Disclaimer: I do NOT own Fullmetal Alchemist or its characters...I'm just playing with them.
Author's note:
Thanks to ZaKai for reading through this chapter and finding all my many mistakes.
(1) Winkte - (also spelled wintke) is an old Lakota word, "Winyanktehca," that has been contracted through long use. Its meaning is "two-souls-person," or more directly, "to be as a woman" and applies to male-bodied individuals. Please refer to my profile for further reading.
(2) totally made this up
(3) as in the term Noa uses to describe her people.
(4) totally made this up
Chapter 7 - Version 2.0
"Have the boys boarded yet?" he asked as he brought the fine china tea cup to his lips and sipped the warm liquid.
"Yes, sir. We just got the telegram from the console generale." The aid flipped through her notes making sure she didn't miss anything.
"Good. I want her to meet them in Alexandria." The man leaned forward and placed the cup on a side table and gave his full attention to the aid as he crossed his hands in his lap.
"Sir." The aid scribbled down the instructions.
"How did they make out? Any injuries?" The aid shuffled through her papers again locating the report on the Elrics' physical condition.
"Edward's ribs are broken, but mending nicely, according to the medical charts. He also had a concussion and a bruised jaw. Alphonse is physically sound, just a bit on the malnourished side."
"Ah."
"They also have a child traveling with them now; a young girl by the name of Isabella. She was separated from her parents and Alphonse took her under his wing."
"Hmmm...that's unusual, they know that it may get dangerous."
"Yes, sir. The console generale made every effort in the time allotted, to locate the parents but in the end the Elrics decided to take her with them. Their direct words were 'it's equivalent exchange'."
"That again. That might get them into more trouble then it's worth. I want you to wire them more money, we can't have a child want for anything while I'm around. Also, let's look further into the whereabouts of that girl's parents."
"Sir."
"Ed, here it is!" Al stopped in front of large white door with the number 65 attached to the middle of it on a bronze plate. Without waiting for his brother, Al put the luggage on the floor and fit the key into the lock. He quickly threw open the door and swept his eyes around their room eagerly.
"Al, wait up!" called Ed's voice from the far end of the hall, but Al ignored it.
"Wahhh..." Al quickly picked up their luggage and rushed inside. When they had originally booked this passage they were way down in the belly of the ship, but somehow Giuseppe had gotten them a suite with a living room. At the top of the ship!
Al could see four doors, one in each corner of the room that most likely went to bedrooms. The middle of the room had two plush looking sofas facing each other, beyond it there was a small games table with four chairs pushed neatly under the table surface and a small vase of fresh flowers on top. Flinging open the nearest door, Al found a nicely appointed bedroom behind it. Checking out the other rooms he also found that they all had en suite bathrooms.
"Al!" Ed whined from the entry way. "Why'd you run off like that?"
Al popped his head out of the last bedroom to look at his brother, exasperated. Ed was breathing heavily, leaning with his back on the door frame. "Look at the room. Look! It's a suite!"
"Hn." Ed held on to his chest as he tried to calm his breath.
"What's wrong? Why are you out of breath?"
"That little brat is making trouble..." Ed inhaled and let the air out slowly.
"Where is she?" asked Al, curious, as he finally noticed that she was absent.
"She's in the hallway running up and down like mad." Ed pointed behind him with a wiry expression on his face.
"Eh?" Al joined his brother at the door and looked out into the hall. Sure enough, there was Isabella running back up the hall towards them dodging the other passengers trying to make their own way to their own rooms, with a grin plastered onto her face that seemed entirely too large for such a small girl. At some point in her mad dash, her hat had come off and her shoulder length hair flapped behind her like a flag, spoiling the illusion of the boy she was trying to play.
"AH! Isabella! Stop that!" Al called out to the passing child. Isabella giggled loudly as she dashed past the boys standing in the doorway, unheeding of Al's command.
"Just let her go...she'll sleep better if she wastes all her energy now," Ed mumbled watching as she narrowly missed colliding with man in an impeccable suit nearly spilling the arm load of boxes in his arms.
"We can't do that!" Al mumbled back.
"You little! If I catch you, you'll feel my back hand, urchin!" the man shouted at the girl as she continued down the hall out of reach, giggling all the way.
"Al..." warned Ed, frowning at the man's back.
"Right." Al slipped around his brother's body and out into the hallway. He watched from under his bangs as he passed by the man that had yelled at Isabella, but he took no more notice of the wayward girl. The small girl giggled and ran towards him. Al knew that he had to stop this...now! The other passengers were getting annoyed with her, and them, for not stopping this sooner.
Seeing Al in the hallway, Isabella squealed in delight; he was joining in her game. Ed had given up too fast and she wanted someone to play with. This was exciting. The boat, the many places she could hide, and explore. She could hardly contain herself. Isabella ran towards Al with her hands outstretched before her...right into Al's groin.
"UGH!" Al's eyes widened in horror and pain as he doubled over, falling to his knees, gasping for breath. Isabella giggled loudly beside him until she noticed that he was now down on his knees holding the area that she had squashed. The smile faded from her face. "Isabella..." he groaned. All of a sudden he wished that he was back in the armor.
"Shitty...your privates got mashed." Ed had come up behind him, surveying the wreckage. Al looked up at Ed, tears of pain beading in the corner of his eyes; Ed was trying to hide his smirk as he reached out for Isabella's hand. She meekly took it and stood by his side, hiding her face in his brother's leg. "Come on." He gripped Al under the elbow and helped him to his feet.
The horn blew again, signaling its departure from the harbour. The motor revved up and the ship hummed to life. The deck under their feet shuddered with the pull the blades in the water as they pushed the boat out into deeper seas. Al nodded to them when he was ready; Ed and Isabella led the way as Al followed behind them more slowly.
Al noticed Isabella sneaking a peek at him over her shoulder. He smiled at her to show he was alright and she smiled, uncertainly back at him. The deck titled making the floor drop away alarmingly from their feet. It was unsettling to be at sea, knowing that all you were standing on could sink at any moment. Al braced against the swaying of the deck and just caught Ed yanking Isabella off her feet as he tottered towards the other side of the hallway, to regaining his balance after a few steps.
"Eddie...?" Isabella looked up at him, shocked, as he put a steadying hand to his forehead.
Al didn't think that the lurching of the deck warranted such an extreme reaction. He rushed forward and gripped Ed's upper arm, lending him stability. "Ed? What happened?"
"It's nothing...just tried." Ed sighed and slumped forward. "I should lie down for a bit." Up close, Al could see the dark circles under his eyes and he wondered if his brother had actually slept last night or not. Not only last night but at all. He'd probably been worried about him for a while now. It had better just be over tiredness, if he was hiding anything...
"Did you pick out a room?" Ed inquired, changing the subject. He let Isabella's hand drop and scrubbed both hands over his face.
"Not yet." Al watched as his brother yawned and blinked back the tears, before wiping them away.
"Then lets, so I can have a nap," said Ed over his shoulder, heading for their room. Al watched his brother's retreating back.
"Eddie oday?" Isabella whispered as she held Al's hand. The words felt strange in her mouth but she was getting better, she knew.
"Yeah, he's just tired."
"Tried?" Isabella questioned. "What that?"
"Means...sleepy." When Isabella still didn't get what Al meant, he mimed lying on a pillow and snoring.
"Ah!"
