In Hushed Whispers : EPISODE 1

EPISODE 1: The Citadel


"Unlike other cities where the people are the life-blood and the character, Amaranthine has her own person, and her people little more than decorations".

The young woman walked in front of Reiner with a fast and steady pace as she continued with her long and enthusiastic description of the citadel.
She briefly stopped and turned around, allowing him to catch up.
She was short in stature and yet had a lovely self appeal, with long silky black hair, round features, wide teal green eyes, pale skin and perfect pink lips.
Her garments were rather simple yet rather elegant, a white short-sleeved blouse with a waistband that evidenced her slim hips and dark skirt that slightly covered her boots.
" You are so damn lucky that your superiors allowed you to visit us" she smiled brightly " Trust me, you are going to enjoy it".
" Enjoying your company is already a good fortune" he spoke in a flirtatious tone as he smiled back, making her blush slightly.Amaranthine was a veritable labyrinth of a city, all wynds and crisscrossing alleys and narrow crookback streets that sprawled across several miles and limited by tall walls. without Evelyn as his guide he would be surely lost.
The citadel itself was stunningly beautiful with breathtaking stone mansions
and slim buildings with peaked tile roofs that raised even four stores tall making it a masterwork of stone architecture and granite monuments.
There were also many lush groves and fountains, shady courtyards, marble colonnades, carved bridges and pleasure boats that sailed along the many wide canals.
The hills that surrounded the outskirts of the city were dotted with manses, small farms, granaries, brick storehouses, thick-timbered inns and taverns.
Amaranthine is primarily known as the location of the Royal Academy, home of the order of Arcanists who serve as councillors, doctors, scientists, geographers, teachers and postmasters for the lands within Wall Sina.
It was also one of the most important trading posts of the Walled Territories, acting as the crossroads for a myriad of merchants, artisans, bankers and wealthy businessmen, rivalled only by the Capital itself.

" Oh, here is something that I find amazing about this place" the young woman pointed at what looked like a massive grey stone roadway supported by three tiers of arches that loomed above the houses " This is the aqueduct that supplies fresh water to the whole populace of the citadel".
" Aren't there already a plenty of waterways and canals?" asked Reiner intrigued by the huge structure " Why bothering to built an aqueduct?".
" Good question..." she hummed " Due to the quantity of trading ships and small boats that travers them daily canal water is not drinkable without first boiling it... The aqueduct you see crosses the heart of the city and stretches beyond the outskirts, in the hills further within Wall Sina, it's an ambitious project of course but it serves it's purpose right, the richest men are able to  pipe fresh water directly into their homes, while the rest of the citizens fill buckets at public fountains".
" I can see why you find it amazing" commented Reiner as they proceeded through the street. They were now walking besides a huge and solemn looking building surrounded by a large open courtyard.
" This is the University of Sina, a major centre of learning that attracts young students from all over the Walled Lands with the best education money can buy" explained the ever so enthusiastic Evelyn " It is a relatively modern institution whose liberal-minded professors have already clashed with religious conservatives from the Wall Cult over the content of their classes"
she gazed at him intensively " You might be interested in knowing that no less than your commander in chief used to study right here".
" Erwin Smith?!" the young man couldn't hide his surprise " You are kidding me right?".
" I'm not!" exclaimed Evelyn " His father used to be a brilliant teacher, his theories were widely appreciated by the academics, I'm pretty sure there is a bust of him somewhere inside the halls, if you are so skeptical we can take a step inside and I'll show it to you".
" No thanks, there's no need for that, I already believe you " Reiner put a hand on her shoulder " I'd like to visit the rest of the city instead".
" As you wish" said the young woman " In this case our next stop shall be the riverside, there are plenty of landmarks worth seeing".
" I don't have any doubts" he sighed calmly and followed her lead.
They continued across a series of intricate alleys where houses were built so close that they seemed to lean upon one another until they finally reached the main road that followed the course of the river.
" This is absolutely my favourite part of the city" she indicated an impressive  marble domed structure, with three tall decorated bell-towers " The Grand Cathedral".
Reiner was absolutely speechless and couldn't help to stare at the building with great awe.
The cathedral was surrounded by a white marble plaza and a large garden dominated by the statue of the three Deities, Maria, Rose and Sina, that stood tall and serene upon their plinth, their faces were a study of benevolence.
" This is the Wall Cult's seat of power in the citadel, beautiful isn't it?"
the young man could only nod in agreement as he contemplated it with wide dreamy eyes.
"I wish we were able go inside" sighed Evelyn "The main hall is just splendid,
my words are not enough to describe the dome of glass, gold, and crystal.
It's floors made out of marble of the best quality, it has some lovely great windows of leaded, coloured glass, and of course the three altars are set about with candles to honour our beloved deities. In the dungeons are tombs where good men are laid to rest, cells for penitents, and vaults that hold costly vestments, rings, crystal crowns, and other treasures of the Cult".
Captivated by her description, Reiner gently stroke her hand and gave her an endearing smile.

" It's beautiful..."

