Chapter 5 – Year 838
The 19th Exterior Scouting Mission (Part III)
Dawn was breaking – this one much greyer than the last. Large, downy snowflakes danced in the wind, heralding the storm that had yet to come. It was a sign – an omen – and Commander Shadis paid it no heed.
"Sir," Erwin said, "I strongly advise you to reconsider."
The Commander hovered above a crude war map. Whether Shadis heard him or not, he gave no indication.
"If we leave now, we can reach Shiganshina by sundown."
At last, Erwin had his attention. Shadis met his gaze with a lackluster stare. "If we turn back, we risk exposure," he said plainly. "Our best option is to head east – toward Kehv District."
Kehv was the easternmost outlier district of Wall Maria. Few people traveled there, save for those visiting family. It was a dark, destitute city in need of reform. Still, it seemed the best option to Commander Shadis.
"I disagree, sir." Erwin slipped on his gloves; he was glad to have brought them. "If we push east, we-"
"We will outrun the storm," he interjected. Shadis frowned and curled his fingers into the tattered parchment.
Defeated, Erwin sighed. "I understand your position – but even then, we may not outrun it."
"That remains to be seen." Shadis closed the map and tucked it away. "In any case – ready your squad, Erwin. We leave at 7 o'clock."
Frozen grass crunched underfoot as Erwin crossed the field. Shadis had always been a hard man, but he rarely questioned his judgment. After all, the Commander's gambles usually paid off. He had a knack for overcoming obstacles.
Still, his latest decision was cause for concern.
Erwin withdrew a pocket watch from his jacket and checked the time. It was half past six. If they left promptly as discussed, it might be possible to outpace the storm. He hoped against hope that the odds would weigh in their favor.
As Erwin approached his men, he took note of the plucky redhead on the sidelines. Frederick's sister had strayed from her squad again. Calvin Finch, his subordinate, stood with her under the bough of an oak tree. The two spoke quietly, cordially – and though he could not hear the conversation, he suspected that they were an item. Instead of rallying his troops, he looked on a while longer.
"I tried to visit you last night." Iris took Calvin's hand and pulled him closer.
Calvin nodded. "I heard," he said. "But Iris…as much as I would've liked it, you need to understand that we are at war – not in the barracks."
She dropped her gaze. "I know," she replied. "Don't patronize me, Cal."
"Hey," he put a finger under her chin. When their eyes connected, he smiled. "I didn't mean for it to come off that way."
"I know."
Calvin stepped closer and swathed her in a warm, loving embrace. "Listen," he began, "this may not be the best time, but I need to ask you something."
Iris wrapped her arms around his waist. "What is it?"
He sighed against her skin and closed his eyes. Despite the urgency, he was quiet for a long time. When Calvin finally spoke, he whispered, "Will you marry me?"
"What?" She pulled away, somewhat startled by the question.
"You heard me." He withdrew something small from his pocket. "It isn't much, but…" Calvin held the item in his palm. It was a braided grass ring. "I made this last night. I couldn't sleep, either."
There was no spectacle, no fanfare – just an intimate conversation. Somehow, it made his proposal that much more endearing. Before she could stop herself, Iris agreed. "Yes," she said. "I will."
The delicate loop fit perfectly. "Mrs. Finch," he mused, "Has a nice ring to it."
"…I hate you so much."
The playful gleam in her eye told him otherwise. Grinning, Calvin cupped her cheek sealed his intentions with a kiss. "I hate you too."
Erwin caught glimpses of the couple as he readied his horse. It made sense now: Iris hadn't left her tent to take a late-night stroll. Instead, she likely planned to spend the evening with her lover. Why else would she have left Mike's camp without a lantern?
The sudden realization left him hot under the collar.
"Private Finch!" he called, mounting his horse. "Move out!"
"Yes sir!" Calvin shouted. Against his better judgment, he stole one last kiss before stepping away. "Be safe," he said. "I'll look for you tonight."
"Always am. See you soon, Cal." Iris waved goodbye and blew a kiss before turning on her heel. Mike, she knew, would call roll soon.
The wind – violent and angry – howled across the open plains. Very little progress had been made thus far. With low visibility and near-impossible communication, the caravan crawled at a sluggish pace. Few were brave enough to admit it, but the unspoken sentiment was unanimous: Shadis made the wrong call. The men and women of the Survey Corps were without recourse; all they could do was push forward. Ever forward.
Iris kept her head down as they trudged into the unknown. It was inadvisable, but she didn't care; if something was amiss, she'd know soon enough.
Christopher Fields rode alongside her. "Wagner! Eyes forward!"
She grimaced and complied. Everything – even her nailbeds – stung from the cold. Tears welled as the wind lashed her cheeks. "I'm f-f-freezing," she chattered.
"I know," he said. "Here, take my gloves. I can go without them for a wh-"
But then, an uproar. Black smoke appeared, its color a stark contrast to the white clouds above. Iris gripped the reins and gazed skyward, her mouth agape as she realized what the signal meant.