"Let's go." Ed was waiting for them as they walked into the living space between the four rooms. "Which one do you want Ed?" Al asked as he closed the suites main door behind him.
"I'll take this one here. Can you put my suitcase in there for me?" Ed grinned, "I still can't lift anything."
"Geez, Ed. Making jokes, you can't be that tired." Although he protested, Al still placed Ed luggage in the room he had chosen. "You lie down for a bit, we'll be quiet," said Al, as he stood in the door way to Ed's room.
Al pulled the door closed quietly after Ed had entered the room. "Come on! Let's un-pack." Al proceeded to take their things into the bedrooms opposite Ed's, allowing Isabella to follow or not as she saw fit. They ended spending more time talking then un-packing. Al's grasp of Italian was not as good as Isabella's for English, much to his chagrin.
When Isabella started to become restless, Al decided that it would be fun to explore the ship together while giving Ed the peace he needed to sleep. Just before leaving the suite, Al wrote a note for Ed in case he woke up before they came back and left it on the side table. Then they were off to see the ship.
After several hours of sleep, Ed woke feeling more rested but the throb in his auto-mail shoulder pretty much ruined the effect. He lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore the gowning pain and find his way back to sleep. He wished that he had remembered this little problem while they were still in Rome, he could have asked for some pain killers, but now it was too late. The pain came and went at odd times, sometimes not for days. They were most likely far out to sea by now, and he was screwed. Al would find out for sure.
Sighing in defeat, Ed pushed himself into a sitting position and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The small twinges from his ribs were becoming less noticeable as he moved around and the large bruise that covered his chest as a result of the impact was fading as well. Lifting his shirt, Ed could see the very edge of his bruise starting to fade to yellow. With a sigh, he let his hand drop back to the bed.
Pushing himself upright, he went over to his suitcase, opening it on the floor where Al had left it. He rooted though his clothes looking for his notebook. Now that they were back together, he could focus all his energy on tracking down the bomb and destroying it. If the nature of the bomb was to be analyzed and understood, and a working copy to be made, it would be fourteen years to soon. Pulling the book from between a pair of pants, Ed shuffled back towards his bed and lay down. Flipping open the book randomly, he held the book aloft. Grimacing with the pain that shot down his arm, Ed switched hands, letting the auto-mail fall back to the bed.
Right, so we know that the bomb was found in Northern Austria, by some guy who was out in the fields. Then it somehow came to Germany, where we lost the trail until it surfaced in Egypt, where we again lost the trial, thoughtEd turning the page. So...that means...it's still in Egypt or has just left and rumor of it has yet to reach us.
Ed re-read the few interviews they had taken from eyewitnesses. They mostly all described large convoys of trucks and men suddenly moving into a remote area and then nothing until suddenly they all left. It was very strange and made no sense unless they were conducting secret tests. Al always told him not to jump to conclusions but Ed felt that he was right about this. A soft knock on his door, interrupted his study, and he looked around the cover of his book to see Al poking his nose in his room.
"What is it, Al?" Ed asked from the bed, letting the book fall to his stomach.
"Oh, good you're awake. How do you feel?" Al opened the door further and stepped into the room.
"Better." Ed sat up again. The pain in his arm was more pronounced and he tried to school his face and make it as blank as possible.
"What's wrong?" Al asked, his tone made it clear that he knew Ed was hiding something from him. Ed rolled his eyes. Guess he really couldn't—shouldn't hide this. He shouldn't hide things from Al. He'd have to try and be better about that in the future.
"Well, when we were on the train, I met Dr. Marcoh right?" Al nodded, he remembered. "Well before the train was stopped, I woke up with pain lacing up and down my arm and I went to the bathroom—just not why. He told me about phantom limb syndrome. It's when I still feel my real arm and it causes pain, so the only way to treat it is with painkillers."
"And you didn't tell me this before because..." Al waved a hand in the air, raising an eyebrow at Ed.
"BE-CAUSE...I didn't want you to worry," retorted Ed, feeling slightly exasperated.
"Well are you sure that it's phantom pains? Could you be in need of a tune-up?" Al moved further into the room as he spoke, taking Ed's right hand into his own and studied it. "At the very least you need oil..."
"Well I haven't real—" Ed began to explain.
"I'll be right back! You'll see that I'm as good as Winry!" Al dashed out of the room. Al had been wanting to show off his skills for all that time, but there hadn't been a need. Al came rushing back with a long leather pouch in his arms. Placing it on the bed, he undid the tie and unrolled it to reveal all of his carefully collected tools.
"Whoa... Al how long did you have this?" Ed touched the soft tan leather as he regarded the assortment of tools in awe.
"Ever since I got here. I didn't want to show you this, but...I did, you know?" Al laughed at himself as Ed looked up at his brother. "Okay, can you take off your shirt now?" Ed nodded and complied. He sat on the edge of the bed as Al worked on taking the plates of metal off to reveal the inner workings of his arm. Isabella came in and flopped on the bed watching the tune-up with mild interest.
The synthetic muscle, once exposed, creaked and groaned. Al manipulated the arm, checking its range of motion. "Flex your hand please," Al commanded. Ed did so, and the grinding sound that issued from his arm was a little alarming. "Hmmm..." Al reached for a screw driver and returned to his study. "Again." The grinding sound was still present. He inserted the screw driver into his arm making some adjustments.
"What's wrong with it?" Ed questioned peering over his shoulder in an effort to see what Al was up too.
"Hmmm..." Al continued with out answering. The screw driver was discarded as Al reached for a smaller version of the tool and it was re-inserted into the arm. Ed watched as Al made several adjustments to his arm with interest. Al seemed really into this.
"Oh!" Ed exclaimed, surprised. "That feels better."
"Ha! What'd I tell you? As good as Winry eh!" Al sat back and regarded his brother as he tested his arm. The groaning noise was noticeably absent now, as Ed made a fist. Ed nodded, still looking at his arm in wonder. "Some of the tension on the screws in you shoulder had loosened. As it was so close to your nerve port, it was probably what was causing you pain. Oh! What time is it?" Al reached around his brother's body and fished out his pocket watch and checked the time. "We better hurry and get dressed for dinner. They're having a concert before dinner and dancing after, so the passengers can meet and greet."
"What? How'd you know?" Ed asked. When did he find that out?
"Well, when you were sleeping me and Isabella went to explore the ship and we ran into the capitan. That's when he told us about it." Al replaced the metal plates to Ed's arm, making sure all the screws were nice and tight. and quickly put all his tools away. Rolling up the pouch, Al tucked it under his arm, and held out his hand for the girl. "Come on Isabella, time to change."
After they left for their rooms, Ed returned his note book to his suitcase and dug out his good suit. The dark material had become creased, frowning Ed hung the garment on a hanger and carried it to the bathroom. He caught sight of his appearance as he passed the mirror, and sighed at his disheveled state.
"Al?" Ed called out from the bathroom. "Could you re-do my braid? It's come undone from my nap."
"In a minute!" Al shouted back. "Isabella! Don't do that you'll get it dirty! Come back here!" Ed could hear the girl squeal.
"Stop!" shouted Al.
"What are you guys doing?" Ed stepped out into the middle room to investigate all the commotion. Al and Isabella were having a standoff between the couch, Isabella was waving a pale yellow dress aloft as Al tried to snatch it from her.
"Heh, Ed...I...she won't put on her dress," Al explained, as he smiled guiltily.
