CHAPTER THREE

"Owww!"

"Get bit by another rose, Hohenheim?" The corners of Jenna's mouth crinkled.

"Damn rose hips. Are you sure these things can't wait until its daylight...and you can do it by yourself?" He shook out his injured finger then looked at his snagged glove critically.

"Where's the fun in that?" Jenna laughed, satisfied Hohenheim could handle the roses. She turned to head back to the pond. She paused, seeing they weren't alone. She pointed at the odd trio a few hundred yards away. "Hohenheim, who are those people?"

Before Hohenheim could respond, they saw the boy go down, screaming. Hohenheim dropped his sacks of flowers and rose hips, racing towards the pond. Hohenheim knew Jenna was right behind him. She didn't have the weaponry he had at his disposal but he knew she had those harvesting shears and she wouldn't hesitate to use them.

The boy screamed again before they closed the distance between him and his two attackers. Hohenheim picked up his pace, nearly spilling to his back side in the snow. He saw the flare as flames leapt towards the aggressors. Startled, Hohenheim did fall on the snowy embankment, realizing as he tumbled through snow drifts who that boy had to be. Ravensdale had underestimated what his eager little student had learned. Roy wasn't just practicing a little in secret; he had obviously mastered a very difficult transmutation. Now Hohenheim just had to make sure the boy didn't kill someone with it.

X X X

Roy didn't expect the screams as the fire caught Seth's pants alight. The orange-red tongues leapt over to his father. His attackers cries of pain and fear sparked only hate in him. He wanted to add to the fire's blossom in the night sky. Let them go to grey ash, he didn't care. The stink of frying hair burnt his eyes as he tried to concentrate and expand the transmutation.

Something cold dribbled across Roy's back just before water hit Seth and his father, bowling them off their feet. The men lay moaning in the snow. Roy followed the water's arc back to the pond and saw Hohenheim there. He had to have a portable array, Roy thought. But why had Hohenheim helped the men hurting him? That just wasn't right.

Roy bellowed, startled when someone else touched his shoulder. Flailing around, he looked up into Jenna's face. She hauled him up and his pants started sliding down his narrow hips. Roy grabbed them frantically.

"Come on, baby. We have to get out of here. Can you walk?" She pulled on his arm. "Hohenheim, are they hurt badly?"

"I don't think they're more than singed," Hohenheim said, giving the groaning men a disgusted look.

"He was gonna..." Roy gulped for air and the world started spinning, closing in on the corners of his eyes.

"Hohenheim!" Jenna cried, tightening her grip on Roy. "He's going to faint."

"Got him." Hohenheim slipped an arm under Roy's arm pit, getting a good hold on him. Roy collapsed heavily against the alchemist, barely able to stay on his feet. "Those two probably won't be down for long."

The adults forced Roy to move. They dragged him along as fast as they could go. When the panic drained out, Roy was able to get his own feet moving until he was running on his own. He couldn't think about what he had done or what could still happen to him when his wounded father and the flesh peddler caught up to him.

Jenna flung open the door to her home, hustling him inside. "Hohenheim, go to my workshop and get me a medical kit. Roy, sit by the fire place. You're like ice."

"Jenna, what's wrong?" Ravensdale called from the library, coming out to discover what the excitement was about. Hohenheim took off towards the workshop.

"I don't know, Dad. Roy's father and some stranger were beating on him," Jenna said, propelling Roy to the hearth when the boy didn't move.

"What? Is he all right?" Ravensdale walked into the room with ease, in spite of his blindness. He knew the layout of his house intimately to balance his handicap.

"I'm trying to find that out." Jenna gently probed Roy's swollen but no longer bleeding lips. "Roy, what happened? Are you badly hurt?"

He wagged his head. "Father sold me to that man." He managed to get out, still tasting copper in his mouth.

"What?" Jenna's voice snapped.

Roy looked down at his hands, which had a death grip on the torn waist band of his pants. "He was going to...he wants to give me to men who'll use me for...you know." Roy chocked, trying not to picture it.

"Oh, baby." Jenna's arms went tight around him.

"We can't leave him here, Jenna," Ravensdale said, disgust threading through his voice. "If that's true..."

"I don't doubt it is," Hohenheim said, returning. "I've heard about places like that who use children as prostitutes in bigger cities, like Central." He handed Jenna the medical kit. "Those men might still come after him, or more likely the man who tried to buy the boy will get out of town. He can't risk being caught."

