Erwin rode along the edge of the smooth lake with stars sparkling in its glass surface. He loved the predawn sky, because he could imagine a world without walls, titans, or bloodshed. When the night sky was blanketed with stars like it was, he was reminded there was a heaven. All too soon the sun would rise and old problems with no solutions would rise with it. Along with the old problems came the new ones, the hunt and obvious execution of the survey corps, the political upheaval of the king, and then there was his own persecution. All of that was momentarily lost to the steady tromp of his horses hooves and the twinkling of the stars that seemed to be following him, giving him a moments peace. There was only one thing missing, a good hot cup of coffee to contrast the cold of the night.
He trod along the banks of the river, taking it all in. As he went, smoke from a fire filled the air just before the aroma of coffee and fresh baked bread followed it. For a moment he had no idea where it had come from, because the last time he'd rode through that area the only building, a small cabin, was in ruins. He looked for a mysting smoke stack surprised to find it coming from the chimney of the once ruined cabin.
He was on a mission, an important one, even if it is futile. One man finding one woman was proving to be an endeavor in failure. Unfortunately, he needed help and in order to ask for that help, he needed to continue what he considered to be a pointless search. He had to find Lena Larkin, because he needed the help of Jasper Hollister and the army his colony could provide. So, his mission was an important one. Still, the temptation of coffee and fresh bread was too strong for him to resist. He pulled at the reigns and headed for the cabin with the inviting smokestack.
"I love sweet potato croissant day," Izzy came into the kitchen stretching out her arms and yawning loudly. Her curly black hair was clumped up and stood out in places, but she still managed to look extremely pretty, or so Lena thought. "And, we have honey butter," Izzy continued patting down her untamed curls.
Lena wiped her hands on a clean towel and went over to the hot stone oven. "If sweet potato's weren't so expensive, I'd make them for market twice a week." She used another heavy towel to pull a hot tray of steaming croissants from the oven.
"You should double the price at market," Izzy went to the coffee pot that sat warming on the stove eye. She grabbed a cup from a hook that hung over the stove and filled it. "Then you can make them to sell twice a week."
"Things are hard enough for people," Lena set the tray on the polished counter in her small kitchen. They had spent a month working night and day to remodel the kitchen alone in lakeside cabin. The smoothed stone counters, copper sink, and dark wood shelves and cabinets had come together nicely to make her dream kitchen. It was cozy and inviting, and she loved baking in it.
Most of the rest of the cabinet was done with the construction, the bedrooms were complete, the bathroom had both hot and cold running water, and the attic had been cleaned and freed of rotten rafters and raccoons. The living room still needed window repairs and there was a sad lack of furniture. However, they did fill the space with a long bench style table and the room was kept warm by the large fireplace. Though the cabin appeared to be small, it had plenty of space. Besides the living room and bedrooms they occupied, there were two extra-large rooms, big enough to house four large beds. Although the second bathroom still needed to be finished, but until they needed it, there was no hurry to fix it. So far, the little stone cabin by the crystal clear lake was her favorite place to live, besides the family home she'd run from.
"Besides, people are starving for food that isn't spoiled and rotten." Lena continued as she started putting croissants into a basket lined with a thin milk cloth. "And remember," she motioned to the basket with the spatula she used, "these are for the children."
"I know, I know," Izzy groaned picking up a hot croissant and smearing it with some of the honey butter that filled a small sealable pot next to her. She sat down at the high counter and set her cup of coffee in front of her. "Is that the last of them?" She nodded to the tray that Lena was putting into the oven.
"Yep," Lena opened the heavy door of the oven and slid the tray in. "After these are done I have to go. Nickolas is waiting."
"You want me to wait to go to the market so I can walk with you?" Izzy asked.
Lena smiled and shrugged as she went to the sink and started washing flower off of her hands, "no."
"Take your staff," Izzy sounded worried and stern all at once, "just in case."
"In case of what? A ravenous man finds me?" Lena joked as she dried her hands and ducked out of her apron.
"In case the sun comes up, because you'll linger too long on your walk. It amazes me that you suffer light blindness and always seem to forget that."
"I try to forget it." Lena smiled at her friend, "and I don't want to have this discussion, the sun is on the rise, so I'd better get going." The sound of a whimpering bark made its way to them from outside. "And, that's Nicholas."
"I hope he brought a rabbit today," Izzy shoved the rest of the croissant into her mouth, downed the remainder of her coffee and stood up. "I love rabbit stew in the fall. Be back before the sun rises." She turned and left Lena smiling at her back as she left the kitchen.
The black sky had faded to dark blue and the stars shone brightly as Lena walked through trees full of orange and yellow falling leaves that surrounded the clear lake she lived by. She followed behind a black wolfhound quietly passing over branches and twigs picking her steps as she went. Sometimes travelers passed by the lake, so she was careful to be silent as she went. It was dangerous for her to be out, and even more so if she gets recognized. She adjusted the hood around her face, but that morning it was more to keep out the crisp cold. Fall was her favorite time of year and she loved her morning walks.
