[Third Person POV]

Blueblood trotted along the trench at Trottingham, helping out with a few of the emplacement crews as they re-armed the crossbows and cannons. He smiled a little to himself, proud that the army of his aunts' was learning so much from Forge-master Cadmus.

“They aren't up to where the marines are in technology...” He mused quietly to himself, enjoying the brief reprieve from battle. “...But they've got plenty to work with... We're even beginning to make some progress in stopping the enemy...”

He continues along the trench, stopping occasionally for idle chit-chat with the soldiers under his watch, until he finally reaches the bunker that leads to an underground forward operating base. Inside are a pair of almost identical unicorns, their coats turned gunmetal grey due to the color enchantments on their armor, the only thing that could mainly tell them apart was that the couple inches difference in size between the two.

“Good evening sergeants...” Blueblood says with a small smile. They return the salute and greet him in kind.

“Sir, the doc says you really should be getting off the front lines, get a few of those wounds treated before something happens.” The shorter one says with a genuine look of concern.

“I'll go, don't worry, I'm just doing another round before I head out to make sure the stallions I command are still in combat condition.” Blueblood chuckles. The officers give him a small nod and he takes his leave to check out a few more posts.

“I really hate doctors... it's always 'needle this' and 'stitches that'...” He gives a shudder before wincing when he puts pressure on his right flank. “... But maybe they're right...” He sighs. “...I should make sure that I don't have anything that will cause a break...”

-{DW}-

About an hour later Blueblood finally couldn't delay his visit to the field medics anymore and went in to find that he had an injured leg, probably caused by a nasty fall when he engaged an Ogre and miraculously didn't die. He let out a small sigh as he watched the town of Trottingham shrink away in the distance while he was travelling by pegasus air-transport. It left a hole in his heart as he had to leave the stallions and mares that he had been fighting alongside since they had moved the defense to Trottingham. Day Guard or Night Guard, he fought alongside both and it showed, they trusted him with their lives... only to be switched over to a new commanding officer now that he had been injured holding a key position... with just a damn sprain no less. It felt, unfair, that he had to leave when they didn't.

“I hope we can win soon... the troops are the ones that need the rest more than I do...” He whispers as he faces forward again.

-{DW}-

So far the only news that Blueblood had gotten from the front lines in the past day was that Trottingham was still holding its ground against the chaos, although many other border towns were feeling the strain. Even life at Canterlot was taking a hit now that the marines were still trying to perfect their gene-altering process to make more of their soldiers.

He had to admit, they were almost frighteningly efficient, only a small team had been dispatched to Trottingham after the battle a week ago had started, and within minutes the opposition had been quelled. The thing that frightened him the most though, was Astelan, He had been too quiet during the fight... Only speaking up to shout at the enemies and curse their souls to the warp, whatever that was. Even around the castle without all of his armor on, his coat had almost turned gray on its own and he was so withdrawn. It seemed as if the only pony he spoke to anymore was Luna, and that was only at her persistence.

Blueblood grimaced a little as he thought of his best friend, just one more thing that hurt because of the war. He wanted it to end so much, but there was nothing he could do since he was confined to his room and hadn't had a visi-... Oh?

The door to the room began to open with a slight creak, causing Blueblood to direct his attention at the mare who entered his room. A slight smile grew on each of their faces as their eyes made contact, his sapphire ones and her emerald ones.

To him, her coat was the most beautiful shade of royal-purple that he had ever seen, with her mane only slightly lighter.

Her name escaped his lips, barely above a whisper. “Lavender... It's good to see you again...”

The violet unicorn mare slowly trotted over to his bed after closing the door, “It's good to see you too Bluey...”

If anyone else had called him that name, aside from his aunts, he would've had them gelded on the spot... but for her, he always made an exception. “So... Your great soldier has been wounded in battle...” He starts with a hollow chuckle. “Sent home with a pathetic wound...”

Lavender pouts a little before giving him a kiss just below his horn. “Shh... An injured leg is nothing to continue fighting on... You'll want to be in the best shape you can be to fight for the diarchy.”

Blueblood smiles a little more, “Then I had better not do any strenuous activity...”

Lavender chuckles again. “Don't worry... I won't hurt you today...” She whispers in his ear as her horn lights up and the room is sealed from the inside. “Because I love you... and I'll always be by your side...”

Author's Notes:

A small chapter, one that focuses on a different character in the story for a little bit. I felt that a small change of pace would be a good option here before getting back to the slaying and such.