Chapter Five

"Do you know the question I've been asking myself all day?" Riza sighed as she started to put on her make up, sitting in front of Avaron's dressing mirror.

"Why did I shave my legs for this?" Avaron asked wryly, making sure the seams of her silk stockings were straight.

Riza barely got the eyeliner pencil away before she made a huge mistake as she laughed. "Don't do that to me!"

"Dear, you need a laugh. You've looked positively glum for days now." Avaron picked up the silver backed hairbrush and started taming the curls they had twisted into Riza's short hair.

"Keddrick will not leave me alone." Riza watched as Avaron transformed her. "He has made every excuse he can to catch me when I'm off duty. I'm surprised that I haven't found him roaming around in the forest while I'm out there looking for Drachmaian rebels. What could he possibly want from me?"

Avaron looked down Riza's dÉcolletage and the blonde blushed. "I think you know the answer to that. And he knows he can manipulate your uncle into helping him get it."

"But I don't understand why. We have no money any more. I'm in the military. I'm totally unsuitable as a wife. Why doesn't he pursue Igrayne? I mean once she's a little older. Your family has money and Igrayne can't wait to be someone's wife."

"Because the Laganas have the same problem the Thornes have. We're new money. Hawkeyes are old money. He wants your name," Avaron said, setting the brush aside.

"He can have it. Let him marry my uncle." Riza grinned. "I want nothing to do with it."

"No, you want something to do with one of those two delicious boys you brought to my place." Avaron favored her with one of her sly foxy looks. "Are you still waiting for that mooncalf of a boy to notice you? Just grab him by the bullocks, Riza, if you want him."

"Oh, there's a picture." Riza snorted and applied her blush. "It's not that easy, Avaron."

"How difficult could it be? You've been carrying a torch for him since he first showed up looking like a drowned cat on your dad's doorstep one rainy spring." Avaron glanced out her huge windows, reassuring herself it wasn't snowing. "How long does it take to make your move?"

"Roy's my commanding officer now, Avaron. I'm not permitted to make a move and neither is he, as if he even notices me," Riza said mournfully. She wished the path to Roy's side was clear but she firmly believed she had made the right choice in joining the military.

"I swear you joined the military just to keep him safely out of your reach. Here's a solution, quit," Avaron said decisively as she gave Riza's hair a good spritzing with spray to cement it in place.

"He needs me right where I am. Roy's head is either in his books or in the clouds but it's rarely in the here and now where he needs it to be. No, he needs me to look after him," Riza argued. It sounded better in her head. It was what she told herself often.

Avaron wasn't buying it, trading places with Riza in front of the mirror. "He has any number of soldiers who could do that. You look beautiful tonight. Tell him."

"I can't."

"Is this the same girl who dragged me away from our ever so important tatting classes because she learned that a certain young alchemy student would beat the heat of the day by skinny dipping in the pond at the edge of her daddy's land?" Avaron's green eyes glinted wickedly.

Riza blushed. "I'd almost forgotten that."

"Like hell. We ended up in detention for cutting so much, not that I minded. It was a nice view." Avaron handed Riza a comb of diamonds in a floral spray. Riza helped pin up Avaron's thick red hair.

"It was." Riza sighed at the memory.

"Does Roy know about that? Maybe I should tell him." Avaron yelped as Riza dug the comb into her scalp.

"Don't you dare! The only thing I need you to do is to keep me safe from Keddrick and help me keep Roy away from him before Roy forgets that the whole reason he's at this ball is to foster better relations between the military and the rich folk of this town."

"That'll last only as long until Malca Gardyner realizes how much she can piss off her father by sleeping with a commoner," Avaron said in warning.

"And Gardyner dented Roy's pride so much he'd be thrilled at a change to get back at him." Riza's shoulder's slumped. "This is going to be disastrous."

"You have to save the poor boy from Malca, that's all there is to it. Teen aged boys know they only have one purpose. I mean, do they ever say no to sex? Don't take your eye off him or he doesn't stand a chance." Avaron wagged a finger at her friend as she twisted on the dressing bench to grab her boots.

"That is pretty much my job description," Riza said wryly.

"And tell me more about that yummy tidbit in the glasses." Avaron purred, sliding on her black kid heeled boots. The geometric cut-outs were all framed in steel beads that gave it a bronze effect. Ten amethyst pearl buttons ran up the sides. They were exquisite boots. Roy would like them, Riza thought suddenly.

