Jabberwock Jack by Dennis Liggio Page A

need us to show up to tell you the whole damn thing again. Why did you need us to come here? Why did everyone care so much about making sure we could take down a troll?" Meat and Paulie had hinted that there would be a hunt for Jabberwock Jack, but all I had heard was vague mentions, nothing solid.
    "This is a Call to Arms, isn't it?" said Szandor.
    Most hunters fight monsters alone. Occasionally there are pairs like my brother and I, or sometimes small families like Tor's lineage. It's just the safest way to do our work. There's personality conflicts that inevitably happen when hunting, especially in groups. People who slay monsters in secrecy for a variety of vengeful reasons surprisingly don't get along well when on the hunt. But sometimes you find that what you have is far greater than what one or two hunters can handle alone. A big nest of creatures, a large amount of area to cover without the creature escaping, or just a situation requiring an expertise you lack. If it's big enough, you put out a Call to Arms. By doing so, you're trying to get all hunters in the local area to help. Those who can show up, will. You brief them, and for one day or night, you have a deadly but loosely put together force. You get the job done quick before everyone gets on each other's nerves, you share some beers, then everyone goes their separate ways. A monster hunter flash mob, if you like. A deadly flash mob.
    "This is bigger than a Call to Arms," said Meat.
    "Bigger?" I said with confusion. I hadn't ever heard of anything bigger.
    "I'm putting together a team," said Jericho. "Specific skills and strengths. A team of hunters under my leadership. For a week, two weeks, however long until it's done."
    "To kill Jabberwock Jack," said Szandor.
    Jericho nodded. "As you boys probably know already, he's not something a single hunter can take down. Others have tried and failed. But a team with the right skills and gear... I believe it can be done."
    "That's some very big game," I said. "Can it even be done? No offense, I just wonder if it's beyond what any of us can do." I remembered stabbing my sword into it and being pulled along with it. My katana wasn't even an afterthought for that monster; it had no reaction to my stab.
    "The right tools and the right people will accomplish the job," said Jericho. "Fala assures me it can be done."
    "But should it be done, that's the question," said Fala coyly.
    "I have no time for philosophy," said Jericho dismissively. "The beast will die by my hand. The how and the when are the only questions. And thanks to you boys, I have the chance again."
    I cocked my head. "Why is our experience with it so important?"
    "Jack hasn't been seen anywhere in years," said Meat. "Or not anywhere that it's been reported."
    "I had thought the trail had run cold," said Jericho, starting to pace. "I have travelled the waterways all over this part of the country, searching for a sign of the beast or any trace of his movements. I don't know if my foe had been laying low this whole time, but I will not lose him again. Jack will die."
    "What's our incentive?" said Szandor. He saw my questioning look and continued. "What? He's the one with a huge revenge back story. We could go on hunting stuff that's not Godzilla-sized while they go off and do this. Stuff we could get paid for. Why should we chase the dragon?"
    "Money," said Jericho. "I'm told that's what you two honor."
    "Yes, exactly," said Szandor and I shot him a look. Yes, we like to get paid, but we also hunt to help people. There's a principle to it beyond being just mercenaries.
    "I mean, don't get us wrong," I said, trying to soften my brother's words, "we're not just about the money -"
    Jericho cut me off. "There's no dishonor in wanting to get paid for a job well done. There's no dishonor in providing for yourself and your family. I don't begrudge you for wanting to be paid. In fact, I would question your commitment if you did not want compensation."
    "See?" said