Re: Suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at Epiphany's Door. (Open to Epiphany or whatever horridness lurks in The Door)

[Rodry Pol]

Epiphany had earned a surprisingly acrobatic upwards jump of his brows after he had glanced back to find that box. Though he had settled upon it when his story had allowed it and he wasn't miming out something more physical. She had plenty of opportunities to examine the blade. For he held it up and she got to see that it's weight was obviously something that Rodry couldn't handle in the ways that he once had in the story. It was simply too large and awkward for even someone of his height. She could only imagine that the figure from the story must have been much changed by the time that had passed since it's telling!

However the children were soon bringing a smile to his face. His head dipping faintly, letting his bangs hide his features briefly. A hand lifting to push them out of his face.

"I am certainly not going to be riding out upon any quests anytime soon."

Smiling at that, they were a sweet bunch, which left him feeling far better about having decided to give them the story they had wanted. Even if the story had been altered from the truth in several places ... he felt it might have been even been better than the story had been originally. At least for them.

He was finally returning to his sandwich, having finished less than half of it by the time she had spoken up to get the kids moving! He watched the children as they began to pack up and getting things ready. A last bite taken after her compliment on his story. Finally he as taking the sandwich and using a napkin to carefully wrap it up. Tucking it in an inner pocket of his coat.

"Well it had it's embellishments and exclusions. It was fundamentally true. I'm glad you enjoyed it, more importantly it kept the younglings entertained and still long enough to finish their lunch."

Chuckling softly. Finally rising from his seat on his box to rise up and lean upon his sword. Making his way after the kids with the stutter step that was the norm for him. Honestly Rodry was surprised that he didn't notice the changes in their surroundings as easily as he should. The gradual fading was ... inconspicuous. It was as if you blinked your eyes and things were suddenly gone.

"I cannot see why. You've proven wonderful company. Despite unorthodox behaviors your far from intimidating or discouraging and I can say this in confidence."

The light pat made it clear however, that she had come to accept what she had told him. What he hoped for was the fact that he could hopefully discourage her from simply believing and taking this as fact.

Honestly, Rodry was worried what might happened to poor Epiphany if she hadn't happened to have strolled past the front desk when he needed to check in!

"Well I certainly don't want to be left here alone in your pocket dimension and she should be here in a few days at the latest. She told me she would come as soon as she could take herself away from home."

Oh and he had such a pleasant grin at the thought. It would be nice to see her, even if it hadn't been that long since his children had sent him to the Inn. He eased along the lines of the children. Offering them his small smile and a light touch to their shoulders as he made his way along the line to ensure that he wasn't left behind!

"You all did very well fighting off those Goblins. Remember that when things get rough. You all have what it takes to put aside troubles and to work together! Together you can work through anything."

That was what he wanted to stress to them above all else!

[Epiphany]

Of course there had to be embellishments to the story. Changes here and there. Epiphany made a few quick flicks of her wrist as she brushed off any concern Rodry may have had about the acceptance of his tale. "Come now, Rodry, if every detail of your story was true then it would be called the truth instead of a story. And, while there certainly isn't anything wrong with the truth, a story is suppose to be embellished. Even if only a little." That was her take on the matter anyway, and the children were not any worse for the hearing.

Acceptance was also a part of this place. Children were more apt at accepting what others would fond difficult and so, for them, having things subtly and gradually change around them wasn't anything that rose alarm. Or maybe the children had grown so use to this type of thing that it hardly phased them at all anymore?

As they were heading off in the direction the leader lead the sky overhead took on the colors of a purely natural early evening sky. The air took on a more natural feel and smell and even the slight ambient sounds of nature were more pronounced. These were all small things that were likely to go unnoticed by most people for one reason or another, but for those who were paying attention, had keen observation skills or improved senses, it was clear that the troop had left the Box and were now traversing in the real world. To look behind them a person would see only what was naturally there: the downward path and the forest trees that surrounded it. The settlement was gone.

"You would have been okay had you stayed behind," Epiphany commented while egging one of the lollygagging youths along. "Though um.. Well. I think you'd be okay. I don't remember ever leaving someone there when I wasn't. Though of course the Door has made it's own thing or two but it's typically not as elaborate. But I don't think that was the Box." In other words she wasn't sure if he'd be okay if he stayed behind or not. It probably wasn't impossible for her to retain a world that she wasn't currently in, but it was likely something she'd have to work at - like anything else - and possibly even section off that portion of her mind so what was there wouldn't be effected by whatever else she was doing.

Anyway!

