Marshal sat beside Commander Shardis in the carriage with his arms folded over his chest in thought. Erwin Smith had to be the luckiest son of a bitch alive. Not only did he manage to survive colliding with three rooftops but since he collapsed across the finish line before the other racers his team still won the damn race. This was not how things were supposed to pan out. Erwin's pet should be on his way to prison, Erwin as supposed to be too distracted to compete and lose the fucking races. Now because of his injury Erwin was being placed on an even higher pedestal; if that was even possible. Marshal took solace in the hope that he would get to rub elbows with the nobles for a while longer since Erwin would be in recovery.
"You alright, Marshall?" Commander Shardis asked the distant soldier who sat across from him.
"Yes, sir," said Marshal. "I'm just worried about Erwin's condition. He looked pretty banged up when they lowered him from the roof." Keith Shardis released a long, tired sigh.
"It's crazy to think that after all our trips outside the walls we can get killed here just as easily."
"Yes, sir," said Marshall. The carriage pulled up in front of the hospital. The Survey Corpsmen were quickly ushered to the room where Captain Smith recovered. The good captain was sleeping soundly as they entered the room. His handsome face was covered in bruises, with a busted lip and his right arm was bandaged to his chest. He looked like a broken version of his usually masculine self. Commander Shardis gently touched Erwin's good shoulder.
"Erwin…"
The blond captain slowly stirred to consciousness, his eyes were glazed over and it took him a few moments to focus. For a moment Marshall actually felt bad for his peer. The man looked defeated. There was a part of him that didn't think it was possible to break Erwin Smith then he thought, if all it took the break this man was a few pranks between friends the man didn't deserve to bear Humanity's hope.
000
Levi reluctantly sat behind Mike on the horse Mike borrowed from the Garrison. He understood why they could only take one horse, Mike was the only one with orders to head to the barracks after all, but he didn't have to like it. What he really hated were his options when it came to the horse: Either sit in front of the bigger man, surrounded in his arms like some fucking damsel in distress or clutch onto the larger man's back like a frightened child. Either way all Levi heard was select your bitch seat.
"You can hold on tighter," Mike called over his shoulder.
"If you want a dick in your ass to talk to Erwin," Levi spat. He held onto Mike's sides just enough to keep steady. Mike snorted at the smaller man's words. The soldiers continued to ride in silence. It was for the best.
Mike felt the pressure around his waist disappear once the Garrison barracks came into view. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a flash of movement and continued riding towards the stables without looking back; they both had tasks to complete.
"Welcome back, Captain Zacharias, "a Garrison soldier called out to him when he hopped off his horse. The young man looked fresh out of training with a baby face and a uniform that would pass the toughest inspection. "How is Captain Smith doing?" baby face asked as he took hold of Mike's horse. "I hear he took a nasty fall during the games."
"He's a little banged up but knowing Erwin he will be up on his feet in not time," said Mike. The young soldier nodded his relief before attending to Mike's borrowed mount. Despite the public's pinion, the Survey Corp had the respect of many in the Garrison Corp. Sure, most of the supporters were rookies too scared to offer their hearts for Humanity and the soldiers who guarded the outer walls. And sure the emotional support of individuals didn't pay for necessities or expeditions outside the walls but knowing that there were a few soldiers who weren't scared to leave the gates open a few seconds longer out of respect could mean the difference between life or death.
Mike walked toward the set of rooms assigned to the Survey Corps officers. Other than Erwin, Mike and Marshall were the only other officers to participate in the Royal Games; Mike for wrestling and Marshall for archery. The men were assigned nicely sized rooms with a large closet that adjoined them. Mike walked into his borrowed room. It was a nice enough room if rather plain. Two windows fed in sunlight, a small writing desk sat below the windows giving the writer the perfect view of the training grounds. In the corner, closest to the closet was a full size bed that had a better mattress than the one Mike slept on in the Survey Corps dormitory. Mike looked up at the ceiling. Sturdy wooden beam supported the ceiling. In the shadows Mike could gauge the distance between the beams and ceiling to be enough for a rat or a large child. He turned his attention to the shared closet.
