Not been long since the last one but I wanted to do some more writing and expand my idea some more. Please let me know what you think.
The trio had rushed back as fast as the could manage and unfortunately as they crossed a hill on the horizon they could see smoke coming from South Town. With a renewed vigor the group made haste. Soon they were upon the city and rushing over the bridge that crossed the small river by the cities chapel. Rushing into the city center full of burning cart and ravaged stalls the warriors saw villagers collecting the bodies of the barbarians for disposal giving them odd looks as they stood there weapons at the ready.
A hunched old man made his way to them "You must be friends with this other fellas that came through a while ago" the old man said to them.
Now seeing there was no danger the group relaxed and Sully spoke up "You said people already came through" Sully confirmed.
"Yeah that blue haired fella with the fancy sword he was here with the big guy on the horse that cleric lady with the staff and the white haired one in the coat" Sully and Leo looked to each other. Neither of them knew who this forth person could be.
"Could you tell us which way they went sir?" Leo asked.
The old man pointed to the road heading North "Yes, they were heading towards the capital".
"Thank you for your help sir" Leo turned back towards his companions "I don't think they found anything if they came back this fast. These bodies would have to be the bandits from this area. We'd better hurry to catch up to them. Virion I thank you for your help if you wish to follow I won't stop you but, if you have other matters to handle we can part here" Leo offered.
Virion struck a pose "Do you think I could leave after finding such a beauty. I would love to continue our travels" Sully could only manage a sigh anymore.
"Then we we should try and catch up before nightfall" the group turned to the North Road and hurried along hopes high they'd regroup before night fell.
What utter fools they were to thing they would find Chrom any the others in any reasonable amount of time. Night had come a long while back and the group had nearly exhausted themselves. Not even a sign of their comrades after hours of walking had doused their hopes.
Leo looked at the others seeing them tired "I think we should set up camp off to the side of the road for the night. I'll go ahead and take the first watch" Virion gave a grateful response and Sully mumbled some form of approval as they began to set up a camp. A fire and some blankets were the best the group had for this small excursion.
Leo took the first shift because he knew it would be the only shift for the night. He never could sleep well during missions anymore. Every time he closed his eyes images and memories flash behind his eye lids. The sights of a camp in flames and men running for their lives from an enemy no one was able to see.
The one that always haunted him was when a younger soldier clung to him covered in his own blood as he slowly died in the midst of all the chaos. He didn't even know the young mans name and no one would remember the sacrifice he gave dying for some cause he wanted no part of.
His thoughts were scattered however by the roar of some great quake and the tremors that shook the ground. Sully shot up from her sleeping "What the hell was that" she looked around frantically. Virion also awoke but, remained quite as he looked around.
"I've no clue but it wasn't good and it came from over there" Leo pointed to the sky above some trees black with smoke and alight with fire. "We gotta hurry some one definitely needs help" Leo quickly put out the fire as the other two readied them selves for travel.
It wasn't long before they came across the heat of the flames and the sound of a battle. Running past burning logs and fallen trunks alike the shepherds found a large clearing in the forest where the battle they heard was unfolding. Looking around Leo spotted Chrom and the others locked in battle along with a white haired stranger in an odd cloak. "Must be who the old man was talking about. Chrom it's us!" In response to the yell the prince spared a glance in the way of the others before reentering a weapon lock with the enemy.
Leo was able to get a better look at their adversaries. Odd men dressed in a some what similar yet different uniform from anything he'd ever seen. Their movements and demeanor were weird as well but that didn't matter for now he'd been spotted and enemies were already rushing over. "Prepare yourselves" he called out.
Sword raised and ready he rushed ahead to meet the enemy in hopes of giving the other some needed breathing room. He could see Virion moving to the cover of the trees for a better position and hear Sully charging to meet the opposition. Most importantly a number of troops that had been beginning to circle Chrom and the others had left to attack Leo. In truth this kind of action would spell death for the one doing it but, such a thing played to Leo's strengths he was good at keeping swords and axes from cutting him in half and knowing the others had a better chance made a world of difference for his mind and heart.