"Mustang might still try to get Roy back," Ravensdale said, his voice sharp with rage. "He's not smart enough to hide and he is friends with the sheriff."

"I'll leave tonight," Hohenheim said after a moment's thought. "I'll take Roy with me."

Roy glanced at Hohenheim in surprise.

"I can't believe that anyone could even think to do this to a boy!" Jenna raged, pacing around the living room. "It's tragedy enough if some stranger takes a child and hurts him, but to sell your own son! He was just going to stand there and watch it happen!"

"Jenna!" Hohenheim broke in, his eyes flicking over to Roy who had gone whiter than snow. His slender body shook all over.

She put her hands on Roy's shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Roy. I don't mean to make you think about it again." Jenna leaned down to hug him hard. "I'm just so furious that anyone could do something like this to you." She let him go and resumed her pacing. "I almost wish I were an alchemist. To hell with 'be thou for the people'...or maybe removing men like that from the web of life is being for the people in the long run."

"Jenna, hush!" Ravensdale said.

"Don't tell me you're not thinking it, Dad."

"Yes, but I have sense enough to hold my tongue." He pointed to Roy as if sensing the boy's distress.

Jenna ran a hand through her hair. "You're right. Sorry. Dad, put on the kettle and get some tea going. Roy's frozen through and I've been neglecting tending to him," Jenna said, opening the kit. Her father complied. "This will sting, Roy." She pressed a tincture to his lips and he hissed. "Are you hurt bad anywhere else? Did he..." she broke off when Roy quivered violently, his eyes going to the fireplace. "You can tell me, Roy. It's not your fault if he did."

He shook his head. "I stopped him. Got hit in the head a few times...and in the stomach."

Jenna lifted his shirt, touching him gently as he flinched away in pain and shame. "Roy, Hohenheim and father want you to go with Hohenheim to find a teacher. They were going to talk to you about this tomorrow."

"I heard...at the keyhole," the boy replied, remembering yesterday's conversation. Roy's jet eyes flashed up at Hohenheim. "Sorry. If I stay here, I'll die, won't I?"

"It's a possibility. I swear, I won't hurt you or let anyone else do it," Hohenheim said softly, squatting down in front of Roy. "I'm going to take you to my home for a little while then we'll find someone to train you to control and use alchemy, though tonight suggests you're already well on your way."

"Tonight?" Ravensdale asked, coming back in. "The kettle is on."

"He used an array to create fire," Hohenheim said in soft measured tones but they still felt like a judgement to Roy. He couldn't see Hohenheim's face since the Alchemist had swiveled to address Ravensdale. "It was impressive."

Roy saw Ravensdale's mouth go slack then tightened hard. "Did he now? Since you're still afraid they'll come after Roy, I'll assume his father and that man weren't badly hurt."

Hohenheim shook his head, straightening up. "I'm not sure how badly they got burnt but I didn't think it was all that bad."

"I don't care," Roy mumbled, not caring how that sounded.

"Given what they were trying to do to you, I don't blame you, Roy." Jenna ran a hand over his head. "But that was a scary thing you did. I'm sure Hohenheim and Dad can help you learn to use your abilities better."

"I'll go pack so we can leave." Hohenheim squatted back down, looking Roy in the eyes. "Do you trust me?"

Roy glanced over at Ravensdale then back to Hohenheim before nodding. "Yeah."

"I'll go pour the tea and package up those herbs for you, Hohenheim. And Roy, I'll get some things to take down the swelling and treat those cuts. You know how to use the salves," Jenna said, getting to her feet. "I can't believe that man. How can anyone be so evil to sell his own son into something that repulsive? I'd like ten minutes alone with him in my workshop to show him what I think of that."

"He'd hurt you," Roy said, miserably.

"Don't underestimate my daughter, Roy. She's a very strong woman," Ravensdale sat next to Roy in front of the fire. "Jenna, please go upstairs and toss down some of my clothes. Roy's soaked through. I can smell the wet wool. Letting him catch his death won't do."

"I'll get him a change of clothing and the tea," Jenna said, leaving the room with Hohenheim in her wake.

Ravensdale touched Roy's shoulder gently. "You never told me you were practicing."

Roy sighed, afraid now of what his mentor might think of him. "I thought you'd be mad...but you knew anyhow. I heard you tell Hohenheim."

