Author's Note: Another long gap between updates! Sorry, I really can't help it, that carpal tunnel was being a major killjoy when it came to writing, and then school hit. :( The former is mostly gone now, but:

This story has undergone revisions as of this chapter being posted. Nothing major, probably nothing you'd notice, but important enough that they needed to be done.

In any case, I'm sorry nothing much of relevance happened last chapter. This one should be an improvement, hopefully! I forgot to mention, I have a picture of teenaged!Roy up at my deviantArt account (linked through my profile). I also have my first fanart ever linked there as well! Thanks, Obi-quiet! :)

By Chance or Changing Course

Chapter Ten: A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

"…Mustang?

"I apologize for my tardiness, sir."

When Sergeant Ludwig Eberhart glanced up from his clipboard, I knew I was in over my head. And for some reason I glared right back, out of breath from running the whole way but not willing to give any more ground than I had to. He knew why I was late; everyone in the academy did. I'd be surprised if the entire state hadn't heard what had happened.

"So you're that Roy Mustang." He said, phrasing it more as a statement than a question.

I looked down, refusing to let him see my expression. "Yes."

"I suppose you think that makes you some sort of a hero, doesn't it? Someone who deserves special treatment?"

"No, sir." I said quietly. "I was detained by Doctor Brevet."

"Let me tell you something, cadet." I quickly looked up, bitterly annoyed. Not another lecture.

"…About the difference between a man and a boy." He continued, his tone and expression unreadable. "A boy can hide behind his mother. A man, however, has to protect her. He must take responsibility for himself, and for all those around him."

That's fine for him to say. I thought, my irritation and resentment simmering away beneath the composed expression I somehow managed to wear. He wasn't there. He didn't have to watch people die, to watch them-

"…Which is why I'm going to request a transfer for you."

I tensed, my eyes widening as his words sunk in. I could feel the others down the line staring at me, their faces probably shining with pity or dark with contempt. "Y-You…you can't-"

"I can, and I will." The drill sergeant said firmly. "You'll be transferred under Major Adolf Warren, effective as soon as I can get the necessary papers filled out. This arrangement will be temporary, but I expect you to follow orders and remain there for the rest of basic training until Mr. Warren believes you are ready to move on. Have I made myself clear, cadet Mustang?"

There were a few snickers, and I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Eberhart nodded, sounding truly satisfied.

That bastard! I had opened my mouth to tell him exactly what he could do with those 'necessary papers' of his, when he was interrupted by a familiar bugle call.

"…Well, since it seems like lunch is being served early…" Eberhart raised an eyebrow. "I'll meet you all back here in an hour, on the dot. Except you, Mustang. I want to speak to you alone."

Feeling suddenly nervous as my fellow army recruits dispersed and headed towards the mess hall, I nevertheless tried to keep up a brave front. I'd be damned before I'd waste away under some crackpot alchemist, after all those weeks of tough physical training. There was no way I'd let this reassignment go unchallenged.

Absent-mindedly, I fiddled with the neckline of my uniform. It wasn't as uncomfortable as it had been when I'd first put it on, but I didn't like the sensation of something tight around my neck. It made me feel like I was wearing a dog collar…or a hangman's noose.

He sighed, looking suddenly weary. "Mustang, I'll be frank. I knew your father back when we were a couple of army brats trying to sneak into the mess kitchen. He's done…did me quite a few good turns over the last few years, so I figure it's time I paid my due to his son."

Some of my confusion slipped past that mask I'd become so good at wearing the past months, before I hardened my resolve once again. "What happened to giving 'no special treatment'?"

To my surprise, he laughed. "This isn't special treatment, kid. It's the chance of a lifetime, provided you're willing to put the work into it. And I can't see your old man raising a slacker, can you?"

I lowered my eyes again. Looks like irony had once again come back to bite me in the ass. "Yeah…I'd put the work in. But I don't see what Major Warren has to do with all this."

He gave me a pointed look, and I knew immediately he was going to say something important. "Listen up, the military is thinking of employing so-called 'state alchemists' in the future. I've seen your marks in maths and sciences, you could learn alchemy and learn it well if you applied yourself. That would make you a hot commodity around here, and set you up for a good career. Even the most basic knowledge on the subject would help you rise up in the ranks."

But I still didn't understand.

"Why should you care? I'm just another recruit. How I become a soldier isn't important, it's what I do afterwards that counts."

He gave me that same look, the one I couldn't figure out.

"Because being in the military…you make a lot of enemies. Whether you want to or not. The key is to keep a good poker face, and make sure you have a good hand of cards. If you're anything like your father, you'll be sure to take that to heart."

