Gathering Clouds

"So that's how it is. I've had Levi sneak into the Reiss Manor and those were the findings." Erwin slid a piece of paper across the desk.

"Quite unbelievable … to think Rod Reiss was the real king all this while. But even so, if the assembly was able to pressure him ... it appears that his influence is not that powerful after all. Eren should be safe for now, it was a good decision to send them away as quickly as you did." Zackely pushed his glasses. "However, the main roads from Ehrmich, Stohess and Orvud have all been obstructed due to the heavy rain recently. Their journey back may not be too smooth as some of the roads from Yarckel have been rendered unusable."

"Orvud too? Wasn't it supposed to be just Stohess and Ehrmich only?"

"Looks like your information came a bit slow. One of the wine dealers I visited yesterday told me about how the 3 main roads leading into Orvud had been obstructed by fallen trees. The wines from Utopia district were having trouble reaching them as a result. The only available way to enter Wall Sina is through Yarckel now."

Erwin frowned. Heavy rain causing the main roads to be obstructed by fallen trees? That was too much of a coincidence; for it to occur at all three of the main roads. It didn't seem to him it was a natural occurrence.

His eyes widened; what if someone was intentionally doing it, to limit the paths they could take while returning? Eren was in danger.

"Sir, I need your permission to borrow the Military Police and the Garrison troops in Yarckel. As well as authority for an emergency expedition depending on how the situation develops."

Hopefully, it wouldn't come to that.

=====

One hand on the reins of the horse, Eren rubbed his eye with the other. The journey to leave Mitras seemed so long. The ride had sobered him up a little but the lack of sleep wasn't doing him any favors.

He was barely able to even keep his horse riding straight when he first saddled up, almost crashing into a tree even. If not for Mikasa's constant reminders, he would probably have ended up in a more sorry state.

Why was he so nervous at the Gala around Mikasa? It made him so fidgety and restless then that he didn't know what to do with himself; and thought wine would be a good distraction. The way she smiled and how gentle her palm felt when they rested their hands on top of each other… he had to own up to the facts.

His feelings for Mikasa.

The thought made Eren feel so awkward that he wanted to slam his head against a wall. It was an emotion he never had to deal with before, and he didn't know how to handle it.

"Are you alright?" Mikasa looked at him. "We can take a short break if you need to."

"I'm fine. It's just … we really have such terrible luck. To think we had to leave through Yarckel. If it was Ehrmich it would be so much faster. It's going to be a long journey back."

"It can't be helped, it's the rainy season. The government also hasn't been maintaining the roads that well the past four years … it's probably due to how bad the economy is right now."

They continued riding onwards. At the horizon, the rising sun shone beneath the lip of the departing cloud; it was already daybreak. Their attention was soon drawn towards a convoy of wagons stuck at the intersection of the road in front of them. The road leading out of Yarckel had been strangely busy; they had been passing by people so often.

Approaching the commotion, he pulled at his horse. "What's going on?"

A man in a tight-laced leather jerkin answered. "We're merchants on our way to deliver the supplies that the Dauper village chief purchased from us. The road leading to it has been blocked by trees further ahead at the chokepoint." He slumped against the wagon. "If the Military Police don't arrive soon to help clear the road, our goods will all become unusable …"

"Dauper Village, that's where Sasha's home is. We used to sleep in the same room during our cadet days and she told me about it." Mikasa said.

He took out a map from his pocket and unrolled it. "The only option left is to take the route through Utgard Castle. Ragako Village is also along the way. It'll be a good chance to see how Connie's home looks like."

Mikasa nodded. "We should hurry."

He turned his horse, kicking it forward as they rode off towards the other path. Sleep was definitely going to elude him even longer now thanks to the detour he was forced to take.

"Actually Eren, there's something I want to ask you."

"Hm?"

"Your bod … I mean. Your physical abilities have improved so much since we graduated early from the cadet corps ... How did you do it?"

Eren shifted uncomfortably in his saddle. There was no way he could tell her it was due to the system. What should he say? If he could help it, he didn't want to lie to her.

The journey remained quiet for a while, amidst the chirping of birds and rustling of a cool morning breeze that made him miss his naps under his favorite tree in Shiganshina; the hill there was the perfect spot to doze off.

"If you need someone to help you with your training," Mikasa said. "I-I can assist you."

He felt his muscles relax slightly; thankful that Mikasa didn't press him any further for answers.

She was always like that - Kind, gentle and constantly looking out for his well-being; to the point of being overprotective. He didn't deserve someone like her by his side.

Yet the idea of her being with someone else other than him made him depressed. Eren didn't quite know when Mikasa had made her way into his heart, taking up permanent residence there. It had grown without him being conscious of it, and he couldn't ignore it anymore.

"Sure. I learned quite a bit from the spar the other day." He answered and quickly switched to another topic. "It reminds me of our cadet days. I wonder how the others are doing now … especially Armin."

"He's probably with the rest at the Survey Corps Headquarters. But Commander Erwin has instructed for your safety to avoid them for now. There might still be enemies mixed in amongst them."

"They should be exposed sooner or later. Erwin should have planned something to uncover Annie's allie-"

He paused. During their cadet days, Annie was always hanging out by herself. The only two people she was possibly close to were Reiner and Bertholdt as they were from the same village. If she had any help they were the most likely suspects.

"Eren?" Mikasa's voice broke his train of thoughts.

"Yeah, it's nothing. Let's trust Erwin."

There was no way Reiner and Bertholdt were their enemies. He chided himself - How could he even entertain such a ludicrous thought? Annie probably deceived them. Especially, Reiner - he would never be an accomplice to a mass murderer.

(1.2k words)