Chapter 3

Riza led the team eastward toward the city in the distance. She continued to forage while keeping an eye out for danger that could potentially be lurking. They had learned that they could not even trust the shrubs and trees as some had come to life and attacked them.

However, not all the plant life was trying to kill them. While foraging, Riza did find some blackberries and dandelions to eat. She would save those for when they made camp that night.

After a long day of hiking, Riza found a good place to camp. Everyone began setting up their bedrolls, and Roy made a fire. Riza handed the blackberries and dandelions to Alphonse, who oversaw making dinner.

Then, Riza had an idea of how to contribute to dinner. They had seen a small lake while hiking and it wasn't far from their campsite. She had seen some ducks paddling along the surface of the water, and roasted duck sounded delicious. She stalked the edge of the tree line and saw several ducks near the shoreline. She raised her bow and notched an arrow.

'Steady,' she thought as she pulled back the arrow on the string. She released and hit a duck. The others quacked loudly and flew away from their feathery comrade that had just died.

Riza went down to the water and took off her shoes. She waded ankle deep and retrieved their dinner.

"Sorry. I'm glad it was a quick death," Riza said to the dead bird. She picked up her boots and brought the duck to camp. She was met with cheers as she walked in with her kill. Edward helped her clean it, and they roasted it over the fire. They enjoyed a side of dandelion leaves and blackberries.

Winry commented on the meal "I can't believe we made a delicious meal while camping in the woods."

Alphonse looked at her perplexed. "We've camped before together."

"Yeah, but we had sausages over the fire. This time we had to find food," Winry replied. It was different grabbing items from inside a home compared to hunting and foraging.

Alphonse understood the difference. He had camped for a month as training with only a knife to survive on. Most people don't receive that kind of intense training.

Roy, Alphonse, and Winry drew straws to see who was supposed to take the watches that night. Roy took the first watch, and Alphonse had the second. Roy sat by the fire watching as everyone got into their bedrolls.

Alphonse was welcomed back into Winry's bedroll. She figured if it helped him learn to sleep again, it was fine. Though she didn't want him completely dependent on her. She figured after the first week, she would have to kick him out of her bedroll. Though hopefully, they would be in a city, and she wouldn't be camping outside. Winry loved gazing at the stars but sleeping on a bed was much more comfortable.

Roy saw everyone eventually go to sleep. Riza had discovered with him that he did not have the unusual night vision that she, Edward, and Winry had. He would have to be extra vigilant.

About 3 hours in, he heard rustling in the bushes surrounding them. Then he heard snickering and guttural words in a language that he was not familiar with. Roy knelt down to Riza's bedroll. He shook her shoulders and saw her eyes partially open.

"There's something watching us," he whispered.

Riza stood abruptly. She looked around and fear rose inside of her. "We're surrounded."

Roy shouted "Everyone up! We're surrounded."

Sleepy heads rose up from the bedrolls and saw Roy holding his red orb. "Get up!"

Panic grabbed hold of the group as they scrambled out of their bedrolls. Edward grabbed his sword. He had removed his armor last night and was just wearing a shirt and pants. There was not time to put it on now. Winry grabbed her book and hammer while Alphonse grabbed his quarterstaff. The team were in a circle around their fire. Riza raised her bow and notched an arrow in it. With her new vision, she could see a goblin archer further into the woods. She aimed an arrow towards it.

Gradually short ugly creatures emerged slowly from the woods holding swords. They were prepared to fight.

Just then an arrow flew by Riza's ear from behind. It had just missed her head. By impulse, she released her arrow and hit the other goblin archer in the head. It died instantly and fell from the tree onto the ground.

The other goblins charged the Amestrian group with their swords raised. Edward swung his sword at the goblin in front of him and decapitated it.

Edward then heard Winry cry out as she was shot with an arrow in her leg. The warm blood started trickling down her thigh. Edward was about to step towards Winry but another goblin charged him. Edward parried the goblin's blade with his own.

Meanwhile, Alphonse clapped his hands together and hit the ground casting thorn whip. The vines came from the ground and pierced the goblin in front of him, impaling it and killing it swiftly.

Roy found the other archer that had targeted Winry. The goblin had its arrow notched and was about to fire another arrow at her. Roy felt the orb heat and he shouted "Fire bolt!". Fire came from the orb and incinerated the goblin archer before it could release its arrow.

