Riza was stuck in bed for quite a few days, much to her disliking. She was an active sort of person and she hated that her body wouldn't cooperate with what she wanted it to do. Riza enjoyed being in control, but, then again, falling off a cliff was bound to set you back a bit. It also gave both her and Roy time to process what had happened over the past week. Her secret was out, they were wanted by the state, and Magery was outlawed. All of this had happened so quickly and they were grateful for the time to process.

Meanwhile, they learned more about the young Mage who saved their lives. Mei was about ten years old and did, in fact, live all by herself in a cabin in the woods. Originally from Xing, she was one of over fifty potential heirs to the throne. The backstory was long and confusing, especially for Riza and Roy who could barely keep up with their own country's politics, but the short version was that Mei was looking for something to impress the Emperor, her father, with so she would be picked to be Empress over all of her half-siblings. She set up a home in the woods outside the capital and in between some other towns so she would be central to the gossip and rumors.

"You can perform strong healing magick at ten," Riza said one evening as they sat on the porch, sipping tea. She was able to move around more often now, though she needed some help still. Her legs were very sore when she was trying to move around, but when she was settled into a comfortable position, she was fine. Every day, Mei would perform some ritual on her that would alleviate the aches she felt first thing in the morning. "How is the Emperor not impressed with that?" Riza did not have a Gift but learned from her father that it was one thing to be born with powers, but another thing entirely to control them and use them well. Not to mention, healing was among the most difficult to master.

But, Mei just shrugged, seemingly disinterested in her own abilities. "It's just a few spells," she said. "And it's nothing some of my older siblings can't do." Roy and Riza nodded, hit again with the realization that this child was competing against people twice, some even three times her age for the throne. While amazing for a young kid to be able to perform the magick she did, there was no doubt some of her older siblings had the same or even better capabilities.

"Well?" Roy started. "You're out here searching for rumors. What have you heard?" They had been away from civilization for almost a week and he was growing antsy. He loved the city. The lights, the sounds… maybe not all the smells, but he enjoyed his life there. The quiet of the wilderness scared him and the silence felt so loud, so stifling that he had trouble falling asleep most nights. He was also desperate for information. It was like they fell off a cliff and into another world.

Mei regarded him for a moment, so used to keeping her secrets that she wasn't sure if she really wanted to say. "Nothing much," she replied guardedly. "I heard rumors in the next town over that the King was growing suspicious of his Mages and was looking at getting rid of them."

"Huh," Roy couldn't help but chuckle. "All the way out here and you had warnings of that, and we're right under the King's nose and the idea never crossed our path until we were running for our lives." He shook his head at the absurdity of it all.

"Well, hopefully, we'll have better luck at getting information when we move along," Riza said. "We'll have to rely on what we find out from neighboring towns, especially those more removed from Central."

Roy frowned. "You're still not recovered."

"We should keep moving," Riza shrugged. "If we take it easy and stick to covered roads we should be fine." She thought for a moment, glancing down at the simple shirt and tight leggings that she'd worn for the past few days. It was what she usually wore under her Archer's uniform, which was back in her room. "We should get new clothes. Get rid of the old military attire."

"Well, I have to go into town soon," Mei chimed in, before Roy could continue to protest on behalf of Riza's condition. "I could go tomorrow and get you clothes and gather some news before you go!"

"Do you really think she's alright to keep moving?" Roy asked incredulously, stunned that they were even considering moving on after that fall off the cliff. He also felt strangely protective over Riza, more so than when he thought she was a man. He recognized that within himself and knew it was a little sexist, but when he looked at her now, he still saw the wide-eyed timid girl he knew in their youth. It was difficult for him to smush together Hawk, the strong, silent, and deadly archer and Riza, the kind, caring, and gentle young girl who was his old master's daughter. But, she was one in the same and it would take time to get used to that.

"Mister Mustang, you're not even really ready to keep moving," Mei replied seriously. "But I know a mission when I see one, and you guys have an important one right now. Besides, you can't stay in one place for too long!" Roy saw Riza nod in agreement and he knew he was outnumbered in his opinion.

