***
The sun dawned with unusual brightness over the village. Its rays were not in the least diminished by the darkness that hung over the desert that lurked not far away. Jax turned his rough, scarred face skyward, letting the golden warmth wash over him. His horse stamped its feet in boredom. It was saddled and packed, and ready to get moving. Jax patted the small grey mare’s nose and mumbled soothingly into its ear. It was an old horse, and had seen its share of struggle and strife, much as Jax had himself.
Jax had been through as many torments and agonies as any he knew, and he bore the scars all over his massive body to prove it. He was a ripe, hardened man, having made it through more years than most were lucky, or unlucky, enough to endure. But he didn’t feel his age creeping into his bones yet, and he knew that he had plenty of hardships and terrors yet to endure.
But his life had not been all pain and misery. He had known love and happiness, but in this world the ugliness crept in on the beauty at every turn, and overshadowed even the fondest of his memories.
The sound of running feet brought his head around, and he looked with accustomed pride and love on the young boy that bound up to him, grinning and dirty as he so often was. This boy, Jared, his adopted nephew, was not yet eight years old, and had the bouncing exuberance of every boy his age.
“Jax! Jax!” the boy shouted, coming to a halt before his hulking uncle. “Can I come with you? Can I? I promise I’ll stay out of the way, and do whatever you tell me! You won’t even know I’m there, and all my chores are done already! Can I come? Please?”
Jax chuckled deep in his chest, in spite of himself. Had he himself ever been this young? This full of pep and energy and spirit? He had to sternly tell himself that he had, but he could not remember it. It seemed as if it had been another life.
“And what would your mother say? She’d have my hide if anything happened to you, and with those thin, gangly legs of yours, you’d probably break something just walking through the forest.”
The boy grinned crookedly, his dirty face beaming with the laughter that always threatened to bubble out of him, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief as usual. “Mom won’t mind, I promise. And I’ll be careful!”
Jax barked a laugh. “You! Jared, the son of Halifax! Careful! That I know is a lie!” Young Jared looked hurt for a moment, but the pain evaporated immediately as he looked at Jax’s wolfish grin. Jax sobered before he continued: “I’m sorry lad, but the hunting party is for adults only. I know full well that you could handle yourself better than most of these blockheads, but rules are rules, and your father would string me up by my toes if I broke one for your sake. Better you stay here and look after your mom, anyway.”
Jared’s crestfallen face was almost enough to break the old man’s heart, but he let no sign show on his scarred face. Anyhow, the boy was not to be stricken for long. Almost instantly his face brightened and he looked up at the broad-shouldered man that towered over him, grinning again. “I’m sure Darryl and I can talk dad into letting us use the practice yard.”
“That’s the spirit, lad,” Jax replied, ruffling the boy's blond shaggy hair. “Learn some new moves with that practice sword and show me when I return. It will only be a few days, if all goes well.”
“Only a few days?” asked a familiar voice from the other side of Jax’s short mare. The boy’s father, and Jax’s best friend, Halifax, strode up in his normal, confident gait. “I was hoping you would just stay gone, you old salt.”
Jax grinned and said, “Ah, but if I was gone, then you’d have to get off your lazy ass and hunt for yourself. And we both know you’re gettin' soft around the middle.”
Halifax affected a look of hurt, but then turned to his son, who stared at him with open awe and admiration. “Let me guess,” he said to the lad, “you’re testing your wiles against your uncle and trying to persuade him to take you on the hunting party.”
Jared blushed and looked at his feet as the two older men shared a knowing glance. Jax was suddenly struck, as he often was, by how much he cared about the man before him, as well as Halifax’s small family. He and his wife, Sophia, had taken Jax in many years ago, when he was starved and half-dead, and had made him feel like family ever since. Halifax was younger than Jax by several years, but their trust and respect for each other outshone any other friendship that Jax had ever known. Their life in the small village was not easy, but Jax had learned long ago that life was not easy no matter where you were. Demons ran rampant throughout the world, and it took every ounce of courage and strength for anyone not to simply curl into a ball and give up hope.
But looking on the face of his dear friend, Jax had hope; hope that their lives would be as pleasant as possible, and that no terrible tragedy would befall those for whom he cared so deeply.
Jax was startled from his reverie by the sound of more approaching footsteps. Sophia walked up and placed a loving hand on her husband’s shoulder, and gave Jax her familiar smile. The strength and love that poured from the woman nearly took the gruff man’s breath away. She was short, coming up only to his shoulders, but she was simply beautiful. Her blue eyes, which she had imparted to Jared, shone with compassion and honesty, but Jax knew that there was a steel to the woman just under the surface; that she could be tough as nails when necessary.
Halifax slipped an arm around his wife’s slim waist, and they both peered down at their son. “You won’t be hunting just yet, Jared. You know the rules,” Sophia said to him, firmly but lovingly. Jared’s look of surprise at how his mother could possibly know what he had been up to quickly transformed into a blush that suffused his face. He muttered something as he stared dejectedly at the ground. The three adults chuckled under their breath. “Run along now, Jared, and leave Jax to get going.” Jared grinned at Jax, then darted away on his long, ungainly legs. “And wash your face, boy!” Sophia shouted after him.
“Where will you go?” Halifax said, merely curious.
“North,” Jax replied. “And then…who knows? Wherever there’s game to be had.”
“Three days?”
“Three days. Four at the most,” Jax replied.
“Very well,” said Halifax. “Have fun old man, and try not to get yourself caught in a bear trap.” The trio grinned at the jest, then Jax led his old horse toward the wooden gate leading out of the village.
The thought never crossed his mind that he would never see his best friend again.