A/N: Well. Here it is, the last chapter.
Keep reading past it, there is an epilogue I never expected to write but it occurred and it is short story unto itself. It also has one of the most amazing OC's I've ever come across... Cap'n_hoozit's irrepressible Shua!
24.
Miles squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head and instantly regretted it. "General... you realize Major General Armstrong is my former commanding officer and Andakar is my cousin-in-law? He's family and he's the damn Governor of Ishval! This is our people we are talking about!"
"Trust me Miles, I know. You're not going to have to sit on this though. If you decide to retain the Corporal here, he can continue to get intelligence from Western regarding the situation. The both of us can get ready to help those Ishvallan's that are there when the time is right." Roy said. "And this time," Roy glanced at Taige, "You won't be left to hang if something goes wrong. You both will be tacitly acting under Grumman's orders. That will carry a lot of clout." He continued.
"Taige has first hand knowledge both from the outside and from the inside, of Western's policies. Handled just right," Mustang shot an impish smirk at the Corporal, "He can be a lethal weapon against them. I, personally, can't think of a better person to handle that, than you." Mustang looked pointedly at Miles.
Miles, still not happy about the position he was being put in, studied Mustang a moment and could see what the General meant. He glanced at Taige. Several possible ideas were already blooming in his thoughts.
He wondered if they weren't side effects of the concussion. This was nuts.
"This..." Miles' frown deepened and he shook his head. "Keeping this under our belt so to speak, isn't exactly to my liking, sir." Miles continued shaking his head, his eyes reflecting the turmoil it was causing. "If this thing comes to light..."
"Especially here in Ishval, I know Miles, I can't stop thinking about it myself. Especially after hearing his account of what is actually happening in just one of those camps. What could be going on in the others?" Roy asked, nodding at Taige.
"Being there, living in the Western refugee communities, I've heard some of the stories..." Taige said. "Abominable doesn't come close. The open pit burials were bad enough." He rumbled.
Miles glanced at him, Taige was running his hand through his hair, pulling the thick mane back, his eyes reflecting his own horror's. The Colonel came to a decision.
"You'd absolutely follow every one of my commands?" He asked the Corporal.
Taige looked at him, "Absolutely," he replied.
"Including not withholding any thing back?"
"Including that."
"This is seriously bad shit crazy, sitting on information like this. If this comes to light in Ishval, we could have some terrible conflicts about it." Miles looked pointedly at Roy.
He was nodding, "Grumman's just as aware of this as I am. Look at it this way, I haven't even told Riza. This is not something the general public should know about just now. Ishval is still too much of an open wound, even considering how much we've progressed so far."
Miles, still troubled, decided to change the subject. "Is there more information on these Exploring Officers available?" He asked, glancing at Mustang.
Roy grinned, a little relieved. "Got a copy of Hughes files' in your safe. It's the stuff of legends! These guys were amazing."
Miles sat there a moment just thinking. "I do need someone to head up the MP unit as well as MI missions for this fort. You up for that task?" He asked Taige.
"As long as I can pick the recruits for it... per your approval." Taige said.
Miles felt a certain tension that had been between his shoulders slowly let go and he sighed in relief. "Well, I can't see any reason why you couldn't... plus run the intel lines we set up. Only problem is, I can't let a Corporal run such a thing." He looked at Mustang.
Roy was smiling like the cat that ate the canary. He went to go clap his hands together and quickly caught himself, his face blanching a moment, "Eh... probably not a good idea for me to do that," he said sheepishly, but then he reached inside his lapel pocket and pulled out a slim box and a letter.
He quickly recovered himself. "I came prepared for this one..." he chortled. "Once I had gone through Hughes' files at Central, I had a good long conversation with Grumman and we felt the need to rectify a rather gross dishonour." He handed the letter and box to Taige. "Let me be the first to congratulate you, Second Lieutenant Taige."
Taking the items, Taige froze in his chair. He looked at Mustang, blank faced in shock.
Miles began chuckling. "Show off," he growled at Mustang.
Roy preened.
Taige looked down at the box, not bothering with the letter just yet. He opened it.
Inside lay two epaulettes bearing three gold stripes on a field of blue and a single gold star in the middle stripe. There was also a new collar pin. Taige reached in and picked it up, looking at it. Instead of the Amestrian Dragon, it had the Ishvallan Silver Hawk on it. He looked at Mustang.