---

Roy found himself staring blankly at the ceiling, listening to the soft sound of the wind blowing. He couldn't remember waking up, but he knew he must have only a short while ago. That dream…no, it hadn't been a dream. A memory? But he'd thought had nearly forgotten his days at the academy…something he'd always considered a blessing. Until now, when he found himself wondering if he'd forgotten something important.

"Hey, Mustang? Are you awake?"

Roy turned his head, realizing belatedly that the effort was wasted. Thanks to the pitch-black darkness of the room, he suspected he could barely see his hand in front of his face, let alone something across from him. The voice sounded clearer, louder than it should have, and after a moment Roy realized the blizzard must have died down.

Groggy but all the same recognizing the voice as Edward's, he sighed. "Yes."

"Great, could you do me a favour?" Roy raised an eyebrow at the eager tone of the teenager's voice, for once without any trace of sarcasm or any similar emotion. It seemed suspicious…

Wary, Roy decided he had nothing to lose by humoring him. "Depends on what it is."

"Could you go ask Tao Yin for breakfast?" There was an undercurrent of pleading in his voice. "I'm starving."

For a moment, Roy didn't say a word. The silence was torture.

"No."

"What did I ever do to you?" Ed snapped, losing his temper. "Couldn't you just-"

"You should not be so impatient, Mr. Elric." Tao Yin interrupted smoothly, having watched the series of events unfold with amusement. She had never considered herself a terribly noisy person, but it was obviously Mustang's young charge hadn't quite adapted to his situation yet. She'd been standing there for quite some time, after all, fiddling with things and not entirely trying to be quiet.

She shook her head amusedly. "You will get your breakfast soon enough. Before then, however, I would like to borrow your superior?"

"…Whatever." Ed replied crossly, ducking his head to hide his blush. Dammit, Mustang could have at least helped him to avoid this embarrassment…

Meanwhile, Roy watched the older Xingese woman with some trepidation. Something wasn't quite clear about all this…why did she want to see him in particular? What was she planning?

She caught his gaze and smiled. "Come with me, colonel."

Ed heard the sound of creaking bedsprings, and the rustle of the tent flap being opened and closed. Quickly putting on his leather jacket, boots and coat. Wincing at his aching side (which surprising felt much better) as he did so, Ed sat there and waited for a few moments, trying his best to ignore his complaining stomach. His patience was soon rewarded, as soft footsteps came closer and he once again heard the familiar tent flap being pushed aside.

"So, are you going to tell me what this is all about, or leave me in the dark?" He asked, mustering plenty of his old bravado. Ed felt a hand on his shoulder, and suddenly felt less confident.

"Do you want to see?"

Of all the things the teenager had expected to hear, that wasn't one of them. Why was Tao Yin here and what was she getting at? Where was Mustang? Further more, her question was bizarre…of course he wanted to see again, who wouldn't? Without his sight, how would he ever restore Al's body and find the philosopher's stone? This was some sort of test, he could tell that instantly. Some gut feeling deep down told him she knew more than she let on. There was something important she'd told Roy, he just knew it. But there was a marked difference in her attitude towards him now than she had with Mustang before.

Ed looked guarded. "What do you mean? Where's Mustang?"

"I do not pretend to be anything other than what I am, an observer, so what I can tell you is limited. I would prefer Roy would tell you this himself, but he seems to have misplaced his manners since I last saw him. I suppose the Ishbal rebellion has that effect on people…war hardens even the gentlest of hearts."

Ed frowned at the implication of her last words, noticing how she didn't answer his second question. He let it go for now. "You know him well?"

"I did. Now, if you have any further questions, please ask them now and try not to interrupt me in the future. I want to tell this story from beginning to end, and in order to do that I cannot afford to be distracted."

Ed crossed his arms, giving her an irritated look. Unknown to him, Tao Yin smiled, pleased despite herself that she'd managed to capture his attention. He didn't seem to respect authority very much, although…in one sense, she couldn't help but suppose that might aid the colonel later on.

"Since this situation seems very…unbalanced, I would like to level the playing field, so to speak. Roy mentioned you were curious to know the details of what happened during the winter of 1903?"

The teenager leaned forward eagerly. "You'll tell me?"

"Of course not. However, I will tell you how to find out." She replied primly. It was obvious she enjoyed stringing him along, and Ed was quickly tiring of her games. For someone he suspected was a respected elder, she sure did have a sadistic streak.

He clenched the bedcovers, trying to keep his control. His voice, however, was astonishingly level. "Stop jerking me around. Are you going to tell me something, or aren't you?"

"They were cut off."

Ed's eyes widened. "…What? Wait, you mean his hometown?"