Neither man brought enough clothes to put anything in the old linen smelling dusty room. Mike reached for the door that led to Marshall's room. This room had the same layout as Mike's. He walked to the windows. No sooner did he open the window did the little man slip inside.
"What took you so fucking long?" said Levi as Mike quietly shut the window behind him. The shorter man analyzed his surrounding as he stretched stiff muscles.
"The closet is over here," said Mike. "Are you sure you can do it?" Levi turned to give Mike a glare so firm that the taller man brought his hands up in defeat. Mike could admit that this little man was full of surprises that, so far, worked in their favor and more importantly Erwin appeared to trust him. "Good luck," Mike said. He turned back toward the closet to head back to his room. Levi tsked.
"This isn't the first confession I had to drag out of someone," Levi said to no one in particular. "The bastard just won't be bloody when I'm finished."
000
"What are you doing?" Commander Shardis asked as Erwin tried to sit up. The large blonde still looked so frail as he pushed away the blankets on the hospital bed.
"I…promised…the team," Erwin groaned as he kicked his legs of the bed to the floor. "To treat them at the tavern if we won." Celebrating any triumph was another tradition upheld by the Survey Corps. Comradery was the glue that kept the branch together and any opportunity to share a beer with a friend was something not easily to be overlooked.
"Alright," said Commander Shardis. He brought a supportive hand beneath Erwin's good arm.
"Sir, Erwin should sit this one out. His team will understand," said Marshall. The officers paused to look at him.
"Marshall," said Commander Shardis. "Take my carriage back to the Garrison barracks. I know you want to change before you meet up with your team as well." He helped Erwin to his feet.
"What about you sir?"
"Taking Erwin back to the MP housing to change."
"Yes sir," Marshal said softly. When Marshal didn't move he said.
"Dismissed." Commander Shardis reached for Erwin's boots as the door clicked closed. Commander Shardis helped his subordinate into his boots.
He never really fed into the better than thou attitude that came with being a leader. He was a solid soldier and a decent man; that was why he was entrusted with the wings of freedom. Over the years Erwin saw Shardis toil in a system created to break decent people. With every push back, fund shortage, and lives lost he still managed to uphold the Survey Corps' honor. That alone gained Erwin's respect. In many ways Keith Shardis reminded Erwin of his father. Both were decent men with big ideas attempting to navigate change in a system created to destroy them. If Erwin learned anything from them it was that in an indecent world change will not come by being a decent man.
"Sir?"
Shardis dusted of his boots as he rose to his feet. He looked up at his subordinate with an open face. He'd heard every rumor about Erwin being his replacement and to be honest he agreed with them. Erwin was more than capable of shouldering the wings of freedom. He only wondered what would happen to the man once the mantle was firmly placed on his shoulders. Even when Erwin was a rookie he never did anything halfway. That dogged stubbornness was what got him promoted to squad leader at the rip age of 19. Resolve was a wonderful thing to have but Erwin was also human. Keith had alcohol when he broke to pieces, what would Erwin do when he broke? The man had no vices to speak of or even a lover. If he ever wanted to live up to his big dreams he would have to find some kind of balance.
"I was wondering if I could test your trust once more."
000
By the time Marshall returned to the Garrison housing he was pissed. The commander actually DISMISSED him for Erwin. What? Was he going to dress him and comb his hair too? All sympathy he had to that cocky bastard was destroyed the moment he stepped out of the hospital room. Timothy, his sub-squad leader, met Captain Marshall at the gate.
"Welcome back Captain," said Timothy as he opened the carriage door. "How is Captain Erwin?"
"Serves the bastard right," muttered Marshall angry. "Too bad he didn't snap his neck in that fall."
"That's harsh," said Timothy.
"You know it's true," said Marshall "He struts around here doing whatever he wants. He needed to learn a lesson.
"Come on," said Timothy. "You'll feel better after of few drinks." They stopped in front of Marshall's assigned room. "See you in a few."
Marshall walked into the small room. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a shadow drop. He turned around to see that everything was normal. Perhaps his eyes deceived him. He turned back around to get his money. The lantern flickered.