"I think it's a good idea for you to go into town and get the information you can. If you would also get us some new clothes, we would be grateful," Riza said. "I'm afraid we don't have much money, but we'll give you what we have and repay you when we can."

Mei just shook her head. "I'll help you out knowing you'll help me in the future if I ever need it," she replied.

"Of course," Riza smiled.

And so, early the next morning, Mei left for the nearest town while Roy and Riza stayed behind. She took some coins to pay for clothes and brought with her Riza's bow, in hopes she could find someone who would fix it. In thanks for the girl being so kind as to take care of both of them, they helped pick up the small home. As he wiped down one of the tables, Roy glanced over to Riza who was folding blankets onto a shelf. She looked alright which was a miracle after that fall, though he did notice her sitting and taking breaks more often than usual. He also couldn't get over that Hawk, his best friend, was actually Riza, the daughter of the late Master Hawkeye.

"Yes, sir?" Riza asked. He had not spoken, but she knew she had been under his gaze for the better part of an hour and Roy internally cursed at himself. She'd noticed, though then again he hadn't exactly been secretive about it. Her eyebrow was cocked in a confused way as he scrambled to find something to say.

"I was just wondering, are you sure you're ready to leave here?" he asked quickly. It wasn't a total cover-up; he'd been wanting to ask that question for a while now. "I mean, you've only just begun to move around now. Without Mei, I'm just worried no one will be there to heal you if something happens."

Riza shrugged and returned to her blankets after finding that nothing important was crossing Roy's mind. "I'm fine, sir," she replied coolly. This was what felt like the hundredth time he'd asked her that same question. "Besides, whether I fell off a cliff or not, we weren't going to have Mei with us anyway once we hit the road. And we have to move on. We can't stay in one place for too long."

"And you're sure you're ready for anything?"

Riza stopped folding the blanket and stood to face her old superior. She placed her hands on her hips and gave him a hard look. Roy found himself becoming nervous. He had not said the right thing. Unconsciously, he flinched in preparation for the lecture he was about to receive.

"Roy, I realize you're shocked to find that I am not the person you thought I was in name, but I am the same person in every other way," she said in a cold voice. Hawk had been just as much a part of who she was as being Master Hawkeye's daughter, so she found Roy's incessant questioning not only annoying, but offensive. "This is exactly why women are still barred from joining the military-because men like you can't fathom a woman being able to handle herself on the battlefield. For the last time, sir, I am absolutely capable of continuing on. Yes, I will follow you. And yes, I will continue to protect you and fight by your side. Once I get my bow fixed, I'll be of much more use, but I have no intention of leaving your side. So please, I know you're grieving the loss of Hawk, but try to realize that we are one in the same."

Roy found himself swallowing thickly and he slowly nodded his head. Watching Riza get so aggravated at him, hearing the coolness in her voice, made him realize that this was an entirely different person from the girl he knew all those years before. Whether Hawk had always lived inside her or she grew into the person of Hawk, he didn't know. What he did know was that this woman was capable, smart, and deadly and that he wouldn't want anyone else on his side.

"I'm sorry," he sighed. "It's just a lot to process." To his surprise, Riza's face softened and she set the last blanket down.

"I know, sir," she said in a much warmer voice than before. "But we've had plenty of time to process. Now we have to accept our reality and move on." That was the same old Hawk, Roy noted. Always looking ahead, always moving forward. And she was completely right-they've had plenty of time to come to terms with what was going on and Roy needed to move on. He also needed to stop thinking about this from the perspective of losing a friend. Instead, he'd found one he'd thought was long since dead, and she was also pretty badass now.

A smile crossed his face and his eyes shone with determination. "Alright," he said firmly. "Then, Riza Hawkeye, I'm entrusting you with my back." The woman bristled at her name and looked at him, her brows furrowed in a slight confusion. "We are going to get to the bottom of this and, as a Mage and apparently outlawed class now, I'll need protection. You are my protector. But…" He paused for effect. "I'm an ambitious man, you know that. And I'm angry that the King would do this. So, I need you to keep my temper in check. And, if I ever stray from the righteous path, I want you to shoot me."