The children heard Rodry's apparent 'moral' to today's event and some of them groaned, complete with mutterings of how he turned into an adult and their want to always make a moral lesson from something. Sure, it was fine when it was a part of a story but this was different in their minds. Epiphany could only chuckle and mouth to him that it was okay.

Despite the inserted lesson the children still liked the man.

And as they walked up the hill the bell tower of the church began to come into view from the trees, and then the rest of the light gray stone building. It was fairly large but the lessening light would keep much of the detail but the stain glass, high arching windows, and wooden double doors were clear. Four steps leading into the building. Lamps burned on either side of the doors and annexed to the church, on the viewers left side, was a rectangular building. All together the place was a well size: not overly large and imposing yet hardly small and meek.

There was a tall (ten to twelve feet) black iron renaissance style fence that lined the perimeter and the wide gates were still open. The slightly stout middle-aged man who stood at the gate, and his partner a slightly leaner man of the same age, dressed in a dark brown full length tunic, were standing watch. And were likely going to close the gate when it was time.

"There we are: the Church of Saint Emiliani." Tad bit of pride and remorse in her voice. "As far as visitors, uh, I don't know, I'm not very social? I've always felt a tad awkward in large gatherings." And yet, here she was, amongst all the kids, the church, and the various other things that she did that put her around lots of people. What she should have said was being in charge of social situations.

[Rodry Pol]

Well it hadn't been just a few ... small details. Though he wasn't about to discourage Epiphany from thinking that the story had been embellished in the way she may have assumed! It was a pleasure to have told the children the story, to share it with them and to have seen the excitement and pleasure in their eyes! They were a wonderful bunch!

Epiphany could spot it when he realized the transition between The Box and reality. The changes he had at first assumed to have been Epiphany's doing. Yet Rodry knew Epiphany! The faint lift of his head, the slight cock of his neck. Breathing in the air of the evening. It seemed ... more alive in comparison to the air in The Box. After a brief dip of fingers to make sure he had at least a single kerchief left.

"Epiphany ... I must say that it's ... unusual. I've never experienced a transition that was so .... seamless."

Glancing back over his shoulder, not the least bit surprised to see that the settlement was nowhere to be seen. A hand reached out to even see if he could feel any remnant of whatever magic had produced the transition. He had expected something that he would have been familiar with ... yet ...

Nothing.

"I can't say that I would be eager to see what would happen inside the box without you there to keep things ... in order."

Epiphany's apologetic look from the kids groans only received a faint grin in response. The response made it clear he was used to the reaction! Few people actually wanted to be 'lectured' and told how they should behave or what they should be remembering!

"No groans, I just want all of you to not have to make the mistakes I did when I was young. I thought I could take on the world with naught but the strength of my arm and my blade."

Which was still being poorly treated by Rodry's need to use it at a walking stick. Unfortunately the weapon did not have a sheathe, at least not one that he had at hand! As they came up upon the church she could see the way that he seemed surprised by it's size. It was a large church but not ostentatious. Even if the wrought iron gate and fence left him looking over the pillars that flanked the gate was something he seemed to spend a considerable amount of time doing, even if he tried his best not to ignore the priests ... monks?

"Saint Emiliani ..."

Tasting that name though it was unfamiliar to him. Epiphany hadn't before mentioned the patron saint of the church and he didn't feel that now was the time to press her for a deeper explanation on it's virtues. Not when there were a couple clergymen who were probably waiting on them.

After he got close enough to the gates he hung back. Mainly because he didn't expect the clergymen to be too pleased to see a man wandering around with a naked blade. Especially considering he was so close to the children! Rodry was all too aware of how people could get when the safety of their children was in question. A gloved hand was lifted to hail the gatekeepers, even if he didn't move in to greet them as personally as he normally would.

"That is strange. I mean from your adventurous activities and your easy friendly demeanor ... I never thought of you as a loner or an introvert."

Or rather, he didn't remember her being anything but an extrovert when he had first known her! She honestly seemed like the kind of person he would expect to have a social calendar booked weeks in advance! He leaned forward, balancing against the planted blade which had sunk deeply enough to keep him from tipping back or forth. Offering each of those children a smile.

"It was wonderful meeting all of you. Hopefully it won't be to long before I see any of you again. Maybe I will come and visit if I have another good day? Unless you all don't want to see an old man."

His attention had risen, to look at the church itself. To admire the building and the ambiance it's looming shape made in the twilight. He could only wonder after what it was like to live there ... yet it had the familiar architecture of the times he known and loved so well!

"Where do the children stay, is that the purpose of the building there? I can't imagine they actually stay in the church itself ...?"

The rasp in his voice left his fingers trailing into that pocket. that Epiphany no doubt knew by now held his kerchiefs.