However, another goblin saw the poor blond girl trying to remove the arrow from her leg. He cried out in a foreign language, and she glanced up just in time to see him charging toward her. She jumped back, but the goblin's sword sliced into her other leg. Winry cried out again.

Winry fell to the ground on her back, dropping her book. The goblin grabbed her feet and started to pull her into the woods. She screamed as the wound in her leg was stretched.

She grabbed her hammer with both hands, and swung as hard as she could at the goblin. She struck him on the side of his head. He stumbled in a daze, and Winry swung again. She hit the other side of his head, and the monster collapsed onto the ground in a heap. Blood came out of his ear. Winry realized that she had killed a creature, and she felt overwhelmed. She dropped her hammer and sat there in a daze. The sound of battle faded from her ears and was replaced by a slight ringing.

Alphonse saw Winry on the ground. He noticed the blood coming from multiple wounds on both of her legs. But what frightened him was how pale she was and how her eyes were glazed over.

"Winry, come on. Stay with us. I'll take care of you," Alphonse said. He put his hands over her wounds and the wound caused by the arrow completely healed. But the wound from the sword was still there. It had healed partially, and as a result wasn't bleeding anymore.

Edward joined Winry and Alphonse. He kneeled in front of Winry. Alphonse explained "She just killed the goblin. I healed her wounds, but I think she's in shock."

Edward put his hand to her face and patted it. "Snap out of it! We'll protect you. You're safe now."

The glaze faded from Winry's eyes which caused them to brighten, and then her eyes started to glisten. Tears ran down her cheeks. She fell onto Edward's shoulder and cried.

Meanwhile, another goblin had charged Riza. She jumped back when the goblin swung, and his sword missed her. Riza dropped the bow and grabbed a short sword in hand. She swung at the goblin and slit open his abdomen, entrails budged through the wound and drooped toward the ground. Before she had time to recover, she was shot with an arrow in her arm. Riza winced in pain.

Roy saw the last goblin archer that had just hit Riza with the arrow. He cast a fire bolt but missed. His vision is not as good in the dark of night. The goblin fled into the darkness.

"Damn it. It escaped!" Roy said. He turned back to Riza, who was pulling the arrow out of her arm. She dropped the arrow to the ground, hissing in pain. Roy took off his cloak and ripped part of it into a rough ribbon. He wrapped it around her wound and held pressure until it stopped bleeding.

"Winry, we could use some of that healing alchemy now," he said but when he glanced at the trio from Risembool, he noticed the emotional scene. His attention had been entirely focused on the goblins. The trio's ordeal had been unnoticed by him and Riza. Now he felt awkward.

Riza asked "What happened?"

Winry's crying had calmed down into sniffling, though she still had her face buried in Edward's shoulder. Edward had wrapped his arms around her, hoping it would soothe her.

Winry lifted her head off Edward's shoulder. She explained the ordeal in gory detail. "I killed it. I don't think I've ever done that. It's one thing to kill to eat but this is different."

Riza, who had was already experienced with battle, responded with "It's difficult, I know. However, what you did was in self-defense. There is nothing wrong with that. Who knows what would have happened if it had taken you."

Roy shuddered at the thought of what could have happened. He knew that prisoners were not always treated kindly, especially women.

Winry said with a shaky voice, "I feel so useless. You all are so strong and know what to do in these situations. What I am good for?"

Edward placed his hands on her shoulders. "You can heal us. That's more useful than anything."

"But I want to be more than just a healer. Ed, I need you to teach me how to fight," Winry demanded.

Edward was surprised by the request. His eyes widened but narrowed just as quickly. "Winry, you don't need to fight. I can protect you."

"But there might be times when you can't. Like tonight. What if that thing had taken me?"

Edward winced because he knew he was losing this argument.

Winry pleaded "Please Ed. You promised if I needed something, you would help."

'Damn it. She had to bring that up, ' he thought. "Fine, I'll teach you. But we need to get out of this forest first."

The group looked at what had once been their cozy campsite now littered with goblin bodies, and stained with blood.

Winry stood up with help from Ed. She healed Riza's wound but was tired afterwards. They packed up and began to head out.

Edward noticed Winry's exhaustion. "Want me to carry you?"

"No, I can walk," Winry said but staggered as she walked. Her leg still stinging from the wound.

"Bullshit! Let me carry you, at least for a little bit," Edward demanded.

