That listless voice and lack of expression unnerved him more than it should've. Ardnt felt little more than an animal at times, more wild and unpredictable than the stray dogs that infested Lichtmuhle's docks. Now that he was doing little else but sitting and trying to connect with some conversation, his hands fumbled in his lap anxiously time to time. Still, a part of him wished to fight and control the situation, it's probably why he bothered talking to Ardnt at all instead of just standing back and shouting demands, even ignoring his own sickness.<br/><br/>"A fool of me to think a man with shackles dangling over his head day in and day out would be excited." Luitwin stated matter-of-factly, though he stared down his gerettet with a long look of casual disappointment. "It's never easy, such a life is punishment for the ill but few of us want nothing more than to make our patients feel human. And I've seen with my own two eyes what a proper cage will do to you. Whips, chains and the threat of a noose don't teach a sinner how to live..." He smiled, softly, if it was possible to hold a face so neutral at the same time. "A chapel on the outskirts of the city like that has plenty of fields to roam, plenty of sun to wash away your troubles. You'll be able to gorge yourself on more than fish as well."<br/><br/>The priest-to-be nodded along with talk of pain, the stubborn attitude towards simple pain remedies in Alriah, and Ardnt made it sound so weak to accept such aide. But if that's what he wished than so be it. What a difficult man to work with, Luitwin lamented, a blessing that he wasn't a proper patient hospitalized here or else there would be a riot if any of the monks were to try and medicate him. Once that wound of his healed Luitwin could only pray that he never injured himself again.<br/><br/>Mention of their God caught him off guard for sure, but after a lengthy silence and some thought, Luitwin perked up rather quickly as he prepared for another one of his religious diatribes. "I could take that question seriously if you like, though something tells me you're just being mouthy." He huffed and continued regardless, "If it was God's decision whether or not you healed than I wouldn't be in such a fuss over your stitches now would I? Though by his will and mercy you've managed to cheat death and fall in the hands of a doctor. He's the rain that waters crops in the middle of a drought, but this world must be so imperfect and cruel as to bring that drought to start... Same with infection, disease..." His tone sounded a bit sad, and a whole lot more contemplative, unsure even. "No mortal man is sure of anything, God is something distant, inhuman."<br/><br/>His eyes snapped back to reality and met Ardnt's face. "The struggle of mankind is to free ourselves of illness, famine, murder, so that our successors may one day match God's image. It will be a day none of us will live to see ourselves, but I've witnessed many advancements in my field alone during this lifetime. That alone inspires me." For once Luitwin spoke so honestly and fondly of his faith, in one of the rare moments he wasn't haunted by the eyes of God or afraid of the ire of his peers. It reminded him why he took to the church in his youth, and that was a nostalgic hope that resonated in his preach. "I really do wish you could read, it would thrill me to leave you with scripture while I'm away. After this move I'll make the time to read to you again, if I can get you to sit down for an hour."<br/><br/>He finally stood, ghosting about the room a little longer to make sure everyone's beds and tables were free of spare dishes, trash or clutter, a task taken quite seriously by all the monks. The cleaner the better, especially for the old and sick. Luitwin stopped to warn Ardnt of the move tomorrow. "I'll be keeping you here for a morning meal if you like, though it might be in your best interest to save your hunger till we arrive. The priest wishes me to attend a nice dinner during my first night as deacon and the chapel's gerettets are not spared either." Even if there was only one, besides Ardnt come tomorrow. And with separate rooms it was hopefully quiet even if they didn't get along. Though Luitwin felt he didn't have to worry too much, it's not as if Ardnt bumped heads with any of the patients here and the man had a talent for keeping to himself if left unprovoked.<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>Luitwin slept unusually well, undisturbed by the rocking of a ship or weight of his own sins. It was only during his final meeting with the abbot did he feel his stomach sink, for few reasons more than just the changing times ahead after decades in the father's care. Unlike the brief or lighthearted banter of their previous conversations, father set a strong hand on the monk's shoulder as he did when Luitwin was a young man, and spoke low, and stern. "You will be relieved of your vows the first step you take outside this monastery, don't let that freedom blind you from the ever-watching eyes of God in heaven, Luitwin Folke. An honest servant may cast aside his vices and unlearn his habits, but temptations still walk among the streets where he lives. Our hearts are best left open to God, and God alone."<br/><br/>He felt a deep seated fear, something that had been sleeping inside him all these years that seemed to wink it's eyes open whenever such an event as Ardnt stepped into his life. But now it was screeching and banging at his sense of will given this new freedom. Still, he swallowed that feeling and gave a slow bow of respect and a prayer, and the abbot took his earnest appearance as that of a man who took his lot in life seriously. Luitwin could tell by the way he smiled in kind.<br/><br/>By the time dawn settled in, he was clad in the attire of an outsider, his room swiftly cleaned and his few personal belongings stowed away in the same case he took on that ship some days ago. When he entered the patient room to make sure Ardnt was up, he was dressed in the stockings of a noble of humble rank, short boots and a coat that fit him too well compared to the black robes that seemed to come in one size for every monk, as it's hem barely touched his knees. His only clothes for the rare occasion out on the town that didn't concern his religious duties, even if it was as simple as visiting council.<br/><br/>"You need only give one of these brothers the message when you're ready to leave. Are you sure about breakfast? A bath?" He kept his hands clutched tight at his middle, as if he wasn't allowed to touch anything in the room with disrobed hands. Though it was only a fact that it would be impolite of him. Luitwin instead excused himself and stepped aside when a monk passed to fetch a spare blanket for one of the patients who spilled a morning's worth of medicine on their sheets. "The abbot made sure to leave a coach free for our trip, but the sooner we leave the less we'll be of inconvenience... Oh." Luitwin reminded himself, "Patients may keep their top robe but not their sash. But I must ask you to bring your rosary. I know you must be in such a rush to get out of these halls that you may forget." He forced a laugh after those last words, before leaving Ardn't be with a silent prayer. Outside the room he greeted men like Siegmar for the morning, who had little more to offer than generic wishes of good faith and good luck. Still, Luitwin appreciated it to an extent, knowing that neither were on his side as he waited in the inner cloister for Ardnt to join him, whether for a bath or the front door.