Chapter

5

The Amestrian party woke up refreshed after their night at the inn. They ate breakfast and then set out to find the Salamander Guild Hall. Roy hoped the hall would be easy to find. Apparently, it had the same symbol that was on his cloak. But this city was large, and there were so many buildings and humanoids. It seemed the guild was renowned so hopefully someone would be able to point them in the right direction.

They stepped outside and noticed something that they had not seen last night in the darkness. A gigantic tree grew in the middle of the city and was surrounded by a small area filled with trees and shrubs.

Behind the small forest was a large castle. Riza commented "It feels like we stepped back in time."

"No kidding," Edward replied as they gazed at the enormous tree and castle.

Once the astonishment faded, Winry went to the door of the nearest shop. Edward grabbed her arm and asked "What are you doing?"

"Asking for directions. We need to find that guild hall," Winry shook off his arm. He grumbled as she walked away from him.

She stepped into the shop and was hit by a delightful floral scent. She breathed in deeply and enjoyed the scent that travelled through her nasal passageways. Winry gazed at the products on the shelf. She had entered a perfume shop.

Riza followed her in with the two Elric brothers. Edward's face scrunched up after he felt his sinuses being assaulted by the sweet scent.

Winry asked the shopkeeper for directions, which the shopkeeper gave with a smile on his face. She then bought a bottle of perfume that had the light scent of orange blossom mixed with several other citrus and floral scents with it. And Riza couldn't help herself and bought one also.

Edward asked Winry at the door. "I can't believe you got suckered into buying that."

Winry smacked him behind the head with her hammer to which he howled. She shouted to Edward "I had to handle smelling you boys for days without showering! This will help me if we have to go camping again."

Roy whispered to Edward "Don't question a woman's buying habits. It'll only be painful in the end."

"Oh, shut up!" Edward shouted, rubbing the lump on the back of his head.

"Just trying to give friendly advice. I'm not the one with a lump on my head," Roy snickered. Edward glared daggers at him, but Roy didn't flinch. He enjoyed pestering Edward.

After walking for a while and taking a few turns, the group found a large building twice the size of their inn with the salamander symbol on it.

Roy led the party inside. There was a bar with many tables that had patrons being served food and ale. The smell of bacon and eggs still wafted through the air as breakfast was finishing up mixed with the wood smell from the tables. There was also a board with posters on it displaying pictures of people or creatures with monetary values written on them.

But before all this was a large wooden desk with a man and woman working behind them. Roy steered his group towards the pretty woman who had ebony hair that was shoulder length. She was looking at a mirror and applying lipstick, which she put away once she had finished painting her lips.

"Good morning! How can I help you today?" Asked the woman.

Roy put his arm on the desk and smiled coyly at her. "Good morning. You look lovely today."

"Oh, thank you sir," she said, her cheeks became rosy at his flattery.

"I hope you can help us. We've been traveling for a long time. By the way, what is your name?"

"Kinsley," she replied.

"Kinsley, what a lovely name. Well, we've been traveling for several days, and while we were in the woods, we were attacked, and our identification cards were stolen along with other items. We were told you might be able to help us," Roy said with a devilish smile.

"Oh, that's an easy solution," Kinsley replied. She turned to the wall behind her and opened a drawer. She placed a card on the desk. The card had lines on it along with a small square on the top right corner.

"Place your thumb on this square," she said as she took his hand. Her hands were soft and warm. She took his thumb and rolled it on the square. Then words appeared on the lines. Roy couldn't believe what he was seeing. His name appeared on the paper along with other words. Kinsley lifted his thumb, and a picture of his face appeared.

"How?" Roy was at a loss for words. The others gathered beside him as they saw the card being written on despite there being no pen.

Kinsley still held his hand. "Are you new to Easthaven?"

"Yes, you can say that" Roy replied.

"Well, if you need anything, you can find me here," she rubbed his hand.

That's when Riza came up to the desk with a scowl on her face. The heat of jealousy radiating from her that everyone felt it. Kinsley gently set Roy's hand on the desk. She then proceeded to finish everyone's cards though she did not help place anyone's thumb on the square. And Kinsley backed away from the desk as Riza placed her thumb on her card.