"Whatever...I'm getting dressed." Ed retreated to his room; he didn't want to be dragged into another one of Isabella's games...and he certainly didn't want his privates mashed either. The chasing and shouting resumed as soon as he left. He didn't feel up to arguing the point with Al either.
Roy's job hadn't gotten any easier since that night. When Roy had finally gotten back from the temple, he found Cain waiting up for him, sitting in the sun from the window. The silent battle of wills that had taken place over their sleeping comrades had been an intense one. Resentment for every imagined slight plus the very real animosity over leaving Tiny alone were brought to bear. No words were exchanged but Roy still felt tingles of adrenaline whenever he thought about it, it made him so angry.
Jimmy, thankfully, didn't remember anything when he woke the next day. Just some vague dreams on the roof top. With the heighten tension within the team, Jimmy would often question him about what was going on. Just trying to be a friend, he'd say. Roy would always pull rank and order him to concentrate on the job at hand, not answering any of his concerns. He hated the hurt look in Jimmy's eyes but...he wasn't going to dissect his feelings and he certainly wasn't going to do so with a career militarily man like Jimmy.
No matter how much he felt that Jimmy might understand him, he was still a sinner. His grandfather had told him while he was younger about the way of man, and called him winkte,(1) an old and respected word, but one Roy hated to have associated with him. That way of life and acceptance, contrasted greatly with the Christian church the doctrines he was raised with.
Several days after re-enforcements arrived to bolster their ranks. With eight soldiers now assigned to this mission, they could now watch both the seller and buyer. Only two weeks were left until the hand-off, and the higher ups wanted more information. They must have an iron clad case. To that end, they sent a detachment of soldiers to wait outside the city, ready to move in and strike at any target the main teams directed them to.
Roy had been placed in charge of the new team involved with watching the buyer. He had jumped at the chance to re-locate in an effort to get away from Cain and Jimmy. As the date of the sale was approaching, both teams were scrambling to make sure all their bases were covered and ready for the exchange. It would be tense until then, but Roy welcomed the stress. It meant he didn't have time to analyze his inner turmoil.
Currently the buyer was wondering around the English quarter of the city. Roy and his new partner, Kevin, had to dress now as the English did, with their hot suits and constricting clothing, in order to blend in. Making Roy secretly wish he could go back to wearing the robe.
They had just found out the buyer's name today. He was the Earl of Wessex from England, named Thomas Asherton, (2) who fell out of the Queen's favor and had been un-officially banished here. Who he was buying the bomb for was still in question, for it didn't seem plausible that a simple lord would want it just for himself.
As the Earl visited all the many shops, they would wait outside. Someone positioned near the shop door out of sight, the other, up the street. The various proprietors, in the upscale shops always escorted him to the door professing their thanks. It was during on of these times that Roy, as he was standing near a stall, discovered that the Earl was planning a ball to commemorate the arrival of his wife; he just hoped that he wouldn't be on duty that night.
By the time they were ready to leave the room, two hours had passed. Although late, they were still able to get a table to themselves not far from the stage. When the waiter finally came the singing had already started, Al had tried to order a glass of wine which Ed had vetoed and ordered it for himself. Al had looked shocked that Ed would do that to him until he reminded Al that he was only sixteen and started laughing.
In the intermission their meals came. Ed dug into his, a steak in a wine sauce with vegetables on the side. It was so good that after he placed a morsel of meat in his mouth, he had to pause and let the flavor run across his tongue before he'd bite into the tender morsel.
"Oh my! Aren't you simply WONDERFUL!" Ed was just about to place another fork full in his mouth when a voice behind his shoulder spoke loudly in his ear. "Those gloves are priceless, and the hair." His braid was lifted off his back, "more men should wear their hair long like you." Placing his fork on the plate, he slowly turned to see who was talking so loudly directly in his ear and touching him in such a forward manner.
He was forced to lean away from the speaker, practically falling out of his chair as her face moved in closer, invading his personal space. All Ed could see were vivid green eyes. "Er..." was all Ed could manage from his position. His eyes slid over to his brother begging silently for help.
"Um, Miss?" Al said, trying to gain the strange woman's attention away from Ed. The woman turned, as her eyes lighted on Al, she broke into a sly grin. Al tired to smile at her but his mouth felt wooden and it was more like a grimace then a smile. Ed could see Isabella out of the corner of his eye looking at each one of them like they were crazy.
"Goodness, but you're cute too!" The woman stood, dropping the braid and moved around the table to take a closer look at Al. Just like with Ed, she got too close and Al was forced to lean away.
"Leave Al and Eddie alone...meanie!" Isabella planted her hands into the table top and stood on her chair. She glared across the table at the intruder.
"Er... Isabella?" Ed reached out a hand to make her sit and she just glared at him and then back at the lady who was looking at her with an annoyed look. It was true that this strange woman was a little unnerving but people were starting to look over at them and he didn't want Isabella to fall and hurt herself.
"May I join you?" The woman stood and without an invitation sat in the empty seat. Al slowly righted himself; Isabella, still standing in her chair continued to glare at the woman while Ed was dumbfounded. This woman was so pushy; it was practically unheard of in this world of excessive manners. "My name is Lady Rose. I'm from England, although I'm not English myself. What are your names?" She rested her elbow on the table and cradled her chin.
Ed looked over at his brother; Al looked at Ed and he shrugged a shoulder, Al was puzzled too. Clearing his throat, Ed sat straighter in his seat. "Well my name is Edward. This is Alphonse, my brother, and this is Isabella."
"Oh, is she your daughter?" The woman asked Ed as studied the small girl who had yet to sit down, "No...I don't think so, her coloring is too different. You on the other hand." She turned towards Al. "You're very much like her, but...you're what? Only sixteen? You'd have to have sired her when you were ten!" She guffawed at her own joke.
Al laughed a little uncertainly with the strange woman. Ed could only stare and shake his head. Isabella finally sat back in her seat, visibly peeved at them all.
"Well my dears, my name is Lady Rose. I'm travailing to Cairo to meet my husband, he has some sort of business there, I don't know what it's all about myself, but it SOUNDS important. I don't know, but anyway what are you off to see? The pyramids? Going to tour Egypt? I could help you see the sights. Fine men like you shouldn't go un-escorted—"
"—Um...Well actu—" Ed tried to interrupt.
"—Without a lovely woman to show you around. Good, it's settled. I'll show you the sights." The stranger slapped the table with her palm.
"So this is where you got off too, Milady."
"Oh! Mr. Maxton! Look what I found, aren't they precious! They've agreed to let me show them around Egypt. Here, sit, sit." Lady Rose pulled out the remaining chair for the new arrival. The tall lanky man perched on the seat and examined the tables other occupants.
"Yes, quite," Mr. Maxton agreed with Lady Rose, his voice laced with contempt.
"Mr. Maxton do you remember the time when..."
Ed leaned over to whisper to Al as the two newcomers talked amongst themselves. "What's she talking about? Precious! What are we, jewels?" Al grunted in the back of his throat in agreement.
"I no like!" Isabella whispered, as she stood between the two brothers.
"Where'd you come from?" Al asked, amused at her statement and the absurdness of the whole situation. "Anyway, Ed, we can't be rude to them. The woman, though, is really pretty don't you think? Even if she is strange." Al looked across the table to watch the woman talk with her companion.
"Al, she's like forty-years-old!" Ed hissed at him.
