The Adventure Begins (continued)

     The rainstorms that occur in Cyrodil often feel like they are endless downpours of rain falling from the darkest of clouds, or that is how it felt as I left The Imperial City on my way towards Weynon Priory. I was on foot with only a few essential items: my cloak, my bedding, rations of food (enough to last me a week in the forest), my bow and two quivers of arrows, my dagger, and the map that would guide me to my newest of destinations. The cold from the rain seemed to be soaking into the very depths of my soul as I crossed the Imperial Bridge. As I ventured into the small village just beyond the bridge I took a moment to look behind me at the end of my new beginning. This was just the very beginning of whatever adventure had already grasped me in its clutches.

     My map showed me a winding path that would take me through the forest to Weynon Priory which is near the city of Chorrol. The walk to Weynon Priory was painless with. Surprisingly there were no wolves or bandits to give me any trouble. I made it to Priory within a day of leaving The Imperial City. The sun had set several hours before I made it to my destination, which meant that Jauffre would more than likely be asleep by the time I ventured inside the establishment.

     I opened the front door to what I assumed was their sleeping quarters. To my dismay the door creaked loud enough for a whole horde of goblins to hear and awake at my entering. Thankfully there was a kind monk who greeted me. He inquired upon my needs with the monks and specifically asking if I needed anything for my adventures since I clearly looked like one. I explained to him my needs to speak with Jauffre and the urgency upon my request. He kindly took me upstairs where another monk slept on a bed that was located in the loft of the quarters. The kind monk awoke the sleeping monk and briefly explained who I was and what I needed. The first monk gestured for me to have a seat at the table located in the room and took his leave. Jauffre arose from his bed and clothed himself fully, then he took the seat across from me at the table. There was an uncomfortable silence as he stared at me, taking in every inch of my person.

“Um, name is Talisa and I need your help if you are willing.” I stammered and stumbled over the words as I tried to muster the courage to speak to a monk.

Pathetic.

     He shifted in his seat, eyes still not leaving mine, got up from his seat and went to a chest. He took out of the chest a map and a journal and brought them over to me.

“If you are who I think you are then you will need these two items to complete the next journey you must take.” He stated calmly as he took his seat again.

     I skimmed over the material he had placed before me. The map showed several places around Cyrodil that looked like there was an O placed besides them. Not sure what that meant I turned to the journal. Inside I found that the journal had once belonged to Uriel Septum and the last few entries spoke of a son that he had taken away to be raised elsewhere in Cyrodil in case his death was sought by those consumed by evil. 

“I have the Amulet of Kings. Uriel gave it to me right before he was murdered by assassins.” I pulled the Amulet out from one of my pockets and showed him. “He told me to find his last son and close the jaws of Oblivion. One of his bodyguards instructed me to find you because he thought you might know where that son is today.”

“His name is Martin and I do know where he currently resides,” Jauffre informed me. “You have been set upon a quest that will be full of death, blood, and terror.”

“I have no time for a quest. I only want to find Martin and give him the amulet.”

“It is too late for that. You will have to put aside your personal endeavors and give yourself to this quest. All of Tamriel looks to you to save her.”

“No one in Tamriel even knows who I am, much less care if I complete some quest.” I was beginning to become irate with this old, helpless monk.

“You must find Martin, give him the amulet, tell him who he is, and bring him to me.” He added, with a bit of ferocity, “If the assassins and the death of the Emperor have already occurred, then it is absolutely crucial that we act quickly. All of the lives of Cyrodil are at stake. Oblivion must not be allowed to gain full access to our world here.”

     Jauffre took a minute to calm his nerves, arose from the table, approached yet another chest, and opened it.

“I have few supplies that may assist you in finding Martin and we can acquire a horse for you to help speed up your travels.” He rummaged through the chest pulling out potions, weapons, and armor. “Take whatever you need. I will be downstairs.” With that last bit he ventured down the stairs, leaving me alone.

      
     I took a moment to gather my thoughts before looking through the chest and taking the necessities. He had two quivers of silver arrows, a silver bow, and a silver dagger contained within the chest. I took all that I could carry and all that a horse could carry comfortably. I inhaled my next breath deeply preparing my nerves for the inevitable journey I was about to embark on and to quench the fear rising within me.

     My feet and legs took me, slightly unwilling, down the steps as my brain tried to wrap around what I was planning on doing. The fear continued to rise from deep inside of me, my hands shook, and I started to perspire. I was unsure if I was capable of such an adventure, if perhaps the Emperor had gotten the story wrong and I wasn’t supposed to be the one to help. How could someone like me be the person who would save Tamriel?

     A vision flashed before my eyes just as I reached the base of the stairs.
        

     A hunter moving lithely through a lush forest seeking its prey. I (the hunter) took my bow from off my back as I approached a bear off in the distance. I could feel my heart pumping fast with adrenaline coursing through my veins. I nocked an arrow in my bow and pulled the string quickly back.

     I aimed.

    Took a breath.

    Exhaled.

    Let loose the arrow.

    The arrow cut through the air and burrowed right through the bear's skull.

     The vision faded leaving a sense that it was less of a vision and more of a memory. Perhaps there was more to my abilities than what I thought possible. I knew then that I had to find some kind of connections to my past as I possibly could.

     The monks stood not far from me with inquisitive expressions as they watched me snap out of whatever had taken hold of me. Shaking my head I approached the monks and informed them that I was as ready as I would ever be. They told me that a horse was outside tied to a post.

“Head to Kvatch. Martin is a priest of Akatosh. You will find him in the church there,” he told me. “Good luck. We will see you upon your return.”

     I thanked them, pulled my hood over my head, and went to mount the horse they had given me. Before riding off for Kvatch I took my map out and marked the city on it. The journey would take me about a day and a half. I needed to get there as soon as I could. The sooner I finished this the sooner I could get to finding out who I was and who I was supposed to be.

     The wind started to gust as though a storm was fast approaching bringing with it a danger no one had ever encountered before.