Edward examined his card. The paper didn't seem different from the parchment back home. It was firm and smooth. Then he read the words on it. There was race, which said 'half-elf'. This was something he learned from Emma's family and would explain his slightly pointed ears. Then, there was something called a class, and it read 'Fighter-?'. What was the question mark for?

Edward looked at Roy's card, and it didn't have a question mark. It read 'Sorcerer- Red Draconic'.

Kinsley noticed them investigating their cards, and informed them that there were different training areas for their classes. She directed them to the areas assigned to each of their classes.

Kinsley then pulled Roy aside. "I'm going to get the sorcerer that is present. Sorcerers are quite rare. I'll retrieve him."

Roy spoke with the Amestrian party quietly. "Let's do the training in each of our areas, and then we will meet at the inn. Whoever is there first, go ahead and reserve our rooms for several nights. I have a feeling that we may be here for a while. We need to learn how this world works, and then we can figure out a way home."

Winry asked, "Are you sure it's wise to split up?"

"It'll be alright. If you don't feel safe, then take one of the Elrics with you. I'm sure they wouldn't mind missing their training to stay with you," Roy told her but she did feel a tinge of guilt if one of the brothers had to miss their training for her sake.

Kinsley returned to the group, followed by a short and stout dwarf with a long white beard and white hair. "This is Mr. August Whitehelm. He's the only sorcerer we have here at the moment. The others are spread over the continent on various quests."

Kinsley walked by Roy and whispered "Good luck."

Roy looked at the dwarf and was a little nervous after how Kinsley acted. However, Roy had already survived a war. How much worse could it be?

August looked Roy up and down. "You look weak. Let's see if you survive the day. Follow me."

August turned around and walked to the back of the room. Roy's nostrils flared while Edward laughed at his commanding officer. Roy turned to Edward. "Get to your training post!"

Edward, still laughing, turned and walked out followed by everyone else.

Roy followed August outside. It was a large area with a high wooden fence with sharpened points. Roy wondered what they were trying to keep out. Roy then took in more of his surroundings on the ground. There were barrels all around with the tops open marked with a water drop that indicated they were filled with water. There were also dummies made of straw and wood around. He assumed they would be using them to practice on. Roy also noticed there were piles of wood in different areas of the training ground.

August asked for Roy's card and commented on Roy's class. "So, you've been chosen by a red dragon. Some may consider it a blessing, and others see it as a curse. Let's see if the fire in your blood will consume you, or if it will lead you to glory."

August conjures a knife of frost and throws it at Roy! It explodes next to him, a shard of ice piercing his arm.

"Shit! Are you trying to kill me?" Roy yelled.

August quickly spoke an incantation. "Bite of the frost dragon!"

Roy's leg became cold as a layer of frost began to cover it. He realized that he needed to retaliate. He cast a fire bolt at his 'instructor'.

August felt the intense heat approach him and tried to dodge but the bolt of flame hit his leg. His cloak and pants caught fire, but he said another incantation and water flowed into the air from the barrel and wrapped his leg and cloak, dousing the flame.

Then August said a different incantation, and a cloud of fog appeared around them. It was thick, and Roy could not see August anymore.

Roy created a bonfire out of a pile of wood that was near him. He then heard his instructor chuckle "That was excellent show of power. You have advanced knowledge of fire. I yield."

And with that, August made the fog dissipate. The elder sorcerer commented "I haven't had that much fun in years."

Roy was appalled. "You were having fun?"

"It's not often that I meet other sorcerers. We are a rare group that are blessed with the power of dragons. You were granted the power of a fire dragon, and I was blessed with the power of an ice dragon. I think that was obvious."

Roy noticed something during their battle. "But you wielded with more than just ice. You used water, and even created a mist."

"Yes, water is related to ice. You can also use more elements than just fire, and that is what I am here to teach you."

August then held up a white orb with a frozen salamander in it. He looked at one of the dummies, and then said, "Brew of Tasha boil."

A green line of acid appeared in front of him, and shot across the arena, and hit the dummy. The acid slowly melted the straw and wood.

"Now you try," August said. "Bring out your orb. It will give you the power to use other elements."