"So! I can say she's pretty!" Al shot back. Ed sat up in his seat, watching his brother from the corner of his eye. Sure the woman was nice to look at, the warm brown skin made her dark brown hair richer in color and texture. She was dressed in some fancy looking clothes so maybe the 'lady' title wasn't too far off.
Al seemed to be drawn to the woman, Ed noted. With her startling rich green eyes that were so vivid, Ed could see why someone like Al would be interested in her. For Ed, it wasn't a problem. The earlier invasion of their personal space was soon forgotten it seemed as Al was shyly asking Lady Rose about where she came from.
"..I'd love to! And Ed will too, right?" Al smiled at him
"I'll what?" questioned Ed. He wasn't interested in this person and had let his mind wander.
"Dance with the Lady Rose, right?" Al supplied.
Well, that's what I get for not paying attention. Ed thought. "Ah, well, Al you kno—"
"WONDERFUL!" Lady Rose spoke over what ever Ed was about to say. Ed closed his mouth. She seemed harmless enough, but something nagged at the back of Ed's mind...something wasn't quite right. Maybe it was just her pushy nature that irked him so.
The ten piece band was warming up as they continued to chat. Al was quite happy to laugh it up with Lady Rose while he and Isabella sulked. Ed did not want to dance, and not with her. Isabella hovered by Ed's chair playing with the end of his braid and pushing out her lip at the strangers, they were too friendly with Al and it annoyed her.
When the band started the first jumping chords of their song, Lady Rose jumped up and pulled Al out to dance with her. Isabella, forgetting her anger was enthralled. She had never been able to listen to this type of music, her father said it was the work of the devil, but how could something so fun be wrong? Soon she was hoping and tapping her toes in time with the jive.
Ed watched his brother dance with Lady Rose. He was surprised to see that Al was able to do all the complex steps with hardly any mistakes. It was lucky that their sensei taught them so well. They were able to quickly learn new fighting techniques with ease; it's no stretch of the imagination to think of dancing like fighting. As one song ended the next began; Mr. Maxton drifted away and left Ed with Isabella, who was grinning at all the dancing people.
After the third song, Lady Rose sought him out and somehow convinced him to dance with her. He was pulled to the crowded dance floor, where he performed the steps he'd seen Al do earlier but because of his ribs, half way though the song he was slowing and breathing heavily.
"My dear, what's wrong?" asked Lady Rose as she twirled around him. "You look quite pale."
"My ribs were broken...a few weeks ago..." gasped Ed. The more he moved the harder he had to breathe and that in turn made him move his rib cage more, aggravating his injury.
"Young men play so rough these days. Come, let's have a break. I'll buy you a drink." She took hold of his arm and they walked back to their table. Al had Isabella in his arms and was dancing around the table with her.
"You guys are back early—Ed are you okay?" Al finally looked to his brother, having eyes only for the Lady Rose up until now. Ed shook his head as he sat carefully back down in his chair. "Why'd you push yourself?" wondered Al. The Lady Rose quietly excused herself and left them to talk, Al glanced at her retreating back with a small twinge of disappointment.
"Idiot, you forgot didn't you?" Ed snapped causing Al to blanch. Ed used the back of his glove to wipe the beads of sweat off his brow. "You can stay and dance the night away for all I care, once I get my breath back I'm going back to our room." He was peeved that Al would forget about his injury so fast. However, now he'd be able to get away from that woman.
"Sure," Al agreed readily, he really did forget about Ed's injury.
Sighing heavily, Ed stood and looked at his brother. The pained look of grief at having made him suffer was enough, almost, to make him forgive Al. Well, he could wait until tomorrow for that. "Isabella, you come with me. Al's going to stay and dance some more."
"NO! I dance too!" Isabella glared at him from her position in Al's arms.
"Isabella, it's not an option." Ed motioned for Al to put her down.
"Come on Isabella, it's time for bed. I'll be sure to make it up to you later, promise." Al patted her head and she considered it. She relented and took Ed's hand. "See ya." Ed led the small girl away.
The air was incredibly hot, at 35 C, with the dry, unmoving air; to Ed it was hell. It made his auto-mail feel ten times heavier then normal and as a result all that tension went to his back. As the boat came in to port, Ed could tell that he was in for a rough go. Standing on the top deck, he watched as the sailors made the ship ready for the passengers to depart.
The four day voyage was pretty uneventful unless you counted the way Lady Rose hounded them. She insinuated her way into every activity or event on the ship with him and Al in tow. The way she doted on Al made him worried. The woman was married, what could she want with Al unless it was something wicked, like adultery, and if that weren't enough his dreams were taking a disturbing turn. He started to dream about the Colonel in less then...decent situations. While he had some feelings of infatuation for the man, he'd as yet never dreamed of him...like that. It was a bit startling.
If it weren't for Isabella, he'd probably snapped by now, at Al or Lady Rose, which ever one would have pissed him off first, so for her sake he was trying to behave. He heard footsteps approaching from behind; glancing over his shoulder he watched as Al and Isabella came to join him at the railing.
"It's pretty hot eh? How are you holding up?" Al asked as he neared Ed.
"It's rough, but it won't kill me." Sighing he leaned on the railing, letting it take most of his weight. Isabella wormed her way in front of him peeking through the rail to watch the happenings on the quay. As the boat moved slowly closer to its berth, more of the ships passengers joined them on deck.
"Ed...Why'd you let Isabella come with us?" Ed looked at his brother. Al wouldn't meet his eyes but instead he stared out at the city of Alexandria. "It's going to get really dangerous, right? What are we going to do?"
Ed snorted as he considered what he could say to that. His feelings were complex and difficult to express. This girl, who Al had rescued, was kind of like them in a way. No family, for now at least, and traumatic experiences. Somehow, Ed wanted to make sure that she didn't end up like them. So, why bring her? Being around them would mean she'd be subjected to their bad luck. So, why?
"Let's get our stuff ready, eh, Al." He pushed himself away from the rail. Not waiting to see if they would follow or not, Ed made his way towards the door to the lower decks. He didn't know how to answer his brother and he didn't know what to do about Isabella. They'd just have to wait and see.
"Isabella, stay close okay?" Al warned the small girl as they stepped down off the pedway onto the dock and into the milling crowd of disembarking passengers. He moved out of the way of the flow of people behind him and turned back to make sure his brother was still with them, and was startled to see that Ed was nowhere to be seen.
"Ed?" Al called out over the buzz of conversations. "Edward?" he called a little louder. Craning his neck he tried to look for the brown jacket his brother was wearing today.
"Eddie lost?" Isabella asked, holding on to Al's wrist with both hands, she was scared of getting lost and she hoped that Eddie was brave until they found him.
"I hope not..." Al placed their luggage on the ground and took Isabella's hand in his own. He watched as the ship's passengers filed past. Where on earth could Ed have gotten to?
"Oh! Alphonse, there you are," Lady Rose shouted down from the ramp. "I was hoping to run into you before we got going. Mr. Maxton is in such a rush, aren't you, dear," she said turning to smile at the lanky man. Once they set foot on the rough hewn planks of the dock, Lady Rose led Mr. Maxton over to Al. "My dear, where's your brother?" Lady Rose asked as she cupped his cheek, her voice full of concern.
"Ah, we got separated somehow," Al said blushing a little. He could lose himself in those green eyes if he let himself.