[Epiphany]

Perhaps if Rodry here had all his feelers out and was being scrupulously aware and looking for any hints and signs of a distinct magic, he may have felt something.

Possibly. One could never know.

"The abilities of the Door are . . . they are beyond my imagining and comprehension." Epiphany didn't have a mind for the makings of magic. She wasn't a magical creature and she didn't practice the art. "No harm done, not like you're suddenly finding yourself in a different body." Her ending comment tagged with a bit of laughter. The type of laugh a person did when what they said wasn't so far fetched, even that they may have had experience with the matter.

The bit of merriment died down when they neared the gate and its current keepers, giving them a familiar smile in hopes it would curb their gaze directed at Rodry's sword. He was very right to think that they wouldn't be very comfortable and forthcoming with a man sporting a bear blade around children - old or not. This was Rhy'din, after all, and things were often not as they appeared.

Prompted by the ushering hands of one of the priest the children started into the gate and towards the church building itself, Epiphany stepped closer to Rodry, tipping her head towards the annexed building. "The Orphanage is connected to the church. Really the place is quite big," she began to explain, ruffling a head or two of a child as they passed by. "You're only seeing the front side and these are hardly all the children the church houses. There's also dormitories for the Priest and Nuns as they live here." Logically that meant that there was bathroom and kitchen facilities as well, even if they were meager.

The children were not without manners and they offered their farewells with a few of them adding in 'Sir' to their goodbye's and the added salutes caused the gate keepers to look at Rodry again.

"You can stay if you like, here, with the priest of course." The two priest at the gate looking at each other and then to him. They were men of a cloth and it would go against their code to simply leave a person in need outside of the gates. That is, a 'good' person outside of the gates. If the man needed refugee for the night then he would be accommodated. One of the men then would turn to follow behind the last of the children, to escort them in and make sure that they started in their evening activities. Especially ones that involved them being cleaned.

"They wouldn't harm you. You'd ... probably have to attend mass and listen to them but you'd get a good rest and will be fed." Granted that it wouldn't be a fabulous meal, but it would be nourishing. Not to mention that if he stayed she could possibly study him without being to obvious. The longer she was with him the more familiar to her he seemed.

"But I'll be heading, well I can help you along back." Not saying if she was going back to the Inn for the night or if she was only going to make it a stop on her way to somewhere else. "I can be social if I need to be, but there are not that many people who are interested in galavanting with me if it means that they could be hurt, captured, or otherwise at risk." Keeping her voice a bit low as she didn't want the remaining priest to focus narrowed eyes on her.

[Rodry Pol]

Which made it doubly unfortunate that he wasn't able to sense whatever had created the barrier that had disgorged all of them!

The magic that had once coursed through him had receded too far.

"Well you're certainly not the only person to have ever used magic that wasn't understood. Coming back in another body might not have been such a bad thing!"

Chuckling loudly. Perhaps it would have been better for him to have been lucky enough to arrive in a different body. The question was would he have been able to live with himself saddling Epiphany or one of the children with his old broken body!

Those disapproving looks had been far from a surprise. Which had left him settling comfortably, doing his best to look as harmless as he possibly could be! All he could do was hope that the priests didn't think that Epiphany was directing him to behave himself with her close spoken words!

"These aren't all the children..? I'm surprised that the church isn't overwhelmed by them ... the place has to be much larger than it looks."

Honestly he was surprised that the orphanage had ... so many. Rodry hadn't seen so many parent-less children in one place before. It was heart wrenching. Though that tell tale wheeze to his words tipped Epiphany off before his hand had even risen with the kerchief

It was all he could do to muffle his cough enough to offer the children a nod or a faint wave with his free hand. Though once the children were through the gate he dropped any pretense of trying to keep himself composed. Leaning over to try and clear his lungs of whatever it was that caused him his troubles.

Perhaps now the priest wouldn't be quite so worried about his weapon...

Lack of breath and the force of his cough was more than enough to make him as red in the face as the kerchief he was clutching in his hand practically. He remained hunched over for a few moments. Waiting until the faint gurgle of fluid in his breathing had cleared. The intensity of the fit was exposed even more clearly a moment later when Rodry spit into the grass.

He had certainly never even alluded to doing such a thing!

It took him a long while to answer her. Even then it took two tries during which his voice refused to come before he managed to speak. Shaking his head, only just barely though.

"Must return ... to the Tel."

There was no wiggle room or flexibility in his tone. Epiphany had yet to hear him sound stern or intense. It turned out that his spine might have some of the same steel of his weapon of choice! Straightening with the assistance of a hand clasping claw-like upon the rounded counterweight of the blades handle. His hand disappearing into his jacket shortly after. To hide the kerchief that had been more than just faintly moistened.