Roy mimicked August and took out the red orb with the salamander in it. Roy said the spell and a green ball of acid grew in front of him. It did not travel far though.

"Damn it," Roy said as the acid barely went five feet in front of him.

"It's different to control, isn't it? Acid does not behave the same as fire. It will take time to learn to use it," August informed him.

August continued "And something else you should know, there are only so many times a day you can use it. You can use some of your fire spells any number of times. However, the more powerful ones, and the other elemental ones, you are limited to a few a day. As you learn to control your power, the times you can wield it will increase."

Roy was frustrated. Alchemy was so different in this world. There were more rules though it was appealing in that he could create acid. He wondered what else his team would learn today. It will be an interesting dinner conversation tonight.

Meanwhile, Riza and Alphonse had split up to go to their training area while Edward was walking with Winry to the temple where she would be training. Apparently, a temple was where healers were trained. Edward wasn't sure why it seemed to involve religion, and he was quite suspicious of it. If it seemed like it wasn't safe for Winry, he wouldn't leave her there. He didn't want to leave her in the hands of an occult.

Edward and Winry arrived at the temple that had a metal symbol on top with three rings interconnected with one another. He wasn't sure what this religion entailed but he didn't like it. The temple was surrounded by a stone wall that had an iron gate at the front. There was a woman there in white robes with yellow adorning the ends of the sleeves. She was looking away from them.

Winry approached the woman "Excuse me. Is this the temple? I was sent here for some kind of training."

The woman turned to them and smiled warmly. Winry had a surprised look on her face. The woman had golden hair in two small braids on each side while most of her hair was tied back in a ponytail. She also had long elvish ears that were adorned with earrings. But what surprised Winry was the color of her eyes. They were golden, just like the Elric brothers.

Edward didn't seem to notice. He just looked angry.

"Welcome. My name is Seraphina. May I see your card?"

Winry handed her identification card over to Seraphina.

Seraphina read Winry's card. "Oh, I see. You are just beginning, and you have been chosen by Thor."

"I'm not sure what that means," Winry confessed.

"I'll explain everything inside. Have you had something to eat?" Seraphina asked opening the gate. She linked her arm with Winry's, and was about to guide her in.

Edward put a hand on Seraphina's shoulder. "Hold on a minute."

Seraphina paused. She turned and gave Edward an annoyed glare.

"What are you going to do with her?" Edward growled.

"She is here to be trained." Seraphina turned to Winry. "Is he your companion?"

"He is. He's a childhood friend," Winry said. Her cheeks warmed slightly because he was concerned about her.

"I see. If you have not been chosen, then you cannot enter," Seraphina explained.

"WHAT?!" Edward yelled appalled that he could not go inside the temple.

"You can come worship at any time. However, the training area for clerics is off limits to outsiders," Seraphina informed them.

"Ed, I'll be fine," Winry tried to reassure him. She unlocked her arm from Seraphina and took both of his hands into hers.

"But Winry, I need-"

Winry interrupted him. "I can handle myself. She seems nice." Then Winry leaned in close to him and whispered in his ear, "I have my hammer. I can throw it just like my wrench."

Edward deflated. He had found before that it was nearly impossible to change her mind. "Okay. But if anything seems off, run for the inn."

"I will. Now go. You're embarrassing me," Winry jested with him.

Seraphina closed the gate and guided Winry inside. Edward watched her walk the entire way until the ladies were inside. He knew Winry could take care of herself, but this was a strange world where they didn't know how it worked, or who could be trusted.

Once she was inside, he left to find the fighting ring where he was told he would receive his training at. He passed by shops and restaurants. He passed by one that just sold clocks, but they were quite intricate. They had figures that would come out and perform an action on the hour. Some had a little bird that would sing, and some had a man chopping wood. Then he saw one with a dragon. When the hour chimed, it came out and roared.

"That's my kind of clock," he said. Maybe he could take a souvenir home.

Edward moved forward. He didn't exactly have a house to put a clock in. He and Alphonse were always on the move in Amestris. And now they were in this world, and they weren't planning on staying here permanently.