"New Red Point, yes. By order of the government, under Fuhrer Joseph Firebrand. They were left without proper food supplies, and prevented from contacting the outside world. Many starved to death, while others…suffered a worse fate. That tyrant undid what little good work his predecessor, Rex Bradley, had done. I take it you never studied history in great detail?"

Ed was silent, and for once attentive. Tao Yin sighed and resumed her explanation, although this time in much more hushed tones. He was startled when she leaned closer, whispering in his ear.

"They were desperate. He barely escaped in time."

Ed looked taken aback. "That's a bit…extreme. Why would they cut off an entire town? Weren't there families living in that place, like Mustang's? People who didn't have anything to do with the criminals?"

"That's a question no one ever asks." Tao Yin replied simply. "Because most them were made up of military personnel, or related to military personnel."

His eyes widened. "You mean-"

"Yes. They moved to that godforsaken town out of their own free will, with the intention of restoring and then maintaining order. As you can guess, that move was a costly one for the military."

"Why didn't-" Ed's voice hitched slightly, as he struggled to comprehend this information. "Someone must have known something! Tried to save them before it was too late!"

The next few minutes seemed to drag on for a year. Nervously, he waited for her answer.

"No, Edward. You are familiar with the reputation the military has. Not many look kindly upon those who they see as giving themselves up body and soul to the state. I would not be surprised if there were many who rejoiced upon hearing the news."

Ed recoiled, horrified despite himself. "But those people…the ones you say suffered a worse fate. What happened to them?"

As soon as he asked, he knew he wouldn't receive a straight answer. It was too direct a question. As he'd suspected, she hesitated for a few moments more. Ed had nearly reached the end of his rope when she finally responded.

"It is not my place. Nor are you ready for the knowledge, if Roy has not told you yet. Until both of you admit to your blindness, neither of you will be able to see."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ed demanded angrily. "Mustang's not blind!"

There was a sigh. "He will not allow himself to see the truth. Roy is blinder than you by far, and yet more open to the truth. It is a very curious state of affairs…but I digress. If I am not mistaken, North City still has the records of the incident under lock and key in the library. Perhaps your pocket watch could help you gain access to them, but I would not know."

"Why are you telling me this?" Ed finally asked, in a less irritable tone. He felt the bed shift, and realized she must have stood up.

She smiled, the useless reassurance that it was. "Do I need a reason? Just because my nephew never tells his secrets doesn't mean that I won't."

He jolted, nearly falling out of the bed. "Mustang is your nephew?"

"Yes, he is. Although I would be very surprised if he knew, considering how his mother was about family relations." Tao Yin sounded amused.

His shock at the news temporarily put aside, Ed smirked, recognizing the irony of the situation immediately. "That figures. Bastard always thinks he knows everything…but I bet this would give him a nasty shock."

"I would rather you did not tell him." She was surprisingly solemn, and the smirk faded off Ed's face quickly. "Both of you may live to regret it, should he decide to pursue his family history."

"…Fine." Ed said grudgingly. "We'll consider it an equivalent exchange. You gave me information, I won't tell Mustang."

She laughed, making the teenager feel distinctly annoyed. And here he'd offered to do her a favour?

"I a-apologize, but…I am no alchemist. You are not obligated to hide this information from him if you want to tell him, and you do not need to repay me for telling you the truth. You are a rather straightforward person, Edward Elric. I can see why Roy respects you so much, as badly as he shows it. A kindred spirit to him, perhaps?"

"I'm nothing like Mustang." Ed replied grumpily, his pride wounded. He felt a hand on his shoulder again, and looked up, for all the good it would do him.

"When you regain your eyesight, I would like you to see this." He felt something (a piece of paper? No, it felt stiffer than that…) being pressed into his flesh hand.

Seeing his questioning look, Tao Yin elaborated. "This is a picture of Roy and his family months before…it happened. He was very different then from what he is now, although in many ways not as much as he likes to think."

A blue long-sleeved shirt made out of a stiff material and pinned in a manner similar to the military uniforms…a pair of matching dress pants tucked neatly into smart black boots…and long black hair tied back into a ponytail…

Wary of the answer he would receive, Ed decided to take a chance. "Did he have long hair?"

There was a short, incredulous pause.

"Yes…how did you know?" She sounded surprised. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, as the alchemist tried to think of some logical explanation to cover his tracks. Ed couldn't think of anything good enough to sound convincing.

"Just…a good guess." He felt slightly guilty about lying, but telling the truth would just make him sound crazy.

"Well, well. Talking about me behind my back again, Fullmetal?"

Ed felt like banging his head against something very hard. How long had Mustang been standing there anyways? "Yeah, sure, like I'd want to talk about you when I don't need to. Where the hell were you anyways? Come to mix with the commoners?"

