The Kingsroad; 598

[The Stranger]

"You are very badly wounded, but you will live I think Rodrick. May I ask what you were doing in the woods alone?"

[Sam]

"Riding to to the tourney," he said slowly. "My brother will be right displeased if I do not show up for his feast." Rodrick shook his head, trying to clear the haze.

[The Stranger]

"Ah.. It would seem you lost your tilt good ser knight," the old woman replies with a chuckle, "You will be well enough to travel by tomorrow I think. Have some soup." The woman raised a bowl of green.... something, and held it to Rodrick's lips.

[Sam]

Rodrick took a tentative sip, as his stomach rumbled loudly.

[The Stranger]

"You've not eaten in some time, be cautious Rodrick," the woman says, "Although as far as I can tell, you were spared any internal bleeding, although there is one... concern."

[Sam]

Rodrick looked up curiously from his soup, which was already half finished. "That sounds ominous," he said with a weak chuckle. He could not figure out what was in the soup, but he was already beginning to feel a little better. His strength was returning slightly, and the pain was no longer sharp and shooting up and down his body, rather, it had subsided to a dull throb that was ever-present yet tolerable.

[The Stranger]

"The boar's tusks it... I'm not sure," the woman laughed nervousily, "not quite sure how to put this good ser, but the boar's tusks severed your scrotum... Although fortunately not your... um.. manhood. But you shall likely never bear children, I'm afraid."

[Sam]

Rodrick stared at her, dumbfounded, for a solid three minutes, before he lifted the blankets that covered him and attempted to check his junk. His wounds had been bandaged by the old woman, and he pulled at the bindings frantically before giving up and sinking back into the pallet on which he lay. "At least I do not have to worry about getting some wench with child," he said, trying to make light of the situation.

[The Stranger]

"Yes. That would be quite impossible I'm afraid. I am unsure about men, but I know from hogs and cattle, that you should be able to pleasure a woman still, but you'll make no child." The woman was red faced just talking about it, but felt her patient deserved the truth.

[Sam]

"That is... fortunate I suppose," Rodrick said with an expression on his face that appeared to be something of a grimace combined with a smirk. "I suppose that is what I get for not watching my back."

[The Stranger]

"Boar are that way, you know. Approaching a wallow is very dangerous, cause they'll give you the bum's rush, more times then naught. Sneaky bastards, and vicious. Course I'd be mean too if I weigh a ton, and had daggers strapped to me jowls."

[Sam]

Rodrick laughed once, and then cringed in pain. "How far from the capital are we?" he asked.

[The Stranger]

"a day's hard ride, two or three slow days, most like," the woman replies.

[Sam]

"Thank you for your hospitality and care," he said softly. "I've some coin in my saddlebags, although I fear my horse may be long gone by now."

[The Stranger]

"That fella? No he's a loyal one, he carried you back. I'd have no been able to carry you on my own after all," the woman explains. "and as for coin, well that's no matter. Just remember Marge the Mushroom Lady in your prayers, and that'll be thanks enough for me."