An abnormal Titan had been spotted.
It was an altogether dangerous situation. Abnormal Titans were unpredictable, and given the commotion in the distance, it must have engaged the vanguard.
"Damn it!" Christopher stood in his stirrups to catch a glimpse. "Where is it? I can't-" There was a pile up ahead. By the time he saw it, it was too late.
Crash!
Christopher was thrown from his saddle when his mare collided with another horse. A pained cry pierced the din as the black thoroughbred trampled her rider.
Iris shrieked and tugged the reins, urging her horse to stop. The gelding tried to find his footing on the snow-covered grass but was ultimately unsuccessful. He reared and rolled left, casting Iris into the fray. She hit the ground with a sickening thud and disappeared.
Those in the vanguard fared no better. The assailant was a fifteen-meter Titan with gnarled limbs and gnashing teeth. It ran haphazardly through the caravan, flattening anyone caught in its path. Several scouts and horses had been crushed underfoot before someone ordered a retreat.
"Fall back!" Commander Shadis fired a blue flare. "Back to the tree line!"
The formation passed a ghostly forest on their trek east. With any luck, the remaining scouts would reach it in time.
Erwin rode alongside Fred. He stared straight ahead, deaf to the brays and screams of the fallen.
His counterpart was less composed. Frederick looked over his shoulder and searched the bloodied snow for his sister. It was a futile attempt; there were too many bodies to count.
"Fred!" Erwin's voice was sharp. "They are lost. I need you here."
"She could be out there!" he shouted. "Erwin, I can't-"
"And if she is, we will find her." He paid his friend a sideways glance and nodded once. "I promise."
Erwin had always been true to his word; thus, Fred had no reason to doubt him. He steeled himself, gripped the reins tightly, and rode long into the forest.
A staggering number of casualties resulted from the 19th exterior scouting mission. One third of their ranks succumbed to exposure alone. Due to capacity, only a handful of deceased soldiers made it home. The others were either too mangled – or too unrecognizable – to justify transport. Needless to say, it was one of the most dismal reports in Shadis' career.
Three weeks had passed since the bruised and battered scouts returned home. While most had overcome their injuries, an unfortunate few occupied the sick bay. Iris Wagner was one such soldier; she slipped into a coma shortly after the accident.
Frederick visited her every day. He and his family lived in Trost District, so it wasn't a difficult journey to make. Oftentimes, he spent his time reading to her. Though the doctor assured him otherwise, Fred believed that Iris could hear him.
That cold, winter night was unremarkable like any other. As the candlelight faded, Fred removed his reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He was needed elsewhere; his wife and infant son expected him hours ago.
"I wish I could stay," he murmured, taking her hand. "But I'll be back tomorrow. Just like always."
The door to the infirmary swung open. Erwin Smith and Mike Zacharius entered quietly so as not to disturb the other patients. When they arrived, Fred stood and made his way across the room.
"We did not mean to intrude," Erwin said. He clasped his arms behind his back. "How is she?"
Fred shrugged and cleaned his reading glasses with a cloth. "Nothing's changed…but I suppose no news is good news."
Mike crossed his arms. "That's what they say," he remarked. "Are you heading out, Fred?"
"Shortly, yes."
"Why don't we get a drink on the way?" Mike suggested.
A long pause followed. Finally, he said, "I'd better not. I was due home at six o'clock." When Fred checked his watch, his eyes widened. "It's quarter to nine now."
"I take it the missus is waiting."
"She is."
"Lucky man."
Erwin kept watch while they bantered. Even now, he felt guilty for the events that transpired on November 4th. If he had convinced Shadis to change course, most of the casualties could have been avoided.
"Squad Leader."
Erwin turned to face his friends. "Yes?"
"Are you coming, sir?"
"I think I'll stay a while longer, actually," he said. "Give Jenny my regards, Frederick."
"Will do," he agreed. "Goodnight."
As soon as they left, Erwin sank into the chair at Iris' bedside. Unbeknownst to them, he occupied it on a nightly basis. He himself was not at fault for her condition, but he felt responsible nonetheless.
"Your brother was here again today," he murmured, thumbing through the book Fred left behind. "I would have come sooner, but I had a meeting to attend. The Commander is getting a fair amount of pushback from the top brass – not to mention civilians. For what it's worth, I sympathize with them. Our last mission was…well, you know."
Iris had inadvertently become a source of comfort for him. Erwin was – and had always been – a private man. Even his closest friends weren't privy to his thoughts. Sure, the conversations were always one sided – but he hardly cared. It was cathartic to speak without fear of judgment.
When the candle snuffed itself out, Erwin sighed. "I should go. I'm observing recruits on the ODM course tomorrow." Before he left, Erwin added, "Come back to us soon, Wagner. We need you out there."