Eyes remained closed, though he only gave a faint shake of his head at the idea of her getting someone hurt. She was an adventurous spirit, any danger she might put someone in would most likely be unintentional, even if no less harrowing.

".... Which way?"

The edge in his voice was pain-laced, though not mean. Yet he seemed suddenly to feel a need to be away from this place. Perhaps it was some fear that someone might see that he was ill? Whatever Rodry's sudden need to head back to the inn, he wasn't making a secret of it! For he was striking out, putting a stiff upper lip on the need he had to put more weight on his crutch than he had before.

[Epiphany]

So it was that the remaining priest at the gate had shifted his attention from Rodry being the man with the sword to the man with the 'bad sounding' cough. It was a church and they did take care of people, so, of course hearing the man cough as he did, coupled with his actions, was sure to draw attention.

The dilemma, now, was should she play up to that and strengthen what she knew to be the Priests' concern and try to get him to stay, or not. The latter was more likely to happen, especially with the tone she heard in Rodry's voice.

Could he even make it back all the way?

The children were safely in the gate and Epiphany, too, started to back away from it with slow steps. She flashed the priest a smile and gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "No need to worry, he's keeping up appearances for the sake of it." What that was really suppose to mean she couldn't tell. But it wasn't a lie, not really. Rodry did have some type of health condition but he could be trying to uphold the image to the children that he was too old for such heroic antics anymore.

She would leave it at that before turning to follow behind Rodry and edge a bit closer to him in case he needed the help and support. The last thing Epiphany wanted to do was linger at the gate and have the priest start to wonder if her slightly repressed nature was going to get the better of her that traveling with a person with a penchant for blood was a bad idea. She was in perfect control of herself - in her mind.

Rodry was a determined man at least! Knew what he wanted and was going to go for it, but she knew how far the walk was from the church to the Inn. "It's about eight to ten miles Southwest of here, downhill, mostly, until you get out the village." Explaining that while looking at him. The church was easily accessible to the people of the nearby town and those who lived around the Marketplace. While it was not a part of it, and he wouldn't have to go through the whole town, he'd have to pass the outskirts of it.

Turning to look behind her she was glad to see the gates and the church disappearing with the distance, and she started digging around the inside of her skirt. Though the light was fading more she didn't seem phased.

"I should have something….here…" Talking more to herself as she thumbed around her clothing. "No matter what you say, I don't think you can go that distance after everything else of today." He could say that he would be fine, but she was only trying to look out for his well being. That cough didn't sound good to him or his voice.

"Ah!" She had an idea! Because she was dressed in this particular style there was a small leather pouch on her side and she untied it and offered it over. "At the bottom of the hill there's a large moss covered white boulder, travel west from that, off the path about five hundred feet. Then, you'll see a large fallen trunk that's partially hallow. Take this," shaking the leather pouch, "tie it on you somewhere, hold it, doesn't matter, say 'Tel'Raneamyn Inn', knock 'shave and a haircut' and crawl through the log. You'll probably end up just outside the garden wall or outside the stables and the pouch will be gone." What he would come out of, she couldn't tell him. It could be as simple as him coming from behind a bush or inside a mound of hay, water trough, who knew!

"It's better than walking if you can't do it." Trying to be helpful and all that!

One more thing, if he could smell it - or if he looked inside the pouch - he would find a handful of ripe boysenberries.

[Rodry Pol]

Rodry's behavior put the lie to Pip's words. However good intentioned. For he had held off as long as he could, fighting back the need to truly cough until the children were at least out of sight and couldn't see him hunched over and fighting to breathe. To clear the blood from his lungs. For he was fighting to do so desperately. Hopefully however, her and the priest wouldn't think to try and force him to stay!

Though she was right in guessing he wouldn't entertain the idea. For he had struck off as best he could back the way they had come until Epiphany had steered him the proper direction in order to head back towards civilization. Even if the journey was going to be far from short. Hopefully she wouldn't be feeling too peckish anytime soon! Stick a big juicy apple in his mouth and he'd be ready for meal time. Hopefully the sick weak old man wouldn't prove to tempting a target for Epiphany's ... hunger. He was blissfully unaware of this change in the little angelou he had once known!

There was nothing of the ease or the good spirit that had accompanied him up the hill.Even if the descent was easier, he couldn't manage much in the way of speed. Honestly seeming to act his age for once in his life. For what little progress each shift of the swords blade made, he shortened by the sluggish shuffle that his strides had become. Luckily he didn't have to step around the little divots of earth the blade pried free each time he shifted it from it's previous place! Rodry was feeling less than confident on how quickly they would make the journey. For it was already growing dim enough that he knew it would be well after full dark when they made it back.

