled up. Plus, Marten's got to get ready and then I have to run to Chorrol really quick."

"Marten is already packed and ready. He's pretty fired up about heading out today. It's been awhile since you guys went on a delivery run outside of town. I'm sure the idea of going to a new city is what's got him all excited."

Rather than respond, Tala crossed her arms and looked back towards the boys. "Yeah... I just hope I'm not making a mistake by bringing him there."

Guilbert then placed his hands on the sides of her shoulders for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "You'll be fine. We've only been practicing for scenarios like this for the last seven years. So far we've been doing a good job at dismissing suspicions. I don't think this will be any different."

"I suppose you're right." She softly replied. "But this will be the ultimate test. If I can fool the citizens of Kvatch, then we've officially got nothing to worry about."

There was a mutual chuckle between the two of them as they continued to watch the boys play whatever game they were doing around the wayshrine. After a short and silent pause, Tala decided to speak up again.

"So... about the pilgrimage... I'm thinking maybe I'll take your advice and see if going through with it brings me any insight. I'll start with the three around the home, and then I'll make a point to visit the others whenever I'm traveling for contracts or delivery runs. I'm not going out of my way to look for them. Like I said, I want to spend more time at home rather than gallivanting around doing this divine crusade, especially if I'm not the woman for the job."

"Are you planning on visiting the ones nearby right now?" He asked.

Tala then wavered her head from side to side. "Eh, I don't know. I don't really want to take away family time by doing that."

Guilbert's smile widened a little beyond his kind neutral expression. "Then let's all go together, as a family. I think it would be nice stroll, and Marten would like it as well. He's already over by the first one, after all."

Tala softly chuckled. "True." She then stepped forward and spun around to face him. As she took one of his hands into both of hers, she added, "You've always been so supportive of anything I set my mind to. It's really sweet. But would you also tell me if I'm in over my head?"

"I usually do." Guilbert replied as he started walking forward with her. "But good deeds lead to good things, remember? I know when you're able to help others, it comes with rewards for you... and by extension, the family. So I'm always for whatever drives you forward. You know when to quit when you know you're in too deep."

Tala half-heartedly laughed. "I don't know about that... but I appreciate your vote of confidence."

When the two of them were closer to the wayshrine, Marten and Amal ceased their play to stare at them. While Marten was happy to see his parents, Amal looked worried. "I didn't do anything, I swear!" The boy instantly blurted.

"What do you mean?" Tala warily responded.

"You or my Dad always come up here when I get into trouble." Amal hastily replied. "I didn't do anything this time!"

"This time." Marten teased, causing Amal to stick his tongue out at him in contempt. "But what are you guys doing up here anyway?"

"I'm just here to pay respects at the wayshrine." Tala said. "Your Dad came with me."

"What's a wayshrine?" Amal perplexingly asked as he plucked a lone Tiger Lily growing right beside the wayshrine's circular foundation.

"It's a holy site dedicated to one of the Nine Divines. Sort of like the shrine you see in the Chapel."

Marten's eyes widened. "Really? I thought it was like those abandoned ruins. We didn't know this was a shrine to one of the Nine..." He then took one step away from the foundation before he nervously started fidgeting with the bottom of his ragged light blue tunic. "Are we going to be in trouble with the Gods for not being respectful here?"

Tala softly chuckled. "No of course not, sweetheart. This is just another place to say prayers and pay respects to the Gods without having to go to a chapel. Here..."

She then approached him to take his hand and brought him the extra steps closer to the center. From there she knelt down, locked her fingers together, and rested her arms against the altar's base. His eyes fixated on her every move as he knelt down and did the same. Tala couldn't help but adore how conscientious he was suddenly being about this. It reminded her greatly of when her mother instructed her how to pray and pay respects when she was his age.

"So which one of the Nine is this for?" Marten asked.

"This one is dedicated to Julianos." Tala replied.

"Ok. So a prayer for a clear mind and... wisdom? Is that the right word?"

"Mhm. Wisdom is the right word. I need to do this here instead of at the Chapel in order to achieve something important. You don't have to do this with me, but you can if you want to."

She then bowed her head and shut her eyes. As she was contemplating what to say, she could hear the faintest of whispers from Marten as he was following her example. While she found it sweet that he was making a point to say his prayers aloud, Tala silently gave hers.

'Lord Julianos… grant me the insight I need, and show me my intended path.'

When she opened her eyes, she noticed that Guilbert had taken a knee beside her and was already standing up while Amal was sitting on the ground plucking the petals off the Tiger Lily and watching the spectacle with very mild interest. She waited for another moment for Marten to finish his prayers and open his eyes before she stood up with him. They then stepped away from the wayshrine and dusted themselves off.

"So where are the other eight?" Marten curiously asked.

"There's actually several wayshrines scattered throughout Cyrodiil that are dedicated to each of the Nine." Guilbert replied. "There are two others nearby that we're going to go pay our respects to. Want to come?"

Marten excitedly nodded. "Sure! Amal, wanna come with us?"

"Uh... ok." Amal replied as he dropped the flower and stood up to follow them.

The four of them then wandered up the hill and southwest of the wayshrine to find the one dedicated to Kynareth. As they walked, the boys stayed close in case of potential predators, but so far they were fortunate enough to not come across any dangerous creatures. Once they reached the top of another great hill, Tala could see a circular basin with pillars surrounding it coming into view down in a valley. Eventually, Marten and Amal broke away from their side to race each other to their destination while the adults continued their slow saunter down.

