Gabs knew that she would struggle to keep up with the pair on horseback. The body still tingled from where it was invaded. Saddy also seemed to be determined to reach the place of slaughter despite Aldren’s quiet objections.

That, more than anything Gabs thought, was more than enough reason to allow her presence to be known. The feelings of being lost and defeated projected from his wide eyes. Gabs felt his hopelessness and feelings project and was cruelly disregarded by Saddy. This woman to who Aldren had soundly devoted his life too had little thought or care for his opinion and unwillingness to return a sight of slaughter.

Did Saddy not love him? Did she simply not care?
Could she not see that it made him uncomfortable? Or, maybe, she was simply wicked and wanted to be in control. Gabs felt her teeth grind together and decided that Saddy’s goal was to subjugate Aldren. She wanted Aldren to surrender his personal power and manhood. At least, Gabs reasoned, that she didn’t torture the personality that was in the body. It was released. Death was better than continual defeat.

“We have to see if there are any survivors. We owe it to the people of the village.” Saddy’s voice filtered through the trees.

Gabs willed her stiff legs to move and stumbled out of the thicket. The body spasmed under her control and she felt herself fall into the muck. At the very next moment, a cold and damp cloth was pressed against her forehead, and water trickled down her parched throat. “What are you doing here? You shouldn’t have come.” Saddy’s tone was disapproving even while she was offering aid.

Gabs felt Aldren’s eyes upon her from his horse. She tried not to return his gaze and failed. His green eyes suddenly didn’t seem so lost. The bewilderment retreated and was replaced with something else. Gabs could tell that it was something deeper. It removed him from this time and this place, even for a moment, and she knew that was her real intention. Gabs had spared him from further unwanted and irrational attention.

“Who did this to you? What happened?” Saddy continued to interrogate her.

“Bandits,” Gabs whispered. It was the first answer her mind presented. It would be safe to assume that woods have bandits lurking somewhere. It was a believable answer and one that would need little additional explanation.

A hesitant and gentle touch caressed the back of her hand. It was soft and slow, feeling the delicate bones and tracing the veins. Gabs cracked her eyes open and found Aldren almost uncomfortably close.

An unexpected line of pleasure ran from her head to her brain. It centered just behind her eyes and, Gabs thought, in the middle of her forehead. From there, the feeling radiated down her neck and filled the rest of her body. The stiffness and fatigue of commandeering the bag of bones and blood vanished. A bright energy took its place and an almost intolerable feeling of wholesomeness took its place.

“Can you walk?” Saddy asked.

Gabs refocused on the words and nodded. With Saddy’s help, she stood by leaning heavily on the other woman’s frame. Aldren withdrew his touch and the bright feeling faded but didn’t entirely leave. Gabs grasped at the remnants, bundled the strands together, and pushed them into a pulsating and unifying orb. It settled in the middle of her forehead and tingled slightly.

“There is a stream over there. Let’s get you cleaned up.” Gabs wondered. Was that tone almost caring? “Aldren, set up camp. We’re not going anywhere today. She needs rest.” The condescension returned. Of course. Gabs speculated that Saddy couldn’t communicate without a layer of disdain.

Once at the stream, Saddy removed Gabs’ clothing and gently placed her into the water. She disappeared briefly only to return with additional cloth, soap, and a spare outfit. The water was, to Gabs surprise, fairly invigorating. The gentle scrubbing removed the dirt and scratches. The coolness of the water eased the muscle spasms.

In her other form, her true form, cleansing was not needed as they never possessed a body for more than a couple of days. It was a unique experience. But what was even better, Gabs thought, was that Saddy was serving her. The hateful woman was playing slave by caring for her wounds and cleaning the corpse. It was rather pleasurable. Maybe, just maybe, Saddy had her uses that would warrant her future existence.