Hugh nodded to Fiona, his attention being diverted towards the sky, observing the thick bulbous clouds forming, all a dark gray that made the day turn darker. The light was slowly fading and drops began to fall overhead.
Hugh felt them slowly picking up the pace, as the downpour began to get stronger and stronger. Their vision was soon hindered by the rain as it became so thick, that everyone was sopping wet within minutes. Hugh simply stared at the ground, watching the path as they journeyed further ahead.
He always felt it strangely therapeutic to stand in the rain as it washed over him. Their journey was soon aided by a song and then a beam of light ahead of them. It was causing Hugh to develop tunnel vision, as he felt slightly warmer at the thought that Sana would be there waiting for them all.
He was starting to care less and less about the fact that they were having a little bit of trouble speaking to each other, or whatever this distant feeling was. He just wanted to look on her face again and smile. He just wanted to take in her features and listen to her voice as she spoke and sang.
As their journey towards the light grew shorter, Hugh could make out the form guiding them. His features seemed to relax the closer they got, he pushing forward at a steady pace. He felt a little nip and a shiver from the cold every now and then, but he would just shake it off and it wouldn't bother him until the next slight shiver.
Finally, they came to a halt as so did the singing and the light, and Sana spoke, her words comforting to them all.
There Hugh sat upright on Rodger, the rain soaking both of them. He kept his gaze on Sana as she gave him a smile that made him happier. This was the sincere smile he liked. He never could take a fake smile, and this was no fake smile.
Hugh patted Rodger's neck, "Thank you again, Rodger." He slipped off the horse, landing with a splash and a thud, slightly bending his knees. He turned away from his horse to face Sana, a calm look on his face.
For a moment he smiled, but it faded as he started to think on the pain she was going through. She had lost everything; Hugh knew the feeling far too well. He would never wish that on anyone.
He had never known his parents, or even if he had them. He only knew the comradeship of the order, but it had been taken from him in an instant. His only family. When he thought he found refuge and a peaceful life somewhere else, that was also taken from him.
He knew pain and desperation more than the average person should, and had lived a life that felt like a curse; a curse to relive all the pain over and over again, like some benevolent god's sick joke.
He didn't want Sana to feel that. He didn't want her to go through that, but it was too late. There she was, standing before him, showing him a sincere smile and just how strong she was.
"I..." He stopped, his heart slightly pounding as he was so unsure how to go about this. "I'm sorry..." He started, pausing to gather more words. "I'm so sorry you had to go through losing everything." Sighing, a sullen glum look across his face as he reflected on how he had completely missed how she had told him yesterday about her family dying. "I'm so sorry I said nothing yesterday. That's unforgivable and I should have known better than to have left it in the dust, and just..." Pausing, his face turning more sullen and depressed looking, "...ignored your pain."
Hugh stepped forward, putting his hand to her face and gently tracing the scars across her cheek and neck. "You're beautiful." He said, a content smile suddenly appearing on his face.