Attack on Titan: A Blacksmith's Tale

Chapter 14: The Trial of Eren Yeager

(Four days after the Battle of Trost)

Prison wasn't kind to its inmates. In many cases, the cells were just there to keep the prisoners slated for death row. They didn't have to suffer the environment very long. The ones that were going to be there for a long time had to deal with two meals a day consisting of stale bread and a mug of water each day. Not to mention that there were little to no regulations on how the Military Police can treat the inmates. They could give one of them a beating, and no one would bat an eye. After all, prisoners were the lowest of the low.

Occupying a cell in an isolated section of the prison was Eren Yeager, who had been there in a coma since Trost. Instantly, after making sure he was still alive, the MPs had him brought to the dungeon and chained to the wall. Since he was underground, he couldn't transform successfully, not that he wanted to. When he eventually awakened, he was visited by Commander Erwin and Captain Levi. They wanted him to use his abilities to retake Wall Maria and find out if his father was telling the truth about the secrets of the Titans lying in his basement. At first, Levi was skeptical, but when Eren declared that he wanted to join the Scouts so he could kill the Titans, it was enough for Levi to put a little bit of trust in him. Granted, he made it clear that if Eren betrayed them in any way, he would personally cut his head off. Before they left, Erwin urged Eren to hold on just a little bit longer until he had his trial.

Until then, the Shifter had to deal with the MPs that were keeping watch over him for the next few days. While Eren understood why they were doing this, the insults the guards gave him really got under his skin. Whenever he asked them for something, or they gave him his meals, they would always say something like "I hope you burn in Hell, freak" or "to think the people of Wall Rose are praising a monster." Again, he knew that deep down, they were terrified of him, but it was getting on his nerves.

Why is it taking so long? Eren thought, staring at his chains again. Are they really planning on leaving me here? I didn't do anything wrong! Damn it, why can't they—

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door opening nearby. Either these were more guards coming in to replace the current ones, or someone was paying him a visit.

"What are you doing here?" one of the guards demanded, glaring at whoever came in.

"I'm here to see my client," a female voice responded in a clipped tone.

"Of course, it had to be you defending this freak," he snarled.

"Noted. I am obligated to be alone with my client, so take your leave."

Begrudgingly, the guard signaled the others and walked out. Once they were gone, the mysterious female came into view. She had brown hair that was tied up in a sleek ponytail, brown eyes that were slowly losing their stern gaze, and a black one-piece dress with the skirt ending just below the knees. Definitely a civilian, but what would a civilian want with him, especially one from Wall Sina? Then, he noticed her carrying a briefcase in one hand, a clipboard in the other, and a pencil in her ear. There was only one reason someone with all that would pay him a visit.

"You're my... lawyer?" he guessed, confused. He hadn't asked for one yet. He didn't even know he got one.

"Only if you want me to be," the woman answered with a warm smile, confirming his suspicions. "My name is Carolyn Amsdale, Mr. Yeager."

He raised an eyebrow. "Amsdale? You're Dillon's mom?"

She nodded. "Yes, I am."

"He mentioned you were a lawyer for the Kingdom," Eren said. "Why are you defending me?"

"Because you are wrongly accused of treason," she explained, taking a seat on the chair in front of him, "and you saved our lives. I have no reason not to help you." Carefully, she placed the briefcase down.