"Should we wait with you dear?" Lady Rose asked as she scanned the crowd for the missing Elric.
"No, no. It's okay. You got to get going, so..." Al assured her.
"Alright dear, but promise me that you'll come see me once you arrive in Cairo and don't forget to tell your brother about that thing I told you about. You must come, okay?" Al nodded, he just hoped his brother would agree to it. As the two of them moved back into the crowd, Al resumed his search for his missing brother. As the milling people started to thin, Al started to get really worried.
"Alphonse." A soft voice called him from his left. "How are you?"
"Noa!" Al turned to face his friend. "It's great to see you. What are you doing here?" She bowed her head in acknowledgment.
"Your patron asked me to meet you. I was in Sudan when I got the call, so it wasn't hard for me to get here before you."
"Wow, you got there pretty quick."
"Yes, my people left Germany right away. A roman (3) gathering was taking place. This must be Isabella?" Noa addressed the child. "How do you do?" she asked in flawless Italian.
"Good..." Isabella replied before burring her head into Al's leg.
"Edward..." Noa glanced around and frowned.
"I don't know where he went. He always doing rash things like this," Al said, exasperated.
"Eddie lost. He scared," said Isabella, lifting her head and addressing the woman making Noa smile at the child.
"HEY! NOA!" Ed's voice echoed around the dockyard as he jogged down the quay towards them.
"Ed! Where'd you get too?" asked Al, annoyed when his brother was within talking distance.
"Sorry, I saw something that I needed to get." Ed slowed to a stop, a brown paper package under one arm. "Noa, how are you? I'm surprised to see you here, but I'm glad." He embraced her and she returned the hug easily.
"What's that?" Al demanded.
"It's a present." Ed grinned at his brother, brandishing the bag.
"No, what's that on your face?" He pointed to Ed's cheek.
"Hmm?" Ed swiped at the place Al indicated and looked at his finger. He grinned. "Oops! I thought I got it all."
"You made us worry while you went to get a snack!" complained Al. The nerve!
"Relax Al, you're to young to worry so much." Kneeling down stiffly, he presented the package to Isabella. "Open it," Ed commanded the small girl. Al huffed at his brother. Well he couldn't really stay mad at him, he did buy a present for Isabella.
She slowly took the paper bundle and held it lightly in her hands. Al could see the excitement in the small girl but still she was just looking at it. Al smiled at Noa as they watched to see what Ed had gotten. Ed reached forward and tore a hole in the paper and smiled at the small girl. Surprised, Isabella was spurned into action and the paper was gone in a flick of the wrist.
In her hands, Isabella had a lovely, locally-made doll. She took several minutes to study it and still there was no reaction from her. Ed looked at his brother and shrugged, maybe she didn't like it.
"Isabella...if you don't like it, Ed can get you a different one," said Al, softly. Isabella shook her head hard, sending the soft curls bouncing around. In the next instant she had hurled herself at the kneeling Ed, clamping on to his neck and forcing him back onto his butt as she proceeded to strangle him.
"Ack! Izzy, too...tight." Ed pried the small arms off his neck. "I guess this means you like it." He smiled warmly at the happiness in Izzy's face.
Noa smiled at the change in Edward. Before he left he was moody and snappish, now he was happy and joking around with Al, he'd even hugged her, which was rare. Truly, he was a wonderer like her, never happy unless he was moving. "I have made arrangements for transportation to the train station, your train leaves for Cairo this evening. They have a wonderful outdoor café were we can get a light dinner," suggested Noa.
"Sure." Al picked up their luggage following Noa as Ed and Isabella brought up the rear.
"Al! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Ed stomped out of his brother's room over to his own. "What were you waiting for? Christmas?"
"I'm sorry, already!" Al called back, annoyed. Isabella and Noa sat in their own room listening to the exchanges, waiting to see how the argument would play out. "I knew you didn't like her, but come on! It's a chance to find clues, right!"
"No means NO!" Ed yelled back. Really, his little brother was getting so head strong these days. Ed stuffed his clothes into his suitcase. Al could play all he wanted; he had a mission to finish.
"What are you doing?" Al asked from the doorway to his room.
"I'm packing." Ed threw his clothes into the case; quickly moving about the room to gather up all of his belongs.
"I see that. Why?"
"Listen, Al, you can play nice with that old lady, I don't care. But I'm finding that bomb!" He threw a shirt into his suitcase and stood to face his brother, ready for a battle royale.
Sighing heavily, Al entered the room and sat on Ed's bed. "Look...the trail ends here in Cairo, right?" Al reasoned, unwilling to be drawn into a fight. "What do you have to lose? These people obviously have money, whoever they are. Let's go where the money is. There will be a lot of people from high society there."
"You just want to be around that old lady!" Ed accused his brother.
"Edward...I'm not going to fight with you...but...it's true that I like Lady Rose. She's nice to us, don't be so distrustful," said Al in a clam, even voice.
"Al, I hope you didn't forget that she's married," said Ed flatly.
"I don't like her like THAT!" protested Al, shocked at what his brother was thinking of him all this time.
"But we still have to look into that tip we got the other day," Ed hedged, unwilling to admit that Al might be right.
"And we will. But tonight, let's try a different route. We've been out walking for several days and we only JUST got a clue today. This could work." Al could tell Ed was close to relenting, and he pressed on. "Isabella and Noa should come too. It'd be good to have the appearance of normalcy and they could pass as our family. I'm sure Noa will help us with her ability."
Ed turned away. He really hated when his brother was right. "Fine, we'll go...next time, tell me sooner."
"I will! Isabella, dancing!" Al ran out of the room to inform the others about Ed's decision. Ed just shook his head, sometimes Al could be such a kid.
Roy's team had 'acquired' an invitation to the Earl's ball taking place tonight, and unfortunately for Roy he was ordered to go even though it was his night off; his face was the most 'noble' of his group, even though his skin tone was darker then the pale porcelain quality that the English prefer. He just hoped that his heritage didn't show through too strongly.
Roy checked his appearance in the mirror, adjusting his tie so that it rested down the center of his chest. He smoothed his hair back away from his forehead once more before grabbing the rough metal plate and attaching it to his belt on his right hip.
"Roy, five minutes," Kevin called from the hallway. He steeled himself for what was ahead; crowed rooms, stuffy atmosphere and surveillance. It was going to be another stellar night.
"I'm ready." Roy stepped out of the washroom and faced his team. "Let's review it one more time." They gathered around Roy and studied the building plans.
Ed shifted his feet, although the night cooled off nicely, he was still too hot in his wool suit. He really wanted to take off the jacket but he made himself wait until he was inside before he could remove it. He stared up at the red sandstone building; the ornate white marble entrance was surrounded by party goers and ushers. Many of the revilers turned to look at the newest arrivals. Ed caught himself standing just a little bit taller under the scrutiny.
Mentality shrugging, Ed helped Noa get out of the car Lady Rose had provided for them. Al came out next with Isabella just behind. Noa had insisted that Ed wear his hair loose but the added heat it kept at his back made him want to grab the tie on his wrist and pull it into a pony tail. The long tresses of gold was certainly drawing a lot of attention. He could hear the murmurs of the other guests and their surprise at the length of his hair. Noa swatted his hand away.
"What?" whined Ed. He hadn't even realized that he was lifting his hands towards his hair.