An arrival he was knocking back several hours when she clued him in on just how far away they were. During their journey away from the gates, the level of trouble he was having with his health was obvious since he merely turned to spit into the brush next to the trail rather than even attempt to hide his need to do so. The scent and hue of blood far from easy to mistake each time he spat.

"Eight .... miles."

Sounding like he couldn't even contemplate the idea of adding on that extra possible two miles. He would cross that particular bridge when he came to it. If he came to it. The thought of having to travel eight miles, through the town proper in order to reach the inn was more than just daunting! It was honestly iintimidating despite his natural pride.

When she chose to stop, to perhaps dig free the remains of her sandwich to snack on, he didn't complain. He slumped over further, his head coming to rest on the fist which had balled atop the swords pommel. Cushioning his forehead from the unforgiving metal. His iron grey bangs were quick to spill down around his face, hiding it from view while he fought to try and catch his breath. Not even paying mind to what she was doing exactly.

Gracious gods, I know illithids that treat their prey less maliciously...

All he could manage to do was listen with bowed head. Waiting until she had explained it all before he was lifting his head. Just enough for her to see a blue orb between the strands of his hair. Lips painted at the corners with a thin bloody froth and all he had to say was a question that might not have been the one she would expect.

"...Knock .... shave and ... a haircut?"

Thats right. Rodry hadn't a clue about whatever it was she was talking about! Though he had understood what she had said.It had been concise enough. Which of course meant he could make it there, after she explained what it was she had meant!

"Moldy rock ... five ... hundred feet. ...Hollow log. ...Aye."

He didn't open the bag, though he had taken it from her. Even if it had gotten tied to the hilt of his blade for safe keeping rather than stuffed in a pocket! It had only taken him two tries to get a knot that would hold. If he could make it there, it would be considerably better than walking. Though from the look on his face, Pip could probably tell that Rodry was thinking on what he needed to do in order to return to the inn!

[Epiphany]

Let us note the deep frown that was burrowing itself on Epiphany's face after Rodry took the bag and possibly even started on walking. No matter how she tried to play it off to the priest at the gate she knew that he was in no condition to make a return trip like that. She had tried to help, by offering the shortcut. That way was sure to work because of the berries inside that pouch, but try it without - even if the other parts were correct - and nothing would happen at all.

He had spat up more blood though her concern for his well-being would over ride anything else in her system, mostly due to the internal dialogue she was having in her head about whether or not she was to try and make him better. She could, she knew she could if only it were allowed, but the question was: would she even want to try?

Not only that, Epiphany already knew that Rodry wasn't all who he appeared to be - the blood, the way he looked and related to her - it was all actions of someone who knew her. She only couldn't remember anyone named Rodry Pol so she wasn't sure how much he knew - or didn't know - about her.

Rodry Pol.... Every time she said, or thought, that name it felt weird.

"I-I could, uh, help you to the log!" Is what she offered up to him. Why she wasn't going back to the Inn was anyone's guess. If they were going to the same place then telling him which way to go would hardly be an issue.

Speaking as she started going after him - if he was moving that is. "I'm much better to lean against then your sword that, will no doubt, have to see a smithy now."

[Rodry Pol]

Rodry had taken the pouch though he hadn't paid much mind to Epiphany's face so he had missed that fierce frown of hers! Not that it would have truly bothered him. Rodry obviously wasn't doing well. This was definitely the worse she had seen him as of yet. For even when his coughing took him he had always treated his recovery with poise. As if he were expecting someone to judge him on how well he conducted himself, but now ...

Rodry seemed to be having trouble just trying to keep on going. If Epiphany hadn't offered up that shortcut as some alternative, Rodry would have little chance of reaching the inn before his health forced him to stop. Something that might come sooner rather than later considering his trouble. Rodry had started on his way. For the longer it was put off,the worse off he would be in trying to reach the log.

Luckily Rodry wasn't feeling peckish, or like digging through the pouch. Pip should really warn someone when the integral ingredient of a spell was edible! Especially when Rodry might not make it to the log and may need a rest! The last thing that he needed was to accidentally eat the components to Epiphany's spell or enchantment or whatever this log procedure ran off of! Rodry hadn't managed to escape far, epiphany only needed to take half a dozen steps to catch up to him.

Perhaps Rodry was just one of those people who had that special ability to seem familiar to people! Then again, if she reflected, he knew things. Just his behavior showed that she was not a stranger. There was something to this fellow that he wasn't revealing to her and he wasn't about to do that just yet either!

