characters: Ling, Lan Fan, Fuu.
Father, his letter begins.
Ling crumples up the page and starts again.
Most esteemed Emperor, his letter begins in exquisite calligraphy.
Yeah, Ling thinks. That looks about right.
In accordance with my duty as the twelfth prince of Xing, I will begin a search for the philosopher's stone in Amestris, as it has not been found in our glorious country. I pray for your continued strength and endurance until my return, for this country would be lost without its leader. Your ever faithful son, Ling of the Yao clan.
Ling blows gently on the ink, waits for the brush strokes to dry. When it does, he carefully rolls the paper so the edges align, and ties it with a ribbon bearing the color of his clan. Fuu seems to materialize out of the shadows, and Ling hands him the letter before leaning back in his seat and snapping his fingers for Lan Fan.
His lamp goes out and her armor clinks once as she comes in through the window-- it's an amateur mistake, but Ling knows she only does it for his benefit. Fuu's training had taught her to move in complete silence, even weighed down with supplies. Ling himself had never been taught to blend with a crowd (because a stealthy emperor is not an emperor that commands respect), but Lan Fan more than makes up for it.
"Is everything packed? Mother's asleep? None of the servants will get in our way? No unforeseen circumstances will hinder our escape?"
Lan Fan's reply is just a little indignant-- of course they'd prepared for everything. Young master has no need to worry.
Ling stands up and pulls on his jacket, hoists a light pack of supplies over his shoulder and slips out his window onto the back of a waiting horse. Lan Fan follows just behind and Fuu melts out of the shadows of the garden. They're on the edge of the estate before Ling kicks his horse and brings it over a low fence.
Fuu and Lan Fan's horses leap after, and their trek begins at a breakneck gallop.
Amestris tempts them with immortality; it'd be rude to keep her waiting.