The reinforcement squad was riding atop the wall. A few hours ago, a messenger arrived in Trost. He said that two other titan shifters had been revealed. It was the other thing he said that made Dina worry. Eren had been kidnapped by the two warriors. Erwin decided to head out immediately and launch a rescue operation.
"There they are!" Someone shouted out upon seeing the beaten squad, waiting on the wall.
As they rode closer, Dina saw that Armin and Mikasa were okay. That was a huge relief. She was still technically under arrest, but since she was close to Eren, the commander let her come as well.
"Commander Erwin!" one of the waiting soldiers yelled, as Erwin stopped his horse.
"Any changes in the situation?" The commander asked as he got off.
"No, sir."
"Dina!" The woman in question heard someone while she was getting off her horse. She looked towards the source of the voice.
"Mikasa" she exclaimed as she ran to the girl "how are you? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine" the dark-haired girl responded as she hugged the blonde woman "they got Eren…"
"I know" Dina replied as she hugged her back "it wasn't your fault."
"I still feel responsible…" Mikasa spoke sadly.
"I understand" she said reassuring the girl "it's going to be fine. We'll save him."
Over Mikasa's shoulder, Dina could see Armin glaring daggers at her.
'He won't change his mind, will he?' She asked herself.
"The map… Give me the map…!" Hange suddenly cried out from the ground, grabbing the commander by his ankle.
"Hange?!" Erwin exclaimed surprised. He motioned for his people to do what she said.
"Here…" The woman started as she pointed something on the map "it's small, but there's a titan forest here. You should head that way. I don't think that the armoured titan will be able to hide his footsteps, but either way… they're probably heading there…"
"Why?" The commander asked.
"It's a gamble, but even though they are able to turn into titans, the other titans from outside the walls are still a threat to them. I'm sure they're not in as bad shape as Eren, but they might be drained after fighting that hard."
"Let's assume that their goal is to reach the other side of wall Maria. After that fight, they shouldn't have enough stamina to cross a distance that great. They'd want to find a resting place where titans can't get them. They would wait there until the night when the titans can't move."
Erwin nodded at Hange.
"We have until night!" Erwin yelled to the soldiers "We still have a chance to make it in time if we can get to the forest before the sun sets!"
"Yes, sir!" Dina yelled back with everybody.
Everyone was starting to get ready. Dina walked over to her horse, to prepare for the rescue operation.
"Dina" she heard someone from behind say her name.
She turned to see her fellow blonde girl from training.
"Hello, Kri-"
"My name is Historia Reiss" the girl exclaimed.
Dina looked at her surprised. Was this the day of revealed secrets?
"Nice to meet you, Historia" she said as she smiled at the girl.
"Here you have it" the girl said "I started living under my own name. Now it's time for you to reveal your secret."
Dina nodded.
"You're right" she said "I'll reveal all of my secrets, once we successfully rescue Eren. Is that quite alright with you?"
Historia smiled at Dina.
"I understand" she said as she turned to prepare her own horse.
"…you can't be serious Erwin" Dina suddenly heard Hange argue with the commander "you're not really thinking of letting her come along, are you?"
"Indeed Hange, I am" the commander replied.
"She's still under arrest!" The injured captain of the research division exclaimed "arrest which I issued personally!"
"I understand Hange, but…"
"I second that opinion, commander" Armin suddenly interjected "even if you trust Dina, she still possesses important information. It's best for her to stay here."
Erwin looked towards her. She knew, that from his perspective, it was the best choice.
"That's a good point" Erwin said, "officer Hannes, please stay here and keep her under arrest."
"Uhm, commander…" Hannes responded "technically, you're not my superior, but I'll do it…"
"Thank you" the commander spoke "everyone! Get ready! We're heading out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Before Erwin was lowered down along his horse, he looked towards Dina and to her surprise, gave her a wink.
Dina was watching as the scouts, along some members of the MP who happened to join them in Trost, disappeared beyond the horizon. The sun was still high, but the shadows were slowly getting longer. She was needed there.
'They won't be able to win without my help' she thought to herself. What did Erwin mean by that wink he gave her?
"Ugh" she heard someone to her left groan.
"What is it, Hannes?" She asked the man.
"I was supposed to watch over those kids, you know?" He said as he took a swig from a small bottle, he was keeping in his pocket "they're risking their lives right now… and I…"
"…I'm the same pathetic drunkard as five years ago…"
Dina sat down next to him. They watched as the sun was slowly going down.
"You knew Eren's father, right?" She asked the garrison officer.
"I knew him alright" he replied "Doctor Yeager. He saved the city and my family. But well, nobody really knew where he came from, you know?"
She nodded at the man. Suddenly, Dina got an idea. She looked towards Hange and other injured scouts. They were sleeping soundly.
"Yeah" she said to the officer "I knew Grisha too."
"You did?" Hannes asked her with a surprised face.
"He asked me to take care of Eren, just before he disappeared" Dina spoke "and here I am. Failing to fulfil my promise."
Hannes looked down sadly.
"Anyways" he finally said "we can't do anything about it. Orders are orders."
"Actually, we can" Dina spoke.
The man looked at her shocked.
"You… you can't be thinking of disobeying commander Erwin's orders, can you?"
Dina finally understood, what was that wink about.
"Well, just like he said" she explained "Erwin's not your superior. You don't have to listen to his orders."
The cogs within the man's head started turning.
"Yeah…" He finally exclaimed as he stood up "I don't have to listen to his orders. I'm an officer of the garrison, responsible for the wall's safety. And currently, Eren is in danger so…"
"…never mind. I'm sure these two things link in one way or another!"
"You're right!" Dina said, happy that her plan had worked. She stood up as well.
"Let's go save those kids!"