"Leave it," Noa commanded in her soft voice. "It'll be better inside," she said as she straightened her skirt, making the silk fall in a more pleasing manner.
"Stop reading my mind," pouted Ed. "It's un-lady like." He presented his arm, which she took with a small bow of her head and Ed led them across the court yard towards the museum.
At the entrance, Ed handed over their invitations and they were waved through. The hall was filled with people and nobles all dressed in their finest. Small groups of people were chatting and milling about as the four of them moved further into the room. Dotted around the open chamber, were glass display cases showing off the more lavish finds from the Pharaoh's tombs. Ed led Noa over to one case containing a head piece made out of gold and enamel.
Al, with Isabella in his arms, was showing her a case just behind them. Ed rolled his shoulders, trying to make the kinks go away for a while, without any luck. Their plan was to use Noa's ability to scan the minds of the guests and see if anyone was in possession of the bomb. For that they'd have to wait until the ball got really going, when people had too much too drink and were in a better mood so that Noa could touch them and scan the party goers. Ed nodded at his brother and the four of them moved towards the dinning room.
Once inside the museum, Roy walked the entire first floor making sure everything was just like the plans said. He also took note of the lighter-then-planned security. That made him wonder how the Cairo officials felt about exposing all their precious treasures to the upper crust of English society; unless they had some kind of guarantee from Asherton.
He'd already seen the Earl walking amongst the guests and then head off towards the kitchens. Roy positioned himself so he could see the door to the kitchens, awaiting the man's return. In order to blend in and not draw attention to himself, Roy struck up a conversation with an Egyptian business man standing near him. They chatted easily for half an hour before Asherton re-appeared. Roy excused himself as he wove through the growing crowd of people after the Earl.
Servants, all dressed as ancient Egyptians, came streaming out of the side entrances towards the front of the ballroom. They lined the perimeter of the room, ushering the straggling guests forward, as Asherton took the stage. Roy moved to the side of the gathering where he could still have room to maneuver.
Taking a hold of the bulky microphone, Thomas Asherton singled the band. The drummer beat out a rolling rumble and the piano man tapped on the white keys.
"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for coming here tonight to welcome my wife, the Lady Rose, to Egypt." From behind the curtain, Lady Rose emerged, resplendent in the latest fashions from Paris. The crowd clapped politely as she took her place by her husband's side.
"More importantly, I want to share with you a startling find." The violins joined the piano and drums, adding an eerie quality to the music. The lights went dim except for on the stage, frightened gasps and murmurings swept though the crowd. "As some of you know, I've been out scouring the desert in search of the lost treasures of Egypt. Tonight, I would like to share with you my most impressive find."
The music stopped abruptly and a large gong rang though the vast room, reverberating back and fourth before finally dying away. The crowd looked around, wondering from where the show case would appear from. Unable to help himself, Roy craned his neck as well.
Startled exclamations from the back of the room made the people by the stage restless. Soon, Roy could see the crowd pointing up towards the ceiling. Spotlights flicked on illuminating the object; a vast gold and jewel encrusted quilt.(4) It was the only thing Roy could think of to call it. The throng clapped and exclaimed the wonder of the old world.
Roy saw Asherton and his wife leave the stage and the band began to play softly; the main dishes were brought out from the adjoining rooms and placed on the long tables for the guests to pick at.
Roy turned away from the tables and went around, behind the stage, looking for his missing mark.
"How is it Noa? Anything?" asked Ed; after the tenth straight dance he had to tell the next hopeful that he needed to get some refreshments before continuing. Finding Noa waiting for him on the edge of the dance floor, he had made a bee line for her. So far their plan was working out nicely. Noa was able to touch many of the guests as she passed them by, weaving through the crowd.
"Nothing yet, I'm sorry Edward."
"Ah, it's okay. There are a lot of people here and the night's still young." Ed grabbed a glass of wine off a passing servant's tray and downed the contents. "What?" demanded Ed when Noa just stared at him. "Dancing is hard work and with my hair this way, all the ladies seem to want to be around me."
Noa laughed softly into her hand. It was true; with his hair down Edward was drawing quite a bit of attention. Even standing here talking with her, she could see the envious glances from the other women as they talked.
"So, have you seen Al around?" asked Ed as brushed the hair off his face.
"Yes, he took Isabella to the bathroom. They'll be back in a moment."
"Good. I wanna steal Izzy for a bit, I need a break from all the rabid women."
"Edward, have you been able to learn anything?" Noa inquired bring the conversation back on topic.
"No..." Sighing, he slouched his shoulders. "I hope Al's having better luck then us, but then again, with Izzy in tow I doubt anyone would talk to him about stuff like that." As another waiter passed, Ed placed his now empty wine glass on the tray. They stood together in silence for a time, watching as the people moved across the dance floor in time with the music.
"Ah! Here he comes," mumbled Ed, as he strode over to his brother.
"Lady Rose! I haven't seen you all night." Al wove through the crowd over to the side of Lady Rose.
"My dear! How WONDERFUL, I was wondering if you decided to come." She reached out her hands for the young man as he approached her. Smiling, Al clasped her hand in greeting. "Let me introduce you to my husband." She turned and tapped his shoulder. "Dear, this is the young man I was telling you so much about, Alphonse Elric. This is my husband, Thomas Asherton."
"How do you do, sir?" Al shook his hand.
"Very nice to finally meet you too! I've heard so much about you." Asherton studied the young man, who held himself with such confidence; sure of himself and his surroundings. "You look like someone I could use. How about it, would you like to assist me?"
"Er...I'm not sure what I could do." Al wondered just want this man was talking about. "Maybe you should talk with my brother.
"Oh, Dear, please don't bore him with that kind of talk. Tell me Alphonse, where's your brother hiding?"
"Ha ha, he got tired of all the women hounding him for dances so he grabbed Isabella and is dancing with her." Al pointed over his shoulder at the mass of moving bodies.
Leaning against the pillar, Roy watched as Asherton chatted up his guests, all of it was just small talk. It wasn't until Lady Rose brought a young man to Asherton's attention that he perked up. He wanted to use him for something? And the guy said to see his brother instead, eh?
Roy looked over Asherton's shoulder in the direction the young man had indicated, but he had no clue on who to look for. He dismissed it immediately and concerted on what was being said in front of him.
"That's WONDERFUL, I bet any woman would want a dance with such a fine man. You must be quite popular with the ladies as well, Alphonse. Ha ha ha!" The Lady Rose laughed easily with the young man. If Roy wasn't mistaken, that woman was flirting with him, and right under her husband's nose.
"Poor Ed, he's not used to that sort of attention. When we were younger, we were quite well known around our country. He's much more comfortable being infamous, then being a playboy. Ha ha." The young man joked back. Roy narrowed his eyes at the pair. Infamous eh? Better keep an eye out for this brother.
"Make sure he comes over to talk with us, okay Alphonse. Mr. Maxton is around here somewhere. I'm sure he'd want to see you two as well."
"I will! Also, our friend came down to meet us, so I'd like you to meet her as—ah! There's Ed now. They look so cute together." Roy looked back at the throng of people, looking for some sort of impressive man. "Noa made him wear his hair loose, looks like a curtain of gold don't you think?"
Curtain of gold...? Roy quirked an eyebrow, and wondered what it all meant.
"Oh, Alphonse, no wonder the ladies are after him..." Lady Rose breathed.
