Passerby found it hard not to gawk. After all, it wasn’t everyday you saw a riding lizard, even in a town with it’s own adventurer’s guild. It’s vibrant scales shone an electric blue under it’s gunmetal barding, and it’s eyes awoke a primal fear in anyone who wandered too close. The strange beast bore a tall, heavily cloaked rider, armed with a massive bone-white axe. Anyone standing at the right angle could even catch a glimpse of some small, bright gleam of metal under that dark hood. Such a mysterious sight attracted plenty of attention, particularly from the local guard detail, but a close look under the hood relieved any fears they might have had. Indeed, it turned out to be only a familiar face, albeit very changed, finally returning home.
He rode his way through the crowded streets, past the merchant stalls, through the cramped alleyways, up the hill, and eventually stood before those wrought iron gates he knew so well. Home again. It looked like the Guildhall had seen a fight or two since he left, much to his chagrin, but that big, beautiful building certainly hadn’t lost it’s luster. It almost brought a tear to his eye, realizing how much he missed this place. How long had it been now? It certainly felt like years, for a number of reasons, but he’d actually been gone for only a few months…
He threw back his hood and brushed his hair back, wanting to look presentable for his homecoming. His hair had grown considerably, his short wave of brown becoming long flowing locks, and a thick beard that he couldn’t wait to shave away. He bore a few new scars as well; one that bisected one of his poor eyebrows, and another little nick to the cheekbone. Even more surprising was the glittering, golden, prosthetic ball that had replaced his left eye, complete with an iris formed of ruby inlay, and even a pitch black onyx pupil. Yet, despite these extensive changes, the most striking difference lay in his demeanor. His once blank stare now burst with purpose, his sullen face now raised with joy, and a wide grin, once forced, now rose as naturally as the sun. Truly, it was the face of a man reborn.
After a minute more of silent procrastination, Jericho tied off his mount, took one last deep breath, and swung those front doors wide open, ready at last to rejoin his old companions.
pixelskylines
stormborns