There was a clearing by the lake that was canopied by tree branches. When she reached it she stopped, spread her cloak out behind her, and lowered herself to a sitting position with her feet tucked underneath her. She clicked softly through her teeth and reached out to the black wolf hound that stood waiting in front her. He stepped closer and she ruffled her hand over the fur on his head then scratched at the back of his neck. He let out a low whine and settled down beside her. Lena was about to pull out the bag of coffee and croissants she'd brought, when the sound of horse hooves approaching got her attention.
Nicholas let out a low growl. "Sh," she whispered. "Military Police carry guns that kill wolfs," she reasoned next to his ear as she patted his side despite knowing he wouldn't understand her. The wolf did understand her tone and wouldn't panic until she did.
The sky was turning lighter quickly and what limited vision she had would be taken away with the bright rays of the sun once it rose. Frantically she looked around for the horse and it's rider as the clopping got louder. Her eyes were virtually useless at a distance. She could see shapes and shadows far off and at night contrasting lights, but she wouldn't be able to see a rider until he got right on top of her. If she tried to run back to her cabin, chances where he'd spot her first. Her best option was to stay put and keep Nicholas with her. Just in case, she clutched the staff Izzy had given her, fully prepared to bash the in the head of any of the Military Police that had managed to find her.
The sky had turned from purple to orange and the stars were swallowed up by the oncoming day. It was going to be a bright crisp one, full of hard travel. Erwin had no idea what he'd say to the owner of the cabin once he got there. Hopefully they'd take pity on a man that hadn't had any real food in almost a week. Worst case scenario he'd sacrifice the tiny bit of money he had left.
As he approached the dimly lit cabin, something to his right caught his eye, just before he heard a loud deep growl. When something black launched itself at him from the ground, he neatly rolled off the horse and landed crouched next to it. What he didn't expect was a hard knock on the back of his head that made him momentarily see spots. He pulled out one of his blades and rounded on the cloaked figure aware that he was surrounded.
"Nicholas, heel," a female voice shouted and the wolf circled around them and stood behind her. The hooked woman stepped to him and swung out a thick staff. Her ability was precise, but her strike missed him altogether. For a moment he thought she was just clumsy, until she swung the staff back around and aimed for his legs. He used his blade to block the strike, twisted it around the staff, and pushed himself closer to her. Circling the staff, he twisted it trying to make her let it go. She rolled her hand with it, let it go as the staff wound up her arm, then she reasserted her hold on the staff proving that she had some skill.
Erwin blocked the next blow aimed at his head, but was not prepared when her foot kicked the bottom of the staff, and it hit him hard in the side of the knee. His leg immediately crumpled and he fell to the knee she'd hit. When he thought she'd hit him again, she instead turned and ran with the wolf following close behind. While she ran away the sky lightened to a brilliant yellow as the sun's rays streaked across the sky. Suddenly, the running woman tripped and fell, skidding across the ground. He was on her in seconds. He stood over her with his feet planted on either side of her, so that when she rolled over on her back and her hood fell away, he had full view of her face.
Erwin stopped frozen by the sight of coppery red hair set ablaze by the morning sun and eyes so green the reminded him of endless meadows. He'd seen the pouty lips, cream colored skin, and rounded cherub face before, only this woman was more stunning than her twin sister. "Lena?" he asked incredulous. "Lena Larkin?" He asked again stunned by the irony of his own luck. He was so stunned, he didn't think to block the foot that came up and kicked him, between the legs.
Hello, (big wave, adds second hand)
I'm sorry about the long hiatus, but I have some big news... *takes deep breath* I wrote a book... And, it's amazing and awesome and I love it. It's called Genesis Spell, just in case your interested, here is the short version:
After Tristan Glass nearly dies, she discovers that she is the carrier of an ancient genetic legacy that changes humans into something more. The only problem, no one knows what that more is. As she comes to terms with her new abilities and the complications it brings to her life, she also has to deal with her new protector, Audley Morgan.
Audley Morgon is the epitome of masculine prowess and danger. There was something about him that everyone else feared. Tristan found herself compelled when she wasn't irritated by him or his forced intrusion into her life.
The two of them unwillingly end up the epicenter of two warring factions that have existed before mankind and are both fighting for the fate of humans. Tristan has to discover what she is and what she is capable of, before it is too late for her, Audley and the world.
See Awesome! Should I mention the dangerous hot bad boy? In case your interested, you can get it on Amazon, or check out my website. Evilbunnyempire . com
Okay, Okay, enough about me... but hey go check it out.
Just in case your wondering, no I will not stop writing or updating any of my fanfictions, It is soooooo much easier to play in a created world, besides there is the fun of it. Aa-nd Erwin Smith is a hot hot hot mofo... the things I'd do to, I mean with him.
I will be updated my other stories fo' sure. Just be patient with me.
I do not own SNK, but I have a heart felt thanks for Isayama for not killing off my favorite characters... yet.