The Game of Three Generals
by Lady Norbert
A/N: Yes, Roy probably will drive Riza absolutely crazy with overprotectiveness throughout the course of her pregnancy. Consider: he already has bad dreams about her bleeding out from the jugular. Now imagine him having dreams about pregnant!Riza bleeding out. His fears are understandable.
(I'm going to promise you all something right now, because I don't want you worrying: the baby is okay.)
This chapter is dedicated to "thehawkseyem1910," who became the first person to do fan art of the Elemental Chess trilogy! I am deeply touched. If you'd like to see her picture, look for "thehawkseyes" at deviantArt. She's going to do a colored version for RoyAi Day next month, too.
Chapter Five: Empty Promotion
Empty Promotion: When a piece is promoted in a move that does not capture an opponent's piece.
Fuhrer Grandfather has had the rather clever notion that Riza, being the one who was actually rescued in the Ishvalan incident, should be the one to present the allies with their promotions and commendations on the night of the ball. She's willing enough, and grateful that she's not quite showing yet (only six weeks along now, she still fits into all her own clothes).
The night of the ball is starry and cool, and she has to endure Roy's insistence that she wear a heavier wrap than the one that actually goes with her new gown, a pearl-colored silk sheath; admittedly it is sleeveless, but the collar is high and she wears elbow-length gloves so it's not as if she's cold. She fights the urge to shake her head at him. All the fussing is really very sweet, if exasperating, but as much as she loves him she senses he's going to drive her insane before the nine months are over.
However, as he swaths her in the wrap, he murmurs, "So that's the new dress...it's not hard to take off, is it?"
"Not terribly."
"Is the ball over yet?"
She gives him a playful swat and decides to forgive him for the smothering.
The presentation ceremony takes place before the ball. Grandfather says some nice things, expressing his gratitude to those who helped him to reach the spot he holds today, expressing even more gratitude to those who made it possible for his granddaughter to stand beside him.
Major General Armstrong is promoted to Lieutenant General, because of her heroism on the Promised Day. Riza knows that the other woman wasn't expecting it, but she conceals her astonishment well. The others are called, one by one, to receive their promotions, and she has to admit she enjoys presenting them. She's proud of her friends. It's a potentially dangerous night, if their enemy takes the bait, but for the moment it's enjoyable. For Scar, Edward, and Winry, there are special commendation scrolls, and Ed's big cheesy grin wins laughter from those present.
To everyone's surprise, however, the Fuhrer has one more promotion up his sleeve. "I know you weren't expecting this," he said, "but Brigadier General Mustang? You put your own health at risk to save the Colonel too."
Roy stares. "Yes, but-"
"I hereby promote you to Major General Mustang!" The old man grins mischievously as Riza puts the new stars on her husband's epaulets.
"Thank you, sir," Roy manages, looking mystified. Then his expression clears, and he returns the grin. "What about the Colonel herself? Bravery under fire, and all that."
"I thought about it," her grandfather replies, "but you already went and promoted her to 'mother,' which is considerably more interesting." That earns more than a few snickers from the 'queen's men,' and she tries to quell them with a glare but the truth is that she's laughing too.
They file into the ballroom afterward; Grandfather leads the way, General Armstrong walking beside him but refusing to take the arm he had offered, followed by Riza with Roy. Most of the military personnel of Central Command are present, with only a smattering of officers who made the trip from one of the farther outposts. They salute Grandfather, who gestures for them all to be at ease, and in short order the celebration is underway.
Riza looks around carefully. Fuery is 'helping' the musicians as directed; Havoc and Catalina are chatting amiably with Brosh. Havoc has his hand at Becky's waist and looks nervous, but when Riza catches his eye, he grins and subtly gestures to his pocket. She nods encouragingly. Hopefully he will find the right moment to pull her aside.
In fact, a very suitable moment crops up, because the Fuhrer is gesturing to his granddaughter to help him open the dancing. Sure enough, with the little First Family occupying the center of the floor and therefore the center of notice, Riza sees Havoc tug on Becky's hand, and they slip off to a curtained recess. As long as Becky manages not to shriek, they should be fine.
"Everyone is in position?" Grandfather asks quietly.
"As far as I can tell. Havoc and Catalina are having their private moment, but otherwise, yes."
"So far, all seems quiet."
"So far."
"You look beautiful, my dear. Radiant, if I may say so."
"Thank you, Fuhrer Grandfather, sir." She smiles at him.
"Do you think I took Roy quite enough by surprise, or shall I add to it?"
"What do you mean?"
"The ravishing General Armstrong informs me that she has no interest in becoming Fuhrer," he says, eyes glinting behind his spectacles. "Actually, her exact words were, 'Why should I want to become the Fuhrer of Amestris when I'm already queen in the north? Give the job to that fool your granddaughter married. But if he expects me to salute him he's out of his mind.'" Grandfather chuckles. "So I suppose that's what I'm going to do."
"You're not stepping down?" Riza stares.
"Perish the thought, my dear! No, no. But I've decided that as my successor, Roy should probably start taking on a few more of my responsibilities. I'm getting old, you know."
"You, sir? Never."
"You're a sweet girl. I'm not going to pull you two out of Ishval quite yet, though that's my intention before too much longer. With Miles now a Lieutenant Colonel, I think we could easily make him the commanding officer of the operation, and I would very much like the two of you living at the mansion once the baby comes." His face is slightly shadowed. "I missed your childhood, Riza. I want to make it up to your child."