" Reiner!" a voice called him from behind " Hey Reiner!".
The young man closed his hand in a fist and let out a muffled string of curses.
"Damn it.. I almost forgot we were not alone!" he thought as he glared at the couple that was struggling to catch up with them " Did they really have to ruin such a perfect moment!".
Connie Springer, a short boy with bright hazel eyes and a distinctively shaved head came to them running and risking to bump onto Evelyn, if Reiner had not pushed her aside promptly.
A girl with a tall and athletic figure was following him ...Sasha Braus.
She had wide brown eyes and auburn hair kept in a ponytail, they were both rather sweaty and breathing heavily from the long run.
The two had been goofing around all morning, without even paying attention to their guide. On one hand it was a good think, it was a good occasion for Reiner to approach Evelyn and spend some quality alone with such a sweet girl.
However no matter how hard he tried to ditch them, they still kept coming back only to embarrass him. Calling that an annoyance would be an understatement.

" For heaven's sake where have you been?" uttered Evelyn " Do you realise what your superiors are going to do to me if you get lost?" she then raised her brow noticing that the boy was holding at least a dozen of crimson red roses in his hands, the floral scent was surprisingly intense too "And what's up with these flowers?".
" Do you remember that fancy mansion we visited this morning?" said Connie " The one with the huge rose garden?".
" Yes..." frowned the young woman " That's the viscount's estate...".
Evelyn suddenly froze, her eyes widened in utter disbelief.
" Whoah... Whoah! Wait! Are you saying you've been visiting the viscount's garden... alone?! And you just started picking his flowers!?".
"They're enormous!" exclaimed Connie  " And they seemed so empty. Why don't more people go to see them?".
"Probably because they're private and ...surrounded by armed guards... and they can arrest you"" the young woman cleared her throat " Didn't you see the guards from the Military Police?".
" So those were Military Police, huh?" Connie clearly failed to understand the gravity of the situation.
" Ohhhh..." hummed Sasha "I thought all those men looked a bit cross" she affirmed with an unsettling nonchalance before gazing back at Evelyn " Can we stop to get some food? I'm kind of hungry".
" Are you serious?" she gasped " But we had lunch like ...one hour ago".
Sasha didn't answer and simply looked at her as if she was crazy.
" Didn't you say that there's this great market street when you can buy any kind of stuff?" supported her Connie " I heard that the selection of food is impressive".
" But... But it's on the other side of the city" protested Evelyn " It's going to take us so much time to go there".
The young woman grinned widely, she was as good as lost and didn't even seem to pay attention to what she was saying, her compulsive appetite managed to overcome her simple mind once again.
Evelyn was about to turn around when Connie stopped her.
" Hey... Sasha wanted to ask you another thing?".
Sasha's eyes suddenly widened... and Reiner was already fearing the worst.
They we're about to park her, he knew them just too well.
" Ask away then..  "young woman sighed calmly " You know I'm here to help you".
" Ok..." she smirked, clearly struggling to contain her laughter "How do you do that?".
" Do what?" Evelyn was still unsuspecting.
" You sort of... swagger when you walk. I've been trying, but I trip over my own feet when I do it".

" What the hell!" the young woman took a few steps back, legitimately scared " Are you drunk!?".
They ignored her and bursted into laugher.
It was then when Reiner decided that it was enough.
He protectively wrapped his arm around the girl and lead her away from the mischievous couple.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to sign up if you want a partner to throttle those two".
The young woman lifted her gaze up on him.
" Are you sure they won't get lost if we leave them all by themselves?"
Reiner shrugged shoulders " If they do, all we have to do is follow the damaged property and food crumbs to find them".
" Not to mention the guards" she sighed " I can't believe they broke into that estate",
"They'll be fine" he tried to reassure her, as they put more distance between the two
" If not we'll offer a reward for their capt..uh, I mean ...finding".
" That's so mean!" she chuckled.
Reiner looked at her and smirked "I'll tell you what's mean" he said "Not allowing a guy to get a wink of sleep the night before because of your incessant girlish giggling."
" I suppose you are right" she admitted " They are so loud and obnoxious"

" So Reiner, where would you like to go?"

"Not someplace where there's food" he stated in a scoffing tone "Knowing Sasha, she'll sniff it out, along with us".
Evelyn looked at her from over the shoulder, seemingly worried.
"Is everything alright with that girl? She's kind of ... bizarre?".
"It's a scientific mystery" he said with nonchalance as he began inching away slowly
" I just don't want to be here when they discover it".
He then turned his attention of the young woman and suggested.
"How about a boat ride down a canal? It will calm the nerves".

" That would be great, I could tell you more about the city it's landmarks "she paused awkwardly " Oh dear, I don't even know how to say this, we might need to stop at the Military Police Headquarters, there's something I need to do there, but it will be just for a minute I promise... If that doesn't bother you?" she cleared her throat
" Does it bother you?"

"Not at all" Reiner frowned and nodded, agreeing to do so without really thinking it through " Lead the way, m'lady".






