A Little Bit Human (Erwin x OC)

41: Clash of the Titans

All together, Scouts, Garrison soldiers, and Military Police all mounted their horses on top of the wall and rode westward. The symphony of horses' hooves clopping on the ground and the small chatter between soldiers were the only things to be heard.

Lillian looked above her at the birds that flew overhead, trying to look anywhere except at the ground below. Why did she have to ride on the outskirts?

"Are you ok, Lieutenant?" Jean spoke up.

"Not really." Her eyes focused on his. "I already hate horseback riding, pair that with being on top of the wall. Not my favorite." She stared at him further. "I shouldn't be complaining. I didn't just find out that my friends are traitors. How are you holding up?"

Jean looked away from her and focused on the wall ahead of them. "I'm more upset that Eren got himself kidnapped, Suicidal Maniac." He looked back at her. "To be honest I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it. Reiner was like everybody's older brother."

"Sometimes the people closest to you surprise you the most." Lillian looked over to Erwin. "And it's not always in a good way." Erwin what is going through your head, you're scaring me. Usually Erwin would tell her his plan, but not this time.

The group stopped and dismounted their horses once they reached Hange's squad. Most of them were injured with burn marks all over their bodies. Only a couple seemed to be fine.

"Good to see you, Commander Erwin." As always Moblit spoke in his cheery voice. "Glad you're here."

"Is the situation still the same?" Erwin asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Right. Deploy the lifts!"

Moblit let out a shriek as Hange grabbed his ankle. "Hange?"

"Don't just stand there." Hange strained. "Give me a map."

Lillian knelt down beside her. "Easy Hange. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." She grabbed Lillian's collar. "I need a map."

"Right." Lillian freed herself from the brunette's grasp and watched as Moblit laid a map out in front of her. Every soldier gathered around to listen to Hange.

"It's a gamble, but the trees in this forest are massive. I say we ride straight for it. See, even if they had a way to cover the Armored Titan's footprints, this is almost definitely where we would find them."

"Why's that?" Erwin asked.

"They need to recoup. They have the power to assume titan form, but other titans on that side of the wall pose a threat. Especially after putting up such a fight. Yes, Eren was the worse for it, but they've got to be spent. Remember when Annie went out cold? Let's suppose they're headed somewhere beyond Wall Maria. That's not a simple hike. They'll need all the rest they can get before covering that kind of distance. They're in no shape to make it in a single push. And if so, they'll want to catch their breath somewhere other titans can't get to them. Odds are they'll hold out till it gets dark."

"We should get moving then." Erwin stood up. "Once the horses have finished being lowered we will take off, in the meantime resupply your gas and blades!"

"We have until sundown. If we can reach the forest by then, we might just have a chance to save them."

"We?" Lillian asked. "Hange you are in no condition to ride."

"And how is your side Lillian?"

She put a hand on her ribs. "My pain is easier to ignore than yours." Lillian put a hand on her friend's back. "Just rest. We will be back with Eren soon."