I'm sure every author wants to hear this: please, please write more about this character and this world. I will buy your book, Mr. Andrews, and I will read it in about 2.5 seconds.
I was a huge fan of this piece. Although I was a bit confused about all the new words and elements of this fantasy world, I was quite willing to forgive and continue to suspend my disbelief. Don't know if this was because of the sad, but likable main character or the tense mood, but either way, it left me all in all pretty satisfied. The nonchalant way the author talks about bear arms and war with life sucking beings would have, in pretty much any other story, driven me crazy with its vagueness, but here it just whetted my appetite for more story.
As an echo to the intro, we just don't hear about the healer at all. As an avid roleplayer, I stand as a witness for the lowly cleric, who no one wants to play, but everyone wants in the party. I've often bitten the bullet, and taken the spot, and then had a fantastic experience with this essential character. This story reminded me of why, sometimes, it's not the fighter or the wizard who saves the day, it's the diligent person in white off to the side handing out band-aids and heal spells who pulls it all through.
Great piece. (Great narration too! An excellent mix of tired, but determined.)