"Maes is a nice guy...bit of a womanizer if you listen to rumor," Riza said in a tone that said she didn't.

"God, I hope so." Avaron ran her hands down her thighs, smoothing her scandalous dress. Riza wished she could be as free as her friend. Avaron wore a dress of purplish-grey silk georgette that was see-thru, and the neckline plunged all the way to her belt, revealing the gossamer ivory silk net under dress. The only parts of the outfit the eye couldn't roam right through was the grape silk cuffs, the geometric patterns running over the georgette, and the skirt that took over for the georgette at low thigh. Avaron liked making a scene wherever she went.

"Behave, Avaron. Leave the man some reputation," Riza scolded.

Avaron straightened the floral lace of her revers collar. "But of course."

"You'll like him," Riza said, knowing if Avaron had already decided on Maes, there would be no changing her mind. "Maes is very funny, witty and smart. You'll have to pry Petronela off his arm."

"Ugh, poor man. Let's have a look at you then, Riza." Avaron pulled Riza over to her floor length mirror. "I'm betting Major Mustang won't know what hit him when he sees you."

Riza smiled at her reflection. Avaron was right. She had never looked more beautiful. If Roy didn't notice her tonight, he never would. Her golden hair had been meticulously curled as much as its length would allow. Her gown's bodice swept as low as she dared off the shoulder and not reveal her tattoo. The whole gown was nothing but black silk lace in a variety of floral patterns over an under gown of cream silk chiffon. The magnificent gown Avaron had purchased for her had pastel chenille flowers along the neck, each outlined in silver beads with gold bead centers. Black tulip-shaped beads, gold daises, oblong paillettes danced in and about all the silver and black sequins that played over the dress making it deceptively heavy. Avaron fussed with the train so Riza could see the full effect.

This was the life she was meant to have and sometimes, when locked away at Rennsalaer, she had hated only having shadows of it. Mostly now, Riza had moved beyond it but tonight, she just wanted to be a delicate girl. She wanted to be noticed and cared for. Riza slipped into her cream satin heels with their floral sprays of cut glass and silver beads. Tonight was going to be tricky, trying to get Roy's attention without anyone noticing she had it and avoiding Keddrick's notice without alerting anyone to that fact. Riza decided whatever happened, happened. She was going to do her best to enjoy it.

"I couldn't ask for a prettier date." Avaron hugged her. "Now, we have men to steal. Let me get your mom's jewelry. And if you let that boy see you naked tonight, I want to hear all about it in the morning!" Avaron went to get the jewelry Riza had given into her care before her father was even in the ground. They were family heirlooms and she couldn't risk Uncle Bob finding them.

"Avaron!" Riza cried, her face redder than her friend's hair.

"What?"

"I'll have you know, he's already seen me naked," Riza said as Avaron helped her into her chandelier necklace of twenty-three sapphires dangling from their platinum setting with the matching chandelier earrings.

"I thought you hadn't gotten that far with him," Avaron looked disappointed to not have been taken into Riza's confidences.

"I haven't. I had to show him the tattoo." Riza pouted. Avaron was one of the few who knew about the tattoo. Riza had to fake fear of water to get out of the swimming classes so none of the other girls would see.

"And he didn't ravish you then and there?" Avaron's tone suggested she didn't know how that was possible.

"No. It didn't even occur to him that we were alone in my room with me half naked. All he said was 'my array!' and that was that." Riza tried to keep the bitterness out of her tone as she slipped on her great grandmother's sapphire ring, an ostentatious sixteen carats of deep royal blue flanked by a diamond on either side. Two rows of smaller diamonds ran along the platinum band. She didn't know why she couldn't part with it when her father needed the money. It just seemed wrong.

"No offense, Riza, knowing what your father was, but alchemists are freaks." Avaron put on her necklace, making a face at Roy's lack of appreciation for her friend. "You should have kicked him in the ass and told him he couldn't look again until he showed proper respect."

"Not everyone is strong as you, Avaron," Riza said unhappily.

"It's easy to be like me when you have all the money in the world and nothing is really a threat to you, Riza. You're the strong one, making your own way. What wouldn't I give to be that free?" Avaron sighed. "Well, maybe the ball will be worth a news article or two. Don't be so glum. It'll work out, you'll see. I think he's perfect for you. Handsome, presumably intelligent on occasion, and powerful...and, I hear that State Alchemists earn their keep quite lavishly."

