Chapter Two

The girls first time inside of the walls was nothing to be savored as Commander Erwin swiftly broke off on to a quiet side street while the rest of the scouts went down the center road.

While he rode through the town he said, "Hide your face until we can get to headquarters. Too many people knowing about you too soon could cause trouble." So she buried her face into his firm, battle-worn back as he rode steadfast through the least populated streets.

Finally they had arrived at an empty courtyard just before the council room entrance. Once the horse came to a stop, the Commander was the first to dismount. Despite his current suspicions, common decency allowed him to assist Adeline down as well.

Soon enough they were both on their feet and she came face to face with the dauntless stranger. Even though he was a few feet apart from her, he noticeably towered over her petite frame. His nearly expressionless icy gaze locked onto her more apprehensive eyes. He assessed her.

Normally she would have stared back into the face of authority with unwavering defiance just like she had in Marley. Now she was tired, hungry, and weak. She did her best to stand up straight and expressionless, but her knees buckled before long and she leaned against the horse for support.

Silently he still watched her. And then he spoke.

"Who are you?" His question was resolute and commanding.

Too exhausted to be intimidated, however, she gripped the pendant around her neck from Bliesner for strength. "I thought you were taking me to your superiors," she replied with a bit of cheek.

"Where did you come from?" The no nonsense commander asked instead. The plan was still the same, but his ambition to atone for his father; for answers begged him for this moment.

"I just," she gasped for breath, "I just want to help." Her words barely came out in a whisper. "I'm not the enemy."

There was no obvious detection, but Erwin's ears pricked at her words. Could she in fact be useful? He peered down at her emaciated form clad in a mid-thigh white night dress and black shawl. She definitely didn't look like a soldier or a threat.

Without further adieu Erwin turned around and plainly said, "Follow me." Before he could get too far, much like her comrade earlier, Adeline collapsed on the grass.

A frustrated sigh was all the blonde man could muster before he crossed back over to her and gathered her in his arms. Making his way to the council chambers he allowed himself to briefly glance down at the woman in his arms. Her face was relaxed and framed by the mess of curls that fell right below her shoulders. Her lips were parted slightly and Erwin got the impression that this was the first real rest she'd had in awhile. His heart softened ever so slightly at the image.

He still had a duty to humanity, however. If she could give them any information of value, Reiss, Pyxis, and all the others would want to know.

It was just as they were wrapping up a meeting that Erwin entered without notice, still carrying the woman.

"What's the meaning of this Smith?!" Reiss demanded.

With a much cooler demeanor, Pyxis said, "Care to explain all this Erwin?"

He promptly nodded. "My men and I were out on a patrol mission when we found this girl and a male companion of hers outside of the walls."

Pyxis looked around. "Where's the friend?"

"He was eaten sir. This woman barely made it herself."

"Why bring her back here?!" Reiss insisted. "She could be a shifter for all we know!"

"I don't think that's the case." Erwin looked directly at Reiss. "If it were, she could have transformed on the field. Instead her comrade is dead and she's barely clinging on as it is." Holding on to his own suspicions yet, he added, "There is still the trouble of where she came from."

"Well what did she say?" Pyxis probed.

"She collapsed before she could answer, sir," Erwin replied.

"Does she even have a name?!" Reiss inquired.

"I'm sure she does," was the only reply Erwin offered.

"So until she wakes up, what do you suppose we do with her?" Pyxis inquired to the room.

"Lock her way!" Reiss hastily suggested. "Put her in the cells until we can have a proper discussion. There's a lot of explanations to be dealt. We keep her out of sight until we know who exactly we're dealing with."

Though no one reasonable would typically agree with the headstrong magistrate, this decision appeared to be unanimous. Even Erwin couldn't deny that was the most logical course of action.

"Well it's settled then," Erwin said. "I'll take her to the cells until we can reconvene in the morning. Thank you gentlemen."

Everyone was dismissed and the Commander began the trek below the keep. Once he arrived there were two members of the Military Police already guarding her designated cell. One of them unlocked and pulled the large metal door open so Erwin proceeded to lay her on the cot.

He couldn't explain, but when he released her suddenly the emptiness hit him like a brick. The possible key to all that he'd sought was being left to the mercy of the MP's. He pushed the feeling away. As long as she could talk, that's all he was concerned about.

Erwin stole one last glance at the sleeping prison girl and began to formulate his next move.

In the barren cement room, there was a plate of standard mashed potatoes and green beans. No utensils. It didn't really matter. Adeline had been whisked away into a nearly coma-like slumber. By the time she awoke the food would be cold anyway.