Edward found the fighting ring. He could smell the salty sweat and sour smell of beer coming from it. He could hear people behind the building in a fenced area yelling, and he heard the clinking of swords smashing against one another. He walked into the building with a sign on it. "Bladefist Fighting Ring: Times for demonstrations are Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5 pm."

Edward saw the name for the fighting ring, and immediately thought it was badass. It seemed like a tavern when he walked in. There were kegs of ale and bottles of wine behind the bar. The bartender was a man with black hair and violet eyes, cleaning mugs behind the bar.

Edward walked up to him but the man continued on with his task. Edward tapped the bar.

The man looked up annoyed that someone interrupted his task. "Need something?"

"I'm here for training," Edward said bluntly.

"Is this your first day?" The man asked.

"Yep," Edward scowled. He hated this. He knew how to fight already. He didn't need training.

The man went outside and yelled at someone to come train a newbie. Edward's nostrils flared!

A young man followed the bartender inside. He was taller than Edward and had a muscular body but was more lean than Armstrong. He had brown hair kept at a medium length, and chocolate brown eyes, and had armor on similar to Edward's.

The man looked Edward up and down, taking in Edward's new height, which the golden-haired man was still quite proud of. The young man spoke "You look promising. We'll see what you're made of. Come on back."

They went outside, and there was another pair training but with long spears with metal blades on the end. It looked more like what he used to create with alchemy, and he was used to fighting with one. The metal clinked as the blades clashed. There was a wall with a variety of weapons including swords, axes, maces, and spears. It was an arena, and there were stands where people could watch them.

The brown-haired man introduced himself. "The name is Vince. I've been training here for a year and half. Looks like you have a long sword also. Have you fought before?"

"Yes, but more hand-to-hand combat. I also used to fight with one of those," Edward said, pointing to the spear they were wielding.

"You have a long sword. You want to learn how to wield it?"

Edward nodded. "I already have it. I might as well use it."

"Well, let's see what you're made of. Put your blade aside. We'll practice with these for now," Vince picked up two wooden blades from the wall.

They stood on opposite ends of a ring outlined in the dirt. "Three, two, one, go!" Vincent yelled, and then Vincent went for Edward. He faked going right and hit Edward on his left side.

Edward cursed. Vince had hit him hard in the ribs. He wasn't holding back. And Edward realized he shouldn't either.

Vince moved toward him again, but Edward deflected Vince's strike and then he stabbed Vince in the abdomen. Vince winces but smiled as he said "You're strong. However, a long sword isn't meant to stab. It's meant to slash. I see you're used to a spear that can stab."

Edward accepted the new knowledge, and then Vince rushed toward Edward and raised his sword to chop but Edward counters the chop. The sticks collided and both men groaned as they each pushed toward their wooden swords against one another. But Edward won the battle of strength and pushed Vince's wooden sword away with his own.

Edward shouted as he slashed Vince's left arm, and Vince cursed under his breath as the pain radiated to his shoulder. Edward had a cocky smile on his face, proud that he got a hit in.

Edward then slashed again to Vince's right, but Vince parried the strike. Vince was taking this more seriously. He could see Edward had fighting experience and he had a keen sense of anticipating his opponent's next move.

Vince tried to slash at Edward's side, but Edward dodged out of the way. Both men were breathing heavily as the sweat dropped down their faces.

"You're fast," Vince commented, impressed.

Edward shouted and lunged toward Vince, but Vince parried again. Edward slashed at Vinces side again, but Vince backed up and then lunged forward and hit Edward in the hands on the hilt of his sword. From sheer surprise and sudden pain, Edward dropped his sword on the ground. Edward cursed and rubbed his hands together.

"It's over," Vince said, out of breath. "That was good display." Vince then held out his hand and shook Edward's hand. Edward cursed in pain, hands still hurting from Vince's strike.

"Oh, sorry." Vince let go of his hands. "But seriously, you have a good head on your shoulders. Fighting comes naturally to you."

Edward's ego rose.

"However, you need to learn how to effectively use the sword. But I believe you'll be a fast learner. We'll start with the basics. Don't worry. I'm sure you'll move up the ranks quite fast," Vince said.

