She and the messengers made their way on horseback to the king’s palace. This was highly unusual, she thought, wondering if perhaps the eccentric king had fallen ill. By the time she arrived the rain had soaked through her jacket, but the envoy insisted she must go to his chamber right away. As the door to his room opened the king greeted her warmly, but there was also concern in his voice. He told her of a child in a distant province that had grown ill, but he spoke nothing of what the boy meant to him. He requested she leave immediately picking up what she needed from her apothecary, and he would have one of his doctors tend to her facility. Shocked by the suddenness of it all Elenda agreed but had a single question before she left: “Why me”. “Because it can only be you.” He replied cryptically.