LITOST // ackerman

And When We Travel [part one]

Exit of Wall Rose - 1 Month after the Battle of Trost

   Amane climbed onto her horse, pulling the reigns a bit. The horse adjusted to her commands, whining in the process. She wasn't sure if she'd ever become used to a new mare after having her old one for five years.

   Rio mounted the horse to her right. Mike mounted on her left. The blonde pulled her hair up into a ponytail, ignoring the people at each of her sides.

   During Erwin's speech, she didn't really listen. The entire last week she'd been more entranced with just getting out. Out of the walls. Out of her cage.

   And more importantly, out and away from Levi. Though Erwin had made a clear if anything began to happen out past the walls Amane was to report to Levi immediately. Rio agreed with reporting to Levi as soon as they were outside, more than happy to be a secondary part of the squad protecting Eren.

   Of course, Rio didn't know the true agenda. She didn't know exactly what was at stake. That was the only reason Amane didn't fight Erwin when he decided she'd be reporting to Levi, at least eventually, while out there.

   Her eyes shifted ahead of her as multiple horses began off. She kicked into the sides of her new mount, feeling the wind rush over her as the horse ran forward.

   At her side, Rio let out a squeal. The sun ran over them as the walls fell to their backs. Amane smiled, glancing at the girl to her side who was happily riding.

   "I missed this!" Rio called over the sound of wind rushing through their ears.

   The blonde nodded, looking ahead of her. She saw Erwin, leading them all with a blank face. She knew he was in his version of "game mode".

   "The command has been called, split! Amane, you find Arlert! Rio, join the Ackerman squad!" Mike called from her left before he pushed his horse forward. He would be joining Erwin now.

   Amane let her horse fall back, shifting to the side and riding around numerous people. She joined the outer rim of Erwin's new design, finding the blonde boy where the map had said he'd be.

   He caught her eyes as she rode to his side, spinning her horse around just in the time to continue the way he was going. Armin gulped, looking at her from the corner of his eye.

   He hadn't seen much of the other blonde at all. And whenever he did, she seemed so serious. And he already knew she was deadly. Something about her reminded him of his grandfather though, and he found comfort in that.

   "Eyes ahead!" She yelled, causing him to snap from his thoughts and turn his eyes back before him. "You have the flares, right?"

   "Yes!"

   "Good."

   And that was the end of any discussion.

###

   Armin glanced behind him. Only to be quickly apprehended because of it. Eyes ahead. He seemed to be getting that phrase a lot.

   But something felt weird. And it wasn't just the drizzle of rain that was coming on and off. Something just felt off. But he couldn't actually tell what it was. It was starting to irritate him, though he knew he needed to just let the feeling go. It's my first time out, he thought, that's it, that's all it is.

   When Amane slowed her horse, his heart quickened. They'd been told before they came out not to stop or slow unless commanded to do so. Though, Amane did still technically hold the title of Commander. The shining black leather draped onto her proved that.