"I think we could be persuaded," she says gently. The song draws to an end, and they come to a halt. She leans in and kisses his cheek. "Thank you, Grandfather."
"Go along with you," he says, gruffly to hide his softness.
Change, it seems, is the watchword of the evening.
Becky, to the amazement of approximately no one, returns from her little meeting with Havoc sporting some new jewelry. She hugs Riza hard around the neck and squeals a bit incoherently. "We're going to wait until after the baby comes to have the wedding," she gushes, "so you can be the matron of honor."
"That's really sweet, Becky, but you don't have to wait on account of me."
"No, we insist!" she says, and Riza doesn't argue because she knows better.
Roy is left reeling by Grandfather's decision, and his wife almost feels like she's holding him up when they're dancing. "Fatherhood, promotion, and - what do you even call this? Deputy Fuhrership?" he asks, laughing weakly. "You and your grandfather have any other shocks you want to throw at me while my heart's still beating?"
"Not at present. I'll see if I can come up with anything." Riza smiles.
"Hey, do you think I could get Fullmetal to pay me back the money he owes me? He said he's holding that 520 cenz over my head until I become Fuhrer, maybe this is good enough."
"I somehow doubt it, sir."
She's not really sure what prompts General Hakuro, of all people, to ask her for a dance. She has respect for Hakuro, who was - apart from General Armstrong - the only member of High Command she knows for a fact was not part of Father's scheme. He hadn't even been in Central at the time; his focus had been the now-quiet Aerugonian war front, and Fuery describes him as having been "tough but fair." He's married with a young family, and she supposes he's just making nice with the Fuhrer.
"I understand congratulations are in order," he says.
"Sir?"
"I have it from Fuhrer Grumman himself that he's looking forward to becoming a great-grandfather."
"Oh, yes. Thank you."
"I admit I was never much of an admirer of your husband, but I will also admit that he's proven himself in the last few years." Riza nods, understanding. "He rose too quickly, too young. He made me nervous. But he's more than I always took him for, and I wish you both success."
"You're very kind, General."
"There's an up-and-coming Colonel who reminds me greatly of General Mustang, actually. A young man who served under me in the conflict with Aerugo. Have you had occasion to meet Colonel Piper?"
"I can't say that the name sounds familiar."
"I'm recommending him for a promotion soon, so by the time you meet him he may well be Brigadier General Piper. He was a real asset in the final months of our campaign; you might suggest to the Major General that he attempt to persuade him to come and help in Ishval."
Ah, so that's why he wanted to dance with me. "That sounds like it might be a good idea, General, and I appreciate the suggestion. I'll mention it to my husband; we're due to be transferred back to Central sometime later this year, but they may well have use for your subordinate at Eastern Command."
True to her word, Riza relays this information to Roy, who looks contemplative. "Hakuro's pretty reliable," he muses, "and generally a good judge of character. Maybe I should look into it."
"I think if nothing else, it could make him a bit more...accepting of your eventual status."
The ball is scheduled to end close to midnight, though many people linger, trying to prolong a delightful evening. The allies, as Grandfather likes to call them, all compare notes, and reach the same conclusion: it's been disturbingly quiet. It has been a busy evening, things have happened - Lieutenant General Armstrong threatened Roy's life for inviting her to dance, among other incidents - but there has been no overt action from their enemy.
"This is really strange," Breda says with a frown. "I thought sure Acheron would strike."
"So did I," says Roy. "You don't think he's given up?"
"Not likely. But maybe he's met with some other fate since we last saw him."
"You mean he could be dead?" asks Fuery.
"It's possible. Or maybe he's set his sights on a different target. There's got to be something less difficult to conquer than Amestris, he might have decided to start smaller."
"I don't know if I'd consider that comforting," says Havoc.
"Nobody's getting complacent," says Roy. "We're all staying on high alert until further notice. Understood?"
"Aye, General!"
"I'm disappointed," Grandfather comments, joining them. "I was sort of looking forward to getting a taste of the action myself! But I do have some news, which affects you two." He nods to Ed and Winry.
"News?" Ed looks wary.
"One of my aides brought me a message from our friend the Emperor." Grandfather's smile is impudent again. "He sent the announcement of the birth of an heir to the throne of Xing."
There are exclamations of pleased surprise. "Geez, everybody's spawning these days!" Havoc yelps, and Becky elbows him in the stomach. "Sorry."
"In any case," Grandfather continues, clearly trying not to laugh, "once the Empress recovers from the ordeal, your younger brother will be able to proceed with his wedding, and then the bridal party will be making their way here."
"Oh, good!" Ed lights up. "It's about time he came home for a while."
"So he and the Princess are settling down, huh?" asks Breda with a grin.
"Yeah. There'll be a formal royal ceremony in Xing, and then they'll come here and have a regular wedding like we had, so we can all be there. I'm pretty sure you're all invited - that includes you, Your Excellency."
"Splendid! But under the circumstances," says Grandfather, "let's try to keep that fact quiet. We don't want your brother's wedding plans being disrupted like yours were."
"Oh, I don't know," says Winry, of all people. "It was a very interesting few weeks. And a lot of good things came out of it."
"Yeah," says Roy, "like me not getting a concussion."
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Ed challenges.