Then Roy offered. "I'll carry her pack. Come on, Ms. Rockbell. You're dead on your feet."

Winry gave in, and Edward got down in front of her. "Get on. It's a piggyback ride, just like when we were kids."

Winry smiled at their childhood memories. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he gingerly picked her up on his back.

It was still the middle of the night and the forest was very dark despite the light from the full moon. Roy and Alphonse could not see as well as the others in the night. Roy pulled out his orb and picked up a stick from the ground. He focused his newfound power unto the stick and made it into a torch. Roy looked down at his companion who also didn't have night vision. "Ready, Alphonse?"

Alphonse nodded and they began hiking through the forest. Riza took the lead while Roy and Alphonse followed her. Edward was right behind them carrying Winry on his back. Winry faded in and out of a sleep like state. She could hear her friends' conversations but was too tired to remark.

After two hours, Riza gasped in excitement. "There's a road!"

She hurried to the road, followed by the group. They were thrilled to see a sign of civilization after being thrown into the forest of this world. Riza stood on the road and faced east. It was still dark out so she couldn't see very far but she reasoned this road must lead to a city. It would be light in a few hours.

Winry woke up and asked Edward to set her down. "I can walk now. It should be easier on the road."

"Are you sure?" Edward asked.

"I'm not going to make you carry me everywhere. That's ridiculous!" She argued. Then her tone calmed. "Besides, I feel better after resting. Thank you."

Edward blushed, and he was glad it was dark enough no one could see. "It was no big deal. I'll carry your pack, so you don't wear yourself out."

Winry scoffed as Edward took her pack from Roy and they started hiking eastward on the road. The sky slowly turned pink as the sun rose over an unfamiliar horizon. The outline of a city was made out as a silhouette in the sun's golden beams.

Once they could see the city, Winry sighed "It's still so far away. I doubt we'll make it there by night fall, and I was really looking forward to sleeping inside tonight."

Riza replied "It's much closer than when we first began this journey. We are making progress. But you are correct, we won't make it by nightfall."

They continued their march on the road, noticing farms on both sides. There were barns and fields. The farmers began emerging from their homes, working on their crops, and feeding their livestock.

Winry noticed that this looked very much like Risembool. There were familiar sights of sheep and cows. The farmers looked like regular people. It felt very much like her home.

After a break to eat rations under a tree, they continued their walk. It was late afternoon when they noticed the clouds building up and starting to darken. A storm was brewing and coming closer to them.

Roy commented "We need to find shelter before it begins to rain."

Then, a large lightning bolt struck the ground ahead of them. The thunder boomed, and they heard a yelp in the distance. A horse dashed towards them from the road ahead. Alphonse tried to calm it down but it raced around them and headed in the direction from which they had just traveled. Roy wondered where it could be going.

Edward looked eastward towards the city and saw someone struggling on the ground then yelled "There's a girl up ahead!"

Edward, Winry, and Alphonse ran to the girl. She had long brown hair tied back in a purple handkerchief. She sat up and was holding her leg. Her face revealing that she was in a great deal of pain.

Winry kneeled by the girl, who Winry noticed had the same kind of ears that Edward had. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

The girl looked frightened by their presence. She still held her ankle.

Alphonse used a soothing tone. "It's okay. We won't hurt you. We just heard you cry out. Is your leg injured?"

She nodded.

"Mind if I see it?" Alphonse asked.

The girl, who looked to be about Winry's age, held out her leg for him to see. Alphonse used his healing alchemy on her. The green circle appeared on her ankle and glowed. It faded and the girl started moving her foot and noticed that the pain had dissipated.

Alphonse asked, "Feel better?"

The girl nodded. Edward extended his hand and helped her stand up. She dusted the dirt off her maroon dress and white apron.

Alphonse apologized "I'm sorry if we startled you. We were just worried."

The girl finally spoke in a quiet tone "It's fine. Thank you for helping me. I was on my way home from selling eggs in town. My horse was startled from the thunder and threw me off."

Riza and Roy had caught up with the trio when the girl was explaining her story. "That makes sense. Speaking of the storm, do you know of a place where we might take shelter?"

The girl nodded "You can come with me to my home. I'm sure my mother and grandfather won't mind since you helped me."

Alphonse asked her "What's your name?"

The girl shyly looked away. "It's Emma."