"Who's there?" Marshall growled.
"I guess I should thank you for giving me something to do," Levi's deep voice purred. Marshall looked around the room for the speaker. Levi stepped out of the shadows to stand beside Marshall.
"You!"
"Are you having fun?" Levi said eagerly. His dark eyes twinkled as he looked up at Marshall. "I am." The little man's uniform was covered with slashes and blood. "You know I was starting to get bored. It's a good thing there's someone like you here."
"I'm not like you," said Marshall. His mind raced. How did Erwin's dog get into his room? How did he find out I rigged the games?
"Oh, we're a lot closer than you think." Levi took a step forward, making Marshall take a step back. "Having me locked up was a nice touch. The others actually made me believe I was too good for that shithole. But you reminded me didn't you?" He took another step forward. "I'm just another filthy rat from the underground." Marshal stumbled backwards. "A filthy rat doesn't deserve to see the sun. A filthy rat doesn't deserve to fight alongside decent soldiers." The knives clenched in his palms. "A filthy rat deserves to die outside the walls." His voice grew louder with passionate anger.
"No, no," said Marshall. "How did you know?"
"Did you really think filthy rats would keep your secret?" said Levi. "But don't worry I already took care of them. It's just you and me now." Marshall's back hit the wall beside the closet. Where the hell did Erwin find this little demon? There was a twinkle of amusement in the smaller man's usually bored gray eyes. His steps were silent as he approached the scared Survey Corp captain; as if he were only a figment of Marshall's imagination. Levi stopped two steps away from his prey.
"Why did you pay to rig the 3D races?'
"To teach that bastard a lesson!" Marshall decided if the scumbag was going to kill him anyway he might as well say everything. "He's so smug; doing whatever he wants. Just once I wanted to see the bastard lose something."
"Is that enough?" Levi said loudly. The closet suddenly opened behind Marshall, making him jump back in shock. When a very capable Erwin Smith steppdd through the closet rage took over, Marshal lunged toward his peer.
"Erwin!"
Levi stepped between the men with his forearm up, knife prepped for attack. Marshall balled his fists ready to punch the already injured man but the rest of his body knew better than to attack.
"You set me up you son of a bitch," Marshall growled.
"I should be saying the same to you Marshall," Erwin said calmly. "You risked your military career to teach me a lesson?"
"A lesson long overdue," said Marshall.
"Real cute sending your pet dog to scare me but who are they going to believe? A decorated officer or some criminal who still stinks of the streets?"
"Fuck you," growled Levi.
"Levi…" Erwin said softly. He placed a firm hand on the smaller man's shoulder.
"They will believe me," said Commander Shardis as he stepped through the closet.
"Sir…" Marshall's face blanched white. Erwin's prey freaked out. He turned and ran like a scared rabbit surrounded by wolves, bolting for the door. The hand on Levi's shoulder tightened. The frightened rabbit was forced back into the room thanks to Mike's wrestling abilities.
"I'm disappointed in you Marshall," said Commander Shardis. The hurt in his eyes was genuine. If someone told him that one of his officers would do something so dishonorable he wouldn't believe it. Erwin nearly died and for what? Jealousy? Marshall looked up at his crestfallen leader. He was only supposed to hurt Erwin. Shardis had been like a father to him.
"Commander," Erwin said. "Nile's team should be waiting in the hallway."
"Take him away."
Fire came back into Marshall's eyes. He fought in Mike's grasp as he was brought to his feet.
"You're time will come Erwin! You and your fucking mutts."
Mike and Levi replied as if on cue with at small "Woof."
"Thank you for bringing this to a close," said Commander Shardis. He looked more exhausted that he had in days. "I'll see you at the tavern later."
"Yes sir," said Erwin.
"Good job Levi," said Commander Shardis as he passed his men.
"He looks like shit," Levi said once their leader was out of earshot.
"One of his men betrayed him and dishonored the Survey Corp" Erwin said solemnly. "He has a lot of work ahead of him." Levi turned to face him.
"Are you going to help him?"
Erwin nodded.