"You're the first one to get that. Benji's and Miles' are on the way. Grumman decided that since Ishval is its own province now they deserve their own insignia. Amestris will keep its dragons, Ishval will have their silver hawks." Roy said.
"Well, I'll be damned..." Miles muttered. He looked at Mustang, "Any news on a uniform change?"
"Baby steps Miles, baby steps." He smiled at a still visibly stunned Taige. "The letter is post dated, by the way. Your change in rank has been pushed back to the date you re-enlisted. With the accrued back pay as well."
Taige just stared at the box, the letter and the insignia pin. He set it back in the box and stood up, stumbling. He was beyond dog tired. He saluted them both. Utterly unable to speak. He finally managed to choke out, "Thank you, sirs..."
"My pleasure!" Roy said rising from his chair, returning his salute as Miles smirked, stayed right where he was, and returned his. Roy reached over and clasped Taige's hand. "I just apologize its taken this damned long to give you what you rightfully earned. Several times over."
Taige said nothing. He could only look away from them both, reaching up to run his hand over his mouth, blinking suddenly. Roy just grinned and retrieved the box from his hand. He dropped it on the bed and pulled the epaulettes out.
Seeing what he was about to do, Taige reached up and began unbuttoning one side while Roy did the other.
"I really should let Miles do this, but you know, bed rest." Roy joked.
"What? And rob you of conducting a show?" Miles shot back.
"At least your sense of humour is still intact." Roy returned, pulling the old epaulette off and sliding the new one onto Taige's left shoulder. He buttoned it and reached for the insignia pin. Taige finished the right. He glanced over to see Roy pocket the dragon insignia from his collar with a smirk on his face as he replaced it with the silver hawk. "There." Roy pronounced. "That looks a damned sight better."
Taige looked a little bemused.
"I still don't trust you, Lieutenant." Miles said and smirked at him.
Taige huffed. "Understood, sir." He smirked back.
At about that time there came a timid knocking on the door.
"Just remember what we've discussed." Roy said in a gentle warning as he reached out and opened the door.
Vesya stood there and looked up at Mustang. Her face was pale, and a bit splotchy, from what had obviously been tears. Mustang looked a little surprised.
"Vesya? Are you all right?" He glanced out in the lobby, seeing Rada and Naisha hugging one another. There seemed to be quite a little uproar going on out there.
"Is he..?" She asked and glanced into the room.
"There you are!" Miles started to say until he saw the look on her face. "Ves? What's wrong?" He tried to push himself up, wincing at the effort.
"What..?" Roy started, as Vesya hurried into the room.
She was at Miles side in an instant. She stood frozen a moment, as he studied her.
"Vesya? Sweetheart, what is it, what's wrong?" He asked, concern rising at the look on her face. She seemed stunned, beside being a bit pale.
"Oh Miles!" She cried out, reaching out to cup his face in her hands. He found himself smothered in kisses again.
Roy and Taige exchanged looks as Miles set his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back to look at her.
"Vesya?" He asked again, concerned. He pulled her hair off her face, baffled by the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Oh Miles..." She said again, shaking her head, then she smiled. "I'm..." she stammered. "I'm pregnant!"
There was a long pause, Miles stared at his wife as if shell-shocked. He was speechless.
Then Taige let out an amused huff and Roy began to laugh.
"Are..." Miles gulped, "Are you sure?" He finally was able to ask her. She nodded her head, still cupping his face in her hands. She was smiling, the tears rolling down her face.
"I'm sure!"
"Oh, that's just perfect!" Roy grinned.
Miles glanced at him. A big smile on his face. "Top that!" He said before embracing his wife.
"Easily," Roy replied smugly. "Why do you think Riza didn't come with me?"
Vesya, breaking the embrace, turned and looked at Roy with a gasp of surprise. "Riza's pregnant, too?"
Miles looked from Roy to his wife, "When?" he asked.
Almost in chorus Roy and Vesya replied, "November!"
A weary Taige quietly slipped out of the room as Naisha darted inside past him and Mustang. He went straight up to Scar. He still easily held Veela in one arm, his other draped over Rada's shoulders. Veela was completely out, oblivious to the burble of happy noise in the lobby.
"Well?" Scar asked.
Taige looked at him. Then he shook his head in wondering disbelief. He glanced at an epaulette. "I've been promoted." He murmured in subdued awe.
