Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

SIX

'In the Walls, we value order and believe it is the key to prosperity. We must not disrupt these rules or prioritise our own gain over the survival of the collective. But we humans are fickle, selfish beings. We break the rules, and chaos ensues. It is my theory that this chaos was the birth of Havas and its separation from the Walls.'

-An extract from the book 'Secrets of the North' written by scholar and journalist Aksel Briggs.

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SIX

Wall Maria, North Region, Tallenn, Approaching Tallenn Courthouse

Tallenn Courthouse was, well... tall.

It stood with the same condescension as Islet Military Hospital. It was a symbol of the monarchy's power over the Walls. If it wanted, it could force conformity upon all who entered, all who obstructed their supposed 'justice'.

This building had long served as the end of the line for rogues and lawbreakers. But it also held the end for those in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Havasians were the latter— a foreign people in a strange, hostile land. How they would survive this... only God knew.

As the carriage rolled towards the courthouse, Lorelai caught a glimpse through the window and felt sick to her stomach. Her new haircut had given her only temporary confidence; she would have to find the strength to get through this on her own.

Stepping out of the carriage, it became apparent just how far she was in over her head. The building was massive. It stood like a guardian over an enormous, brutal stone courtyard. The place was packed with soldiers standing at full attention and clutching loaded rifles.

Larken help me, Lorelai silently begged.

She glanced to her side. Across the courtyard, gallows were being constructed, most likely in preparation for their imminent sentence to death. Suddenly Lorelai felt more nauseous.

"Nervous?"

Commander Erwin was next to her; he flashed her a warm smile. It did nothing to ease her nerves.

Lorelai had come to rely on this man a little too quickly for her tastes. He was the only reason they were alive to attend this court session, but saviour or not, Erwin Smith was still just a man. And every man had an agenda.

Still, she didn't exactly have the luxury of picking and choosing her allies right now. He was her only choice.

"Commander, remember our agreement. You mustn't mention-"

"Dr Bervik, you can relax. It will all work out." And with that, Erwin strode towards the courthouse, undaunted.

Oddly enough, Lorelai was not very reassured.

Outside the courthouse, there was rather an excess of soldiers. For a couple of measly refugees, the military seemed awfully scared of them. This irrational fear was the legacy of the Underground Siege, and it would not be easily unwritten.

"Keep walking, woman," sneered a particularly brave soldier.

"Now now, boys, surely some little refugees are no threat to you?" Lorelai taunted.

The soldier bristled, and Lorelai had opened her mouth to humiliate him further when "Don't." Levi stepped in front of her. "The last thing we need is a scene."