"Shoot you?" Riza looked concerned and even more confused. The idea of shooting Roy, her friend, was one she had never in her wildest thoughts ever considered.

"Yes." That tone of voice told Riza he was being completely serious, if even a little dramatic. "This whole thing-banning Magery-it has to be part of a bigger plan. This could be the end of our government and monarchy as we know it. And I'll be there to pick up the pieces!" He balled his fist and brought it down from his neck to the middle of his chest in what was supposed to be a display of confidence.

Riza, though, just sighed and tried to keep herself from roller her eyes. Yes, Roy certainly was ambitious. And he had always been dramatic, even when they worked for the King at the Central Palace Grounds. "Alright, sir," she said simply, her voice dripping with dryness. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This could all blow over tomorrow and we'll be back to our normal lives next week." Even as she said the words, they sounded so phony. Even if the King did rescind his order, she still shot a guard. There would be consequences for that and for running off.

Roy opened his mouth, likely to protest the notion that things could get turned upside down and then return to normal so quickly, but it was then that Mei burst through the door carrying bags that seemed even bigger than she was. "I'm home!" She called out in a sing-song voice and dumped the bags on the ground. The older two came over and helped her unpack and then sat in the main room sipping tea while Mei relayed the news she'd gathered at the market in town.

"I got you guys some clothes," She began. "Nothing fancy, just some stuff that doesn't look military." She riffled through one of the bags and pulled out two sets of clothes. One was a long black accented in red. It was nothing fancy, just a cloak as well as some pants and a shirt to wear under it. While it would certainly be a clothing item of choice for Mages, nothing about the cloak necessarily implicated its wearer as a Mage. For the fashion of the day, cloaks were popular and this was pretty standard. The other set of clothes included black pants, a light blue shirt, and a black hooded cape that snapped on at the neck. It would be perfect for an archer wanting to store her bow relatively discretely on her back, under the cape, as well as blend in with the dark of night.

After being thanked profusely for finding just the perfect clothing, Mei continued. "I also got your bow fixed," she said as she handed the ornate weapon to the blonde haired woman. She took it gratefully and traced her fingers over the whittled wood.

"Thank you," Riza replied breathlessly, thankful beyond words to have her prized bow back in working order.

"A friend owed me a favor," Mei smiled. "He was happy to help. But he did say a more specialized Mage would be able to do a better job. Still, it should hold up for now." Riza nodded and looked over where the bow had originally snapped. Sure enough, it was pieced back together, but Mei was right, a more skilled hand could do a slightly better job. And, if their journey becomes any more dangerous, that might be a good idea to pursue.

"Anyway," Mei continued, "I also got some news. Everyone in town is really scared because the King's gone off the deep end."

"What do you mean?" Roy asked, shifting anxiously to the edge of his seat, his tea cooling and forgotten.

"He's banned Mages, he'd thrown people out of his court, he's just gone wild," Mei replied. "I mean, some of it might be exaggerated rumor, but it's based on fact."

"What about the Mages specifically?"

"He has them all in jail," Mei replied. "They're alive, but imprisoned. He wanted them all taken away so he could stop what he believed to be a coup attempt. It all happened so suddenly even his top advisors had no idea what was going on until it happened. One day the guards just launched an attack on the Mage quarters of the Royal Grounds and that was that. I did hear talk of an escaped Fire Mage." She glanced pointedly at him and Roy felt pale. "But not much. There are so many Mages in the Royal Court, no one's keeping track of names. But I would lay low if I were you."

Roy nodded and glanced down at his hands.

"Why so sudden, though?" Riza asked.

"No one knows," Mei shrugged "I did hear something interesting though." She smiled widely, as though she had a fun secret that no one else knew. Roy and Riza stared at her for a long moment while the girl drew out the anxious silence out for dramatic effect. "He got a Philosopher's Stone!"

Roy and Riza both stared at her blankly and her joyful grin turned into a rueful sigh. "Really? You don't know what a Philosopher's Stone is?" She asked. "But you're a Mage!"

"I've heard something about it, possibly," Roy pondered, placing a hand on his chin for a moment. "In a children's book? It wasn't supposed to be real."