"I suspected," Ravensdale replied, his fingers patting Roy's shoulder. "I had no idea you could transmute air into fire."

"It's no big deal. It was the first thing I tried and it just sputtered and sparked a little at first. It wasn't hard to get it right though," Roy said, his legs thumping up and down with nerves. It helped him warm back up, too.

"Why did you think to start with that array, Roy?" Ravensdale's face went thoughtful and curious.

Roy shrugged then remembered his mentor couldn't see that. "It was the easiest one to understand, like it called to me, I guess. You said that I would find the things I was meant to do, that some things would be easier than others. Fire was easy, no big deal," the boy repeated.

"Actually Roy, it is a big deal. That is not an easy transmutation. I never could get it right. You're probably going to be a very talented alchemist some day." Ravensdale smiled, proudly.

"Like you?" Roy reached down, his sore back twinging, and pulled off his wet shoes. He put them closer to the fire to dry.

"And Hohenheim, yes. Trust his instincts when it comes to finding you a teacher. He's a very bright man. He'd probably train you himself if not for all the new responsibilities he's facing." Ravensdale rubbed his chin. "You're going to be all right, Roy. We'll do our best to make sure of that."

"Thanks." Roy peeled off his soaking socks and tossed them on the hearth stone with a wet plop. His feet were still a mottled blue and red. "I won't even have clothes where I'm going. I can't go back home to get them," he added as Jenna came in with some of Ravensdale's things in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. "Your book, sir! It's back in my room hidden under a loose floorboard. I lost another of your books!"

"It's all right, Roy. Don't give it another thought. I'll survive just fine without that book." Ravensdale smiled gently.

"Roy, do get out of your wet things. I'm going to go prepare those herbs and when I get back I'm going to look at your feet to be sure you're not frostbitten," Jenna said then left the room again.

"Are you sure, sir, about the book?" Roy got up and started to take down his pants. He froze, his eyes cutting over to Ravensdale. He knew the alchemist couldn't see him, had never given any signs that he would ever hurt him but after tonight, Roy didn't know if he'd ever truly trust a man's motives.

Ravensdale, if he noticed Roy's hesitation, said nothing about it. "I'm sure about the book."

Roy gave in and quickly took off his wet clothing and used the thick towel Jenna had brought to dry off. He just as quickly pulled on Ravensdale's lent clothing. They were way too big but they were warm and dry. He sat back on the hearth, still shivering. "How can I pay for a teacher? I don't even have money to buy new clothes when I get where I'm going."

"I have plenty enough money to share. Don't you worry about it," Ravensdale said.

Roy sucked in a deep breath, unprepared for that. "I can't take your money, sir."

"You can and will. I know growing up with your father didn't equip you to trust people, Roy but you're my friend, aren't you?" Ravensdale touched Roy's face. "Like a son I didn't get to have." Roy's lips quivered. "I will help you get away from here and to get what you need. That's the only repayment I want."

"I'll repay you anyhow, someday," Roy promised, solemnly. "Maybe I'll become a State Alchemist. Then I'll have money and I can pay you back."

Ravensdale wagged his head. "I wish you wouldn't, Roy. I'm not one who uses blanket terms for soldiers, calling them 'dogs,' but there are better ways. I know to a lot of young people the military seems like a good way and, for all too many of you, it's the only route out of poverty. I'm all for that. Poverty is the mother of crime, after all and I would not have that life for you. And the military is a necessity because our world is not perfect and we need the protection. It's the corruption within it I fear. Roy, you're just a boy. You don't have to make those kinds of decisions now. Hopefully as you train, you'll see other routes."

Roy's eyes shut and he said nothing for a moment. He took a deep swallow of the tea Jenna gave him, leaving his cold hands cupped around the mug for warmth.

"Roy, what did you use to make the spark for your transmutation?" Ravensdale's asked after several moments of silence.

"My father's lighter." Roy couldn't help the proud tone of voice. "How did Hohenheim work his alchemy? He didn't have time to draw an array."

"I suspect he must carry it with him, perhaps on apiece of jewelry," Ravensdale replied, confirming Roy's suspicions. "Usually alchemy doesn't require speed, just a lot of good research and hard work but in the times when it does, for those who find themselves needing it to protect others or use it in battle, inscribed talismans work."

"I'll remember that."