"Are you serious?" Rada exclaimed.
Bozidar gave him a knowing wink. "Ah... not quite what you were expecting but a welcome relief I am sure?"
"Second Lieutenant?" Scar asked, noticing the change.
"Of Fort Ishval." Taige said tapping the collar insignia. "Grumman's ordered our own. Seeings we're a province."
"Huh!" Scar huffed.
Taige shook his head, still not quite believing what had happened in there. Bozidar, chuckled, patting Taige's arm.
"I've had a conversation with Oshea, the chieftain of Lejia, my son. One of his elderly uncle's recently passed into Ishvala's bosom and he has a small house, near the Lejia-Maazra-Gunja divide. It's not that far from the school. He's looking to let it, if you're inclined. Would that be of interest to you?"
Taige, who was holding out his hands to transfer Veela back to him, looked at Bozidar in surprise. "Are you serious?" He asked, settling Veela into his arms. She didn't even wake up. Scar appeared rather pleased at that small success.
"Of course I am," Bozidar said serenely. "I've also discussed arrangement with the ladies about one of them walking our little miss Veela to school in the mornings. I do know your work in the Fort will take up some time. Plus I am aware Veela needs more time to adjust. Switching to one of the newer schools being planned wouldn't be advisable for the time being. She needs some familiarity as well as stability."
Taige stared at him a moment. Then he flicked his gaze at Rada.
"She's more than welcome to stay with us after school as well, you know that." Rada said. "You could pick her up after you get through with your duties."
"I..." Taige started, looking between Bozidar, Scar, and Rada. "I'll not turn that down," he stammered. He looked at Bozidar. "You're sure Oshea would let the home?" He very slowly sat down on a padded bench in the lobby, gingerly readjusting Veela.
"Of course! He's willing to let it for as long as you like. Even as your home gets built."
"That might be a while," Taige warned, sitting back, holding his child close. "A world of new responsibilities came with the promotion. I've no idea when I could even begin to build."
"That may be..." Bozidar replied cryptically. "We'll see what Ishvala thinks, shall we?" He winked.
Taige shook his head again. He glanced at Scar who was giving him a faint, amused smirk. What was going on?
"I've also talked with my fellow brethren. If you can make the arrangements with our Colonel Miles, we'd like you to take a few of us to where you have our brother Tosca buried. We'd like to help you fulfill the promise you made to him to bring him home to Ishval."
Scar blinked, looking at Taige. This was news. "What?"
Taige let out a sigh, resting his head on Veela's. He closed his eyes, seeming relieved.
"I promised Saahad Tosca, before he died, to bring him home." Taige murmured. "I talked about it with Saahad Bozidar. They've agreed that it is the right thing to do." He glanced at the priest. "I'll discuss it with the Colonel. Maybe we can try and make the trek up there in the fall. Plus get whatever we need to transport a coffin back to Ishval."
"Yes, that would be helpful..." Bozidar nodded. "It would make my heart glad knowing one of my brothers could make it back to Ishval for burial even after the Exile." Then he looked at Taige. Bozidar seemed a little puzzled for a moment, before smiling in amusement.
Taige had fallen as sound asleep as his daughter.
The emotional toll of Taige's return to Ishval didn't really hit him until the day Miles and Scar drove him out to the deserted home site, in Outer Lejia.
It was only a few days since everything had gone down.
Miles was stiff and sore but fully back to running his fort. Mustang had departed, but not before seeing that Sergeant Bryant was packed onto one of the military trains that stopped occasionally in Ishval. He was sent to Central where his fate awaited him. Achran and Deuel had been left to Bozidar...
Taige had left Veela in Rada's care. She slept a lot, still experiencing nightmares. Vesya would come after classes, and help her keep up with her lessons. That distraction went far in keeping Veela from dwelling on her circumstances. The one on one tutoring helped immeasurably, as a few learning difficulties were presenting themselves. For that Taige was infinitely relieved.
Scar had been told some of Taige's story, mostly about the role he had played as an Exploring Officer, and in getting Miles sent to Briggs. Miles carefully, and somewhat reluctantly, edited what had occurred to Taige after his incarceration at Mawestown and beyond.
Borrowing the Armstrong car yet again, Miles drove them out to the home site and what greeted Taige, left him speechless, at first.