"Help along ... eh? ... Might be easier ... to bring the .. log."

He gave a little half laugh. Though it didn't last long before shifting into a rough rattling cough. One that persisted for long moments. His head turned into the arm of his coat for lack of a kerchief. Which if she hadn't been sure before, would certainly assure her that there was blood in his lungs. For the stain was a dark crimson against the deep charchoal of his dress coat. Rodry was looking painfully haggard, especially with the loose disheveled tie and that roughly ashen hue of his face.

"I'm a ... bit tall. ... Don't you think?"

Though they could probably manage. Though her commenting about his sword made him give a bit of a grimace, even if it was laced with a wry smirk. While it would be true enough about most blades, Rodry's was special. He didn't fear that the blade would be harmed,even if he was shaming it with such poor treatment!

"It will be fine ... it's seen worse."

[Epiphany]

So.. Rodry was taller than she was, it was still doable. If he could lean and put his weight on the sword then he could do the same to her and she would try not to be crushed under the pressure. That's something she didn't think about when she offered to help him along: how much this man may actually weight. It couldn't be that much and she was a little bit stronger than she appeared. When Epiphany got to him she ducked under the arm that didn't have the sword and got under his shoulder, her arm going around his back. From this close position she got a really good smell of the blood and it caused her nose to twitch and then she sniffed a few times. That wasn't a scent she wanted lingering in her nose for very long. Though it wasn't the same as normal blood, it was still blood. "Can't really bring you the log. You do want to go back to the Inn, so I suggest we keep it where it is, kay?" Trying to give him a reassuring smile. "and we can take the time as you need. No me rushing you, though i could pull you along…?" No no.. that wasn't an idea to entertain. "Or.. something else to help you?" Leaving that out there to see what it catches.

Rodry was a large fellow, but his frame was gaunt. So that her tucking herself under his arm found that her hand pressed in on coat and shirt more than she might have thought in order to brace against his ribs on his opposite side. He hadn't the strength or the heart to command her to leave him be and allow him to do it on his own. Despite the fact that codependence rankled his sense of pride! While he was a bony old man, he was still heavy enough when trusting his weight to both Epiphany and his sword arm. Though the two of them together were able to proceed much more quickly. Even if she could feel the tremble in his body that such exertion was causing him! "Was worth .. a try, damned if you do ... damned if you don't .. with magic." Oh there was a love hate relationship if there ever had been one! Despite his being ill the scent of his blood, to someone who had experience, still held faint traces of the magic that had once pulsed in his veins. "Leave me a bit .. of my pride. A litter is too .. much." Too much of a blow to his vanity was more like it! Hopefully Epiphany worked out, considering the further they went the less he was able to truly support himself, and the firmer the arm across her shoulders grew against the back of her neck.

Luckily she wasn't a weak type of girl or this would be too much for her to handle. As it is, she wasn't a body builder or had the type of strength like the typical Rhy'dinian female out there so she had to ' put her back into it' - no pun intended - to get the job down. Moving as slowly along as he was but always trying to edge him along. "A litter? Nah.. wouldn't do that less you passed out on me." a quick pause. "you're not going to pass out on me are you? You could have stayed you know… " either she meant at the church or the box, either way. "If I had magic i would use it to get you home faster but that's not really what I meant by help. It's not important anyway." she looked down at the ground, making sure to keep their footing secure. Wouldn't do ot have him catching his foot on an upturned root or the like. He may not be able to see too well in the darkening night, but her sight was still pretty good. "Sometimes.. if you are thinking of something else.. it helps you to.. keep going."

Honestly, if he didn't know Pip as well as he did he would have been surprised she wasn't carrying him marriage style down the hill. She was still the slender girl he had remembered however. Which left him feeling bad about putting her through this as much as anything else. "Thought that was what you meant ... by drag." Though her reflection on staying having been a possibility left him grunting. Something that might have sounded more natural coming from one of the kids when she was telling them to do something they didn't want to! "I have an ... appointment." Which couldn't exactly be rescheduled. It was important enough for him to drive himself to suffering for! "I didn't expect you to wave your hands and chant for me." While he was still out of breath. His words seemed to be coming a bit easier. The gasps for air weren't coming every few seconds as they had been, so her assistance was obviously helping him in at least that way! Rodry was honestly at that point where he was hoping she was paying attention to where they were going for he was just hanging his head. Concentrating on the difficult act of placing one foot in front of the other. You can do this ... you've survived worse. What was a little blood in the lungs to a warrior? Quick spit to clear his mouth so he wouldn't spray while he talked ... "Know any good riddles ..?" For there was little he loved more than the word games. And they would certainly pull his mind from the pain in his chest and the ache in his limbs that was growing worse despite his breathing getting better! He could at least see the white boulder down the hill when he lifted his head. So that was something!