Alphonse and Emma walked to the front of the party. They were backtracking on the road but shelter from the storm was more important. The thunder rolled behind them causing them to walk faster. The farm wasn't far, and they went inside the house just in time as the rain began pouring down.

Emma led the way in. Her grandfather was worried because he had seen the horse run back to the stable without her on it. Emma explained that Alphonse and his friends had helped her after the horse bucked her off. The grandfather welcomed them to their home.

After introductions, Alphonse and Winry helped Emma's mother prepare a hearty stew for dinner. They chopped vegetables and poured them into the pot. They also kneaded dough and put it into the oven, where it would rise and become bread. Soon the smell of a home cooked meal filled the small farmhouse, making the Amestrian party salivate.

Once the stew was ready, Edward and Roy helped bring the pot over and started serving the stew in bowls. Emma cut the bread and gave everyone a piece.

Emma's mother apologized. "I'm sorry we don't have more bread. I wasn't expecting this many guests."

Roy told her not to worry but apologized that they were eating the family's dinner.

Emma's grandfather retorted "We are happy to have you all here. Besides, you helped Emma. She's my only granddaughter."

Emma's face reddened as someone mentioned her. The mother chuckled some. "Emma is so shy. You must excuse her for being so quiet. Emma, at least tell them 'Thank you.'"

Emma's voice quivered "Thank you."

Alphonse, in a gentle voice, told her "You're welcome. We were happy to help."

The grandfather continued "I'm glad you saved her in time before nightfall. That's when it's dangerous."

Winry inquired, even though she felt that she knew the reason. "Is there something in particular?"

"Yes, the goblins come out at sundown. They have been kidnapping girls around Emma's age," the grandfather explained.

Roy started putting the pieces together in his mind. The goblins seemed to focus their attacks on Winry and Riza, especially Winry. They had even tried to take her away into the woods.

Riza asked with worry "Why young girls?"

"It's despicable. They torture them, and make them into their slaves for their…entertainment," the grandfather explained with a wince toward his granddaughter.

Spoons were paused in midair held by hands that were too shocked to continue movement. Their eyes widened at the confirmation that this world was frighteningly dangerous.

Winry gasped when she realized why the goblin had been trying to kidnap her. They were planning on raping her. Her heartbeat rapidly as she tasted the bile that had risen to her throat. She turned to Edward next to her, who was clenching his teeth. His hands were tight fists as anger flowed through his veins. Winry, who needed reassurance, took his hand in hers and intertwined her fingers between his. Edward looked surprised but settled into the comfort of her hand in his. He was glad that their hands were under the table, and no one could see their display of affection.

Emma's mother sighed "The kidnappings have been happening more frequently. And recently they have been stealing livestock. I hope Easthaven sends help soon."

Edward asked "Easthaven?"

"Yes. The capital. I assume you are heading there since that was the direction you were going."

"Oh, yes! That's exactly where we are heading!" Edward tried laughing it off awkwardly, unwilling, and uncertain of how to explain their particular situation. How would he explain they were from another world? Edward thought they shoul come up with a backstory soon. At least now they knew the name of their destination.

"Let us not speak of the troublesome goblins. It's not a very good dinner conversation. Edward, I noticed you have something in common with Emma. Let me guess you are a half elf also?" The mother asked.

"Oh! How can you tell?" Edward asked acting as if he already knew that he was a half elf.

"By your ears, silly. It's the telltale mark of someone who comes from both bloodlines." She explained.

Edward saw Emma's ears, that had a similar slight point in them. They weren't very long like Winry and Riza's but not round either like Roy or Alphonse's.

Alphonse asked, "So Emma is half human and half elf then?"

"Yes, her father and I were married. Though he died on a mission a few years ago. He was an adventurer just like you all are," Emma's mother explained with assumed expectation as eyed the apparent company of adventurers.

Edward reflected on this. He was half elf and half human in this world.

Alphonse exclaimed "That's so incredible brother!"

Emma looked up and was wondering "Are you brothers? But you're a half elf and you're a halfling. How is that possible?"

Edward and Alphonse paused and stared at each other in confusion. Winry jumped in. "Well, Edward's mother adopted Alphonse. So, they grew up together. In fact, I was their neighbor, and we were all raised together. Their mom was like an aunt to me."

The mother nodded "Oh, that makes sense."

