Okay - so I read this story a looong time ago (15yrs?) - I remember thinking it was really, really similar to the gunslinger book (the first one), there was a 'gunslinger' type character, there's something about a necklace thing he takes off a dead guy (shot and lying in a horse trough?), there's something about a girl (at a convent type place?) who has like bells or something on a veil she wears, and when she shakes them she can summon bug type things(?), there's something special about the necklace the 'gunslinger' guy took off the dead guy, I think it kind of protects him from something (someone?), also - there's something about the 'nun' type characters at the 'convent' place - I think they drug the 'gunslinger' guy and drink his blood or something... if this sounds familiar to anyone, I would really appreciate some direction in finding this book (there's always a possibility that I'm wrong, and it's not King - or maybe this IS from one of the Gunslinger books? (I kind of doubt that, but you never know!)) Thanks in advance!

Never fear! I found it myself! (Soo glad to know I'm not completely crazy! ) - One thing I was off on, this was published initially in 1998 - then again in Stehen Kings Everythings Eventual in 2002 - so it wasn't as long ago as I thought. Anyway, the story is called The Little Sisters of Eluria by Stephen King. Thanks to anyone who tried to help - kind of surprised that I had no responses - oh well, mystery solved! :)