"You'll have a whole lot of new things to remember soon enough, Roy." Ravensdale gave Roy's shoulder another pat and the boy shuddered, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.

"I can't...how can I leave here tonight? Now? What if they come here looking for me, sir? What if they find you? They know Jenna helped me escape. How can I go if I know they might hurt you because of me?" Roy asked, miserably.

"Don't you worry about that, Roy," Jenna said, coming back into the room, carrying several bags. She set them down and went over to sit at Roy's feet. She picked one up and started inspecting his toes critically. "Dad and I can handle ourselves."

"But my dad is mean and that Seth person is simply evil. They could hurt you," Roy grumbled, knowing he couldn't let them get hurt because of him.

"They would have more reason to hurt me if you were still here, Roy and I wasn't letting them get to you. Once you're gone to places I don't know about, I'm of no use to them if they should be so stupid as to come here," Jenna said, pushing on the tips of his toes, watching the color changes with a sharp eye.

"You don't know that," Roy argued.

"No, but I know this." She put his foot down and took out a pistol from the pocket in her voluminous work coat. "I'm a damn good shot."

"Oh," Roy said in a small voice and she pocketed the weapon.

"Let's see that other foot, Roy. I think you'll be fine. They feel like ice but I don't think you've been frostbitten," Jenna said, grabbing his other foot before he could protest.

"I'm ready," Hohenheim said as he came back into the living room.

"Give Roy a few moments to warm up and we'll all go to the train station," Jenna said. She gently gave Roy a hug. "You call us when you get where you're going and you write, you hear me? Or I'll have Hohenheim bring me to you and you can tell me in person why you didn't write me." She kissed his cheek.

"I'll write," Roy promised, relaxing against her, afraid that this would be the last time anyone would care this much about him. He wasn't ready to let that go so easily.

X X X

Roy huddled up on the train seat, watching his home fade off into the darkness. He'd never been on a train before and the rocking made him queasy and they had only been going for a few moments. He hoped he'd get used to it.

"I know you're scared," Hohenheim said, softly.

"I'd be more scared if I hadn't heard you and Mr. Ravensdale talking about this before everything went bad," Roy replied, honestly, his eyes cutting over to Roy.

"You'll like Rezembool, it's all green country side. The scariest thing there is Pinako Rockbell." Hohenheim grinned.

"Another alchemist?"

"Automail expert, my next door neighbor. Doctor Rockbell and her son are good people, don't worry. You just have to watch out for Pinako. She might be small but she's a little scary. If you help out around the place, everything will be beer and skittles, if not, watch out," Hohenheim warned, his grin widening.

Roy flashed a fragile smile. "Sounds like Jenna."

"Jenna and Pinako would get on just fine," Hohenheim agreed. "I don't know how long you'll be staying with us but I just bought a house. Trisha and I have plenty of room. I'll tell you about her on the way there, later. You look exhausted. You should try to get some sleep."

Roy shook his head. "If I close my eyes, I'll see Father or that man here on the train...I can't." The tip of his tongue flicked out, wetting his lips. "That man tried to...he wanted to..." Roy's voice broke and a sob tore out of him. "What he tried to do to me!"

The fear and pain finally caught up with Roy. He clamped a hand over his mouth as a cry tried to escape. Tears spilled down his face, wending along his fingers. He shook so hard he didn't know how he stayed in his seat. Other passengers were looking at him but he didn't care. Roy laid on the seat, pressing his face against the worn fabric, his breathing coming in torn gasps. The tears just wouldn't stop. He couldn't control himself. That man had tried to rape him. His father had sold him to someone who would have taken Roy someplace where he would have been raped every day until there was nothing left of him.

The pain was like nothing he had ever known or wanted to know. His shoulders heaved with the strength of his sobs. He felt sick. Any second, everything might just rush out of him. He jerked as hands touched him. Roy flailed wildly but Hohenheim caught his arms and simply tucked them under the blanket he had taken down from an overhead compartment.

Hohenheim sat on the edge of the seat and put his hand on Roy's head. "Shhh, you're safe now, Roy. Those men will never hurt you again, I promise you that. You just rest." Hohenheim pulled his hand back. "You sleep. I'll keep watch, okay?"

Roy simply nodded, too grateful for words. The boy tucked his head against the thin, scratchy blanket and cried himself out. Finally, the train's rocking sent him into a deep dreamless sleep.

TBC