Hi guys. I know this story is on hiatus…it still is. But I found this chapter in my laptop, it never got posted. So I thought, why the heck not? Maybe, one day I'll continue. Goodness knows I had quite a lot of ideas for this storyline. One of my favorites is when the alchemists and co. find out who Sophie really is. Also, I looked forward to introducing the descendants of the original cast of Belgariad, you meet one of the here. Kinda obvious who he's descended from. Hope you like this anyway.

Chapter 20

Sophie

The tavern patrons started that beat…and I started to dance.

Always before I had found the Nadrak dance to be intoxicating; I didn't get to dance like this often but when I did I always let go.

I let the beat sweep through me, the bells on my anklets created a twinkling counter beat. Normally I held back but since this was a matter of pride…a woman gets half every time she's sold…I exaggerated some moves. I thought perhaps it was a trifle overdone but the cheers and wolf whistles said otherwise. So I danced. I've heard what people say about my dances. That they were provocative, sensual…arousing. I never argued with them…it would have decreased my price…

At the end of my dance, I strutted back to our table, head high, shoulders back, hands resting lightly on my blades. It was a challenge to each and every man in the room…and if they knew what was good for them…one they would never take.

The one who wanted to buy me, stared at me with a mixture of longing and apprehension.

"Forget it." He told Roy roughly, "I don't think I can afford her."

I didn't say anything. It's not nice to gloat after all.

Roy nodded. I think he was shocked at my performance. Oh dear, I think Ed's having a nose bleed. Winry looks faint. Oh well…the price of good dancing…

"I'll buy her."

By the Godslayer! I knew that voice anywhere. I started to silently curse, in multiple languages and fluently. I turned around to meet the dark gaze of the tall, dark haired warrior I wanted to avoid outside.

My throat constricted. I was in so much trouble.

"Don't think you can afford her, mate." Roy said lightly.

"One hundred gold coins."

I blinked. WHAT?!

"Didn't you hear me? I said I'd pay a hundred gold coins for the girl."

Roy sneaked a glance to me. Even he knew that a hundred gold coins was a lot for one slave girl.

I motioned slightly with my head at the direction of the stairs. I only hoped he'd understand that I had booked rooms for us.

"Why don't we take this upstairs?" Roy asked.

The warrior's eyebrow shot up.

"If you say so." He said slowly, his eyes moving to stare at me again, "Shall I accompany the girl?"

He reached out to take my arm but Roy was faster. He gripped my shoulders almost protectively.

"Silva doesn't like being touched by strangers." He said coolly.

A hint of a smile appeared at the corners of his lips, more for a challenge than a sneer.

"Then by all means…" the warrior inclined his head.

I led Roy and the others up the stairs and into one of the rooms I had booked. Once we were all inside and the door was closed, Roy spun me around and demanded answers with his eyes.

"He-"

But the warrior cut in.

"I'm sure your friends want explanations…Silva…so why don't you explain?"

I glared at the warrior. He knew I was in trouble…and he was going to make sure I dug myself in deeper. Well, I wasn't going to. Tell the truth…I should just tell the truth…even if the truth was going to get me into trouble anyway.

"That's Roy Mustang, Riza Hawkeye, Edward and Alponse Elric, and Winry Rockbell." I told the warrior, pointing out each in turn.

"Those are outlandish names." He noted.

I grimaced, "That's because they're not from here." I told him calmly.

The warrior's eyes bulged but I knew that he wouldn't explode…not yet anyway; later when he had me by myself…that was when he'd get mad at me.

"So who's he?" Ed asked rudely.

"He's my friend, Het Ryder. " I told my new friends, "He's one of those who I wanted to avoid. I'm not supposed to bring Outsiders here. I told you that remember?"

"How do we know we can trust him?" Riza asked.

Het gave her a dark look.

"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked, "For all I know, you forced…Silva…to bring you here."

"Quit it with the Silva nonsense would you?" I asked Het, "They know my name's Sophie."

Het's already dark look turned darker. I saw his hand snake out and grab my arm. I let him.

"If you don't mind I think I'd like a word with Sophie." He almost growled.

Roy made to protest.

"Actually…" Het continued, "I'll have a word with her whether you mind or not."

