Author's Note: Wow, I'm only on my second day of writing and I've already got reviews coming in! Thanks a lot, readers. I've only updated one chapter today, but I am hoping to write one chapter every day or so. Also, I tried to make today's chapter a bit better than my previous work.>.>;; Sorry if my opening seemed weak. Anyway, thanks again, everyone, and I hope you enjoy chapter two!

Chapter II: The Wandering Jackal & the Lady in Violet

As he wandered through the forest, leaves brown and gold in the spirit of autumn, Lowe Aziz reprimanded himself for even thinking about complaining. After all, this was the only way they could find the freedom they yearned for so much. They were almost there... almost free from the tyrannical grip of the State Military. He had shepherded his people this far into Amestris, and he would guide them out. Looking over his shoulder, the tanned man smiled at the sight of his three companions. Adel, Dawood, and Faris had been his companions since they were forced out of their native home of Ishbal, and the four of them together journeyed out every day after finding a new camping spot for the others- that is, the nineteen other refugees. Though his own parents had died long ago, back when the Ishbal Massacre could have been- barely- thought of as something else, the men and women he protected now almost seemed like a second family. It was tiring work, but it was necessary, and they all agreed that the sooner they were past Amestris and in Creta, (the State Military currently had a strong presence in its southern region, otherwise they would have gladly fled to Aerugo and avoided a longer journey) the better off they were.

It was a miracle that they had even managed to flee Ishbal in the first place, never mind travel this far. The group of twenty-three had first traveled southwest around Central City and now were moving northwest as they neared the Cretan border. In spite of the fact that such a large group had traveled so far into Amestrian soil, they had encountered little military resistance, none of which proved much of a threat to the men of the group.

Lowe sighed, casting a glance on the intricate, circular brand on his palm before taking hold of his rifle with both hands. It was a constant reminder of what Amestris had done to his people. He remembered the event well. His house- or rather, the house he had been allowed to stay in after his own had been destroyed- had been attacked and torched by the Amestrian military. When Lowe tried to defend himself, one of the soldiers shoved him through a window. As if the fall hadn't been enough, his left hand had landed on a strange amulet that had been heated by the blaze, scarring him.

Lowe's daydreams were interrupted by the sounds of voices up ahead. He looked over his shoulder and, just as he expected, the others were growing as cautious as he was, their fingers growing tense over their rifles' triggers. They had purposefully taken an obscure path through this forest toward the next town over, never expecting that they would encounter any trouble. The four young men pulled hoods over their faces, shielding their red eyes and tanned complexion from view. As they grew closer, their suspicions were confirmed- a military checkpoint stood ahead. So no suspicious would be raised, the four hid their weapons beneath their coats.

"Good afternoon," a soldier- apparently the leader- clad in the blue coat of the Amestrian military greeted the four travelers when they came into view. "We apologize for this inconvenience, but we've heard rumors that a group of Ishballan refugees has been sighted around this area." The officer's watchful, black eyes studied them carefully. "Again, we apologize, but you're going to have to lower your hoods."

Without further delay, Lowe spoke up as if reciting a statement they had used on several occasions before. "We have a rare skin disorder that prevents us from being exposed to direct sunlight. I'm afraid we won't be able to take these off."

The officer and several of his men exchanged doubtful glances in silence before speaking again. "Don't be silly, the sun's already setting. Just show me your faces and you're free to go," he insisted, drawing closer.

Without another word, the four refugees revealed their weapons at once and fired, killing the black-eyed officer and seriously wounding another. One of the other soldiers charged Lowe, pinning him to the ground with his rifle. Forcing off the young man's hood, the nature of the soldiers' attackers became clear to them.

"They're Ishballans!" the man cried before another of the refugees shot him in the back, freeing Lowe.