Roy craned his neck trying to see around the milling people to look for this 'infamous' brother with the 'curtain of gold' hair. Several of the guests moved away reveling a perfect view of the hall. He scanned the crowd, not really seeing anything like they had described. He saw the younger brother wave at the dance floor, and Roy snapped his eyes back to the middle of the room. The only thing he saw was a small child waving at the brother. She was being carried in the arms of small woman.
Er—wait! That's a man! Roy watched as the two swung around. The MAN was holding the small girl in his arms, resting on his hip. As soon as he saw the waving boy, the man grinned and Roy's heart skipped a beat. He watched as he dipped the small girl and continued around the floor.
The Lady Rose was talking with the younger brother again, but Roy didn't hear them. The sound of his blood pounding in his ears drowned out all the buzzing conversations and music. He watched the lithe man move surely across the floor, staying on the perimeter of the dancers. Every third or fourth step, however, the man faltered. Not so much that it was hugely noticeable making Roy wonder at that.
He was vaguely aware of the younger brother moving away from the Ashertons towards the buffet tables and he was sorry to see the older brother move into the crowd and vanish from sight. Without the distraction of the blond, Roy's blood pressure slowly became normal again and he resumed his attentions on the Earl.
"—I really want him, dear. He's young, and handsome. He'll last a long time, I promise." The wife was pressing her body against her husband
"Are you sure they're both from Shambala?" Asherton asked. "Can they really open a gateway?"
What the HELL was this about...? Finally, Roy thought. Something viable. He gave his full attention to the couple and their conversation.
"That's what Haushofer said," reply Lady Rose. Asherton seemed to consider this and for several minutes he would not speak, nodding to his guests but not addressing them.
"Once we're done with the oldest..." The Earl paused while he considered what he was going to say. "We'll give him to the Seniore, that should keep him quiet and off our backs. I heard how grieved he was when he slipped though his fingers. He's in town..."
"Then does that mean..." Lady Rose looked expectantly up at her husband.
"Yes, my dear, you can have him." Roy watched as the Earl leaned in and placed a kiss on his wife's red lips. He turned away from the moment of intimacy, slightly jealous of their 'togetherness' and looked for the blond, older brother.
The man was just re-emerging from the dance floor, Roy watched fascinated, as the long hip length hair lifted and fell with each turn he made. Having discarded his suit jacket, the blond's build was clearly visible. Roy's eyes roved down his body, unconsciously studying the man, the vest he wore, the way the dark pants made his golden hair even brighter, down to his tapered torso.
When the music came to a stop, the blond let the small child slide down his body to the floor and then they both started clapping along with the other dancers. The younger one walked over to his brother and they exchanged some words. A dark woman also joined in their little pow wow, and then the whole lot of them was moving back towards Asherton and his wife.
When the introductions were made, Roy noticed that Asherton seemed to be reluctant to touch the woman and he wondered at that, when he readily shook hands with everyone that night. Roy listened as the group made plans to go sight seeing the following day. He made a mental note, slightly upset that he'd be on duty that day, but then again, he'd get to watch that guy.
The blond grabbed a glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter and excused himself, saying he needed some air. Asherton suggested a veranda off the back of the ball room that should be empty, having been roped off to prevent guests from using it, but the Earl said that he'd be alright to use it. Thanking him, Ed excused himself. As the man walked away, Roy could have sworn that he saw Asherton single someone, but from his position he couldn't make out to whom.
Pushing himself off the pillar, Roy casually walked in the direction of the blond, pausing to also snatch a glass of wine.
Ed looked back at the party, sipping from his glass. He was getting tired already. A month off of training was starting to catch up to him; he wished his ribs would hurry up and heal already. As soon as he was able, he and Al were going to spar, he couldn't wait.
Gathering up his hair he drew it over his left shoulder in order for his back to cool off. Taking another sip of wine, Ed walked towards the back of the ball, heading for the porch Asherton had mentioned. Switching the wine glass to the other hand, Ed massaged the right side of his neck making sure to work his fingers close to the metal on his shoulder.
"Good evening, sir. Would you care to dance with me?" a girl, no older then sixteen asked as he was standing there.
Shit, shouldn't stop or else I'll get hounded. "Ah...maybe in a bit. I just need to get some air. If you'll excuse me."
"I could join you..." the young girl tried again, placing a hand on his arm and smiling at him.
"Er...um...no...that's okay, thanks anyway," Ed stammered before walking rudely away. Man, do I ever suck at this! He shook his head at himself, but in the end it didn't really bother him...too much.
Ed checked over his shoulder to make sure the girl wasn't following him before finally stepping out onto the porch. Once outside, Ed breathed deep of the night air, he could just smell the Nile from here and the cool air felt good to his heated skin. Ed brought the wine glass to his lips, it was nice to have some peace and quiet and luckily there was no one else out here.
Roy was sweating bullets; the blond had almost spotted him twice before he finally walked out onto the veranda. Watched from the edge of the gathering for any signs of miscreant behavior, all Roy saw was the blond, standing on the patio sipping wine. He must have imagined that signal.
He was just about to turn away when he noticed a lengthening shadow detaching itself from the surrounding darkness out on the patio. Frowning, he watched as the shadow became a looming shape that advanced slowly on the unsuspecting blond. If he called out now, he'd create a panic and loose what ever chance he had to unravel this growing mystery.
Placing his glass on the nearest flat surface, Roy hurriedly walked towards the veranda. The giant man raised a fist and Roy's heart leapt up into his throat; he was still to far away to stop it! The blond crumpled to the ground; his wine glass clattered and smashed with a delicate plinking sound, spilling the liquid inside in a wide arc. From between the legs of the attacker, Roy could see prone man struggle to push himself upright.
The giant reached down and grabbed the back of the blond's neck lifting him high off the floor; drawing back his arm the attacker threw his victim at the veranda's railing. Roy could hear the explosion of air from within his body as he hit and slid, slowly to the ground. Roy glanced around, the crowd was getting thinner and most people were no where near the porch; no one suspected.
Slowing his pace, Roy approached cautiously. The attacker was advancing on his prey assured that he wouldn't have any interference. Taking one last look around, Roy crossed the threshold onto the porch. Stepping loudly so that the giant could hear him, Roy reached for that part of him; closing his eyes momentarily as he searched for the light. When he opened his eyes, the man had turned towards the sound of his foot steps.
"Get out of here, this doesn't concern you," the man whispered, sounding more like a growling then speech.
"On the contrary, I think it does." Roy placed his hand on the metal clip on his belt and stepped towards his adversary.
Ed tried to lift his head, succeeding only a little bit. His vision was blurry and un-focused as he blinked at the warm light from the party inside. Propped up against the banister, Ed struggled to breathe.
Why am I on the floor?... Bees? What's that buzzing noise? Are there bees in Egypt? The hair over his face fell aside. Blinking at the additional light, Ed's head rolled to the other side. Opening his eyes wide, Ed tried to concentrate on the moving shadows. They sound like bees...
As one shadow buzzed to the other, Ed wondered how they got to be so big!
Suddenly a bright light and a gust of heat whipped his hair into the air and buffeted his body, knocking him sideways. As the after image and the darkness ate at his vision, Ed noticed one bee kneeling down in front of him.
Do bees...kneel...? As the shadow leaned in, he succumbed to the darkness.
