— Part of the purpose of this bit is to compare/contrast how Saddy takes care of herself vs. Aldren. Since they are reunited, Aldren receives fresh meat and special attention, and as much comfort as Saddy can provide. Saddy, as shown before, survives off rations and doesn’t make personal care a priority.

Saddy bowed a little under Aldren’s weight. His arm guards caught in her hair and tugged painfully. His leg plates scraped her leather leggings and caused bruising on her calves. Decay, blood death, and desperation walked with Aldren.

But, she didn’t care. His weight, the pain he caused, and the burden he created proved that he was alive. That was truly all that was needed. Where he had come from, what had happened, and the whereabouts of the others were of no consequence.

Not at this moment and, Saddy thought, not ever. Aldren was breathing. He was whole.

At camp. she made a bed the best she could from unused blankets she had kept on the horse. Disappearing briefly into the woods, she returned with two fairly plump squirrels. After skinning, she started a fire from some dried tinder and hung them over a makeshift split to cook.

Then, she turned her attention to Aldren. A quick inspection confirmed that he was whole. The only physical tell of his trial was the hauntedness that reflected in his eyes. He jumped at every sound and warily watched the dancing shadows that were being created by the fire. He didn’t speak.

Saddy didn’t need him too. All he needed was to breathe.

She tugged off his armor and cleaned him with an old rag and some water. He didn’t have a bruise. There were no cuts. As far as Saddy could discover, he hadn’t received a scratch. But, something definitely happened. She would just have to be patient and trust that Aldren would speak when he was ready.

Propping his head on her lap, she fed him the cooked squirrels slowly and offered him water. Aldren feel asleep to her stroking his hair.

Thoughtfully, Saddy looked up into the deeply star-studded sky beyond the tree branches thinking of tomorrow.