Chapter Text
War was something that was not new to Laslow, after fighting through two of them it might as well be his own style of life. A life that consisted of fighting and flirting, no other perfect combination to get girls in his opinion. But at the same time he hated it. All the blood, all the death and constant lingering feeling that this one battle may be your last. Despite that, there was something thrilling about fighting, the feeling of having the power over one’s life. A thrill that is horrifying addicting. Everyday he felt this, a cloud of guilt and responsibility that he would never escape. He learned at an early age to conceal the feeling, hide the pain with a smile. But like everything else smiles could only last for so long.
“Laslow!” Xander called out to his retainer from across the battlefield, Laslow looked up at the call of his name.
“We're falling back. The Hoshidian’s main forces will be arriving within the hour and we do not want to be near when they arrive, Prince Ryoma and his forces are a formidable enemy in which we will not engage.” He said with his usual authoritative voice.
“Understood, milord” Laslow replied with a smile and a small dramatic bow. Xander only rolled his eyes, this behavior was not something new to him and knew it was not going to change. However, Xander learned to tolerate his retainer’s odd behavior over time… a lot of it.
Once Xander had turned away to relay the order to the others, Laslow’s grief filled eyes softened, they were finally leaving this place. The village was devastated in midst of their fighting. It was all wrong. He had witnessed first-hand how war can destroy homes, even an entire kingdom. Laslow flinched slightly as long healed wound throbbed. He would have never imagined that he would be on the delivering end of the destruction. Laslow didn’t want this. His gut twisted with guilt, how many people had their home in shambles because of his actions? How many people had he caused to suffer?
It still hurt Laslow to be marching through a village and see fear. He wished that it could go back to when he and his allies would be a beacon of hope and safety. But things change when you are in another world.
This usually peaceful village was now in shambles, at one point this place would’ve been beautiful. Flowers in front of every store, vendors selling their goods, people happily going about their lives… but it was all gone now; the villagers had done nothing wrong. They were just innocent victims caught in a crossfire of a war that they were trying to avoid. A tragedy that Laslow was all too familiar with.
The tensions between the the two kingdoms, Hoshido and Nohr, have grown much more sense Hoshido’s lost princess made the choice to be the enemy to the kingdom that she was born in. The hostility between the two kingdoms grew tenfold. Now it was not uncommon for there to unprovoked attacks along the border, most of the fights end up dragging both sides armies into the mix and it escalate into a battle. That’s why this village is destroyed, a small Nohrian border patrol ran into several Hoshidan troops and they fought.
To protect the pride and ensure security both kingdoms sent their armies in, the fight drifted to a nearby village in hopes that it could provide some kind of cover or field advantage. Either way, the villagers are the ones that pay the price for this fighting. But as he, and now many more people, knew war finds its way into everyone's life.
Laslow somberly glanced back at the remains of the village, noting the corpses of several Hoshidan soldiers. Despite Lady Corrin having strict moral rules against killing, that she implies on the rest of the army, not that anyone complains, but some casualties cannot be prevented. Everyone, Lady Corrin included, knew this.
“Laslow!” Xander called again, this time more demanding. Laslow could hear the irritation in voice. Whoops. Laslow sheepishly grinned to himself. Having Xander angry was never a good thing
Without glancing back at the devastated village Laslow joined Xander, Peri and Kaze who were now standing alongside him. “We will be heading west back into Nohr territory. Laslow and Peri I want you two to go around the ---- forest, Kaze and I will go through.” Xander said looking at the small group standing in front of him.
“Is it wise to split up like that?” Laslow exclaimed, his mind going back to the times that him and his friends split up. “If any of us ran into enemies, especially a group of them, we would have no chance in a battle!”
Xander stayed quiet for a moment before speaking, “I agree” he said, “in fact I thought the scenario, but splitting up like this is faster and will slow the Hoshidian forces down in the case that they will pursue us.”
“Yes, but-”
“My mind is made up Laslow. I understand the risks!” Xander’s voice rose, and made no attempt to hide the irritation in his voice. Laslow mentally cursed himself for forgetting the burden Xander carries. He’d figure that growing up alongside a princess, and heir to her own throne, he would’ve understood their burden somewhat. Guess not…
“We need to go if we are to make it to camp before nightfall.” Xander said his voice returning back to its normal, controlled tone. He turned his horse down the path he and Kaze were to follow, “You two are to leave now! That’s an order” He demanded looking back at both Peri and Laslow. Xander snapped the reigns of his horse and left, with Kaze following close behind him.
Laslow groaned, as much as he respected his liege his stubbornness was annoying at time; but orders are orders. “Let’s go Peri.”
“Right!” Peri offered her hand down to Laslow and hoisted him up onto her horse. As they left for the Bottomless Canyon Laslow and Peri both barely heard the sound of a horn in the distance, indicated the Hoshidan army was coming.
~*~
They were riding for about an hour and still had another hour to go until they even reached the Canyon.
“Hey Laslow,” Peri sung, not looking away from the path in front of her.
“Yes?”
“How far away do you think that Hoshidan army is away from us?” she asked in her usual chipper tone. Laslow turned his head over his shoulder from his spot on the saddle. “Ummmm…” Laslow there was nothing. He lingered just to be sure that no pegasus or Kinshi Knight scouts were approaching.
With no danger in sight Laslow turned back around. “We have some distance between them, I honestly wouldn’t worry too much at the moment.”
Peri pulled the reigns of her steed slowing the speeding horse to mere trot.
“Great! She needs a quick rest” Peri said gleefully rubbing her horse's neck, who neighed and threw back her head in response. Laslow and Peri both got off the horse, he bent in several different directions to relieve the aching. While stretching he waited for Peri to lead the way, finally Peri took the reins and with a gentle tug, led her horse into the woods.
There was no clear path to follow so Peri followed the areas where it was the least dense and walked in. The tall, untamed grass of the forest was easily up to his waist, and was quick to tangle under his feet. After nearly tripping several times he looked over at Peri hoping she was the same amount of difficulty as he was. Laslow was awestruck when he discovered that she was effortlessly leading her horse through the tangled mess of grass, as if she was walking through strings of silk. So unfair, Laslow grumbled as he continued to trudge through the grass. He had always wished that he could’ve had grace like that, he remembered his mother had that same kind of elegancy…
Before he could even finish the thought he shook his head and smacked his cheeks hoping to bring himself back to reality. Nope nope nope! Not thinking about that.
Laslow looked back up to find where Peri was, quickly seeing that she was far ahead of him and had no knowledge of his sluggish pace.
“H-hey! Peri, wait up!” Laslow desperately called out waving his arm in the air, trying to catch up. Suddenly Laslow’s foot caught on a knot in the grass and he tumbled forward. A fit of giggles erupted from above and beyond the grass. Laslow shamefully stayed down and hid in the grass for a moment.
Hoping to defend what dignity he had left Laslow head shot up above the grass, red with embarrassment. Peri’s giggles quickly transformed into a fit of laughter with an occasional snort between breaths. Laslow’s face only reddened more, “Peri cut it out,” Laslow said getting up, sounding slightly pathetic. The laughter continued. “Come on, stop it.” He whined and began trudging through the grass grumbling along the way.