Manang/A Fledgling Hunter/Some Even Cooler Name I've Yet To Come Up WIth!

            Joana cursed himself again for wasting so much time before beginning his walk back. His breath came out in steaming plumes as the night air cooled around him. Again, he cursed his lack of forethought as he hugged his thin, black cloak tighter to himself.

            Jed would be giving him one of his severe “tongue-lashings” in the morning. He had warned Joana not to wait too long to leave Sighe, but head had thoughtlessly tarried until the sun hovered just above Garn’s head. Joana smirked as he though about it again.

            Hana had raised her head of unkempt, auburn hair and looked at the suns unintentional taunting as it hovered above the far off peak. She’d asked him if he really had to go, which made him instantly recover from his half-doze and jump to the floor. He’d thrown on his clothes and was preparing to begin his long walk when he noticed she had moved to sit on the side of her bed. Her face was serious as she watched him dress.

            “I have to talk to you Joana, and I need you to listen,” she’d said. He’d stopped immediately, deciding instantly he’d make the walk in the dark.

            “What is it Hana?” he’d asked, feeling his limbs turning to tingling ice. “What’s wrong?”

            “I work as a barmaid at an inn, and I am as young as I am going to be. Everyday I am approached by patrons at the inn. Wealthy men. Men that can provide for me. Meanwhile, I sit alone at night waiting for a hunter, who comes and goes as he pleases, to find his way to me for one day every month. If I’m lucky! My point, Joana, is,” she’d sighed, “I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry.”

            He sat, stunned as if he’d been slapped across the face. Hard.

            “But Hana, I didn’t know…I mean…I don’t…I’ve been meaning to tell you-“

            She had held her hand up to his protests.

            “I’m sorry Joana.” Her hand had dropped, and they had sat in silence for a few moments. Then a smile dawned on her lips. “If you want me, I'm going to have to demand you move here.” She had walked to him and wrapped her arms around his waist as he sagged in relieve, but as she put her face against his chest she’d felt he was still too tense to be completely reassured.

            “What is it?” she’d asked hesitantly, leaning back to look at him.

            He had looked into her hazel eyes and quietly began to repeat what he always told her.

            “Hana, you know I cant leave Jed out there all by himself…” She turned to her mirror, picking up the wolf bone brush he’d carved for off the dresser in front of it, and began to comb her hair slowly. “Hana, he’s getting old,” he protested, nearly pleading. “Those woods are no place for an old man, especially not now. The woods are strange these days, the animals are acting more aggressive…”

            He had trailed off as he realized that all he’d said had proven completely ineffective.

            “He raised my Hana,” Joana said, his voice lowering, “I cant just up and leave a man who’s been my father, in everything but name, for most of my life.”

            “Jo,” she had finally responded, her volume matching his own, “you need to stop living your life for that man. He’s had his time, lived his life, now you need to do the same. Don’t get me wrong, Jed’s a good man, a great one even, and there’s no denying that he’s given you a lot. But, this is your life, its time you started living it as such.”