A/N - Sorry for posting the wrong chapter. This one's a little short, but I felt like I had to get something out.

Happy Reading.

Wings of Freedom

Chapter 32

Erwin groaned as he leaned against his desk and massaged his temples.

Life was not being easy on him today.

Admittedly that wasn't an uncommon occurrence or even unexpected, but it didn't make it any easier. It seamed the crown was determined to get their way, even if it meant trampling over the scouts and countless civilians in the precess, and the only thing standing between them and their goals, was Erwin and his fellow Regiment Commanders, and the headache Erwin was experiencing, certainly wasn't helping things.

Erwin's thought processes froze up for a moment as his tired mind realized something hadn't Pyxis told me something about headaches? Erwin thought as he reorganized his brain.

It finally clicked in Erwin's mind as the memory came back to him right, he said to keep an eye out for this Brom individual if I started feeling them, he thought as he sat up strait and recalled his discussion with the Garrison Commander.

Had it been anyone else that told him, Erwin might have dismissed it. But Pyxis was not one to ignore when he suspected something, and Erwin was not one to disregard something, simply because it was unusual or outlandish. After all, the whole reason why he had clawed his way to his current position was to prove the outlandish as real.

Erwin quickly shook those thoughts from his head though as he pondered the tangent his mind had run down.

Nether he nor Pyxis had been able to dig up anything on anyone named Brom. The name didn't even exist anywhere within the walls, as far as ether of them could tell, which in and of itself, was puzzling, but the other oddities that Pyxis had reported were also quite puzzling. The unusual language he had spoken that left them both with an odd feeling when he repeated them to Erwin, was of particular interest.

Who was this young man who was both skilled enough to infiltrate a Lord's home, even if it was such an unimportant one, but also bold enough to practically admit it to one of their highest ranking military leaders. But most of all, what was his motive. What was he after and what did he have to gain from allegedly allying with them against their own government.

Erwin sighed as his brain twisted in knots trying to unravel the mystery that was Brom. He simply didn't have enough information though, and that's what worried him.

Erwin shook his head free of these thoughts though. He didn't have time to ponder such things at the moment. He was the Scout Commander after all.

KNOCK KNOCK

Erwin looked to his door as his thoughts were interrupted "come in" he called and Mika entered with yet another stack of letters and reports. An occurrence that was becoming regular and dreaded by the Scout Commander "more paperwork?" Erwin said, though it was more a statement then a question.

Erwin arched an Eyebrow as Mika hesitated before registering his question and grunted a little while rubbing his head "y-yah…" he answered and Erwin's curiosity skyrocketed. Mika never stuttered "a headache?" he asked with a hint is suspicion.

Mika blinked as he set the stack of papers down on Erwin's descent "no…well yes, but that's not what has me stumped" he replied and Erwin hummed as he rubbed his chin "care to elaborate?" he asked.

Mika grunted has he went deep in thought before shifting through the stack of papers he'd brought and digging out a letter "as I was coming into the building, a kid dressed in a raincoat with the hood up, came up to me. Said he was a messenger and wanted me to give you this" he said while holding up the letter.

Erwin eyed the letter and Mika with curiosity "surely there must be more to this if it has you this distracted" he said as he took the letter and looked it over, finding no return address.

Mika groaned as he scratched his head "that's the thing Erwin. When I got a wif of him, I could have sworn I smelled Titans on him" he said and Erwin froze, moments before opening the letter and looked up at Mika.

Had it been anyone else, they would have called Mika crazy. But not Erwin. He knew just how keen the man's nose was, and how many men it had saved by literally smelling the Titans before anyone even saw them "was he with the Scout or Garrison Regiments?" Erwin asked but Mika shook his head "no, I couldn't see his face but I don't think he was military at all. Well trained but not one of ours…also, I smelled something else on him. Something I've never smelled before" Mika answered, much to Erwin's puzzlement and concern "did this messenger have a name?" he asked and Mika nodded "yah, he said his name was Brom" he replied.

Erwin's eyes widened as he looked down to the lettered. Before, Pyxis' story had been just that, a story and a curiosity, but now it felt very as the Scout Commander stared down at the letter.

Mika noticed how tense his superior had become "Erwin?" he said but Erwin ignored him as he steeled himself and tore open the letter and removed it's contents.

Mika's concern only grew as he watched Erwin's eyes, ghost over the first of two pages and his eyes, which had widened to the size of saucers the instant that landed in the first words, steadily grew larger.

Erwin's grip grew tighter on the paper as he reread it a few times before moving on to the next page "Mika" he said with a series tone that Mika only heard when Erwin gave orders and he straitened up "have Hange come up here, and make sure to keep any information on this Brom individual between us" Erwin ordered as he set aside one of the letters and held the edge of the first one to the candle on his desk.

Mika frowned, he had never seen Erwin this worked up over something, but he also knew better then to asked questions when he was like this "yes sir" he replied as Erwin let the burning letter fall into an unused ashtray.

Mika caught a glimpse of the note before turning to leave. Only four words were still legible, in big bold letters at the top of the page.

~YOUR FATHER WAS RIGHT~

Mika didn't stick around to linger on whatever thoughts or speculation popped into his head. He was curious and concerned for Erwin of corse, but the time to dig would come later. For now he needed to get Hange.

After Mika left the room, Erwin waited a few moments before taking a deep breath and pinching the bridge of his nose. His face betraying nothing of the torrent of emotions running wild in his mind. The agony of having the thing he desired most in this world, dangled in front of his face, and yet out of reach.

Erwin's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the second sheet of paper that came in the letter. A diagram of a Titan and a Human, with precise directions pointing to the nape of the neck.

This Brom character was not to be taken lightly. He had known exactly how to get at Erwin, and he knew that Erwin very well might sell out everything, even the scouts or all of Humanity itself, if it meant getting the answers he so desperately searched for.

Erwin would have to very careful, both in dealing with this Brom…and also in insuring he didn't loose himself in his hunt for the truth.