They had traveled for two days and begun the third.

Gabs had found that Saddy’s routine was easy to mimic. Up at sunrise. Ride until dusk. Make camp. By the fourth day, Gabs could nearly pinpoint the time when each of these actions would occur based on the sun. The only part of the journey that changed was the intensity.

Every mile yielded nothing about the fate of Aldren.
Actually, Gabs gathered from the blank facial expressions of Saddy as she checked for tracks, the road had little to no travelers. The imprints were old and faded. It had been months if not longer since their village had received travelers.

On the fifth night, hopelessness crept into her heart, and doubt ruled her head.
Gabs had all but run out of rations and Saddy had taken to eaten dubious berries she found in the forest. Her body ached and her lips were becoming parched. The horses were becoming tired and their gate slowed. Five days out meant that it would, at least, take seven days to get back at the slower pace.

Their lengthy absence from the castle couldn’t have gone unnoticed. Surely, people would worry. In the current state of the village, it would be difficult to predict how they would react.

From Saddy’s body language, Gabs could tell that the same thoughts had crossed Saddy’s mind as well. She would have to return and resume the journey with additional people and resources.

But, during that evening as they were setting up for the night, a long shadow covered them.
It was Aldren. Alone, but alive.

In the falling sun’s light, he stood tall. His breastplate shining silver. But, to Gabs, he looked old. She could tell that there was something that caused his shoulders to slump just a little. His eyes, even from this distance, seemed cold and haunted. It was almost as if his shadow, which was longer than he was tall, carried weight and was actually pulling him down the road.

Gabs couldn’t help but wonder if Saddy noticed any of this or would she care. Surely, Saddy didn’t regard her husband with the same passionate disinterest as her handmaiden.

Peering through the branches, Gabs waited for an emotional reunion.