Jorick: The Price of Freedom — Joleene Naylor

Short story. Jorick has served Malick for hundreds of years but, since marrying Velnya, he's wearied of his duty. With a final assignment to carry out, Jorick will finally be freed to live a life of quiet and peace - a life free from fighting and death. But what he finds when he gets home will shatter all of his dreams for the future and leave him hurtling down the road to revenge.