Battle cries and gunshots rang throughout the forest as the four Ishballans fled off the trail and deeper into the trees. They ran as quickly as their legs could carry them over the leaf-covered, hilly ground, over a dozen soldiers hot on their tracks. A cold anger took Lowe as he came to the realization that this time, they might not emerge from their dangers unscathed. Coming to a ravine, Lowe shouted to the others and let himself slide down the treacherous slope, hiding at the bottom once he came to a stop. His companions were quick to join him, also hiding themselves from their pursuers.

An eternity seemed to pass for the four Ishballans as the Amestrian troop searched for traces of the disappeared refugees. The crunching sound of boots on fallen leaves seemed to intermittently get farther and closer as the soldiers scavenged the area of the forest. Then, just as Lowe thought they were safe from harm, he saw a soldier above the ravine shout for the others to come.

"I've found the Ishballans! They've trapped themselves down in a ravine!" the officer clad in blue shouted, readying his rifle.

Faris had raised his weapon and was about to fire when the sound of another figure walking through the forest surprised both sides of the conflict. A single figure- that of a woman in a simple, yet beautiful violet dress- walked across a bridge that spanned the ravine.

The soldier retreated out of Lowe's view, warning the dark-haired young woman, "Ma'am, I apologize if this startles you, but there's a group of hostile Ishballans down in that ravine. I advise that you leave the area as soon as possible."

The woman's response surprised both the soldiers- all of which had now gathered around the ravine- and Ishballans alike. "So that's it? You're just here to track down and murder more innocent men and women?" Her tone was calm yet grave, almost as if she were hurt by the realization of the soldiers' intentions. The young woman walked toward the troop of soldiers as she spoke, then came to a stop.

"That's not it at all, these men have attacked and killed several of our men-" The officer never had a chance to finish his sentence. From down in the ravine, the four Ishballans heard a clap followed by the sound of shifting earth and wood, and then muffled cries of surprise and fear- undoubtedly the soldiers'.

Half of an hour later, the young woman and four refugees were emerging from the forest into a grassy clearing. Lowe, Adel, Dawood, and Faris had emerged from the ravine to find the soldiers trapped in a dome made of mud, soil, and loose branches. After explaining their situation to the violet-clad woman, she agreed to provide for the refugees and- even after explaining that there would be nineteen others coming along as well- insisted that they could stay for as long as they wanted. Their decision made, Dawood volunteered to turn back and help the other refugees reach Xeres's home- only after confirming that her transmutation would keep them safe from the military troops.

"Ma'am-" Adel began, only to be interrupted by their guide.

In a tranquil yet insisting tone, she corrected her soon-to-be guest, "Xeres. The word 'ma'am' makes me feel so old."

"Xeres," Adel began again, "Why did you help us escape those soldiers? You heard them. Not only have we killed many soldiers to get this far, but we're Ishballans- you know that. We'll only cause you misfortune by staying here."

Xeres let out a soft, gentle laugh. "Don't worry yourself. Even if the State Military found my house, I doubt they would be able to lay a hand on me."

"What you did to those soldiers back there, and what you're referring to now…" Lowe began, pausing briefly, "It's alchemy, isn't it?"

Xeres nodded slightly, looking over her shoulder at the four refugees through her intelligent, emerald eyes. "That's correct… If I remember correctly, alchemy is taboo in your culture, right?"

Before Xeres could say another word, Faris interrupted, "But we wouldn't let that make us blind to honest, gracious help. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we no longer deplore use of alchemy, so long as it is for a just cause."

Smiling faintly, Xeres commented, "That's very noble of you."

"The atrocities that the State Military and their alchemists have committed are the very reason why our people view alchemy as a sin against nature. However, in this time of need, I feel that we may just find a worthier purpose for its existence," Lowe explained.

It was at that moment in time that Xeres's home came into view- and what a view it was. Hidden on three sides by thick clusters of trees, the mansion-sized house featured several balconies and was decorated in beautiful, earthy browns and greens.

"Welcome," the violet-dressed Xeres gestured with one hand toward her dwelling, "I don't have much, but what I do own is free for you to use while you remain here."

Somewhere between their host's massive residence and her refined poise, Lowe doubted that his definition and her definition of "much" were anything alike.