Visiting the Military Police Headquarters was the last thing that Reiner wished that day, but he agreed to accompany Evelyn nevertheless.
The young man sat on the sofa in the atrium, and waited for her to be done with whatever matter concerned her.
He didn't really mind.. it was a surprisingly comfortable sofa.
Just then, she came in.
A woman in her early twenties, with shoulder length wavy auburn hair, wide olive green eyes and a light dusting on freckles on her face.
She approached one of the officers and Reiner noticed that her eyes were melancholic and swollen with tears. Something was wrong...
As curiosity took advantage he leaned forward in order to listen to their conversation.


" What!?" exclaimed the young woman in deep shock " I've requested for a research ten days ago, what do you mean you still don't have any news from my brother!".
" Listen Ms Stratmann" the officer cut her off sharply " I think I've been already clear enough about the current situation. We have been doing everything in our power to find your brother, but considering the recent events that struck your city, the chances that he might be still alive are... very, very slim".
" Please" she feel on her knees and started to plead him " You can't give up! I beg you sir! He me to find my baby brother, he's the only family I have left...".
" Ok..." the officer adjusted his glasses and sighed calmly
"It's pointless to keep lying, our guardsmen are being viciously murdered while on patrol at night, and we are stormed by reports of people disappearing from the street, the citadel is targeted by a vicious criminal cartel and we have nor the time and not even the resources to waste on this pointless research".
" But I payed you...." the young woman was desperate " You are telling me that no search has taken place in the last ten days!?".
" I'm sorry Ms Strattman" he sighed " But that doesn't depend on me anymore".
He didn't even look back at her and simply turned around on his heels and left her sobbing on the ground.

"Now if you excuse me I have some important business to attend to...".

In that moment Reiner had no idea what had gotten into him, seeing the expression of sadness and loneliness on that unfortunate lady and the apathy and lack of morality of that officer filled him with hatred and disgust.
" Hey you!" he  stepped between the two, addressing the older officer in an angered tone " This woman is clearly in need of your help! She even payed you for your services damn it! Or do I have to remind you why you enlisted in the first place!".

" Calm down young man..." hissed the officer, startled by his hostile intentions
" I am a soldier of the military police, you have to right to threaten me like that!".
" Soldier" he chuckled humourlessly " A soldier never turns his back on his duty!
You are just one of the pampered bastards that feeds on our taxes like a greased up pig, thinking that everything is granted and that you have no obligations at all!
You are no soldier, you are a fucking tin man!".
" That's enough! If you think I'm going to stand by while an insolent brat... an outsider  , insults me in such a way...".
" Then quit talking and let's get at it, you and me" Reiner took a step forward " If you want to man up I can give you a knuckle lesson".
" Bring it on!" the officer closed his hand into a fist and was about to lunge at him, when Evelyn intervened and grabbed him by the arm.
" What the hell is going on?!" she exclaimed in deep shock as she held him firmly.
" Miss Trevelyan..."  the officer raised a brow as he looked down on the young girl, her presence only caused him to give up on the idea of confronting Reiner.
" You know this young man?"
" He's a ... friend survey corps" she stated firmly " Is there any problem?".
The officer was about to speak but Reiner interrupted him harshly " This man is turning his back on the duty" he glared at him coldly " This young woman right here paid him money to investigate on the disappearance of her brother and he's just sitting here comfortably and slacking".
" Miss Trevelyan if I may speak, he came at me all of a sudden and started to threaten me" intervened the officer " Now, since he's supposedly a friend of yours I'm just going to turn a blind eye on the fact and ask you to leave... both".
" Ok... now you made me angry" snarled Reiner as he prepared to thrust a fist at his face, however Evelyn's intervention stopped him once again.
" It's not worth it Reiner" she whispered quietly as he gently held his hand
" Just go outside... I'll see what I can do, but please, go".
Her sudden intervention caught him off guard, he was still raving mad at that arrogant officer, but he didn't dare to protest and refuse to her request, after all that she did for him today causing her trouble with the military would simply be wrong.
No matter if his intentions were good, he still would not be able to forgive himself.
Reiner held the young woman's hand and guided her outside the building.
" Thank you for what you did" she gazed at him with wide melancholic eyes
" Everyone else turned their back on me, I don't even know what to do"
" Stay with me then" he tried to reassure her " I will help you to find your brother".
" Really?" she gasped " But I don't have enough money to reward you...".
" There's no need for that, I'm just doing my duty as a soldier Ms Stratmann" affirmed Reiner " And a true soldier never turns his back on the ones in need".
A relieved smile formed on her lips as she looked at him, overjoyed, and that was enough to warm the young man's heart.
" Carly" she looked at him, overjoyed " You can call me Carly".





They sat outside and waited for Evelyn to return with good news.
An entire hour passed, and Reiner had to struggle to console the young woman.
Finally she stepped out of the building and walked up at them, from the sullen vibe on her face Reiner could tell that she was clearly pissed off.
" Ok, guys, I've just finished speaking with the officer in duty" she sighed out of frustration "He said he will fill a report....but I'm not sure if he's going to consider actually the task of writing it out".
Carly cupped her face with her hands, visibly distraught.
" Great... Just great!" Reiner chuckled humourlessly
" We are basically on our own now!"