Canorous

Eight

The camp of the squires was bustling with life and noise. It was unpleasant for Levi since he was used to Erwin's manor that was surrounded with seclusion and peaceful, boisterous silence.

Boys in their attires ran around the camp while some just sat on the grass, pointing on sparrows that flew by the skies. Some were not doing anything at all.

All of the boys, the squires, wore a uniform, a thing that Erwin did not provide for Levi but the black haired boy did not mind. He spent years wearing the same clothing and he did not like it in any way yet he obliged to it because there was nothing else he could wear during his training.

The sun was up, ruling the skies in triumph over the moon although the sun was aware that the moon would beat him at sunset. Winds whistled through them and played with their hair, ruffling it. The wind also cooled their senses and sometimes, it does too much that some would shake in the breath of the cold wind.

Over the crowd was a petite lady with blonde hair and blue eyes, her lips curved into a frown. Surely, she did not like her job of watching over the squires. It used to be her older sister's work but ever since she passed away, the work was handed down to Historia since no other child from the Reiss family were able to do so since they were murdered.

Surely, it is unusual for a princess to have such work but the Kingdom of Eldia have different codes and laws, making their empire unique to the others that were established.

Erwin descended from his stallion, sliding from it. His shoes made a thud on the ground. He had his usual smile on his face, the smile that Levi always fancied. His posture, the ideal posture of the knight was magnificent and Levi was sure that several of the squires gawked at the blonde man.

Levi could recognize a few familiar faces. It was the faces of the ones that he and Mikasa met when they were meeting the King and were sent to the gardens since Erwin and King Uri had to talk about a certain topic in private.

He recognized the small blonde boy, Anthony, the one who was a braggart to Levi. Levi gritted his teeth upon seeing Anthony. He feels like the boy was a natural threat to him.

Erwin walked to the center of the dense crowd of young boys, beaming and greeting them. He shook hands with some and as Levi watched Erwin, he concluded that Erwin was the most perfect knight out there.

Levi followed Erwin but he stopped walking when he felt a tug on his shirt. He turned and saw that it was Mikasa.

"Please do not leave without me." Mikasa whispered under her breath which made it hard for Levi to decipher what she had said since the place was loud with talking.

Levi shrugged. "Just keep yourself close. Do not fall back."

Mikasa nodded as he turned to continue his walk to Erwin. His steps seemed rhythmic and it was as if he did not want himself to make his image look imperfect in front of the younger squires. He stood as rigid as he could and tried his best to radiate as much pride as he could although it sounded laughable.

It was going to be hell for Levi. He did not like the fact that he was back at a place full of squires. It did not amuse him even for a little bit.

Sneezes could be heard among the crowd of boys, complaining that the blossoms brought by spring made their allergies get the best of them, tickling this nostrils and caused their lungs to wheeze.

The closer Levi got to the center of the camp, he could see some knights, bulked up in their armor and covered up with their knightly capes.

Erwin greeted every knight he saw and shook their hands and as usual, he smiled.