Riza smiled. "Keddrick only thinks Roy's poor. Trust me, he's not. If people really knew what State Alchemists are paid...sometimes it's almost obscene."

"The only thing obscene about money is not enough of it gets shared around." Avaron shook Riza's shoulders lightly. "We're ready. It's time to go to the prison...I mean academy."

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," Riza sighed. Somehow, she just didn't think tonight was going to go as planned.

X X X

"Maybe you two should go easy on the punch," Maes hissed in Roy's ear then went back to scanning around for his date.

"I'm nursing it," Roy whispered back. "I can't say the same for my date." Roy cast a glance over at Malca.

She looked beautiful with her raven hair arranged in soft curls and her lush chest pressing against the ivory lace exposed by the plunged neckline of her stunningly red silk dress. Roy had barely registered the simplicity of the gown before getting caught in the region outlined by the embroidered edges of scarlet silk and the wide sash around her narrow waist. The one thing marring Malca's beauty were the gin blossoms opening over her cheeks. The dance hadn't even technically started and she was on her third glass of punch, a potent mix of black tea, orange and lemon juices, red wine, rye whiskey, rum, brandy and herbal cognac.

"I'm not sure if I should envy you or be grateful I drew the short straw," Maes said, ladeling up some punch.

Roy nodded over Maes' shoulder to where Maes' date was trying to get her dress extracted from the chair she was tangled in, the long train of her lilac silk gown hopelessly enmeshed in the wicker. The shapeless mound of pleated lilac flew in the face of fashion something Maes had pointed out repeatedly. The last thing the horrid gown needed was a rent in it.

"She's a menace," Maes whined then went to help Petronela before she hurt herself or others. She did manage to trod on his toes on the way over to where Malca was guarding the punch bowl.

"Is it any good, Malca?" Petronela asked, nearly dragging her frothy lace cuffs in the bowl as she didn't wait for Maes to ladle her up some punch.

"Can Artillery punch be anything but?" Malca replied, running her hand over Roy's chest. "I live on campus. Want to go back to my room? Daddy would just hate it. I heard what he said to you." She purred.

"Um, it's a little early, isn't it?" Roy said, trying to wiggle free. The Rennsalaer ballroom, a vast wood and marble structure with no detail neglected, seemed suddenly too small as he imagined everyone could see him being groped. "The music hasn't even started."

"You can make your own music, a creaky spring symphony," Petronela snorted, fussing with the two limp silk bows that perched over either breast in an ill-fated attempt to add sexiness to a gown that had a neckline that went all the way to the chin.

Maes hauled Roy away from Malca and said lowly, "Do it and Householder will give you to the Drachmaians. That is not what he meant when he told us to bring the military closer to the townspeople."

"I know," Roy said unconvincingly, yanking free of his friend.

"Think the music will start soon?" Petronela said, laying her head on Maes' shoulder, her almost-white hair spilling over him.

"I hope so. I'm bored." Malca snuggled into Roy's back, being taller than him in her heels. "I know how we can relieve the boredom." Her lips brushed his neck.

"I'm technically on duty," Roy said, not able to get free of her without creating a scene. "Maybe you could find one of the local gentlemen who'd be better suited for you, like Mr. Thorne?"

Malca laughed. "Please. Keddrick's no bigger than my thumb, so disappointing. I'm sure you can outperform that." She reached down and squeezed his crotch. Roy yelped and Maes nearly drowned himself in his punch glass.

"Oh, look who finally showed up," Petronela sniffed, nodding toward the ballroom door where Avaron and Riza stood at the head of the long staircase designed to show off the girls as they entered the ballroom. Both women seemed to be staring right at the foursome and looking exceedingly unhappy about what they saw.

Roy just stared up at them, unable to move, partly in horror, partly because his body liked what Malca was doing. The only thing he managed to accomplish was to gape like a landed fish. Maes leaned in, bumping Malca away. "You're dead where you stand, you know that right?" he whispered.

"This is not my fault," Roy grumbled, managing to snake free of Malca. "Malca, I need to talk to Cadet Hawkeye, dreadfully dull, military stuff. It won't take too long. Why don't you...I don't know, work the room a little. I'll meet back up with you."

"I need to be in on this conversation, too, Petronela," Maes said in a rush, not even waiting for Roy to get moving.