Edward and Alphonse were flabbergasted. How could they not be brothers? But here the rules were different. They were two completely different races.

The grandfather noticed the time. "Well, it's too dark to travel tonight. And with those goblins out there, it wouldn't be wise to keep moving. I don't have any spare beds. But you are welcome to sleep in the barn. There's hay in the loft up there."

Winry replied "That sounds wonderful. We would appreciate a place to stay for the night. It is a roof over our heads."

The mother gave a few pillows, and the team went outside to the barn. Emma showed them to the hayloft with a lantern. "Here you go. If you need anything, you are welcome to knock on the door."

Emma turned and left the lantern with them. She knew the way back to the house. Alphonse watched her until he could see that she had made it safely back inside.

Edward and Alphonse rolled out their bedrolls. Edward then spoke with Alphonse. "So, I'm half elf and half human in this world. What does that make you?"

"I was told by the unicorn that I was a halfling but I'm not sure what that means. What am I half of?" Alphonse said and Edward could tell by his tone that he was frustrated.

"In this world, are we even brothers?" Alphonse asked.

Riza interrupted the awkwardness. "It doesn't matter. You two will always be brothers. You might look very different here but deep down, you two will always share that link. And Winry, the adoption story was well thought of. It could be a good cover considering how close those two are."

Roy announced as he laid out his bed roll. "Anyways, it's time to get some rest. Though we should have someone on watch considering how dangerous it is."

"Right, I'll take first watch," Edward said with confidence.

"Edward, I should take the first watch. I didn't even get to complete it last night."

"Yeah, and you're dead on your feet. You haven't slept in over 24 hours. You get some rest tonight. Besides, I don't think I need as much rest as you do. It might have to do with this half elf thing."

Roy felt completely useless. The goblins had attacked during his watch last night. But Edward was right. He didn't need as much rest as he would.

Winry said she hadn't been assigned watch yet and wanted to be useful. She pleaded "I want the second watch. I need to do something to help you all."

Riza came up with a plan. "Winry, why don't you and Edward take the second watch. I'll take the first one. That way you won't get lonely. It was nice to do the watch together the other night, wasn't it?"

Winry and Edward agreed to do the second watch. The Risembool trio laid in their bedrolls on the hay. Alphonse never did his watch duty, but Winry insisted he sleep since he really had only one good night's sleep since returning to a body. And Alphonse agreed due to his fatigue. He laid in Winry's bedroll again and let her lull him to sleep by playing with his hair and kissing him goodnight.

Riza watched the trio go to sleep. When their steady breathing could be heard, she heard Roy shift in his bedroll. "You're supposed to be asleep sir."

"You can drop the formalities. They're asleep. We haven't had a chance to really talk since all this happened." Roy insisted.

"Right. It's been somewhat chaotic," she said. Her glare softened as she continued speaking. "I'm glad Alphonse has a body back, but this world has different rules. It's dangerous. And Winry's right. She needs to learn how to fight. But we all need to learn about how to survive in this world."

Roy sighed as he sat up. "Correct. I am hoping once we get to Easthaven, we can find more information. Their alchemy is completely different here. I am hoping to find something to help us more. We need to be cautious. We don't know who to trust in this world."

Riza nodded. She set her hand on his thigh. "At least we know we can trust them, and we can trust each other."

Roy took her hand and held it. "We might have to see how much we can trust them. At some point, we may have to tell them about us."

Riza took a sharp breath in. They had always had to hide their relationship from everyone as it was deemed illegal for soldiers to be together. "I don't know if that's wise. They are just children. We are the adults here and we need to watch over them. Keep them safe."

Roy looked over at Edward, drooling in his sleep. "They're not quite children anymore. They've experienced so much at such a young age. And who knows how long we will be stuck here."

With silence between them, Roy squeezed her hand and laid down. "Good night Lieutenant."

"I thought we had dropped the formalities," Riza said.

"Right. Good night Riza." Roy turned over and went to sleep.

Riza watched over them, pondering Roy's words. They may be stranded here for a long time. And with the stress of battling enemies, it would be pleasant to find comfort in his arms at night again.

'Maybe we should tell them about us,' Riza thought but let the night carry that thought away.

Author's Notes: I can't take credit for the idea of goblins taking young girls for sexual pleasure. That idea was from Goblin Slayer. Great anime but the first episode is brutal. After that episode, it's better.