Vince and Edward trained that day, and Edward felt like he had made a good friend by the late afternoon. After their training, Vincent treated him to a turkey leg and then offered to buy him a beer. Vince enticed him, "We have the best ale in the region."

"I'm fifteen," Edward said.

"Just old enough to have one. Come on, it's on me," Vince raised two fingers to bartender to order two ales. The bartender asked for Edward's card, which proved his age.

'So, there is a drinking age. And I'm just old enough.' Edward couldn't wait to tell Mustang. But then he thought about Alphonse, and how he would be disappointed to have to wait a year.

The bartender put the ale in front of Edward, and he smelled it. Then, he tasted it. It wasn't what he thought it would taste like. It was more bitter than he thought it would be. He couldn't spit it out in front of Vince. He drank in between bites of his turkey leg, and Edward got used to the taste.

When Edward tried to stand, he wobbled a bit but then stood firmly. He felt mostly fine.

"Whoa, you okay, Ed?" Vince asked.

"I'm fine. That was my first beer," Edward hiccuped afterwards.

"I bought your first beer?! Wait, your dad didn't take you out when you turned 15?" Vince pushed on Edward's shoulders and had him sit back down.

"No. That fucking bastard ran off when I was a kid," Edward slipped his family history out. Edward was then surprised how loose his tongue had become.

Vince had a sympathetic gaze. "That's shitty. But I'm proud to buy your first beer. Usually, it's the father's job but I can sub in. Let's get one more to celebrate."

"Thanks."

Vince held his mug up and Edward met his mug with his own. "Cheers! And we should get you some water after this one. You don't need to get wasted your first time."

"I think I can do one more," Edward suggested.

"Nope! As your trainer, I am not allowing that today. Another time, when your tolerance has improved." Vince ordered a water and had Edward drink it while he ate some bread that was ordered by Vince to 'help soak up the beer.'

Edward felt like he had found a comrade at the end of the day. It was comforting to have a friend here to guide him in this new world.

Meanwhile at the temple, Winry and Seraphina sat at a table discussing what Winry had done in the forest when they were attacked by goblins and shrub creatures. She had a used a spell that was called Sacred Flame, that was a bolt of light that shot down from the sky. And she had healed her comrades of their injuries. Though when it came to fighting, Winry confessed how useless she felt during a fight due to her lack of experience.

"Everyone always needs to protect me or help me in some way. I don't want to be a burden to them," Winry said with a hint of regret.

"But you healed them when they were injured. And you did use a spell against the creatures." Seraphina countered.

"Ed told me the same thing. That healing them was more helpful than anything. But I don't want to be just that. I need to help more."

Seraphina took Winry's hand. "You are more than just a healer. You just need some instruction on how to best use your abilities. Thor chose you because you have an incredible amount of strength. He knows you can be more than a healer. We as clerics are warriors that blessed with divine powers that can heal our friends or destroy our enemies. And that is what we teach here. You will learn how to use the abilities that he has blessed you with."

Winry felt hopeful that she could learn how to help her friends in other ways than healing. Though there was a hint of doubt she felt. This world was so different. Why would a god of thunder choose her?

Winry asked "That power you speak of, it kills people, doesn't it?"

Seraphina nodded. "We only use it to protect those that are weaker than ourselves, and those that we cherish. Like that young man who escorted you today. You would do what you could to protect him, correct?"

"Of course! That's why I need to learn!" Winry was determined to be of good use to her friends.

"You will learn how to use your abilities here. And you can also receive some combat training. Most of our clerics do that before they go out into the field," Seraphina explained.

"That would be great! Ed promised to teach me, too."

"Is that the young man that escorted you here today?" Seraphina leaned forward.

"Yes! He's a good friend." Winry's heart beat a little faster as she smiled brightly.

"Excellent. Well, let's begin your training." Seraphina summoned two children, a boy and a girl, to help with Winry's training.

"These are acolytes. They will assist us today. Could you prepare the training area for a tempest cleric today? We will start inside today."

They affirmed and scurried down the hall. Winry commented "They're so cute."

"Yes, those two are enthusiastic. They are both orphans and have been blessed since joining the temple. The girl has been blessed by Hecate, a goddess of magic, and the boy is like me, being blessed by Frey."

