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“You were right to come to me,” you said, glancing over your patient as he rested. “He might have died if I didn’t operate as soon as I did. I expect him to make a full recovery.”
Erwin nodded. “Mm. Thank you for seeing him so quickly.”
“I’m a doctor. I have an oath to fulfill to all people, even if it’s three in the morning.” You gave him a sly glance as you cleaned and dried your tools. “I recommend you keep him in bed for at least two to three weeks.”
“We’ll be lucky if we can keep him there half the time.”
“You’re the Commander, Erwin. Isn’t your order absolute?”
“Yes, but for the obstinacy of those who insist on participating. We Scouts are a passionate bunch.”
“Oh, I remember. And highly tolerant of pain, too. I’m surprised he was even able to walk these last few weeks. Hernias can be agonizing, and this one was about to burst any moment. He’s lucky you brought him here.” You gestured for Erwin to follow you—it was best to let this soldier sleep for now.
“To be candid, I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to find you.”
“Why not?”
“You’re a busy woman, _____, serving the military as one of its finest surgeons. I see you’ve been well-occupied since you left us.”
“I hope you know why I did.”
“There are no hard feelings, if I didn’t make myself clear.”
You smiled at him. “You did. I was originally afraid everyone would be upset. The Scouts are stretched thin enough as it is—but it seems that you’ve done well as the Commander since Keith Sadies’s days. As I understand it, casualties are down significantly.”
“Mm.”
“I know my livelihood hinges on people getting hurt, but that doesn’t mean I want to see it happen. It would be nice if I were out of work, honestly.”
“If that ever happens, you’re welcome to join the Scout Regiment again.”
You laughed. “Isn’t that a bit of a contradiction? So long as we need the Scouts, that means the enemy is still out there, which will undoubtedly result in injuries I need to fix.”
“We could always use a reliable field surgeon.”
“It’s been so long since I’ve used my ODM gear. No doubt there has been updates to the technology. I don’t even know if I could keep up with you.”
“Nothing we can’t remedy with a bit of training. I recall you being quite skilled with it.”
You looked at him, watching his face in the candlelight. Truthfully, he had aged well since you’d been in the Scouts together, still handsome, strong, and—by whatever miracle—in one piece. So few soldiers were able to make it even a few years after recruitment, much less into their thirties. Erwin Smith was a man of many talents.
“Would you like some tea?” you said. “I have to be in Stohess by morning, so I might as well fuel myself with caffeine now while I have the chance.”
“You’re riding by yourself?”
“Erwin, I’m not the naive cadet I once was. I can handle a ride throughout the night along safe roads.” He had always been protective of you, several years your senior, and when you were soldiers serving together in expeditions, he looked out for you. He even saved your life on a number of occasions.
“I know,” he said, sitting at the table as you put a kettle on the stove. “I still think about you sometimes.”
His statement did not surprise you. You were good friends, companions who kept each other going when the world began to crumble around you. Experiencing horrors together was a sort of bonding reserved for the Scout Regiment.
“I think about you, too,” you said. “Often. In fact, I worry about you. I worry about the fate of the Scout Regiment. I hear things from my patients sometimes—I’m often called in to serve nobles, you know, and their scorn for the Scouts is a widespread shame. They complain about the tax dollars and the casualties; they seem to think if we just seal ourselves inside the walls forever, the Titans will never be a real threat. I’m sure it’s nothing you’re not already aware of, but it’s a disturbing sentiment nonetheless.”
“They are far too sheltered, having never seen a Titan before. They don’t know what terrors await them should the walls ever fail us.”
“You’re right, though I don’t know if they’re sheltered so much as just blissfully ignorant. I try to give them some firsthand perspective, but they don’t want to hear it.”
“Not willing to listen to their doctor, hm?”
“Oh, that’s not news. You even admitted your soldier isn’t going to follow my bed-rest recommendation.”
“Your efforts won’t be in vain, _____. I’ll drag him back to bed myself, if I have to.”
“He’ll thank you later.”
“Not me. You. We'll all thank you later.”
You poured the hot water into the teapot as you mused out loud. “Do you really think there’s a possibility I could be assigned to the Scouts? I know you already have your specialized medical officers.”