Roy nearly tripped over a chair, his eyes utterly glued to Riza. How could he have never seen how beautiful she was? She might not have the classic beauty of Malca but she shone with such a warm, honest inner beauty that he couldn't help but be drawn to her like a moth to flame. Of course, he had no idea what to say to her after what she had just seen. His brain had completely frozen over except for the desire to run his hands over the black lace she wore and to press his lips to the cool, tattooed flesh of her back; wonderful thoughts but not very helpful.

"Just a thought," Maes murmured, nudging Roy. "You might want to wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth and I'd go with the 'you're stuffing to impress your way-too-rich date' excuse if I were you."

"Shut up!" Roy growled, wondering just how much like a circus freak he looked like at this point.

"And here I thought it wasn't like that between you two." Maes grinned triumphantly.

"I think I can burn you and have everyone believe you had an accident with a cigarette and that punch," Roy glared.

"Good evening, ladies," Maes said, ignoring the thousandth threat on his life. "You both look stunning."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Don't you boys look handsome?" Avaron said, brushing a hand over Maes' cheek. Her eyes gleamed as they pinned Roy. "I see Malca truly appreciates your company."

"I'm sorry you had to see that. She's been trying to get me to go to her room," Roy said gloomily, his face feeling hot.

"A few more rounds at the punch bowl and I'm sure she'll have no trouble handling you," Riza said cuttingly, her bare shoulders tensing.

Roy's gaze dropped. "Not likely." He tipped his chin up. "You two look...amazing and it's not right somehow that Maes and I won't get to spend any time with you."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find some way to pass the time, sir," Riza said, looking unwilling to forgive him.

"I doubt it." Roy sighed, knowing he had a lot of work to do to get back in Riza's good graces. "So far the only thing of interest has been the revelation that Keddrick's posturing is to overcome his, uh, masculine inadequacies."

"So was that what she was doing? A comparison test?" Riza raised an eyebrow.

"In Roy's defense, yes she was," Maes put in, looking far too amused for Roy's tastes. "At least some part of him seems not to be little."

"Shut up and that's an order!" Roy stabbed a finger into Maes' chest, his hand shaking with rage. His face was nearly the shade of Malca's dress.

"Oh, we already knew that, Maes. Riza and I wasted many a summer day, cutting class to watch him skinny dip in the pond on the Hawkeye estate." Avaron beamed, patting Roy's flaming cheek. His mouth sagged and Riza made a strangled meeping noise.

"Avaron! You promised!" Riza bustled past her in a swell of black silk lace. Avaron laughed and chased after her friend.

"Did you notice you could see through Avaron's dress?" Maes' eyes flicked down. "Yeah, I'm sure you did."

"They used to spy on me?" Roy gasped, ignoring the insinuation. "They knew I was swimming naked but they never joined me!"

"Maybe I'm wrong about that small thing." Maes smirked. Roy's look promised fire. He pulled his array glove out of his pocket and slowly and deliberately donned it. Maes' eyes widened behind his lenses. "I think I need to rescue someone from my date. I'll talk to you later." Maes took off like a shot.

Roy huffed. Riza had spied on him? Naked? How could he not have known? Teacher must not have had any clue or giving Roy time to himself would have been curtailed. Why had Riza done it? Had she brought more girls other than Avaron to see him swimming? Why hadn't she at least given him a clue she was interested? Don't be stupid. She couldn't, not with that tattoo on her back. If her dad found out... Avaron and Riza. Roy took a moment to indulge in a little fantasy.

"I see your friends couldn't desert you fast enough," Keddrick hissed in Roy's ear.

Roy turned crisply on his heel to give Keddrick the full heat of his glare. Why did Thorne have to look so perfect and splendid in his suit. He made Roy fell dull and boring. "That wasn't desertion. That was the wisdom of working the room, all part of our assignment here. Speaking of which, I should rejoin my date."

"You mean before she falls over." Keddrick's date, Walchiria Fabel, nodded toward the punch bowl.

Why don't they just give Malca a straw? Roy steeled his jaw. "I wouldn't put it that way."

"I can't believe Mr. Gardyner is allowing you to escort his daughter." Keddrick's eyes coursed over Roy's uniform then flicked away dismissively.

