He was still monstrously good then.
“My, how you’ve changed!” Bernhardt said, proffering his hand.
Mathias had been in this situation before. In the tavern, where he’d almost been killed.
Still saving my life, Mathias thought sourly.
“I didn’t expect to see you, certainly not out here. Is it visiting time?”
“Pretty much.”
This time, Mathias didn’t hesitate to take Bernhardt’s hand. His own arm felt heavy.
He let Bernhardt pull him up. In the process the bag, which he’d hugged to his side unbeknownst to himself, fell to the ground and let loose its prize. Mathias was amazed. Plunging into a stream, swept away by its current, and snatched up by a Titan, he nonetheless hadn’t let go of the bag.
Bernhardt saw it immediately. “A-ha!” he said, sounding delighted. “More than just a visit it seems.”
“I thought I’d bring a gift.”
Mathias released Bernhardt’s hand and bent down to the ground. He held up the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, soaked and covered in dirt, for Bernhardt to see.
The outlaw’s eyes stretched wide. “I would expect no less from the scion of a merchant association. You understand a prisoner’s wants and needs.”
“I’m no such thing, not anymore.”
“So it seems!”
Bernhardt examined Mathias from head to toe, then laughed with genuine pleasure.
It was true that Mathias’ appearance had changed drastically. His hair was shorter, his cheeks were covered in stubble, and he wore clothes that were spartan to the extreme. For the last six months, if only for the most part as a practical measure to evade Rita’s pursuit, he had led an austere life.
“Here.”
Mathias held out the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. Bern-hardt took it with such loving care it could have been a newborn child. He stroked its casing.
Behind him was the tributary, its surface covered in a blanket of steam. It was as though the water had vaporized. The Titan lay supine in it, tossing, turning, drawing away. The damage to its face was already partially healed, but whenever it tried to stand the current robbed it of its foothold.
There was something comical about the scene, although Mathias wouldn’t have seen it that way had the creature been even ten meters closer.
“Hey, are you okay?!”
Gabriele jumped into sight, parting his way through the undergrowth. He took in Mathias and Bernhardt in turn, then blinked rapidly.
Bernhardt raised an eyebrow and gave Mathias an inquiring look. “Who is this character?”
How best to describe Gabriele? “A new friend. He helped get me this far.”
“A-ha.”
“He’s familiar with the situation outside.”
“Come on, old man, get a move on!”
“Hm.” With deft movements Bernhardt unfastened the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment’s belt and slung it around his waist. “He does have a point. I recommend we find somewhere else to chat.”
“Oh. So you’re the guy…” Gabriele finally seemed to realize that the man standing before him was the entire reason they were out here in the first place.
Bernhardt gave a satisfied smile and made quick work of donning the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment. The levers that fired the anchors and controlled the wires were normally placed on either side of the waist, but Bernhardt had opted to put them both on his left. This was no doubt so he could operate them simultaneously even with his restraints.
“Can’t you get them off?” Mathias asked, glancing at them.
Bernhardt gave him a dreary look and held up his arms and gave the chain a rattle. “I did try a few times, but these need more than rocks to break them. No, I’m afraid they need the attention of a professional─a blacksmith, or a weapon maker.”
“Right…”
“But that’s by the by. There’s a place I’d like to show you. Follow me.”
With that, Bernhardt took point and started to walk.
After crossing the woods and climbing a low hill, they reached an area where small huts huddled next to each other.
It was an abandoned settlement. There were no corpses, and no signs that there had ever been any. The residents must have evacuated as soon as they’d heard of Wall Maria’s fate.
“Not too shabby, right?”
Bernhardt led them to an open space, the settlement’s square. There, a single chair was set up next to a well.
“If you’d allow me a moment.”
Bernhardt entered a nearby hut and came back out with two similar chairs.
He had something else tucked under his arm.
The restraints were still locked to his wrists. Earlier, the three of them together had tried to get them off, but to no avail.
“Can I help?” Mathias offered.
“No no, you’re guests here.” Bernhardt arranged the chairs around the well, sat on the rightmost, the one that had been there first, and held aloft the other object. It was a bottle, half-full with some kind of liquid. “Booze. The inhabitants here were a considerate bunch. They took the trouble of leaving this behind for me.” He popped the cork and took a mouthful.
Translated, he’d appropriated it from one of the empty houses, but Mathias decided not to object.
Bernhardt offered them the bottle. “How about some?”
“No, thank you.” Mathias shook his head, still standing. He needed to stay sharp. “We are outside the wall, you realize?”
“A wise decision.”
“Me, I’ll have some.”
Plonking himself down next to Bernhardt, Gabriele took the bottle and held it to his mouth. He took a few noisy swigs, then wiped the dregs with his sleeve and let out a satisfied sigh, all of it rather theatrically. Mathias shook his head, appalled, then took the seat on the far left.
It was quiet.
Mathias leaned back into his chair and saw the blue-tinged night sky spread out above them. He was nearly lulled into thinking the spot peaceful and secure.
Offering back the bottle to Bernhardt, Gabriele said, “You’re a fun guy, old man. You’ve got more fire than most people inside the wall.”
They had completed their introductions on the way. Gabriele, for his part, appeared genuinely dazzled by the skill Bernhardt had displayed in ridding them of the Titan.