"Mature as ever, I see." Roy remarked, a hint of superiority in his tone. "It might interest you to know that while you were lying here in bed gossiping, I was looking for the best route to North City and begging the leader of this circus for provisions."

"It is ironic that you should say that, Edward." Tao Yin laughed slightly, and Ed raised an eyebrow. After a few moments the old woman elaborated. "It seems like Colonel Mustang has become quite popular here. I've lost count of how many women have asked me about him since you two first arrived."

"Doesn't surprise me." Ed snorted, although his thoughts were still preoccupied with the strange dream.

But all too soon the teasing and witty camadarie gave way to more important things. Supplies needed to be gathered and organized, and goodbyes needed to be said. For Ed, who had spent the majority of his time away from the rest of the caravan, being dragged out into the warm sunlight was a strange experience. The sound of whispers and quiet voices made him tense. The teenager felt oddly trapped, surrounded by people he couldn't see but who could see him.

Since when did I become so paranoid? He wondered dimly, feeling a comforting hand on his shoulder. Someone (Mustang?) leaned closer to him.

"Don't look so scared. If they had wanted to hurt us, they would have already."

"Like I don't know that." Ed replied sullenly, irritated that Mustang could see through him that easily. Why did people keep touching him, anyways?

He suddenly remembered the picture, and casually put a hand in his pocket to check if it was there. Ed's fingers touched the glossy surface of the photograph. Good, so he hadn't lost it. He felt the hand leave his shoulder, and heard distinct footsteps. It was easy to tell they were Mustang's, no one else wore such heavy boots. Wary, Ed listened for the slightest sound that would alert him to trouble, cursing his blindness but at the same time impressed despite himself at how good his hearing had become in such a short time.

"…Thank you for all you've done, if I can ever-"

"Are we going to go, or just stand around here all day?" Ed asked impatiently. The murmured conversations stopped immediately, and Ed became nervously aware of the eerie silence that had descended on the caravan. One voice broke the silence, shattering the tranquility that had been present only moments.

"Wang ba dan!"

Ed didn't know what the word meant, but when he heard footsteps coming closer, he was pretty sure it wasn't something good. Ed shifted into a fighting stance as he heard them moving, his still-healing injuries protesting. All thoughts of support from Mustang went out the window, as the teenager quite suddenly became fully aware of his vulnerability. He couldn't punch and kick something he couldn't see, and he'd have to rely on touch and his hearing to-

"That's enough!"

Mustang…that was Mustang's voice. That hand on his shoulder again. Ed turned his head as if to glance at it, but a split second later remembered why that wasn't possible. He settled for glaring at the colonel until the hand moved. Even so, the alchemist was sullenly appreciative of the help, despite the fact Mustang had almost been too late to offer it.

Ed heard someone else move to stand beside him, whispering something to him. It was Tao Yin. "I apologize. They are not bad people, but…if men perceive difference, they often react with suspicion."

For his position close by Ed, Roy listened quietly, unable to help but think of Shui. Those accusing eyes…he had felt genuine animosity towards Ed, for no good reason. It made the colonel uncomfortable to think about it, especially when he noticed the boy only a few metres away, giving Edward the same look he'd given him that night…

"Then we should leave. Now." He said, his tone broking no argument. Ed was, for once, in full agreement with him.

"Be careful. The weather this time of year is treacherous, and you follow no road." She warned them.

"We'll make one." Roy said simply, unknowing echoing words Ed had once said himself.

She sounded somber "That may be. Take care, all the same."

The teenager heard her move away, and wondered if he should have said goodbye. But thanking people wasn't really something Ed was comfortable with doing, especially when he needed to go out of his way to do it. He stayed where he was, glancing in the direction he'd heard her footsteps go.

"I've got the supplies we need. As long as you don't mind walking, we can leave now." Ed noted that Mustang's tone was low. Obviously he was still worried about the Xingese nearby.

Ed grinned slightly. "As much as I enjoy using you as a pack mule, I think I can handle it on my own. Just don't lead me into a tree."

"I haven't yet." Mustang replied, that same infuriating smugness in his voice, although this time Ed didn't mind it as much. As long as Mustang was in good enough spirits to keep up witty banter, they couldn't be in that bad a situation.

---

'Wang ba dan' is err…we'll say the Chinese version of 'son of a bitch'. in Mandarin (?) Chinese. It basically translates to 'turtle's egg', implying that the victim's mother really gets around and…I'm not explaining this well. Wikipedia is your friend? (Also, thanks Pragmatical for pointing out my mistake!)

Again, I'm sorry this chapter was both EXTREMELY LATE and I had to cut it off before we got to the best part, but hey, it could be worse! I'm over my carpal, so expect the pace to pick up a bit! :)