"There once was a man from Nantucket?" She laughed at that herself for that was the only bit of the riddle, or rhyme, that she knew. "I have poor humor. I do. I know I have humor somewhere. it just.. escapes me." the sad part of it, for her, is that she didn't have any abilty to . .give a person strength or ability simply by touch.. Or to take away illness. that part was reserved for others. She tried to think of .. something but.. "I don't really do riddles. I do stories. i could try to be funny in it?" Though she hadn't really done a comedy before either. The hand on his back was lightly patting. that was helping her to not think of the blood… amongst other things. "The priest would have let you stay.." the rock was coming and it wouldn't be much longer after that. "Or…. do you not.. like.. churches?" She was asking for more than one reason.

"I wouldn't say that ..." Her humor was just different from what most shared! Something that gave her that weirdness that could put some people off! However Rodry didn't find it an inexcusable quirk on her part. "You'll find it Pip. It's just a matter of knowing it when you see it, hm?" Now there would be a nifty trick. Though Rodry wouldn't wish this on anyone. Especially not now. When it had first come on it hadn't been bad at all ... "A story then." She seemed to have something in mind, or so it seemed in his opinion. He carefully placed his blade. Though it scraped across the earth rather than being lifted free. The wobble in his legs was enough to leave him hesitating after each step. If he had known that the story was more for her benefit than his he would have encouraged her more! "I'm sure ... honestly I've never been for the clergy ... nothing against them personally..." For he knew quite a few clergy-people who were perfectly alright. He just wasn't for people pressing their religion. Especially considering he wasn't cast in a favorable light in many of them!

Stories helped to pass the time - that's what she would say, and as they reached that boulder she thought that a small one would help him think on it rather than the pain in his chest. "Only a few get my humor..I can count them on a hand." Epiphany shifted her weight under Rodry and would have rolled her shoulders to relax them a bit if they had not been otherwise encumbered. "I'll tell you a small one. Before you know it you'll be at that log!" Well, didn't she sound encouraging with that statement? She was trying to be anyway, get him to perk up after his very long day. What to talk about…? She looked at the ground and then glanced over at him, and at that shirt with the stains, and listened to the sword as it was being dragged on the ground. "Once there was a man, a rather young man, but not to young to still be called a boy, and this man was a tinker. He tinkered with all manner of things, rocks and gems, wires and glass pottery and wood, whatever it was that he could get his hands on. And gifted fingers they were too, for the things that he touched were made into creations. No two pieces were exactly the same even if they appeared to be on the outside, for inside everything he made there was a bit of him. His work was praised wherever he went, everyone wanted one of his creations for their own, but no matter how popular he was, and the people wanted his things, he remained a humble man." She sighed a bit.. "Years went on, and the man grew older, as is the way of things, and he continued to make things for fun, and for others. Sadly, he didn't know that pieces of him were in what he made, and over the years.. his health began to waver. Why should that have bothered him? People get older and they don't have the strength as before, so he thought nothing of it. Soon there was a time when the man got ill and he wasn't able to create anymore. He sold all the rest of what he made to get food and shelter for himself. No matter how popular he was, once he stopped making people soon forgot his name, and what he did." so maybe it wasn't the type of story he wanted to hear… "But not everyone forgot about his things. One day, while he was laying in bed, very ill, in a small shack of a house on the outskirts of a town, there was a knock on his door. Unable to open it himself he only coughed, but that was enough for the one at the door to know that he was still there and alive, even if it was only a bit. The person came in, it was a young lady, dressed simply and she smiled at him, went to his bedside and took his hand. She said 'I remember you maker-man, do you remember me? You gave me a gift when i was ill and that gift made me feel better.' But the mans eyes were closed and hi breathing labored, but to the hand she held he gave it a squeeze." at the time Epiphany gave a light squeeze to Rodry's side, still carefully guiding him along. "He had heard her, she knew that, and took her hand from his and reached to her pocket. From it, she pulled out a charm of wings. It looked very simple but at the same time it was complex for there wasn't any sign of multiple wires or rough cuts or bends. A perfectly sculpted charm of wing, no bigger than her palm. This charm she placed on the mans chest, pressing it in over his heart. 'I give it back to you now.' was all that she said before she stood up and started to leave the place. The charm, having a bit of the man in it, knew that it was back where it belonged and all the care and strength and life that was put into it's making seeped back to the one who had made it, and the mans breathing settled. He was at peace - for the moment - and soon after would always be. Someone had remembered him and, if you're remembered, you can never die." she licked her lips a bit and nodded to herself. "The end."

