Knights of Shiganshina

Kill the Boy

           "Oh Eren, I'm going to miss you so terribly." Said Helda, one of the many handmaidens at the castle. She was a very short middle-aged woman whose skin would rival Lady Dina's in regard to how pale it was. Her black hair had collected a few greys over the years, but it barely showed. Only reason Eren noticed is because he had grown up with her almost as long as he grew up with Lord Shadis.

           She squeezed both of Eren's hands tightly and softly pressed her lips to them. Helda was always so sweet to him, always gave him a hot pie when he probably didn't deserve it. He most likely never deserved it, but she never hesitated to give that sulking boy in the corner whatever he needed.

           "If I can ever visit, trust me when I say I will." He hugged her tight, then broke away, picking up his bag and waving goodbye. Eren thanked each handmaiden at the castle before leaving. When it came down to telling the lady of the house about his departure, he decided to leave a letter in her chambers. Felt better that way. He got a bit of joy from it, actually, not allowing her the satisfaction of seeing his dower face. However, when he got to the front of the castle doors, there she was with two guards.

           She had on a green dress with furs around her neck. Silver traces of leaves ran all around the open slits of her sleeves. Her golden hair, usually brushed to perfection, was now quite disheveled. She stood tapping her foot, looking around quite irritated. When Eren came into view, her eyes widen, and she snapped her fingers, then whispered something to the two guardsmen. Both men walked to Eren, bowed, then proceeded past him. By the time he had reached Lady Dina, she had her hands on her hips, and her calm, collective demeanor had completely cracked.

           "What do you think you're doing?" She asked, voice firm and unwavering. However, Eren heard the smallest hint of a crack at the end of her sentence.

           "I've decided—"

           "You've decided nothing!" She shouted, walking closer to him. All he could do was look towards the ground, trying to escape her gaze. "You have no idea what you're doing. A solider? A Scout? Nothing but thieves, murderers, and worse. No, you're not going to throw your life away for that." Eren slowly raised his face to meet her eyes. He took a deep breath then exhaled slowly.

           "You don't get to be the one who decides this for me. I do, only me."

           "If you're to be a solider, why not just squire under Zeke? He's been knighted, and you would be in better company, and—"

           "Because that's not me!" Dina froze and looked up towards Eren, almost as if she was confused with his notion. "I'm no knight. I'm hardly a lord. Hell, I'm barely even a Yeager. At least with the Scouts I'd be given the freedom to chose who I want to be. That's all I've ever wanted."

           For the slightest second, Eren could have sworn it looked like Dina was about to cry. She cleared her throat and kept her eyes fixed on his.

           "Fine...if this is your choice, I cannot stop you. If your father was here, I doubt he'd even care to. But by Ymir's good graces you come home Eren Yeager, do you hear me?" Without much warning, Eren felt his face begin to get hot. His eyes began to tear, and he couldn't help but turn his face away.

            He felt a warm touch against his cheek, and his face was forced to look at hers. He couldn't see much, but what he did see was a warm smile from an unlikely face. She brought him close for a warm embrace, stroking the back of his hair.

            "Please be safe sweet boy." She whispered, softly caressing the back of his head. He had never been one for crying, always felt like he had to put on a strong face. Felt like if he didn't, people would look at him even less. But he'd dare say this was a fine time to.

            He held her tight and for a long while, not wanting to let go. After some time, the two finally broke away. He could see her wipe away some of her own tears. She looked up at him and again smiled like she never had before. Maybe he just never noticed.

            "Now get going." Eren nodded, then walked through the large doors and out into the courtyard, taking in the cold air. No looking back, no turning back, it was time he killed the boy. Whatever that entailed, it would be of his own choosing. He made his way to the stables to get his horse, Whitefoot. Every part of the horse was black except for one area around her front left hoof. Not very original, but he took pride in the mare. He placed his saddle over her, putting all his items in the compartments of the bag.

            "We're gonna be leaving home for a while, hope you're okay with that." Eren said, rubbing under her chin. She let out a small neigh and stomped twice on the ground. He didn't really know what she meant by that, but he hoped it was a gesture of good faith. Without wasting any more time, he got atop Whitefoot and rode off to meet Shadis.

            When he finally made it to the market district, he saw the old fellow smoking a pipe talking with a tall blonde man. He had a fairly trimmed mustache, as well as groomed hair. This clean-cut appearance, however, was a stark contrast to his attire. He wore a long green cloak that was tattered to hell, as well as a brown tunic underneath boiled leather. Eren could see a glint of metal coming from a few holes in the leather, must have had a mail shirt under it. If it wasn't for the holes, he probably wouldn't have noticed. The man's gloves were also pretty torn, and his boots had seen better days, Eren was sure. The belt around his waist held two blades, a short and long steel. The only difference other than their sizes as far as appearances went was the dark green ribbon that was tied to the end of the short steel's grip.

            Certainly fit the description of a Scout, no mistaking it. Eren got from Whitefoot and led her towards the two men. Shadis turned to Eren and grinned.

            "Ah, the boy finally decided to show. Took your time, eh?"

            "Sorry, had some things to take care of. So, who's this?"

            "Oh, this lad, well this man here is Mike Zacharias. A fellow member of the Scouts. He's here to pick up any prisoners, or in your position, recruits. Ain't that right, Mike?" Shadis's asked, slapping Mike's back. He gave a light smile and nodded his head.

            "He don't talk much, as you can see. But you got everything you need lad? It's gonna be a long trip to Castle Utgard."

            "Yeah, I think I'm fine." Shadis let out a chuckle, then motioned his hand up and down at him.

            "'Course you're fine, look at ya. You're dressed like you mean to go for a midnight stroll with a lovely lass rather than a long ride. Them ridin' boots are gonna be torn to hell by the time we get to the castle." He said, bellowing like a troll from a children's book. Mike looked as if he wanted to laugh as well. Eren let out a long sigh and held out his hand towards mike.

            "Names Eren by the way."

            "I know who you are Yeager." He stated, not taking Erens hand but his forearm. He gripped it tight, and the two shook. "Give me some time, then we'll head off." Eren nodded, standing next to Shadis as he puffed smoke.

            "So, you really ready?" Shadis asked, looking at Eren with an eyebrow raised. "No goin' back once we leave."

            "Yeah, I'm ready." Shadis nodded his head slowly and let the smell of tobacco permeate the air.