Wall Maria, Shiganshina District
There was always an almost mystifying innervation that Reese Kestrel felt when their caravan would make its travels around the lands of Wall Maria. It was a raw emotion that the young boy could not truly explain to himself or others; the sprawling fields of grass, mesh with the wayward winds that seemed to carry their horses in its brisk embrace. Reclined to the back of the wagon, the youth crawled to his seat beside his uncle, peering between the wilderness of the land and the civilization that laid ahead.
His father's trading business was among the wealthiest of companies, the enterprise spanning and servicing all throughout each of the Walls. Reese had originally been taken under the wing of his uncle, Kled Kestrel, so as to learn the trade and groom himself for future inheritance; yet, he felt that he could somewhat understand the will of his father. There was more to his father's business than the profits they would make; it was an opportunity to witness the beauty of the lands, a chance to encounter all sorts of cultures, a moment of appreciation for existence.
As their convoy was approved to pass the Northern Gate, they scuttled around the busy intersection as the caravan split into their designated sectors of trade. Reese and his uncle rode down the central road, the wares within their wagon shaking with the motion. "Was it always this busy in Shiganshina?" he asked curiously, recounting their other visitations.
His uncle cleared his throat. "That, I'm not sure-- hey, now!"
Their pair of horses whined as the population along the central road began to disperse along the sides, causing their horses to panic for a brief moment. Reese took his portion of the reins and helped to calm them down, setting their wagon aside as the boy spotted another convoy riding down the road. The bloodied, tattered cloaks of the Scouting Legion were worn with a tarnished pride, their defeated expressions evident of their operation.
"The king would be smart to get rid of the damn Survey Corps, already," Kled Kestrel cursed, shaking his head as the wagons containing the bodies of the deceased militants passed. Reese grimaced at the sight, biting his lip uncomfortably. "Nothin' but a waste of coin and lives, it is!"
His uncle joined in the venting frustrations of the general population, while Reese looked between them in horror. He had heard of the Scouting Legion's grueling expeditions, and how they always led to over the halving of the military branch's military. And yet, the people all around him roared cowardice, taunted their uselessness; it did not sit well with the young boy. Scurrying to the back of the wagon, he frantically fumbled through their provisions meant for sale.
"Wait!"
Reese leaped from the confines of their wagon, sprinting to the head of the convoy as he stood in the way of a soldier. With bread and water in hand, the boy held it out to the soldier, calling for him. "Please take this!"
As the man's eyes meet with the boy, Reese felt a fear begin to stir as the man nearly stumbled from the back of his horse. The soldier fell to his knees, tears welling in his eyes while his hands held the boy's shoulders in a tight grip. The man said nothing, not taking his gifts, even as the people continued to insult him. It was then that his uncle tore the soldier's hands from Reese's shoulders, shuffling the boy back towards their wagon.
"What the hell was that, boy?!" Kled Kestrel butted his forehead against Reese's, and even as his uncle began to scold him for the action, the boy's eyes were fixated on the Scouting Legion passing by. The boy had a newfound disappointment in humanity; the fact that they were insulted and mocked for their efforts was beyond him.
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