"That's what makes it so special!" Mei said. "Everyone thinks it's fake, but I bet it's real!"

Riza was studying the ground, trying to find recognition of the term there. It then hit her and she looked up with a gasp. "Oh! My father talked about the Philosopher's Stone," she said. "He thought it was a legend too." The others looked at her expectantly, but that was all she had, just a small snippet of something her father once said. "We didn't talk much," she said awkwardly. "And certainly not about magick. That's all I know."

"Well, that's the rumor," Mei said, grabbing the attention back. "The King got a Philosopher's Stone and he kicked all the Mage's out because some knew about it and he was worried they would take it. A Pilosopher's Stone is much more useful in the hands of a Mage, you know, because we can better control the powers. But, even without a gift, if you have a Stone, you're the most powerful person in the whole entire world!"

Roy, however, wasn't convinced. "What makes a stone so special anyway?" he asked, folding his arms as he sat back in his seat. "It sounds like a children's tale. Of all the reasons to kick Mages from the inner circle, I doubt finding some rock is the reason."

Mei opened her mouth to protest, but Riza spoke before the two could begin fighting. "Whether it's real or not doesn't matter right now," she said, ever a level head. "What matters is that, for whatever reason, the King has indeed decided to outlaw Magery and magick. So, we'll need to stick to back roads and keep a low profile. We'll also need to figure out where to go next." Hopefully, she thought, working out their next course of action would prevent further arguments over whether or not the Philosopher's Stone was real.

"Risembool might be good," Mei suggested. "It's quiet and way out in the middle of nowhere, but I bet the locals have lots of gossip. It's also a good place to go if you want to make your way back to Central from the East, which tends to be less guarded than the other directions."

"Oh?" Riza asked after pondering the girl's suggestion. "Have you been?"

"No, but I've been out that way," the girl said. "I looked around East because I heard it was more rural. Less people means less of a chance of getting caught by someone who would throw me out of the country." A smirk appeared on her face, one that perfectly mixed childishness and deviousness. "And I've done a great job or not getting caught."

The adults considered this for a long moment. The girl was correct, she had not been caught by the usually strict immigration guards. Wherever she came from, however she traveled, she had the right idea when it came to laying low.

"Well, if you're so good at not getting caught, why don't you come with us?" Roy suggested suddenly. Riza whipped around to look at him, confused eyes searching his own confident face for a reason why he would extend such an offer. Their journey was going to be dangerous enough without dragging along some kid.

But, Roy was focused on her powerful healing abilities and how she was able to evade arrest while here. Not to mention, her survival skills must be top notch if she had survived in this little hut in the wild for so long. However, Mei just shook her head.

"I've made friends with the people in town," she explained. "And if I up and leave I'll lose my source of information. Your journey sounds really important and interesting, but you guys don't have much direction right now. But, if you need anything you'll know where to find me!"

"Are you sure?" the Fire Mage pressed. Riza could tell he did want her to come along, but his insistence was coming from a place of not liking to be told no. Roy would push and press to get a 'yes' out of someone, even for the smallest ask. "You can't stay out here in the woods forever! You're just a kid."

"Hey!" Mei frowned, her eyes narrowing at the older man. "I've survived out here for a whole year while you guys fell off a cliff in the first hour!"

Roy matched her frown and narrowed his own eyes as well, his pride wounded from the girl's words. But, she was as stubborn as he was and he could very easily see that he was not going to get anywhere with his request.

"We will be sure to repay your kindness," Riza said after a pause when she realized Roy wouldn't end the previous conversation. Mei nodded and the woman turned to the Mage. "I think we should leave tomorrow, then. We have clothes, information, and we're as healed as I think we're going to get. So, we might as well get moving."

He didn't answer for a moment as he studied the dull wood floor. Riza could tell he was lost in thought, as he'd often been in the week they stayed with Mei. Finally, he glanced up and met her amber eyes with his own serious, dark ones.

"Tomorrow, then."

As always, thanks so much for the comments and reviews! I'm so glad people are as excited for this story as I am! This is largely a bridge chapter to get them moving along, but things pick up next chapter! Thanks again!