A few times he found himself nearly napping, as his eyelids slowly grew heavier to hold, safe from his glasses it would be too easy to, at a glance, tell. "When I find myself on a lonely night such as this one, to myself I often think of what reason I bother to travel on these roads. Perhaps it is the pay I get to deliver cargo, perhaps I only aim to run away from something that I had done a long time ago. I oft don’t know. It could be that I never will. Hardly do I find myself with the capability to engage in talk with others... For my size I have been ridiculed as oafish. Is it from those people I run? Maybe, I sometimes think it is better I do not know. But to think that, to think that, to think... that. Is for me to accept that I am an oaf, a fool. A folly of intelligent design. But now that I find myself with you, I find myself, in a long time, stationary enough to speak with another. It has been too long. Again I ask myself, for what reason do I ride these roads? And an answer I sometimes want to seek. You?" He paused, the mountain of a man said to his company. "For what reason do you find yourself on the road? Perhaps through you I may find my own answer. Though likely not. Still, I would like to know." And with this he grabbed the attention of the elder even more. To that, the exchange would begin. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6nLndP2Ts
He who was aged as fine wine responded thus, "Hm, it has been a long time since you have spoken with another, say it is due to my age I can identify. In a time far from your own, a question not relating to what main topic you would ask first would come to be asked first. Perhaps of the weather, or family, a job maybe? Yes. But times such as that are long gone. But not too late to rejuvenate, for I, a relic of such ancient times am still here. So I now ask in return to your question, mayhap I may ask thee of where you came? For I am not aware of any town further west from whence we came. Perhaps you might be able to enlighten my darkness, such as the lantern sheds light on this night." He of bears stature spoke "A new village." He continued. "A new village is to be erected, soon to be a town. A name has not yet been decided of course, but for the last few nights I and others have journeyed to the new settlement. To save your breath of what it is I find myself doing there is a simple task. I deliver to any who needs, any that they might. Alas, this be not the answer you seek, for there are indeed several more to pass before that one is reached." The elder sighed and then chuckled softly and to himself thunk "Curious that none had made me privy to this news, perhaps I am too often busy." To the larger man he spoke, "That is indeed news to me, thank you for sharing the knowledge, but now I ask thee, I find it curious that you stopped to me, and then asked for a poem. Do I know thee from somewhere?" copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡljkaoWDeLW
The reply he received was that of a no, followed by "Stopped was I by one in your village, to her I spoke to hear the query that if I stumbled upon a man of old, I was to ask for a poem, for that she thought that I was sad and you would cheer me up. To carry you had crossed my mind if you were to truly entertain me... But now a new question has entered my brain. For what reason would you carry so much luggage without aid?" A burst of laughter erupted from the Oldman and nearly woke the foxling from its deep slumber. As soon as it erupted it died. "Apologies for the outburst, I had not thought much of that either. Was not my original intention to carry so much of anything. This that I carry, are the best wishes of my children and grandchildren to have a safe journey. But wishes are never light I'm afraid." The large man too did laugh as he nodded his head to agree. Both men made their laughter resound in the caravan. Slowly did it fade away. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ARN6TEE5x
"They of the village seemed to have enjoyed your presence, so for what reason would you leave?" The larger of the two asked. The Oldman turned his nose towards the sky and began his answer as the cold winds brushed his face. "That. Hm, yes, indeed, why did I leave? Hmm, my brain is not quite what it used to be. But even so, I do live a happy life. Why I would leave is a question worthy of answering, yes. To the best of my ability to explain so as not to cause any confusion, I am on a journey." copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwDGh1T73N
He paused and exhaled to see the frost of the air rush past his face just barely. "A journey to a certain entity." "Wherefore would you go?" He of deep voice asked, the response was thus. "The world as I know it is not quite what it was in my time. There is much more grief that plagues us than is necessary. A simple cure is much needed in the advancement of our country, yes. This is a cure that I believe I may have. I am no doctor, do not mistake me for such, but a healer of the spirits I may be. I am a man who believes in a higher power, yes, but I preach not to others. So who am I? If I heal but do not touch the body but I do the soul, although I am not a holy man, who would I be?" copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp6VzvScJE
The large man replied "You are a mediator for pain then. A man who heals not with touch, but with words. I would think that from what you said, perhaps an entertainer for the spirits?" The elder let his fingers flow through his beard and continued. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ne0BkUfZ0
