Turning Saints Into The Sea

Chapter 9

~Chapter 9~

~Ivy~

I woke up in pure darkness. There was no light coming thru the windows, and no one around to help comfort me. There was a kink in my neck, and my back, and everywhere else. My whole body ached. When I sat up, I discovered why. I had slept on the ground all night, not only that, but it seems that I fell asleep in the laundry room after finishing washing and mending clothing.

Damn this sucks. Corporal Crankypants is gonna scold me again about this, I just know it.

Standing up I decided it would at least be nice to sleep in my bunk, if it was only for a little while. Attempting to sneak back to the barracks quietly was no easy task, every movement was echoed throughout the stone halls. As I made my way to the barracks doors I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was just about to let out a yelp when another swift hand came over my mouth, as if knowing I was going to scream.

"I was just coming to wake you up for training, but it would seem you're an early riser." I could hear the smirk in his voice, I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.

"Good morning sir!" I turned around and saluted.

"Tch, stop saluting me every time you see me. It's annoying. And stop with all the formality, if you hadn't noticed neither Hanji or I care for such ambiguity. You will address me as Captain, Corporal, or Captain Levi, do not call me sir. It makes me seem older than I actually am."

I simply nodded in response, a bit scared to say anything more.

"Good, now come with me newbie." He started walking back in the direction of which he came.

~~~

We came to horse corrals just as dawn broke. The cool crisp air still surrounded our every movement, I always thought of this as the most tranquil part of the day. Most people like sunset, but I prefer the sunrise. When the sun rises, so do I.

I got Gunpowder out of his stall as Levi got his horse out of his. We walked into a large grass field, tiny, bright blue blossoms were riddled everywhere. I know they are just weeds, but they were beautiful in the morning haze.

"Alright, now let's get started." It had been a while since either of us had spoken, so when Levi started speaking I was a little startled. "Hanji instructed me to train you for the upcoming mission because she is currently unable to do it herself. Today, and possibly for the next few days, I will be teaching you how to ride your horse."

Levi walked to the right side of his horse, placed his foot in the stirrup, and quickly swung his left foot over to the other side of the horse while using his muscles to pull himself up onto the horse. Although I already knew how to mount a horse, Levi instructed me to the same as him.

This is a drag...

I walked to the left side of my horse, then mounted him just fine.

"Good, I'm glad you can mount properly. Although an infant could do the same" he sneered. "Now, hold the reins up and tight, but not too strongly or you could hurt your horse. Doing this will let your horse know he needs to stay put and not move. To turn directions simply move your reins in the directions where you wish to go. To simply walk or trot on your horse loosen your grip and put your hands down, still clutching the reins. Try letting down your arms and instruct your horse to walk around mine."

I did as Levi said and was able to make a circle around him and came back to the spot I was originally.

"Not bad, do that again."

~~~

We continued this for several more hours when Levi stopped me and instructed me on how to gallop.

"This is an essential skill to survive outside these walls. You'll need to know how to gallop by tomorrow, I plan on having a race with you to make sure you are going to be ready to face the titans."

It took all my willpower to tell him I wasn't worried about facing titans. What I wasn't ready for was galloping.

"Alright, repeat after me..."

After Levi said that my mind went blank, the last time I tried to gallop on a horse it threw me and I couldn't walk for three days. My mind went blank as I was brought back to that day, I hadn't even realised the reigns had slipped from my hands and I was starting to fall off Gunpowder.

"...Hey...hey...are you even listening me me? Hey...!"

Everything happened in slow motion. As I slid off, my eyes met with Corporal Levi's. Just as I was about to hit the ground I was caught in strong arms, looking up I saw a pained look in his eyes I've never seen before, he was holding his breath as his eyes scanned my face. My concious started to fade as I remained in his tight grasp. The last thing I heard before blacking out was his voice calling out my name.