"I don't suppose it's really any of your business," Roy replied, trying to meet Keddrick's gaze unwavering while hoping to spot an out before he fell into the trap of pride both Maes and Riza had warned him of. He could feel himself teetering on the edge. "It was, after all, Mr. Gardyner and Mr. Nedved who arranged for the military escort."

"Maybe he expected you to keep tighter hold on her leash," Walchiria said dryly, cocking her head at him. Walchiria was a study in average; average height and weight, medium brown hair, brown eyes; absolutely nothing was outstanding about her except for her range of bitchiness and her gown, a stunning rose patterned ivory silk damask affair that draped off her asymmetrically, managing to say a lot with simplicity.

"The tools to do that have been taken out of my hands," Roy muttered, thinking Riza had been exactly right; this was going to be a miserable evening. He flinched, feeling hands on his back. He looked over his shoulder into Malca's face. "Ah, we were just talking about you, Malca."

"Given your present company, probably nothing but lies," she said, coming around to his side; her look for the others absolutely venomous.

"You're right, vintner's boy, you don't have control over anything," Keddrick said smugly, turning his head. "And that includes your lovely cadet. Walchiria, why don't you go circulate? I've something to do."

The three of them stood there helplessly as he moved off, heading for Riza. Roy knew if he followed Keddrick now, Riza would take it all the wrong way. He would have to trust her to handle herself. Walchiria stomped off, heading for the thickest crowd of Rennsalaer girls.

"Snotty bitch," Malca said under her breath. "I wish I could show her up."

"I could help," Roy said. "Or should I say, make a suggestion. Her biggest sense of amusement was that you've been in the punch. If you went the rest of the night without that haze, I think you could easily get the better of her."

Malca smiled at him. "Really?"

"Yes, really. I'm sure you're quite a capable young lady, every bit as rich as Miss Fabel and certainly prettier," Roy said, knowing he was walking a thorny path in encouraging Malca.

Her sloe eyes regarded him intently, a strange expression coming over her face. "No one's ever said that to me before. Not the stuff about being beautiful and rich, I hear that all the time. No one's ever said they thought I could do anything."

Roy swallowed hard, wondering what hidden pain he had just tapped into. "Well...this could be time to prove them wrong."

"You're not just another pretty face yourself, are you?" She smiled, dragging him towards Avaron, Riza, and Keddrick. "You're more than a match for him."

Roy smirked. "Thanks."

Keddrick's look of pure hate made interrupting with Malca on his arm almost worth it. Avaron seemed amused and Riza, well Roy didn't know what to make of her expression but he didn't think it was good. "Is there something you wanted, Squint?"

Roy's lips skinned back. Even Malca seemed offended. Riza's dark eyes were filled with warning for him to hold his temper. He could see Avaron about to open her mouth and say something that would only add fuel to it. "Actually, I just needed to speak to my cadet, if her escort doesn't mind."

"Not at all. Maybe we should find a place to sit down until the music starts," Avaron said amiably.

"I can go get us a table," Malca offered with determination in her eyes.

"Oh good, we'll need places for Lieutenant Hughes and Miss Nedved, as well," Roy said, liking that the ladies were rallying around him.

"Of course," Malca said then set off seeming happy to have something to do.

Roy turned to Keddrick. "I think your date is trying to get your attention, Keddy, so if you'll excuse us." Roy gestured to where Walchiria stood, glaring holes in them.

He smoothed back his blond hair. "It's Mr. Thorne to you, Slant."

"Fine, then remember it's Major Mustang and if you call me Squint or Slant one more time, I'll assume you have something against the Amestrian military and I'll have you held for investigation," Roy said very calmly.

"You couldn't." Keddrick's face lost color.

"You forget why I'm here," Roy returned and Keddrick whipped around stiffly and left shooting a 'we're not done here,' over his shoulder. "Yeah, I'm sure." Roy looked at Riza, "I know, I failed."

Her features were pinched. "Rather miserably, sir."

"Hey, he didn't set anyone on fire so I say he's doing well. Though, I'm curious, why is Malca running around, all happy to do what you ask." Avaron slipped an arm around Roy.

"Because I said I believed she could prove Walchiria wrong about her and apparently no one has ever seen anything of worth in Malca and now...she seems over the moon that I do."

"Lovely, Roy, way to cock the gun," Riza grumbled, giving him a look.

"Well, at least it's given her something to do other than to try and drag me to her bedroom," Roy replied, lowly.