As soon as they reached the monument, Tala observed the etchings of a bird beside a cloud within the small stone obelisks placed around the shrine, indicating that they did indeed find the wayshrine for Kynareth. She then approached the shrine and repeated the process of paying respects with Marten happily joining her. After they were done, they turned to head back to Weatherleah. As the boys ran up the hill, she felt Guilbert slide his arm around her, to which she returned the gesture by wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning into him. Tala still didn't feel like she would be granted any signs for doing this, but she did take comfort in knowing that she had the full support of her friends and family. That alone was a good start.

When they returned to the homestead, Tala and Marten made a point to head inside and work on getting ready to depart. They put on their protective gear first before taking their bags down to the horses to saddle up. While Tala had her Glass Armor, Marten's attire consisted of a child-sized chainmail cuirass with leather greaves, boots, and gauntlets. The leather made it easy for him to run if need be, while the chainmail added an extra layer of protection without being too heavy. He had this armor set for almost a year now and Tala could tell that he was starting to outgrow the greaves. Eventually she would have to order a new set from Rasheda, but for now he still seemed to be comfortable and wasn't complaining. Tala saddled up Lily with Marten's saddle while she put hers on their grey mare named Lavender, whom the family has had since a yearling. Eronor trained her to ride when she matured, and she was intended to grow up with Marten. But since he was still learning to ride, Tala felt it best to give him the older, laid-back horse for this trip while she rode the seven-year-old who still had some spirit in her. After they were ready, Tala and Guilbert spent a few minutes in an embrace with parting words of affection for one another before she helped her son mount up. She then did the same, and the two of them headed down the beaten trail towards the Black Road.

"Where to first, Mama?" Marten eagerly asked.

"Well... we have to head to Chorrol really quick to make another order run." Tala started. "But before we do that, there's another wayshrine around here that I need to visit."

As they meandered her way through the woods- giving their usual wide berth to Hackdirt- she made a point of looking around the forest terrain, mostly in hopes that she'd see the wayshrine of Dibella on her way to town.

'If Guilbert is correct, it should be near the old fort.' She thought to herself.

Eventually, she had gotten towards the old abandoned fort and onto the remnants of cobblestone embedded into the earth, indicating that she had found the fort's old road that lead to the Black Road. But no wayshrine was in sight.

It was then that Marten spoke up. "Isn't the wayshrine up the hill here?"

When Tala turned in her saddle to look at him for clarification, he simply tapped his heels and asked Lily to meander her way up the trail. Tala asked Lavender to do the same and followed him. As they got closer to the top, she began to see the white-stone pillars of the Ayleid shrine that rested just before the road. And once they got closer, Marten stopped beside it and jutted his thumb in the shrine's direction.

"This. Isn't this a wayshrine?" He asked.

Tala simply stared as she realized that he had to be right. All this time, she thought it was a simple old Ayleid well. Old shrines with Ayleid magic emanating from the center wells were never something Tala constantly sought out. Anytime she came across one and drew power from the well, the extra magicka she gained from it almost always ended up wasted. By the time she'd come across an enemy where she needed the extra boost, it was hours after the effects wore off. After a while, she had stopped bothering to inspect any nearby. Ayleid wells and wayshrines looked almost identical, so she assumed this particular one was one of the former. Tala then dismounted to walk closer and observe the pristine monument nesting peacefully beside some boulders, with a few bushes and Fly Amanita growing around it. As she inspected one of the small obelisks, she saw a flower within a roped ring etched into the stone base... the symbol of Dibella.

"I can't believe I thought this was an Ayleid well." She mumbled to herself in disbelief. "Divines forgive me for my stupidity."

Marten then dismounted and led Lily closer. "So this is it?" He elatedly said. "We found another one already?"

"It appears this is the correct one." Tala said with a half-hearted smile. "I guess I can pay my respects here and then we can head into town."

She then tied Lavender's reins to one of the pillars and approached the circular altar in the center. She carefully knelt down and rested her elbows on its surface, drew in a deep breath, and held it for a moment before slowly exhaling as she bowed her head in prayer.

"Lady Dibella..." She whispered. "Through your grace, I am inspired by the love and support from my family. Please help this guide me towards my intended path."

Tala remained there for a moment in meditation before rising to her feet and helping Marten get mounted back up in his saddle. She then did the same before continuing to follow the beaten path back to the main road and towards Chorrol.

Three down, six to go.

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A/N 3/23/22 - Hey all! So obviously I did not reach my intended release date. My apologies to those who were looking forward to a new chapter at the beginning of the month. Unfortunately, having that 2 month break did not give me any time to work on the story. Between my now insanely busy work schedule and the work that needs to be done at home, I don't always have any functional brain cells left at the end of a day to use on anything other than just trying to recoup at night and get ready to start the day all over again. So sadly I'm just going to have to abandon the idea of setting up scheduled release dates and just post chapters once I get the time to work on them and complete them. Perhaps when things settle down for me over the course of the summer, I can work on the story more and be able to return to posting chapters at a regular pace. But at least I got this one done (and I went back and reread the previous chapter and fixed a couple of errors).

Anyway, here is another chapter that is finally completed. Yes, it is another one that is mostly talk and filling in some details over the seven-year time gap, along with some little events to help build up to the main event. Hope that it was still enjoyable. Thank you all once again for your patience and support!