Rat
He'd traveled from Xing to find the Xerxesian ruins.
It had been late in the night, and Ed had been sound asleep in his tent, when he'd heard the rustle of the tent flap. The last thing he remembered was the lantern hanging from his tent pole.
He'd awoken some time later, had rolled over and emptied the contents of his stomach into the rolling sands. His head pounded. Ed reached up, to find the source of that pounding. There was a long, bloody gash along the right side of head. Inspecting his hand, he blinked owlishly at the blood and looked farther around him. His horse was lying in reddened sand about twenty feet away. He struggled slowly to his feet, the glare from the dunes and the pounding in his head made the walk to his horse feel like trudging through quicksand. He collapsed to his knees next to the animal, sluggishly opening the saddlebags. Riffling through them, found his canteen and took a slow painful sip.
He wondered if Ling had indeed sent his journal and letter to Mustang. He wondered if he'd live to regret giving Ling that journal to send.
Then he wondered what Mustang would think when he read it. If he read it.
Lastly, he wondered if Al would forgive him if he died out under the sun, or if he would get the chance to make things right with him.
Ed gathered what supplies he could carry from the saddlebags, stiffly rising to his feet. He took a moment to gather his bearings and began walking towards where the sun had begun to set. He walked until his vision began to swim and he collapsed into the sand, closing his eyes into blissful darkness.
Mustang,
I can't go home now. I've done something terribly stupid. Maybe with enough time, it will be forgotten. I'm a curse to everyone who cares for me, and now I've done it, I've done the one thing that would really make Al hate me. So, I've decided I'm going to travel. First to Creta, then maybe Aerugo. I've picked up some of the languages here and there.
I should never have left your command Mustang. One of the few places and few people who made me feel like I was safe. You deserved a chance at a real future too, and how could you ever do that with someone like me in tow?
Fullmetal Alchemist. More like Full of Pity Alchemist. Maybe one day I'll get this all sorted out and come home. Wherever home is by then.
E.E
The Fuhrer sucked a breath in between his teeth, chest feeling tight. Oh Edward. If only you knew how often Al calls me to find out if I know where you were. He rotated the dial on his office phone, and put the hand set up to his ear.
"Rockbell Automail, How can I assist you today?" a bright tinny female voice rang.
"Oh, hello Winry. I was wondering if Alphonse was available?"
"Oh- Fuhrer Mustang, yeah hang on a second." There was an indistinct shout before Alphonse picked up.
"Roy, have you heard something about Ed?" Alphonses' voice was raw with worry and grief.
"Alphonse," Roy's lungs felt deprived of air. "I received a letter from your brother yesterday-"
"Oh thank god. Where is he? Is he coming home soon?" Al sounded relieved.
"No, Al. He's not coming home. This letter was to notify me he died. He asked me to tell you. I'm so sorry."
General Hawkeye knocked again on the Fuhrer's door, opening it before consent was given.
"Sir, we've got a bit of a predicament."
"What might that be, General?" Fuhrer Mustang's hand hovered over the hand set of his phone. His eyes dark and downcast at his desk.
"Well that would be me, of course." Said his Imperial Greatness, Emperor Ling, followed closely by his trusted bodyguard Lan Fan.
"Your Highness, what a pleasant surprise, do come in and have a seat." Click. Riza watched Roy Mustang's mask slide into place, that annoyingly cool Fuhrer of Peace. She sighed deeply and closed the door on the two of them.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" The words came like bile to his throat.
"You and I both know that Ed isn't dead. When he left my court he entrusted that journal to me. When his traveling companion returned without him, I saw fit to come with the journal."
"He had a companion? Edward used to travel alone, or with his brother." Roy paused, "Though it seems there is a wrench in the Elric Brothers' gears at the moment." He waved the letter gently.
"I am afraid I insisted. I believed there would be a greater chance at success if he had people to help him along. Although I am getting a distinct smell of rat coming from inside my court. So here is the deal Fuhrer, help me find the rat, help exterminate the rat, and in the process I believe we will get the truth of what happened to Edward."
"I'm listening."
"When Ed first approached me about wanting to find the lost Xerxesian library, I was delighted. As you well know it is said to have housed one of the most magnificent archives for Alkahestry ever known to man. What a wonderful addition to my legendary reign.
I insisted that he take a host of my people with him," Ling noted the sharp side eye that Mustang gave him. "Yes! I know he can take care of himself but nevertheless I didn't want to be the person who misplaced the People's Alchemist." Ling took a leisurely sip of Xingese wine, leaning against the fireplace of the Fuhrer's personal office, staring into the fire.
"He left with two guides, a cook and a skilled Alkahestrist. Only one guide came back. His name is Lao Tsu, he was found later that night hung from the rafters."
Roy took a beat to absorb all the information. "So you think you have a rat."
"Indeed. You see since you and I signed that peace treaty and called an end to the territory skirmishes in the desert, my court has been rather restless. Many of my nobles and the noble families had a lot of money invested into artillery stocks and military campaigns. I'm sure you are aware that Edward spear headed the peace campaign in Xing that allowed me to sign that treaty?" Ling looked over his shoulder, his eyes piercing.
"I… I did not know that. Truthfully, I haven't heard from Ed since he left my command." Roy's throat tightened. "I thought he was just ready to make his own way in the world."
"Then you are blind and fool, Fuhrer. He never stopped fighting for you or your beliefs. I think he's done more for your reputation than you'll ever know."
