As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

5- ☼

to occupy his arms is first to go

to back of th'wagon, placing meats inside

and beckoning the next to drop their load

for him to sort so space is proper used.

"This wagon's yours, correct? It's what you came                50

to town upon if I remember right."

Our Pilgrim shakes his head and says to this:

"It wasn't ours. Another man did own

this vehicle, who brought us into town

and work'd with Doctor, using us to find

the thing she propagated as a cure.

As now this cart is owner-less we have

decided we shall leave it for the town;

it isn't ours to take and we would wish

you residents of town to benefit                60

at least a bit from all this detriment."

The people who have heard now shake their heads;

the stocky man guffaws before th'response:

"That's nonsense, man; you two are travellers

who've help'd us more than Doctor we did trust.

This mountain range still spans another month

to reach its northern edge, so take the cart.

A pair of healers as yourselves require

a vehicle so you can save more lives;

provisions too, which happily we give                70

to ye for curing us this malady,

and all we ask is you remember us,

for surely future generations here

shall hear the story of your righteous deed."

The Spouse upon these words now furrows brow,

replying to the praise that's given them:

"But healers we are not; your sickness left

because the intervention of the ones

perpetuating it was put to end;

not due to any medicine applied."                80

Ignoring this he shakes their hands and says:

"So humble, but no need to shy away

from taking credit where th'acclaim is due.

We know by now the reason for the two

of ye to make your rounds to spread your word

that we would heal by the morning's light

was how you gave the medicine to us,

and though this skill's uncommon, have we faith

in good you've done and do and shall uphold."

The rest of town as well now shakes their hands                90

or touches them or prays in company

of th'ones they've deem'd can speak in healing tones,

but whilst they clamour doth our Pilgrim ask:

"But what about the needs of all of ye?

Forget the wagon; think of all the food

that you're providing for two travellers

whose mouths to feed are fewer when compar'd

to town of men and women, children too."

But argument is over, for the din

doth drown debate that either try to make                100

until the two decide it best to mount

the bench, accepting what's been given them.

Our Pilgrim, though, from bench where he's above

the crowd, doth bend to say through all the noise

toward the stocky man: "Watch out for th'one

who owns the inn of snake with fangs of three,

for he as well, did play a part in what

the Doctor schem'd, and he's a danger too."

The stocky man gives Pilgrim here a nod,

replying with: "Then such would so explain                110

the reason that his wife's deliver'd out

a notice that he's missing from their home.

Perhaps he fled upon his cohorts' dooms;

a shame, deserting fam'ly so to save

one's skin, but such would seem is his response

if what you tell me's true about the man."

With that our Pilgrim straightens in his seat

and whips the reins to set the horses' pace

and drive them through the parting crowd toward

the inn where th'horse and mule are tied to posts.                120

They take th'equines and then, attaching them

to th'wagon, do they drive away from town

and back toward the winding road t'resume

their journey to the North more pleasantly,

convincing selves the town produces much,

so taking what they give should hurt them not.                   126