— Maybe something about the road and inner thoughts about what happened during the campsite slaughter?

Aldren’s eyes focused on the person ahead of him.

He could tell from the way she held herself, the curve of her body, how the wind played in her hair, that it was Saddy.
Why she was so far from home or alone failed to cross his mind. Rather, the pain came.

His shoulders quivered at the weight of his breastplate. Stings made from the bugs finding their way through the chinks in his armor felt like fire incarnate. The smell of spilled blood from the attack latched into his brain and spread thin tendrils, like long and thin fingers, wrapped around his sight. Memories he repressed for days floated to the surface.

Suddenly, he wanted to do nothing more than to be in Saddy’s arms. He wanted to cry and a few preemptive tears made their way from his blue eyes. He knew she wouldn’t judge him. She could be his comfort. She was real. Perhaps, at this particular moment, the only real thing in his life.

But, the tears were swallowed by the dust that had filled the cracks around his eyes. Aldren’s jaw clenched. His steps remained steady despite his legs wanting to sprint to her.

Saddy turned from her horse and saw his lone figure. She hesitated and watched intently. Once she was satisfied that what she saw wasn’t an illusion she sprinted towards him, displaying the emotion and relief that he had denied himself.

He stopped and waited.

“Aldren!” She stopped and he placed a hand on her shoulder.
His fingers curled into her flesh but she didn’t flinch. Holding his gaze, she didn’t cry but the relief was palatable in her stance.

Without another word, she wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Together, they made their way to Saddy’s makeshift camp. They moved stiffly and ackwardly. But, they moved together.