Closing down the space between himself and a brigand with and axe he dropped down to a semi-crouch. They entered a simple weapon lock. This was near textbook giving a shove to the brigand and gaining some space Leo stabbed his sword straight through the other man before he could even stumble all the way. "Watch out these guys aren't normal!" Chrom shouted across the battlefield.
Nearly as soon as the words reached him Leo looked on as the man who should have been dead cleaved and axe right into his sword arm slicing deep enough he was worried it may just come off. As the shock left him the pain set in and cry ripped through the air as the soldier stumbled back dropping his sword and gripping his wound in any hope of losing less blood. It looked like this might be it an axe was on it's way down to meet his torso with a lot more following after till an arrow whistled through the air nailing the monster in the eye slumping him to the ground in a mess. Sully rushed past the fallen man on her horse clashing with the line of monsters rushing their way quickly spearing one straight through the heart killing it actually this time. Leo couldn't look at his arm right now he knew it was bad but, looking only ever made it worse. He couldn't sit here he'd only be in the way; he refused to die whimpering on the ground. Gripping the wound he struggled to his feet and made a dash towards Lissa his weapon forgotten. He ducked and weaved through the fire and steel. He crossed pass Chrom's area of control and behind the line he and Fredrick had formed with back up from the new stranger. Behind a wall the two men formed he turned towards the young princess and spat up a glob of blood before rushing straight to her. The young woman was clearly panicked witnessing his deranged actions bracing herself for impact as his charge refused to seize. He ran right next to her crashing the shoulder of his good arm into one of the men who'd snuck up through the forest and had raised up his sword to slash the cleric. "Mage! Kill this one" Leo jumped back from the body as the white haired stranger sent a great ball of fire to burn the monster of the ground still trying to stand back up. Leo rolled over on the ground in agony as more blood flooded out of his arm. Slowly losing his grip on consciousness he barely registered Lissa kneel next to him and begin to heal him. He passed feeling his wound slowly close.
It was day again before Leopold awoke again. He looked around at his surroundings to see was in one of the many beds of Ylisstol Castle's infirmary. He checked himself his sword arm was still attached and working but a scar ran nearly the entire circumference of his bicep. He was alone in the infirmary; luckily it seemed no one else was severely hurt in that attack... unless they died. That surely wasn't the case though no one else was as foolish as he'd been. Such a simple attack nearly cost him his arm granted that dastards whole not dying trick would have taken a lot of people by surprise.
After some rest he decided this bed was too small for him he was tired but, restless. He lifted the sheets to see he was dressed in his plain clothes he wore after training. Dressed in a crimson tunic with some simple tan pants that were a little loose and very comfortable he slipped on the shoes left by the bed side. Someone must have dressed him he'd have to give thanks to everyone for their help.
He made his way to the door. The infirmary wasn't very far from the castle's main hall. He'd surely come across one of the royal siblings or at least another shepherd. Turning the corner and opening one of the heavy doors to the main chamber Leo saw Chrom discussing casually with the white haired mage from earlier; Leo truly had no idea how long it had been since he'd fallen asleep. Walking out the two turned to him Chrom with a mixed look of both delight and a light mix of something else Leo couldn't put his finger on. The other man was rather pleased to see him as well. Leo crossed the room to join them "It's nice to see up so soon" the mage spoke.
"It's nice to have an arm" Leo responded.
"It's nice to see you no worse for wear" Chrom added. "Firstly I must thank you for what you did for Lissa" Chrom said sincerely.
Leo turned away from the princes eyes and rubbed his neck "Only doing what anyone else would sir".
Chrom shook his head "I haven't seen many men run across a battlefield that was on fire with their arm hanging on by a thread" Leo still couldn't meet the prince's gaze.
The new man spoke "I think you'd be happy to know no one else was injured thanks to you" he gave a smile.
"It does certainly make me fell better sir..."
"Robin" the mage filled in.
"Your help was much appreciated Sir Robin" Leo gave a curt bow to the mage.
After some more catching up Chrom left with the excuse of having to report to Emmeryn to discuss the shepherd's next mission. Robin and Leopold made their way back to the Shepherd's barracks. Stepping in the door Leo was met with a chest crashing into his chest "Don't scare us like that next time" a very upset Lissa stared up at him defiantly.
Leo chuckled "I'll be certain to try your highness".