Winry frowned as she was reminded that she was also an orphan. At least, she had her grandmother to raise her. Edward and Alphonse didn't have anyone. She wondered about Roy and Riza, and if they still had parents.

Once prepared, they came back and escorted the ladies to the room that was prepared. The four of them went to a dark room that was difficult to see what was in it.

Seraphina explained "Thor is the god of thunder, and thunder is preceded by lightning. You have spells of light. Present your book, touch the object you want illuminated, and say 'Light be upon us."

Winry did as she was told and touched a brick on the wall. The brick illuminated, and the room was lit. The light revealed two pillars that each held a bowl on top of it.

Seraphina put a hand on Winry's shoulder. "Excellent. Remember, you are a ray of light in this world that can be so dark. You see the bowl up there. Use your lightning lure to bring it to you."

"What?!"

"You have the power of lightning and thunder. Your book gives you the ability to cast. Now present your book in one hand and use the other to cast it. This is for when you want to bring an enemy closer to you."

"Why would I want to do that?"

Seraphina explained "Some enemies will use spells but are weak to physical attacks. You bring them closer to you, and your friends can help attack."

Winry seemed unsure. Seraphina reminded her "You wanted to learn to fight, and this is how you can do it. You choose what spell is best at the time. Now present your book and retrieve the bowl."

Winry presented her book, and cast the spell. A bolt of lightning came forth from her hand and brought the bowl towards her. It shattered when it was five feet from her causing Winry to yelp.

The children awed at the lightning spell. Seraphina worried whether Winry would be too fearful but then her worries vanished when she saw the awe on her face.

"I did it! That was incredible. Was the bowl supposed to break?"

"It's fine. That spell does damage when the object is close to you. Now show me the one you did in the forest. Focus on the other bowl."

Winry showed them the sacred flame spell, and a bolt of light appeared above the bowl, and destroyed it in a flash.

The acolytes cheered for Winry, and the boy told her "I can do that one, too."

Winry exclaimed "Oh, really! That's a fun one. Seraphina, can you do that one too?"

"Yes, almost all clerics can perform that Sacred Flame. Lightning, however, is your specialty. Fire is mine."

The acolytes exclaimed "Show us Ms. Seraphina!"

Seraphina reached at her belt for her book and gulped. A look of fear was in her golden eyes.

"I forgot my book in my room!" Seraphina shouted. She began to run to her room. "I'll be right back!"

The boy sighed "Oh, Ms. Seraphina. She's so forgetful. Frey must be so disappointed."

Winry giggled slightly, and then spoke with the acolytes. "Who is Frey?"

"The god of light. He blessed her with the power of light." They showed off a few of their spells while they waited.

Seraphina returned with her book that had a sun carved into the leather cover. She breathed heavily. "I'm ready."

"It's no rush," Winry told her.

Seraphina shook off. "I'm fine. I want others to know they can rely on me."

The boy acolyte snickered as he spoke to his friend. "That's why no one has chosen her to go back out into the field, and she's stuck training other clerics here."

Seraphina heard the acolyte's comments and felt compelled to show off her skills. She held up her book, and her other hand. A large ball of fire formed and then flew from her hands forming more into a large cone than one ball. It scorched the pillars, and they smoked before crumbling into dust.

"Maybe we should have done that outside," Winry suggested.

"Umm… yes, you are correct," Seraphina admitted. "I got a little carried away. Acolytes, clean this up, while I take Winry outside for more training."

"But it's your mess," the boy whined.

"You are acolytes. It is your duty. When you are older and have passed your training, you won't have to clean. Now, Winry and I will go outside to train. You can join us afterwards."

Winry followed Seraphina outside, where they repeated the spells that she had just learned. The acolytes joined them after cleaning the pillars of soot. Winry was happy to train with them and learned the basics of casting with them.

They took a break, and Winry wondered how the rest of friends were doing. Were they having as much fun exploring their new abilities as she was? She couldn't wait until they met up at the inn later to see what all they learned.

Author's note: Tshis chapter was very long, and I decided to do Alphonse and Riza's training separately. I can't wait to write Alphonse's training. It's going to be hilarious.