The hallways were silent as Edward and Alphonse Elric made their way towards Mustang's office. They had been ordered to return by Mustang by a weary-eyed messenger who caught up with the train at the next to last depot before their destination. The trip back had been a hot and miserable one crossing the barren land in the messenger's jeep. Yet they were here now, and the whole mystery of their being called back would be revealed.

For some odd reason today, Ed noticed as they walked in silence, hardly a soul stirred within Central. It was as though the place had been emptied of all life, or at least hidden from view.

They reached the entrance to Mustang's office when the door opened and Musang and Hawkeye stode out into the hallway, "Ah...Ed," Mustang began, his eyes somber.

"Whats up? Why have you called us back?" Ed asked in the ensuing silence.

"The Emperor and the Sword Alchemist are holding a banquet tonight and you and your brothers presence, Full Metal, were formally requested to attend by Sword. Think of it this way Ed," Mustang answered a mischevious grin playing in his eyes and at the slump of Ed's shoulders, "I am sparing you the embarrasment of not showing up. Not when Sword requests your prescence."

"Okay, why is this Sword Alchemist so important that a request from Sword is so 'embarrasing' as you put it?" Ed asked as he glowered at Mustang.

"The Sword Alchemist is the one and only trusted guard of the Emperor and the guardian of a object that might be of interest to you and finding the Philospher's Stone. Also, very few people beyond the Emperor and those closest to him have ever seen Sword and a request to attend from Sword is something not to be ignored." Mustang answered, the mischeviousness gone.

"I see," Ed answered, "Very well then, but I am only going becuase of this 'object' and its link to the Philospher's Stone. Don't you agree, Al?"

"Sure, Brother." Al answered his eyes away.

"Good then, its settled. Go to the Emperor's castle tonight at seven, Hawkeye and I will meet you there. Do yourself a favor, Full Metal, take a bath and get some formal clothing, unfortunatly you stink."

"Gee thanks, Mustang." Ed growled in response, "Hey, where's Hughes? Usually he's run us over with a picture of his daughter by now, so where is he hiding? I haven't seen him since we arrived at Central today."

"Lietenant...I mean, Brigader General Hughes is no longer with us. He's dead, Ed. He was killed a week ago, we have investegated, but the Furor ordered a halt to the investigation after we were unable to discover who killed him. If you wish to go see him, go to the cemetary on the hill." Mustang answered as he pointed to the black band looped around his shoulder with a heavy sigh.

"He can't be, he saw us off..." Al began, his voice trailing as the memory of Hughes seeing them off resurfaced...

"Why?" Ed demanded and why the Furor's intereference?

"We must remain calm, boys, something foul reeks in this, I don't know what, but for now we must remain silent and let other means tell us how this happened...I have my suspicions, nothing more. Another reason to attend tonights banquet, the Furor will be present and other key officials who might have a clue on Hughe's murder." Mustang answered in a lower voice.

"Fine then, I have a reason to come then." Ed answered, his eyes burning embers.

Ed knealt beside the simple stone that marked Hughes resting place as all stood watching the sun set across the field of stones around them. The wind picked up and Ed was forced to push back his bangs to read the carvings on the stone, begging what his eyes saw to be false.

"We'll learn what happened Hughes," Ed sighed, "You took something important to the grave, didn't you, something that needed to be said, and was silenced. Mustang never said it, but we know still the same. That is the retribution I promise for this. The truth will be known, no lies."

"Brother, its about time for the banquet, isn't it?" Al asked.

"Yes, we best be leaving," Ed answered, "Good bye, Hughes."

They turned and walked away, the wind rising at their departure. From behind the trees that crowned the hill, Envy hid a smile as she too turned to leave.

A banquet, yes. What better time to begin their plans and force the swordarm of the Sword Alchemist. Sword wouldn't be able to deny the homucluli (sp) this time, they'd have what they wanted and needed for their own plans. She only regretted that she hadn't been able to kick Full Metal where he had knealt. It would have been so easy then...

Yet success was tangible and close now...so close, she could feel human blood runnign through her veins. The plan had to work, would work.