[ TT ] The journey never ends . The same hero is constantly caught in the cycle of leaving for an adventure , having their adventure , settling down , and being forced to leave again .

She smiles at me like when we first courted. Big and wide, then apprehensive and tight, brimming with excitement, positively nervous. 
 
 `` I told you I'd...'' She loves it when I say that and always pops out a squeal and breaks into a run, across the front lawn and straight up to me. She throws her arms around me and says, `` Johnjohnjohnjohn. ImissedyousoohmyloveImissedyouso'' and kisses me repeatedly. 
 
 My son is fast behind her, squinty-eyed from the big sun, freckles appearing across his cheeks. He jumps up at me and with him and Esmarelda and my sacks and my sword and the armor, I almost tip. Almost. 
 
 `` I sure am hungry!'' I yell. Neighbors peer out windows, huts come to life in the village. A few murmurs, some chants, some cheers. I wave them off and point at my stomach. The parties can wait, the celebration is secondary. 
 
 An hour later, I'm sitting at the dining table and picking at a bone. George is off to tell his friends I'm back, a freshly plucked dragon's tooth clutched in his hand. 
 
 I call for Esmarelda to quit cleaning and come kiss me. 
 
 And then, all of a sudden, he comes to me. 
 
 *You've done well, boy. * His voice is tired. An old ghost. *The lives taken by the dragon Rhorsh have been absolved at its beheading, spirits unleased from their unrest. You've done well. * 
 
 I look down and notice my jaw clenches though I have not willed it. The ghost notices, too. 
 
 *Do n't be sour, boy. This is the fate of all strong men. You must now listen to me, boy, and listen carefully. On the edge of the Field of Thousand Thorn, there sits the mighty Mount Vex... * and so on and so forth. 
 
 I nod silently at the ghost and he smiles at me, adding something about destiny but I'm no longer listening. `` Esmarelda!'' I yell again. Better get my warmth while I still can. The ghost turns to the direction I'd sent my scream and looks at me, frowning. He shakes his head and vanishes. 
 
 `` Esmarelda!'' *Esmarelda. Esmarelda? * 
 
 I remember now, as I always do. She never was. At least not to me. Not like this. Not with the ghost and the jobs and the journeys. But I'll never forget her smile. And the child she would've bore me. Had she just stuck with me. I'd have made her proud. I'd have been the envy of all... 
 
 I shut the wooden door of my hut and lock it, glancing about me at the neighboring huts. Everyone's sleeping. *Had they even noticed I'd returned? * 
 
 I throw my ration sack over my shoulder and begin walking. If I'm lucky, I may be able to make camp at the edge of the Field of Thousand Thorn before the rain.