The three stood on a rise looking down at the copse of trees where he and Veela had camped those first few nights upon their return. To his shock he stared down at a construction site. Two of the forts trucks, loaded with supplies were parked close in. The walls of his planned home were being constructed by a mixed crew of Lejian and Kandan volunteers, led by Oshea, the Lejian chieftain and Taige's new landlord.
In the shade of the trees, several long tables, conveniently set up with newly donated fence posts and blocks, were being loaded with food managed by a large group of women and children. A pair of cooking fires were burning and there was a general, community festival like, atmosphere in the air.
Taige could only stare at what he was seeing, reaching up to run a hand down his face. He looked away a moment towards the river and he felt his legs go weak.
Scar reached over, dropping his hand on his shoulder as Taige fell to his knees. He was shaking, his hand over his mouth as he stared at the undergoing construction.
"The materials for the house and paddocks are a combined donation of the fort and what strings Andakar could pull within the community." Miles said, standing just behind Taige. "We decided, General Mustang and I, that this would be a nice place to keep our second string horses. That would free up the corrals at the fort to keep training horses and new recruits."
Miles wanted to grasp his hands behind his back, like he normally would, but his bruising wouldn't allow it, so he settled for crossing his arms. "That is, if you want them here?"
Taige couldn't reply. He felt his eyes stinging and he clenched his teeth as a sob tried to escape him. When Scar dropped to one knee next to him, and began to murmur a prayer, Taige could no longer keep it back.
He began to weep.
Miles said nothing. He just graciously looked away and a slight smile played across his lips.
It seemed appropriate when Scar, gripping Taige's shoulder tightly, murmured, "Doishteve ni Ishval, brother. It's been a long time coming."
Not long after that, Taige, had succeeded in his offer of labour to Stanno Dreva. He was using the Kanda chieftain's bar to break up kalcheh in a series of post holes. They had been dug opposite the wash from his future house. It was very early on an off day for him. He had ridden in on his recovered bay the night before and spent the night. Plans were to at least get the post holes dug before the late spring heat started to kick in.
At day break, Taige was stripped of his shirt, with his hair clubbed back using a new horsehair cord. He wore only his riding boots and a pair of loose cotton pants. He drove the bar into the hardpan, before reaching into the holes and flicking away the calcium deposits. He was just lifting the bar again, the sun having barely broke over the horizon, when he caught side of the bay. His horse, tethered nearby in the shade of the trees, had his head turned and was looking alertly towards the river. Ears pointed straight forward.
Taige looked at the horse, lowering the bar, then looked in the direction the horse was indicating. As he turned, his hearing caught the far off sound of neighing.
A jolt went through him, when he turned and stared. On the far side of the river, he saw them.
He dropped the bar and ran to where his saddle had been set on its cantle on the ground. A quick rummage through a saddle bag and he pulled the sniper scope out. Focusing, he stared, his mouth dropping open.
On the far side of the Halik a small herd of horses had appeared. They were wandering down to the water's edge, huffing and sniffing, before wading in and drinking. The horses were tall, rangy creatures, sparse manes and tails snarled and wild. Their coats, however, despite the burrs and nicks and cuts of a life living wild, had an unmistakable metallic sheen.
Taige fumbled the scope, before stuffing it inside his boot and he reached down and grabbed a coil of rope. He paused only long enough to untether the bay, slipping the bridle on him before vaulting onto the horse's bare back. He had to curb his own excitement, forcing himself to keep the bay at a walk while he searched for a place to cross the river.
It would later become one of those tales of Fort Ishval told for many years afterwards. The day Fort Ishval's Lieutenant rode in with a wild Wahiran Istiqan.
They could hear his fast paced trotting well before he reached the fort. Civilians and soldiers along the outskirts of the city and the fort all stopped to stare.
Taige made quite an entrance as he rode into the fort. Holding his hand up, he gripped the shortened lead on a horse that made the Westfalan light draft he rode look small. He was leading a young colt, easily 17 hands tall, long limbed, long bodied, and holding its head up high. The horse was fully alert, looking around wide eyed, bobbing it's head.
The colt, a bay, with four black stockings, had a coat that shone like a new copper cenz piece, metallic and shiny under Ishval's late afternoon sun. The creature looked like something straight out of Ishval's ancient history; regal, noble and easily worth a king's ransom.
The man riding next to it, looked up at the horse and he was smiling in triumph.