All he had to say to that was to give a soft little laugh. While Epiphany was exotic in her mannerisms and humors, he had never had trouble getting along with her. Even if he felt a little as if she were trying to play the part of a bard praising a victory before the knights had even been summoned. Five hundred feet through the woods might as well have been a mile. Even with her help it was going to be a bit of a trial. Yet even as they came even with the rock her story had drawn him in. Perhaps it was the ... uncanny way that Pip seemed to just casually pluck out details from his life. Of a past that she knew without knowing. Honestly if he didn't know any better he would suspect that Epiphany had a touch of 'The Sight'. Yet she could tell from that far away look in his eyes when she glanced to his face during the times they were on a flat stretch between the trees that he was there. Her gift for stories worked well and if he would have had a hand free he would have been tempted to touch his chest. It was strange the way he could almost expect to feel the weight of something there. Just as he couldn't help but glance at Epiphany in an intensely speculative way. It was ... downright disturbing in a way how she had told a story that could have been part of his own history. "That is quite the story Epiphany ..." His voice soft, the roughness smoothed due to the lack of force behind his words. "You told me you had a passion for stories but I didn't realize you had a talent to match it." He had known bards who strived their whole lives for only a measure of the effect she had caused him. Then again, there was something to be said about knowing your audience! "It is a thought provoking sentiment." Quiet after that. Having not even realized the fact that they were coming upon the log. Her story having served it's purpose perfectly. Enough so that Rodry seemed to be even now reflecting upon it!

"Perhaps I am a muse?" she was joking a bit with that, that was her humor. "I've always liked stories they.. have so many layers to them." That they did, she enjoyed telling stories to people and having them enjoy it back, and she knew that he liked it but that perhaps.. it disturbed him a bit. True.. the topic wasn't the best considering his condition, but she thought it helpful all the same. Truth was that he did seem familiar to her, she only couldn't say how yet. "And look, we've made it here in good time." To the log that is. Her hand unconsciously rubbed on his back. It wasn't anything sexual, simply good natured and comforting. "Don't you believe it's true? Foster Mom use to say that we were to remember those that passed, whether they died or were simply gone from you, then they would never truly be gone." It was something that she liked to think on due to the people she's seen come and go. "You have to believe in something."

"I wouldn't put it past you. Other than that they are usually the inspiration, not the artist." Smiling a bit with that. First time he had done that since leaving the church so her story must have been doing some good. Seemed that Rodry really just needed help that he wouldn't ask for. Perhaps with time he would feel less self concious about doing so. Lords knew he would have to learn of it sometime before his passing! That it was ok to ask for help. "So I see..." A booted foot nudging the logs side, mainly because for having some sort of magical power ... it honestly didn't look like much. He however that the thing could be nearly humming with magic before he would sense it. Rodry wouldn't have thought Pip's soothing pat was salacious. It would have been a stretch to believe that even in his prime! "I believe that you carry those you've known with you. In memory even if nowhere else." Yet he seemed to be solemn at the mention of her faster mother. Even if he didn't press the subject. There would be time when he wasn't feeling bone tired... "The Ether holds all souls eventually Pip. Even those that would avoid it at all costs." If Pip let him, he was soon making his shambling way to the mouth of the log. Leaning as far as he could without falling over to try and look through it. Even if he was belatedly clutching at the bag. She had mentioned knocking something, though he couldn't recall just what. While he eased sluggishly down onto one knee. He piped up again. Even if the faint grating in his voice made it clear that shifting from the vertical was making his breathing troubled again. "The semantic component was what, one more time? Save for a haircut?"

They were at their destination so of course she would let him go, removing herself from under his arm and watching as he started away. The log really was your average log the could have come from any tree in the woods, it was what was in the leather pouch and what he would say that would make all the difference. Once he knelt down she took a step away and then two, folding her hands behind her back. "Say where it is you want to go, the Tel'Ranaemyn Inn, and knock 'Shave and a haircut." Hopefully he wouldn't add in the 'two bits' part - if he knew the jingle - for that could possibly ruin it all! Things like this were suppose to be done the right way. "Go safely in your.. way back." sounding only a tad bit remorseful that she wasn't going with him, though having no doubt that she would see him again. "You'll be through to the other side before you know it." Almost literally. Because as he would start to go in, after doing what he was suppose to do and was fully in the log, he'd come out. Somewhere by the Inn.. Garden or stable. Still couldn't be too sure. "Perhaps I shall tell the kids to call you lord?" Piping up as she backed away more. "Thanks for stopping by.. Rodry."

------- The end

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