I let his drag me out of the room. He closed the door quietly. Even when he was angry, Het never showed it…except when I did something really stupid…like now.

"I have another room. It's the door next to this one." I said quietly, sure that he wanted somewhere to yell at me without being disturbed.

Het didn't answer. He just yanked me into the room and closed the door. He listened for a minute to be sure that no one was listening then turned to me, his eyes like live coals, dark and fiery.

"Do you want to explain yourself?"

"You'll yell at me anyway." I said glumly.

"Correct."

He paused, as if trying to tamp down his anger.

"Do you know what you've done?" he hissed.

"I've brought four Outsiders to the Old World." I stated matter-of-factly.

"May I ask why you brought them?"

"You may."

"Sophie…" he said dangerously, "I am this close to exploding. And trust me…this does not happen often."

I know. I've watched you since you were a baby. But I didn't say that aloud.

"They…they just needed to learn. They're all looking for something they think is impossible. The black haired one wants to bring down a tyrant. He's looking for something to give him the power to do so. The woman who is so close to him just wants to protect him. The young boy and his brother, the one in the suit of armor, are looking for something they lost. And the young girl is looking for confirmation of a feeling."

"And you think they'll find it here?"

"Here…there…anywhere. What they look for is inside of them. They just need some help in realizing that."

"And why you?"

I shrugged, "Because I was there. Because I feel like I can help them. Because deep down I know they're good. There are many reasons. Some may be wrong. Some may be right. Some may be in between."

Het tried to scowl at me. I gave him THE look. His shoulders slumped and I knew I won. Not that it was a competition in the first place. I knew that he was probably worried about me. So when he pulled me into his arms I let him, how could I not? I've known him for so long.

"You still give answers that give more questions than true answers." He said into my hair.

I let him hold me for awhile longer. Just as I was about to pull away, his grip tightened and he spoke so softly that I'm not sure he meant for me to hear.

"I hate when you leave, not knowing when you'll return. I hate the emptiness that stays when you're gone. Why can't you stay where you belong?"

"Would you have me stay, knowing what I am, what will happen as the years pass?" I asked quietly.

If he was surprised that I answered him he did not show it.

"I would not care. Nor would the others I believe. It would not matter even when my hair turns gray and my bones to brittle sticks. I would prefer to know you are here…your people need you."

"They get along fine on their own. You and the others are there."

"They need you. Camion and all the others want you home…home. I want you home."

I didn't say anything so he continued.

"I know you think it's selfish of us but you belong HERE, not Outside."

He thought he was being selfish? The only reason why I kept staying away was because it hurt too much to stay! If anyone was selfish it was ME!

"You're not selfish." I told him, "If you really want me to stay then so be it. I will."

Het pulled away, smiling at me. His soft smile changed his entire face, making the harsh angular features look warm and protecting.

I made a promise then. I would stay with my people…even if it would break my heart to watch them go.

"If the others are as worried about me as you say then we better get moving," I said lightly, "We still have a long way to go."

"You will stay the night here?" he said more than asked.

"Yes." I said, "Now let's go back before one of them decides we're taking too long and breaks down the door."

It took some time before Mustang and the others were okay with Het, well Hettar the Tenth but he preferred the shortened form. …Actually, he only let me call him that. Everyone else called him Ryder.

"Colonel Roy Mustang." The colonel introduced himself again, holding his hand out to shake.

Het looked at the hand then ignored it; he tapped one fist to his chest in an informal salute.

"I am Hettar Ryder of the Algars, call me Ryder." He said.

Mustang looked like he was going to say something but I elbowed him, saying in a low tone, "I thought I already mentioned it. We don't shake hands here."

"We will be leaving in the morning, right after we acquire mounts for the rest of you." Het said, taking charge, mean of him really, this was my devious plot, not his, "We'll be going straight to the capital."

He said the last bit staring straight at me. Yes, I was so dead once the others got their hands on me. Couldn't wait.

"What's at the capital?" Ed asked.

"For one, the Regent is there." Het answered, "And I suspect you'll be lucky enough to meet the queen."

Oh he was evil, that boy was! I really ought to remind him exactly who…bah, I'll get back at him later…perhaps by reminding him that I did remember him when he was a tiny babe. Ah, the perks of being thousands of years old.