Latte War Horse Entry

Posting for latte bc of amino lags :v: :pensive:

#WARHORSE24

Class: LQ-MQ

Connor POV:

Getting used to the mare and learning to be her partner instead of incharge of her. Valkyrie was a stubborn mare, she commanded respect. The horses around her even respected her. Connor was quite anxious now, the only sound was the steps of horses and soldiers alike. Marching to impending doom. War was no joke, hoping his younger sister at home would not be receiving her next letter that he had ed. He had been lucky enough to convince the general that if he ed Valkyrie would be sent home to his sister to own. He glanced back, a gentle smile on his face. There was his lover he had met here. Hoping to take him home and eventually marry after the war. Zackary smiled back.

“We'll make it through this, the four of us” he had spoken to Connor. Hopefully them and the horses would turn out fine. He hoped to live by those words. They gave him hope they were getting out of here.

“I'm sure we will, and then we get to go home all together” he spoke a reply, seeing Zack smile in a time like this, that was a wonderful thing to see.

“I'm sure the horses will like the barn my sister boards her pony at, they'll have plenty of friends there” there was a snort from the mare underneath him, a toss of her head ears back. Something was not right. Valkyrie had always been right about something wrong. He could feel her gait get far more anxious and flighty. Off went the barking of one of the dogs. A few shots fired. Most horses spooking to run away from it to avoid getting hit. Connor grabbed his gun while attempting to direct Valkyrie in the direction he wanted. Connor heard screams and what sounded of a dog. Watching the silver German Shepherd rush back to her handler with blood stained fur. It was safe to assume that whoever it was, was no longer breathing.

“It must've been a scout” Zack said as they reorganised. Connor nodded eyes wide. Who would've thought something like that would have happened.

“That dog is good, remind me to never mess with a shepherd when we get home” he'd joke a bit with a small laugh. Mainly trying to calm his nerves. It certainly helped when his lover laughed quietly at it.

“I'll to, although I feel as though it should be common sense not to mess with a dog primarily used in military and police work” he spoke with a grin. At least the two still found purpose to smile during this.

The heat beating down on them as they approached a town. Connor glanced to Zackary with worry as orders were barked out to them. Valkyrie getting antsy to go. This was first of plenty towns they'd have to go through. It was anxiety inducing.

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Valkyrie POV:

She stamped her hoof, carefully listening to what the human of higher ranking than Connor had to say. Looking to her riders lovers horse, he was named Reaper.

“We get them both out alive, who knows what's coming up” she spoke softly despite her typical commanding tone. Getting a small nod of agreement from the stallion. Her ears swerving back to listen to Connor whisper to her. He sounded anxious, like extremely. She followed his lead though once he gave her a light squeeze to the sides with a small click. The gunfire earlier had spooked her. But now she was ready. She hoped. Entering the streets was eerie, it was silent besides those whom were on her side. High alert now, looking around. There was other people here Valkyrie could smell them. That was the bad guys right? Those were the ones she was taught to be bad? Hopefully she wouldn't mess it up. When a stray dog scurried past in front of her out of no where she reared up with a startled squeal. It was almost as if that was the singal to start bloodshed. Gunfire rang out all around her. There was a pained cry out from Connor as she went to land down. Looking back to her rider who had a hand pressed to his chest, her nostrils flaring to take in the smell of blood. He had been shot, no-

“Connor please hold on, I swear to you I'll get you out” she whispered out. He seemed to have said something but she couldn't hear him over the gunshots ringing in her ears. She checked to make sure his feet sat in the stirrups still and he still held on. Perfect. Valkyrie sprinted through the town. Determined to make her way out of it. There felt like so many turns in here. Did she take a wrong turn and get lost? She was heaving for breath as she ran. There was an exit to the town. She went the last stretch as quickly as she could. She had ed where their camp had been set up. Galloping full sprint as fast as possible. Please just hold on Connor, the paramedics will help you, you just need to live until then.

Once she had camp within her sights she would whinny out, praying she would catch someone's attention. It worked, humans looked in her direction. One with a medical patch rushed towards the two once she had slowed to a stop. She hadn't even noticed that there was pressure on her side until now, looking back Connor had his hand pressed to her instead of his chest. It wasn't much pressure though it felt weak. She watched as Connor had been lifted off of her. Being brought to a tent. Her attention brought back to her side, that's when the pain hit her. Oh no she had been shot. The adrenaline must've kept her going but now that her rider was safe it must've started to wear out. She had been lucky that one of the paramedics had come to check over her, someone holding onto her reins. Hopefully everything would be alright.

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Zackary POV:

Once he had heard what had happened after the battle he had rushed back to camp as quickly as Reaper could take him. Leaping off Reaper who was taken to the makeshift paddock they set up. He ran straight to the tent they held Connor. Rushing to his side

“Connor!? Connor you still with me!?” He questioned in a panic, getting nothing more than a small smile. Zack pressed his face to Connors. Just taking in the warmth the other had.

“Stay alive, we gotta get married and you need to introduce me to your sister ?” He whispered to the man who laid on the makeshift bed. Praying he'd make it through. Why did it have to be him to get hurt? It could have been anyone.

“I love you” the faintest of whisper could be heard by him. Those words never felt so crushing before. Just this morning it would've given him butterflies, but now it made him want to cry.

“I love you too Connor, you'll get through this just hang on love” he murmured tears rolling down his cheeks. Putting his hand in his lovers. Feeling him squeeze it. It felt as though only moments later it went limp. He felt a hand on his shoulder as his wailed out over his lost partner, his best friend.

“I tried, I'm sorry” he barely even heard the words of the paramedic. He stood and just walked out. Everything hurt so his best choice in his mind. Go to the only thing left of him. There was Connor's mare a patched up spot on her side. The way he watched her face almost soften when she saw him crying, it broke him more. Maybe he was anthropomorphising Valkyrie in a state of shock but it truly looked like her heart and face and dropped knowing exactly what happened. He just hugged her by the neck feeling the mare rest her head to his back.

“I'll keep his wishes to bring you home, don't you worry. You'll get the best home you could ever imagine” he whispered to her through tears. They had just each other now as Reaper would be staying with the military after Zack leaves unfortunately. But he'll bring him home too if he retires before dying. They had a funeral to attend and Connor's sister to meet. Praying life would look up for them.