[Oldman: Yes, I suppose I could be an entertainer, I do bring joy to those who are in need of happiness. But I apologize again, I have went off of our trail. But this is necessary for the reason I was to leave. You understand that I make people happy. But that is not my mission. That is a byproduct of what I do. For at heart I am a writer, a poet in fact. It is my specialty. That is by which I have the means to make those saddened less so. So the question is now, why would a man who is a poet, leave his home at this age to venture into a world he has so long forgotten?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhwqXOrRWv
The larger man took his eyes off the road for an instant to look at the man confused. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwULrtgjGZ
[Other: Yes, that is indeed the new question, but for what reason? I see no logic in your words, why would one such as you leave. I feel I am liable to be confused. Could you not tell me without the extrapolation?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQNcRowLDw
[Oldman: Indeed I could, but that would only leave more questions than answers. For instance. The answer in short is; My quest is to fulfill a promise long forgotten. The question after would be, "What promise would require you to go out at this age and for what reason would you keep it?" To which I would reply that it is to seal that which has been set loose. A terror if you will. To which again, if I were to say, you and anyone else would think me quite mad and would send me to asylum.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpOiPM6hD2
[Other: But I know you not to be a man who I or any other would consider mad, so why not give the benefit of the doubt to me if I promise to not send you to the purgatory of life?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhzH30bjkR
[Oldman: Apologies yet again, but such risk I cannot take. But this as well, will only lead to more questions, so to answer the query first asked, I would say that the matter I have to deal with would be quite tragic in nature to demand my presence. The death of a loved one? Maybe, that I do not know. She might be in turmoil and I am to save her, or she might have met her end and I am to confirm and sacrifice what is left of my life to the task she had. For years I have had the final seal ready for... I have spoken too much on that matter. But I can only now say that before a new bandage can be placed, the old one must fall off. After many years, a perfect bandage can be made to stop all bleeding for virtually all time. The first bandage of course, to have a second made, would have been known to only last so long. So now I state again, I am a healer, not of the body but of the spirit, and I am to place a bandage on a certain wound.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiH6uyu1k7
[Other: I feel that I am almost confused. Not quite, but yet still so. So you say to me that, oh hold on!] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5xlnn7tEL
The caravan jerked violently for a short time and the horse slowed to a steady trod. Rattling of what sounded like empty containers of glass could be heard to collide with each other in the caravan and one seemed to had shattered. The elder grabbed one hand to the seat rail and the other to hold the slowly waking foxling. The wooden wheels creaked and the Oldman softly gasped. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr35866jpq
[Other: Darn.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIJTOdsjeM
[Oldman: What was that?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMRY8flfJ0
He said with a worried face. The shaking stopped. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fs4lAarUz
[Other: With your eyes you may not have been able to see it, but just now we encountered rough terrain, there are, for some inexplicable reason beyond my ability or understanding to fathom, some large stones in the road that I have been unable to avoid.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5iCZ6Prp4
[Oldman: Were they there when you went to my village today? And if so, could you not have moved them?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQR5PZkbe3
[Other: Aye, that I did do, even before yesterday, and the week that has passed, have these stones been placed here, and though I moved them on numerous times, they always appear. I know not why.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfjEjFfu79
[Oldman: Then this is a sign indeed.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30flCesrGS
This he whispered to himself. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTJnZzmkKB
[Other: What was that you said?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWRIBbnQFu
[Oldman: Oh nothing, do continue with what you said.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJue56tyy9
[Other: Ah yes, I shall. So as I was to say, you say that you are... Hmm, I can't quite remember to be truthful. But I know it was along the lines that you say that you are a doctor of the spirit that heals with words yet does not preach. You also say you are to place a bandage on a wound that has reopened. That I do not understand, could you not just get someone else to place this bandage for you?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡr43as3JOnu
