[ 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 .

I stepped through my village gates just as the sun rose, with my knapsack filled to the brim with the trinkets and treasure from my most recent adventure. There was the normal parade of villagers for the morning routine, miners who went early to get breakfast; the blacksmith who had to start early due to his new apprentice, and the town guard, who saluted me as I came home. 
 
 I had been gone for months, tracking down the dragon that had slaughtered a village a few miles from here. It took me a long time and after my most recent fight, my armor was cracked, burned, and scratched for a close quarters fight with the massive beast. I took her down, as I always did, and my knapsack was filled with some of the treasures of her throne room and a few dozen bones and scales; which would bring my stockpile to the amount I needed for my dragon armor. 
 
 I stopped at the blacksmith first, as I always did, `` Morning champ,'' he nodded, `` whad'ya got for me t'day?'' 
 
 I smiled, `` Looks like we're going to be able to finish our dragon project a little early.'' 
 
 He looked up from his anvil and a bright smile grew across his charcoal-smeared face, `` I'll be damned! That's more than enough to complete the set.'' 
 
 I added the dragon bones and scales, as well as my axe to be sharpened, to the pile; crime was n't an issue in my village, mainly because everyone knew I *lived* here. I could see part of the set was complete, with a pair dragon-plated boots and gauntlets already sitting to the left. They looked beautiful, and I could tell they were already an improvement from the steel armor I currently wore. 
 
 `` I have my apprentice stretching the scales for the torso. Give me three days and I'll have the full set done.'' 
 
 `` Usual payment?'' 
 
 He shook his head as he slammed his hammer back down on the sword, `` We'll put this one on the house. You've kept me in business these last few years, least I could do.'' 
 
 I smiled and patted him on the shoulder as I stepped off his porch, `` Thanks Galman. Next time I see a dwarven outpost, I'll send them your regards.'' 
 
 The dwarf grunted, `` You'll send them my spear.'' 
 
 I laughed as I walked down the street towards the inn. Radella, the village innkeeper, was already outside and watering her plants. She smiled at me as I walked in, `` Champion! Welcome home!'' She eyed me up and down, `` Seems like it was a tough fight.'' 
 
 I kept walking, bur turned to face her, `` You know, nothing I could n't handle Red.'' 
 
 She smiled at the nickname, her roses were the brightest red I had ever seen in my travels and I always associated them with her. She did n't hate the name, but I think that was partly because I was the one who gave it to her. `` I expect to see you at the Consul's meal tonight?'' 
 
 I nodded, he had sent me an invite while I was still on my journey. A scared messenger approaching the mouth of a dragon's cave is quite a funny sight, `` I will. So long as I have my outfit ready.'' 
 
 `` What you mean you are n't going like that?'' She started to shout as I stepped farther away. 
 
 I let out a loud bellow and threw my hand in the air. She knew I had more important places to be. 
 
 I kept walking into the village, hitting the town square and ultimately greeting the many traders that came every day. Nathen, the herb seller from the Southeast, was the first to greet me. `` Champion! I see you are back, how did the herbs help you?'' 
 
 I grunted, `` They did n't. Your damned leaves boiled my health potions.'' 
 
 He frowned, `` Well that should n't have happened!'' 
 
 I brushed him out of my way, `` You've gotten your last penny out of me Nat. Now, get out of my sight.'' 
 
 He buried his head and turned away, as a few of his patrons left his post, knowing that the Champion did n't want his goods was sure to hurt him on business. I kept walking, dropping a few coins to the Temple in the village, although there were no orphaned kids at the moment, or anyone who needed to pray, I did always appreciate the religion of our people. Even if the Goddess sent me on a quest every six weeks. 
 
 By the time I reached the House of Silence, the Marshal was already waiting to greet me. Unlike the name, the members of Silence could still speak, only their Eldest took the Vow. And unlike any of the actual members, I held only an honorary title as I had saved their House from destruction years prior. But I still paid my dues to their Immortal, a being that was said to have visited the first Elder, who was gifted with the understanding of the world at the cost of Eternal Silence. For someone who pledged Silence, the Immortal sure liked to talk. 
 
 I delivered the same thing to the Marshal each return, a few gold pieces and the shield I had used from them. So long as the Shield of Silence was used in battle, it was said that their voice could never truly go out. The first Elder took the shield into battle, and so did every subsequent Elder. The only reason I could yield it was because of the help I gave the Immortal. 
 
 My last stop was the Shadow Estate, which I technically owned, but did not use. I had a guard stationed there while I left on my adventures, and I paid him good coin to guard the empty house. I received it a long time ago, when I first started to help my village, but I could never quite crack the curse. And as much as I wanted to burn it down, I was a *little* superstitious. He was, as always, standing in front of the doorway. 
 
