text: Authors Note: So this was originally a small story I wrote for a writing prompt, but I felt like posting it here because its a way to force myself to take my writing seriously, as I'm just starting out and can't seem to silence the voice in my head that tells me to stop trying. Regardless, no one's here to read an authors note, so enjoy the story. Prompt: A lost traveler who works with locals in the villages they pass by to help solve their problems, becoming a reluctant hero in the process, but all they want to do is to find their way home. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ It was well into the evening, with the sun still in the sky, chasing away the brisk chill that clung to the air, but quickly fading over the horizon. After exiting the village far later than planned, Jackson Veeres walked into the forest to escape whatever other responsibilities the villagers would thrust upon him without warning. Exhaustion wrapped itself around his limbs, making them heavier and more sluggish as he trudged into brush. Healing took far more out of him than any of his other gifts, but it seemed the one everyone always needed the most. He arrived at the clearing where he had been sleeping these past few weeks, with his tent pitched and fire pit cold but ready for use. This village was another dead end it seemed. Jack was hardly optimistic that he would find what he was looking for in a village this small, only holding about six dozen people, but he looked regardless, because where there were people, there was always a chance. It always came with expectations though. The villagers took one look at him and immediately knew who he was. The slightly tanned skin, the neat blonde hair and the nearly luminous golden eyes always set him apart before he even spoke to anyone, and by now enough stories have spread about the fabled “golden hero” that recognition was always inevitable in a town this small, no matter how much he tried to disguise himself. Jack supposed this wasn’t the worst village he’d been asked to help. Those were usually the ones that wanted him to slay the local wolf or bear populations, to which he adamantly refused whenever possible, and carried out regretfully when the villagers “motivated” him. That was probably the worst part. You’re either a noble hero or a dangerous outsider. They’re always so quick to shuffle the title if you do what they want. He thought bitterly, as he began to make a fire by snapping his fingers, causing sparks to leap from his fingertips and onto the kindling. Jack would be lying if he claimed it was all bad though. He still did enjoy helping people, especially those who were earnest and kind. Another reason he still assisted in the villages he found seemed to be tearing through the brush behind him at that very moment. A small boy who appeared to be around eight years old wearing clothing that had seen better days, entered the clearing with a bundle in his arms and quick, excited steps. “Jack!” he called, sprinting over and thrusting the large bundle forwards into Jack's lap, before placing himself on the ground beside him. “Mom made extra dinner earlier, and she wanted to thank you for fixing her hand. She hadn’t been able to properly sew for a while now, so we haven’t had a lot of clothes, and with winter approaching she was getting really worried. But now she can sew again, and she’s already making me a new cloak! I wanted a black and gold cloak like yours, but Mom says that it would be really expensive so I'm getting a green one instead. She also sai-” “Woah Max slow down.” Jackson said with a smile. He unwrapped the bundle and discovered a whole salmon, already cut and still warm. He dug in gratefully before turning to Max again after a few bites. “So what are you doing out here Max? Does your mom know you’re in the woods right now?” “Yeah she does,” He answered excitedly “When I told her I was coming to see you she said it was ok because I’d always be safe with you. She also asked me to bring you food because she saw you healed a lot of people today and thought you might be tired.” This was one of the reasons Jackson continued to help wherever he went. When others would take it upon themselves to help others as well, not because they were obligated to, but because they wanted to make others around them happier. Because they wanted to see the best in others first. It reminded Jack of home. “Tell Anna that I said thanks then. The fish is excellent.” he said through a mouthful. He offered a piece to Max, who accepted and began to nibble slowly on it. “But you didn’t answer my first question. Why’d you want to run out here?” Max looked up and seemed sadder as he met Jackson's eyes. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re leaving soon, and I wanted to be able to say goodbye before you did,” He explained sadly. “You had a look in your eye after the baron asked for another favor again. I didn’t hear what it was, but I know you’re a traveler and you didn’t seem like you wanted to stay much longer. You’ve been one of my only friends since you came here a few weeks ago, and I wanted to spend more time with you before you left. But it’s ok if you’re leaving, because Mom is better now that you fixed her hand! She was dancing with my sister when I left so I’m happy,” He said, face split by a smile. It would have been convincing if there weren’t tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Jackson adjusted his seat until he was right beside Max and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. The tears fell freely by now but Jack didn’t mind. “It’s ok to be sad too. One of the hardest things about making friends is saying goodbye. But every goodbye is a gift, because not everyone has the chance to say it.” he said sadly “So you are leaving,” Max said through sniffles. “Tha- that's ok. Mom is better now because of you.” He collected himself and spoke again” So where are you trying to go now?” “Home.” Jack said resolutely. “Where’s that?” “Well I wouldn’t be traveling very far if I knew.” Jackson answered with a sigh, “It definitely doesn’t help that I think my home is on the move as well.” Max tilted his head towards him with creased brows. “That doesn’t make much sense,” Max said “How can your house be moving? Houses don’t move.” “Well that’s probably because we’re talking about different things. I don’t have a house or a village, but I used to have a home, before Fate got in the way at least,” Jack said. “Then what was your home like?” Max asked tentatively Jack began by taking a deep breath. “Well, he was always up early for starters. Would rise right as the sun came up, and usually drag me with him, regardless of my protests. He was an absolute mess as well. He would always lose anything he put down unless it was tied to him. He also loved animals and was crazy good with them. One time he made friends with a bear and I nearly had a heart attack seeing him show up with seven hundred pounds of fur.” Jack said with a smile “We would travel together, never anywhere specific but always some kind of town, and he would brighten the whole place as soon as he showed up. He’d help anyone he thought needed it, never asking for anything in return and was always being far too generous just because he wanted to be. He was always better than me at that.” It was true. Jack never got the hang of wanting to be generous. Even while completing feats of wonder for those around him, he did so because it was what he would have done. Jack wanted to be like him, but could never fully grasp how he did it. At this point, Jack could feel the tears well up in his eyes, but he pressed on despite them. “He was always kind. It's funny, no one ever really knows what that means until they see it. He only ever wanted to help others because he thought the best version of himself was helping others find the best version of themself. And the best part,” He paused, ”He was always right about that.” After a long pause, Max finally asked “So your home is a person? “Yes,” Jack said, “It doesn’t matter where I live or where I go, he will always be home.” “So why aren’t you with him?” Max asked hesitantly. “Because Fate likes to play tricks on those who are born that special,” Jackson answered, “It was a while ago, but we were forced to go different directions. We each had a job to do, and we couldn’t do it together. We just didn’t know where either of us would be going, or when we would be done. So I don’t know where he is, but I’m going to keep going till I find him.