The Voln in River's Rest will give you a chronomage orb if you're ready to step:

>ask monk about step
The monk says, "You have done well in following the path of our Lord Voln. Now you must venture north to Wehnimer's Landing to take your next step on the Path to Enlightenment. Courtesy of the Chronomages, here is a voucher that will allow you to travel to those distant northern lands and back. Beware, my friend, for the voucher will only be accepted by the Chronomages for two days hence and it will only work for you. Do not waste it, for it will be the only one that you will receive until you are ready to take your next step on the Path to Enlightenment."

The monk hands you an emblazoned black orb.

Q: Could he give you a crystal amulet instead? I'm not going to wait for the chronomage when I can just buy some driftwood/an amulet to get on with my Voln step.

Thanks!

PS: Speaking of Voln, it would be great if Voln symbols utilized the TARGET system. They currently do not.