“Not many come on expeditions with us. There is usually too little time to tend to the injured on the field, and none of them are as skilled as you on horseback or with our equipment.”
“I’d be willing to do that. Think of the lives I could potentially save if I treated injuries quickly enough.”
Erwin watched you, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. “You really want to?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I have enough patients here as it is, and I wonder if some of them would pitch a fit if I left—but, then again, I’m not sure I really care. I’d rather serve the bravest soldiers who risk everything for humanity than the sniveling aristocracy.” You laughed to yourself, thinking of a recent visit you had. “I was just called to Lord Wald’s estate a week ago, and you know what ailed him?”
“What?”
“Erectile dysfunction.”
Erwin chuckled.
It was nice to see him amused—he was a man who so rarely laughed. “He insisted I come to his estate just for that,” you explained. “He even made it sound like an emergency.”
“I think it’s safe to say your talents could be better leveraged elsewhere.”
“You have to promise not to tell anyone, Erwin. I’m sworn to secrecy as a doctor—physician-patient privilege and all—but I’ve been dying to vent about it to someone. It’s ridiculous what I have to deal with nowadays.”
“Your client tales are secure with me,” he assured. “I will take them to my grave.”
“Don’t even joke about that. I’d much rather you stayed alive.” You poured two cups of tea, sliding one across the table.
“Perhaps I can. You might even save my life one day.”
You shrugged. “I think that depends if I can get placed with the Scouts.”
“I’ll make it happen, if you wish it.”
“That’s right—you’ve climbed that ladder. You can make the big decisions now.”
“Some of them, at least. My authority is surprisingly limited regarding some matters, as I’m sure you know.”
“Well, I could use a change of pace,” you said, sipping on your tea. “Think you can put a good word in for me with the Scout Regiment? I’m going to need a refresher on ODM gear and this long-distance scouting formation I’ve heard so much about.”
“I see you’ve kept up. You must miss us.”
“I’ve missed you.”
Erwin quieted for a moment. “I’ve missed you, too,” he said, finally. “It’s nice to see you after all these years. I’m glad you’re well.”
“I’d say you should bring me more injured soldiers more often, but you may not have to. Look into a position with the Scouts for me, will you?”
“I will.”
“I need to get going.” You stood, readying yourself for the ride ahead, buttoning up your jacket.
“I’ll ride with you.”
“I thought I told you I don’t need an escort.”
He walked with you. “I’m not an escort. I’m headed in the same direction. Consider it time for old friends to catch up.”
“What about your soldier?”
“I will let Miche know to take care of him.”
“Fine, then, but you better not slow me down.” You gave him a nostalgic smile. “I like feeling the wind in my face as I ride—it reminds me of our Scout Regiment days.”
“You may not need the reminder anymore.”
“That’s right. We can re-experience all of the horrors outside the walls together.”
“Some may think you’re crazy, but I’ll be glad to have you back, _____.”
“If wanting to save humanity is crazy, then I’m not sure there’s much else to live for. I’ve dedicated my life to saving others, and I intend to do it in the way I find most fulfilling. I’ve learned a lot these past few years—you could say I’ve always intended on returning to the Scouts. I just didn’t want to make any promises because I wasn’t sure when and if I’d be ready.”
“You sound ready now. Your resume is impressive, and you’re still as fearless as you’ve always been.”
“I don’t know if ‘fearless’ is the best way to describe it. Just thinking about Titans makes me quake a little, but you can’t expect to achieve anything if you don’t take any risks. You know that too well.”
“Leave the Titans to me and the rest of the Scouts, and tend to the wounded—some may argue your task is far more chilling, a soldier’s life literally in your hands.”
“I can handle that, Erwin. I won’t disappoint.”
“You never have.” He touched your shoulder, almost affectionately. “I’ll meet you in the stables.” He then turned back down the hallway to find Miche.
“Will do. I’ll see you soon.” You were looking forward to this, the opportunity to ride with Erwin again. It would be like the old days, filled with cunning purpose and stalwart intentions, sharing in humanity’s greatest bonds as you dedicated your hearts and souls to saving mankind.
