Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

TWENTY-FOUR

 'Loyalty is more frail and fickle than you might think. How could it be otherwise? We are loyal to that which we love, and love is the most changeable emotion one can ever experience. Loyalty comes in waves, and often we are left thirsting for it when we need it the very most.'

-An extract from the book 'Evolutions' written by philosopher Adette Briggs.

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TWENTY-FOUR

Wall Maria, South Region, Trost District

"Warren Krüger..." Elske ran the name over in her mind, internalising it, committing it to her permanent memory.

The conflict quietened a little. This was the man who was at fault, the man who had killed her family and set her down this path. Elske didn't have to guess anymore; she knew. Certainty was a comfort.

Levi had quite a different reaction. Lorelai had told him nothing negative of Warren, never; he couldn't quite believe the man she gazed at the picture of so fondly had begun a war so vicious.

Lorelai wasn't above lying. But something in her expression told him that if anything was to be believed, it was this.

"Elske..." began Lorelai. "I'm not sure where you stand anymore, but I'm under a time crunch, sweetheart. Will you tell me where my people are? Or am I wasting my time?"

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Elske now had a difficult choice to make. She now knew what she'd been doing was wrong, but that didn't make it any less of a necessity. The movement had saved her. Where would she be if she gave it all up?

"As soon as I tell you anything, you'll be sending me to the gallows," she mumbled glumly.

"And if I give you my word that I won't?"

"I'll still end up on the streets."

Lorelai sighed irritably. "By Larken, you're a pain in the ass."

Elske scoffed. "Can I at least speak to Iva?"

"Uh... right, sorry, kid. That was a lie; your friend isn't here. We haven't seen her," she admitted sheepishly.

"Then... she's okay?"

"Probably," Lorelai shrugged. "Look, kid, I need that information. How about a deal?"

Elske just looked at her warily.

"I'll pardon your crimes and arrange for you to join the Cadets. In turn, you'll share what you know about the movement, sound fair?"

Levi gave her an incredulous look. Lorelai really was desperate. Mere hours ago, this was her enemy, and she was prepared to let her go.

"I've already talked it over with Thomsen," Lorelai explained. "This whole affair is so secret that even if I wanted to execute you, I couldn't."

Elske couldn't really believe what she was hearing. "You'd... want me in the Cadets?"

"Well... frankly, no." She looked away. "...But I understand what led you to this, kid. I'm not blameless when it comes to the Siege, either. Call it... an apology, I guess."

She hesitated for just a moment. "Okay... yeah. We have a deal."

"...So where are my people?"