Hero Historia: Jericho Rising

Chapter Eight

As Clay and Mad Words neared Jericho's East gate, they saw a figure waiting for them, standing among a flock of sheep.

Dawn Spring. She was standing. Watching. Waiting between them and the city, only a few hundred yards from the walls.

Clay's feelings were mixed. He had gone into the desert to die, never thinking he'd see her again, so was overjoyed to think that he might once more. On the other hand, there was a good chance that even with Mad's help he could not overcome the venomous Long Fang. He walked with his spine straight, showing no fear, unwilling to worry the girl he'd grown to love.

"You return," she said.

He stopped in front of her, spear's shaft across his shoulder-blades. "You knew I was gone?"

"I saw you go. You went to get him?"

Mad Words stared up at the walls, a sour look on his face, seemingly ignoring the two youths.

"I did not go searching for him, but he is the answer I found."

"He is mad. And dangerous. Maybe more dangerous than Long Fang."

"She's not wrong," Mad said.

Clay wasn't entirely sure why Mad had accompanied him back to the city. He had made the choice to return and face his foe as a hunter, and the hermit had wordlessly accompanied him back through the desert. Unstable while drunk, Mad Words seemed sober to Clay, and he was truthfully grateful for the help.

"A wise hunter does not hesitate to accept help once offered."

"Good," Dawn said. "Then you will take my help as well."

Clay shook his head vigorously. "Absolutely not. Long Fang is a dangerous monster. Mad and I are Champions, and you–"

"Are a shepherd," she finished for him. "And a wise shepherd does not abandon her flock to predators."

"It's too dangerous," Clay said. "This is a battle between Champions."

"And if you are wounded?" Dawn asked. "Poisoned? Do either of you know the healing arts?"

"I don't," Mad said.

"Do you?" Clay asked.

Dawn scowled. "I care for the sick and injured in my flock all the time. When the wolves attack, or when an asp bites."

Mad lay a calloused hand on Clay's shoulder. "This is one of those battles you cannot win toe-to-toe, hunter. If you refuse her, she will follow. And resent you for it."

Clay slapped the hand away. "What if I were to allow you to wait outside? Out of danger, but nearby if we are hurt."

The shepherd's eyes narrowed. "If that is how it must be."

"So it is," Clay said, striding towards the city.

***

The men at the gate didn't question Clay's return or why Mad was with him. Perhaps they didn't want trouble from the dangerous hermit, or maybe they just saw the dark look in the young man's eyes. He had slipped into the hunter's mindset, gaze sweeping everything that came into his sphere of personal awareness, evaluating his environment and everything in it for threats and opportunity. That which was neither was ignored.

Except for Dawn.

The girl's presence worried him, concerned him, kept him from slipping fully into his role as hunter. Knowing she was close was a distraction, and potentially a lethal one. Even if she was outside, his thoughts would remain with her.