"Who can blame the girl?" Avaron groped Roy's backside. "Been wanting to do that ever since those summer afternoons. Well, I'm off to go rescue Maes from Petronela." Avaron gave him another pat, nearly sending him against Riza as he tried to avoid Avaron's hand. She sailed off looking for Hughes.

Riza pushed him back. "You can't go five minutes without getting into trouble."

"It's not like I'm inviting this, Riza," Roy sulked. "I can't believe you used to spy on me."

"I can't believe she told you!" Riza touched her fingers to her burning cheeks.

Roy saw the sparkle of her enormous sapphire ring and caught her hand, deciding a topic change was desperately needed. "This is so beautiful. I didn't see this in the stuff Maes liberated."

"Avaron's been keeping these for me." Riza pulled out of his grasp, her fingers trailing over her necklace.

Roy's gloved fingers followed hers as he leaned in closer. "Beautiful," he said. "How did I not..."

Riza pushed him back forcibly. "Remember why you're here, sir." Her sharp tone shattered the mood.

Roy pulled away, his lips twisting. "Yes, I suppose I ought to find Malca. Is the music never going to start? I just want this night over with." Roy stormed away. He snagged another glass of punch spitefully before tracking down Malca. He sat scowling as his table which filled up with party goers. Malca seemed to have found her calling in gathering in stray lambs from the flock. Maes just raised an eyebrow as he took in Roy's expression when he and Petronela sat down. Riza eventually kicked Roy's ankle in warning. Roy ignored it, dead set on being upset, even if he knew it was childish. He let the dour expression ease up a little when Mrs. Mock took center stage to welcome all the girls and their dates and to thank the military for providing a little extra protection in the form of the esteemed guests.

Once she was done, the music started. After a few turns on the dance floor with Malca, Roy started feeling better. He even allowed a smile or two as Petronela nearly maimed Maes a few times. She was simply an awful dancer. The smiles faded when Keddrick left Walchiria and pulled Riza out on the wooden floor. He pulled Malca closer, feeling her soft breasts brushing against him. "How many fancy moves do you know?"

"Enough to put him to shame." Malca smiled and let Roy put her through some flashy moves. Several dancers stopped and ringed around them to give them their own little stage. Roy was thankful for the piece of advice his father had given him - 'girls, like to dance, son, so you're going to learn.' Roy was vaguely aware of hot eyes on him as he stole the stage away from Thorne and he was very aware that this was fun; he just had the wrong partner.

The music changed to something slow and sweeping in the waltz category. Maes whirled past him with Avaron in his arms. Walchiria cut in on Keddrick and Riza so roughly she nearly knocked Riza down. Malca wiggled in Roy's arms.

"It's been nice but I really do need that drink now. You're a very sweet guy to try so hard all night." Malca kissed him. "Now go dance with the girl you really want to be here with."

Stunned, Roy watched her head back to the punch bowl then rushed over before Riza could clear the dance floor. He caught her arm. "May I have this dance?"

She looked ready to say no even though he knew she really didn't want to. His hand was sweating and he wished he hadn't taken his gloves back off so he wouldn't snag the silk dresses. "All right."

Roy swept her out onto the dance floor. Something felt very right about holding her close. Why did it take someone threatening to take her away to make him want her more than he knew how to say? Maes had been right. It was that way between him and Riza as far as he was concerned and he had been lying to himself for some time. The way she tucked into him, her cheek resting on his shoulder, her breath curling over the skin of his neck. She smelled sweet and delicate, like violets, and she was so incredibly warm. The silk lace of her dress felt so erotic under the skin of his hands that he had to fight his body. He leaned down, wanting to kiss her so badly he could taste her soft skin already.

"Roy...we can't..."

"Shhh." He tipped up her chin. Yes, he was being stupid in public. Householder might find out and he didn't even care if it meant their careers.

Just before their lips could touch, the sounds of weapons cocking cracked over the music. Riza's head slammed into Roy's nose as they both jumped. Through the resulting stars, Roy saw several armed men had entered the room, weapons trained on the girls. The Drachmaian rebels had made their move.

"Let's not have a panic," one of them said. "All we really want is your jewels and your purses and wallets. It's expensive funding a war." He grinned humorlessly.

"So no heroes and we all live to see another day!" another put in, his gun seeming impossibly huge. The young Rennsalaer girls started shrieking at the sight of it.

Roy and Riza exchanged looks. No one had anticipated trouble like this.