Roy watched, fascinated, as the eyelids covered up golden-brown eyes. Slipping into unconsciousness, the man, his prize, lay crumbled on the floor. Roy checked over his shoulder once more, no one seemed to have noticed what he did...but to be safe he'd better re-locate somewhere where they wouldn't be seen. He slid his arm under the blond's neck and knees and lifted.
Good grief! How much does this guy weigh? thought Roy as he strained to lift the guy off the ground. Abandoning that, Roy wove his arm under his left arm and grabbed his pants, lifting him to a sitting position, then placing a foot over both of his, he hoisted him up-right.
Once on their feet, Roy lugged the man over to the deep shadows along the side of the building and out of the light from the arch way. In the corner, Roy let the limp body down to the ground, placing a hand underneath his neck to ease him onto his back. The man immediately began to wheeze as soon as Roy stepped away. Panicking slightly, Roy quickly lifted him into a sitting position making his breathing even out.
Better check for broken bones... he thought since that rattle in the blond's chest didn't sound healthy at all. Squatting in front of him, Roy made quick work of the vest and dress shirt, pulling them open to revel a chest that was already bound in tight white bandages with an ugly bruise that was just starting to fade. Frowning, he felt along the rib cage, hoping he'd be able to tell any new breaks from the old. As he probed the bindings, the blond twitched away from his touch as though in pain.
Studying his face, Roy let his hands fall away from the small, bound chest and searched for any signs of wakefulness. Roy frowned at the man before him in contemplation. If Asherton wanted this man for his 'work' why have someone attack him? The long, golden hair was mussed and tangled looking, as his eyes traveled down his torso, Roy took in the wrapped ribs and slim waist. It didn't make any sense.
A small gust of wind ruffled the fringe of hair draping over the blond's face. Roy reached out and caught the errant stands, tucking them behind an ear, reveling more of the man's face. A glint of metal on the blond's right shoulder puzzled Roy, and he opened the shirt wider to investigate further.
There, just below his collar bone, a bolt was screwed directly into his flesh and the collar bone. Opening the garment even more, Roy saw that instead of a fleshy shoulder, this man had a metal one. Horrified, Roy let the shirt fall down to the bicep. Unsure of what he was seeing, he reached out to touch it. His fingers brushed against the cool, very real, metal arm. Ugly scar tissue encompassed where flesh met metal. The angry, red look to of it made it seem as though it was newly done.
His uncle had lost a limb during the war in Europe. The army had provided him with a fake arm that was cosmetic at best; Roy had seen this very arm move and grip and act like the real thing. What is going on here? he wondered. His thumb brushed over the metal, feeling the ridges and coolness. He suddenly pressed his thumb heavily into the bicep, watching to see if he got a reaction from this, but the blond was still out cold. Lifting the fabric of the shirt back in place, he hid his view of the mutilation. Chewing on his thumb, Roy pondered his next move.
"...Edward? Are you still out here?" a female voice called from the arch way.
Panicked, Roy sprang to his feet and hid himself behind the pillar close to the prone body.
"Edward?" the voice called uncertainly, a note a fear crept into her voice. Peeking around round the pillar, Roy saw the dark woman that was with the brothers earlier. She seemed reluctant to leave the false security of the light from within as she strained her eyes trying to penetrate the darkness beyond. At this rate she would give up and leave, but Roy wanted her to find the man. Let those who know him take charge of him.
Crouching down, Roy fumbled around for some stones or pebbles he could throw in the direction of the worried woman, while keeping an eye on her. Finally his hand nudged a stone, he scooped it up and stood. Making sure he was still hidden he tossed the stone over his shoulder in the woman's path.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. Roy could hear her step towards their position. "Edward? "Edward? Is that you?" Noa called again. She was trying very hard to banish the feeling of dread she'd been experiencing since he left them to get some fresh air.
As she moved out of the light and into the shadows, her anxiety increased ten-fold. She moved along with infinite care and caution, her eyes swinging back and forth though the night to find the source of that noise until she thought she saw something laying on the ground by the wall of the building. The darkness was playing tricks on her and she couldn't make out what it was. Tilting her head to the side, she studied the object. It wasn't until she titled her head to the other side that she finally figured out what she was looking at.
It was a foot.
Gasping, she rushed forward, her previous hesitation gone, as she knelt at the side of the body and noticed it was Edward. His chin rested on his chest as he breathed shallowly. The mussy hair blew and swayed with the wind and his shirt was undone exposing his bindings to the air. She would have guessed him to be sleeping but for the location.
"Edward...wake up. Edward?" Cupping his cheek gently, Noa rubbed her hand along the side of his face. "Edward!" Mere moments passed before Edward was groaning and starting to move. Noa let go of the breath she'd been holding since she found him.
"Mmthmels..." Edward mumbled as his head fell to the side.
"Edward, wake up now," soothed Noa, using her voice to call him back. She could feel his consciousness reach towards her. She closed her eyes and sought him out, helping him towards wakefulness.
"Thanks," Edward mumbled. Noa's eyes fluttered open, to look into dark golden eyes.
"What happened Edward? Why are you on the ground?"
"Why...?" Noa watched as her friend thought about it. "Holy SHIT!" Edward exclaimed as he sat upright. Groaning, he grabbed the back of his head and hunched awkwardly over his legs.
"What?" Noa asked trying to keep the hint of panic out of her voice at his foul language.
"Ahhh..." groaned Ed, winching at how tender his head was right now. "The colonel was here!" Ed looked up into Noa's eye with an excited intensity and conviction.
"Wha—"
"Mustang! He was here! I don't believe it! How'd he cross the gate? Where'd he go?" Edward struggled to get to his feet with out any luck. "Help me up!" he demanded. Noa gripped the blond under his arm and hoisted him upwards. Once on his feet, Ed ran to the banister and looked over the side for any signs of either his attacker or the colonel. "But, why'd he leave...?"
"Are you sure it was the colonel?" asked Noa hesitatingly before following Edward to the banister and look at his profile as he frowned. "What happened out here?"
"I think...I was attacked." Edward felt the back of his head and winced again. "And then I was thrown...and then the colonel used his alchemy..."
"Alchemy doesn't work here Edward..."
"I KNOW THAT!" Edward yelled as he gripped the railing, glaring at the back of his hands. Noa shifted uneasily beside him but remained silent. Looking down, Edward finally noticed his open shirt. He turned away from the railing and look back at the ball, thinking.
"But I did see fire..." He quickly re-fastened the buttons of his shirt and un-did his belt and pants. He turned to Noa, who hadn't moved or adverted her eyes. Stuffing his shirt down his pants, he refastened his belt and buttoned up the vest restoring his appearance. "He was here." Ed said again, pulling his hair back and smoothing it out.
Noa just nodded, Edward was not in a mood to have her argue with him. She could tell that without touching him.
"Com'on." Edward walked back into the ball, with Noa on his heels.
Roy exhaled, sliding down the pillar to sit on the floor. Whew, that was close...what was all that talk about a 'colonel' and alchemy? Mustang? How does he know about that? Grandpa was the only—no, it's just a coincidence.
Roy pushed himself back to his feet. Time to get back to work...
The moon emerged from behind large wispy clouds, casting its silvery light on the court yard and veranda below. A lone figure watched as the dark haired man went back to the ball leaving the veranda empty.
Soon, soon, that wonderful man would be in my possession...soon...
The moon light glistened off the large toothy grin, just before the figure melted back into the shadows.
-- To be continued --
