Drums sounded.
"What is it?" Ed asked.
Imperial soldiers and Riza came riding over a hill.
"Ed, stay inside." Trisha said.
"Ahem." Pinako, pointed toward a low roof. Ed ran over to it and peered over the roof
"Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns have invaded China! By order of the Emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army." Riza read from the list. "The Chow Family! The Yee Family!"
"I will serve the Emperor in my mother's place." A girl said.
"The Elric Family!" Riza called.
"No!" Ed yelled.
His mother walked over to Riza.
"I am ready to serve the Emperor." Trisha said.
"Mother, you can't go!" Ed said.
"Ed!" Trisha said.
Ed turned to Riza. "Please, ma'am , my mother has already fought for-"
"Silence! You will do well to teach your son to hold his tongue in a woman's presence." Riza snapped.
"Ed. You dishonor me." Trisha said softly.
"Report tomorrow at the Moo-Shung Camp." Riza handed Trisha a scroll.
"Yes, ma'am." Trisha said.
Riza continued to read. "The Chu Family! The Chang Family! The Yong Family!"
Xxx
In Trisha's bedroom, Trisha yanked open her closet, revealing a suit of Chinese armor, and unsheathed a sword. Ed watched. She practiced techniques, but her leg gave out and she fell against a pillar, panting.
At dinner, Ed poured the tea, then set his cup down with a bang.
"You shouldn't have to go!" Ed shouted.
"Ed!" Hohenhiem said.
"There are plenty of young women to fight for China!" Ed shouted.
"It is an honor to protect my country and my family." Trisha said.
"So you'll die for honor." Ed said.
"I will die doing what's right." Trisha said.
"But if you ..." Ed started.
"I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Trisha said.
Ed stared at his mother for a moment, then ran outside angrily. Ed was sitting in a statue of a dragon, furious. It was raining. Through the window of his house, he could see his mother and father talking. Trisha picked up the candle and blew it out. Ed thought for a minute, then made his decision.
Ed walked into the Family Temple and lit a stick, placing it in a hanging statue of a small dragon. He ran into his parent's room, taking the scroll and leaving a pendant with the Flamel symbol. Taking his mother's hair tie, he braided his hair and put on his mother's armor. Going out to the stable, he mounted Den and set off for the army.
The eyes of a statue in the temple flashed, and Pinako woke up.
"Ed is gone!" Pinako said.
"What? It can't be ..." Trisha ran outside. "Ed! No ..."
"You must go after him. He could be killed." Hohenhiem said.
"If I reveal him, he will be." Trisha said.