[Oldman: That I wish I could, but alas, I cannot, as I said, I am the doctor. It is my responsibility to treat the ailment. But that is, in the shell of a nut, all I can say regarding the matter of why it is I travel.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMrhu2tRS8
[Other: Ahh, you are a man of confusion as well. I think that I understand what it is you say. I wish you the best of fortune.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSRQ7XXAvw
[Oldman: I thank you. Hmm, perhaps you would like to enjoy a poem while you ride to keep your mind occupied, of the variety that rhymes though.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWAN63QQRe
[Other: I do think that it would be enjoyable. Entertainment is not something I come across much if at all on these roads. So please do share a poem... as long as it is not of rest or sleep in nature. *Hahaha*] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh0MzuP2mH
[Oldman: *Heh* Of course.] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIz3zH0xhv
And so he, from his bag, pulled his book of poetry and turned to an undefined page and began to read to the best of his ability in the varying light and shaking. Feeling his eyes hurt of course, he still tried to the best of his ability. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32rEPyHGpy
-How Sleep Spurns Me So- copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKQVxqqmtM
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EvEH5lICD
Tis unfair what she does, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFFEjvd1cC
I am not one she's loves. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7nq3VRtik
Often I seeketh the sweet nectar she gives, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnZL1HQnpt
The honey so sweet, urges me to live. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C8Ghscuto
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73wvuzql2J
I love her yes, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj6F58mVvM
With all of my heart. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwoxdG0qau
I give her my words, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡOixlN1UenX
But she always departs. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3g4Jmc6iI
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHfhfsXfS7
I try to chase her, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHqh2eiXtG
But she is like quicksilver in palm. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrKcwtyJzQ
As she is in my grasps, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsxGJM9G21
*poof* she is gone. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLJe2MtlKW
. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FoMRUfpDP
Her dark allure which dangles in my face when my eyes shut close, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5iNL1AUHC
Serves no purpose other than to juxtapose, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvnGKqseMc
The dichotomy I face between night and day, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOSzAJuQ97
One when sun shines,The other where dreams play. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpcYcYZMSH
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPdMvYdXc0
I love my dreams and they love me, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡanO2WpMrgV
But the gatekeeper of sleep, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXkLVxJVkC
Despises my being. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJrQwXPKU1
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5pz8mZUNf
She keeps us apart, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmdb88IS43
She toys with my heart, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡuINWyjTo4O
To me this is torture, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOUPo2cnXZ
To her, this is farce. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNmQYuZHm4
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRMxNlRHJV
All I need is a drop, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9KqZ9tcxq
Of dreams sweet dew, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡbady1c21Tp
But she doubly restricts, copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DgSb4d3LX
My joys rich juice. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi7JI6Tciq
.copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuAQ3C25DV
[Oldman: Kids call this poetry?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIzLBKPONB
He mumbled to himself. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMTSwCZpOi
[Other: That was quite good, I liked the inconsistency of the rhyme scheme, while it may have been a bit jarring, it certainly did lend to the flexibility of the piece. Do you have any others?] copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrNqhQ3jWG
The giant was replied to with silence. He turned to see the Oldman asleep with the book in-between them and the fox in his arms resting on his purple robes. The burly man smirked to himself as he saw the elders head bob up and down by the neck. "It seems liable to pop off, perhaps I should... yes I should." He tugged on his reigns and slower the caravan went, slowly it was at a relative crawl from what it once was. The head of the elder stopped bobbing and now could rest easy. "Ahh, I'll be pretty late now, but I guess it’s the least... Thank you." He turned his eyes to the elder and gave a small smile as he rode gently into the darkness. copyright protection99ＰＥＮＡＮＡerpNd0y3Om
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