 `` Champion,'' he greeted, `` welcome back.'' 
 
 `` Karl,'' I nodded, `` how is it?'' 
 
 `` The Shadow is quiet.'' 
 
 I smiled, `` And you?'' 
 
 `` I could use a cold ale.'' 
 
 I laughed, `` Then go get one. I am home now, have a break.'' 
 
 He bowed slightly, `` Thank you, Champion.'' And then he walked off. 
 
 I looked at the Estate, the stone facet as strong and sturdy as ever, with a distinct red stripe effect on each stone. The overall image it had looked much like the name, each stone had a shadow, and all together, the stones formed an image of a dragon. It was quite beautiful, the red outlines carefully depicting the symbol of the House. And the windows, each sill jutted out ever so slightly so it looked the building was burned and scarred. 
 
 I looked down at my armor, seeing the actual burning effect on steel. I laughed and turned away, finally heading home. 
 
 My home was tiny, one of the smallest in the Village, and was only about a single floor and an attic. Although I had a basement, I used it mostly to store my trinkets and treasures that were valuable. Anything *too* valuable and destructive, I kept far away from my home, in a place I barely visited these days. 
 
 I opened my door slightly, hoping that the creaking it usually made would subside, but as always, the door squeaked and shuddered as I opened it and the distinct voice of my husband filled the room, `` Oh, if it is n't the *might* Champion,'' he mocked. 
 
 I shut the door behind me and nodded, `` Gavy, you miss me?'' He did n't like that nickname either. 
 
 He held his butcher knife at his side and I could see the deer behind him, already cut open and being gutted. He took a deep breath and then smiled, ``'Bout damn time you came home!'' 
 
 I laughed and placed my knapsack, potion bag, and canteen on the counter top. I may have been gone for weeks or months at a time, but I always came home to him. `` How's my favorite butcher?'' 
 
 He laughed and placed the knife on the table. `` I would embrace you, but well,'' he opened his hands, showing the blood-soaked cloth he wore. 
 
 I smiled and opened my own arms, showing him the dragon blood and scorched burns on my own armor, `` I do n't think it's a problem.'' 
 
 He laughed again, and came over to hug me. It had been a long time since we embraced each other. `` How was the fight?'' 
 
 `` Exhausting. Nat sold me another bad batch.'' 
 
 He turned away and returned to the meat, `` Told you not to trust him.'' 
 
 `` I know, I know,'' I said as I grabbed one of the pieces of bread on the counter and tore into it. `` Does n't matter,'' I said with my mouth half-full, `` he'll be out of the village within a few days.'' 
 
 Gavyn nodded as he cut deep into the skin of the deer to cut it off. `` Good, he's useless anyhow.'' 
 
 I took a seat and then leaned my head back. It had been months where I just sat down and took in the fresh air of my village. Even if that air was, at the moment, mostly blood and guts. 
 
 `` Your dress arrived a few days ago. Should go nicely with my own clothing.'' 
 
 `` And the necklace?'' 
 
 `` Finished and beautiful. You'll look great, my love,'' he looked over to me, `` As soon as we clean the blood of off your face.'' 
 
 I laughed and just as I was about to get up to look at the dress, my door swung open and revealed a small boy. I recognized him immediately, he was the squire of our Consul. `` Champion!'' He shouted, `` Champion, we need you!'' 
 
 I looked at him, then to my husband, then back at him, `` What?'' 
 
 `` Mount Onyx has been taken over by a warlord! He seeks a magic to unleash the volcano upon these lands! You must defeat him Champion and save the entire land, we need you!'' 
 
 I looked at the boy, almost awestruck at how little time there was between this adventure and my next. Usually I had a night, or even a few hours. I turned to my husband, then back to the boy, and I glanced at the bread in my hands. It had been so long since I had a warm meal. 
 
 `` You heard the boy, Isabella,'' my husband whispered as he placed his arm on my shoulder, `` The village needs you.'' He kissed me on the cheek before returning to the deer. 
 
 I took a deep breath and nodded. `` They always need me,'' I whispered as I buried the bread into my gullet and walked towards the door. I grabbed my knapsack, potion bag, and a few other items before I stepped to the door, `` I'll be back home shortly'' 
 
 `` You always are.'' 
 
 I smiled, `` I always am.'' Then I walked out the door, ready for my next adventure. 
 _______ 
 *This was a fantastic prompt! I hope you enjoyed this story, and if you did, check out /r/BlankPagesEmptyMugs for more of my work! *
