Fic - Immolation of Man's Pride ch 7-9
Jun. 5th, 2006 12:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessImmolation of Man’s Pride
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine
Rating FRMAO (Nc-17)
Pairing - Roy/Riza
Time Line - Manga verse Pre-Ishbal, based off revelations of ch 58 but mostly written before 59 came out so we can safely say it contains spoilers for 58 and is totally AU after that
Summary -Riza finds herself caught on the horns of her past and the pride of the powerful men in her life with dire consequences
Chapter Seven
Roy felt a little grungy in his dress uniform even though he had washed up the best he could. Bob was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Riza who had gone to wash the sheets. Warmed by thoughts of her, Roy put in a call to the base to see when a rescue would be mounted. He heard a clacking noise as he hung up the phone. He turned and made a little face. Riza was dressed in one of her academy uniforms.
“You know how to make a girl feel good, Mustang,” she said crossly, giving him a withering glance. “I was not about to make breakfast in my ball gown.”
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “That is just one ugly uniform.”
Riza tapped her toe, her look of death deepening. “Was that the base?” She nodded at the phone.
“They’ll be around to plow us out in an hour or so.” He sounded disappointed at the prospect of a rescue.
“Good, then get into the kitchen and start the oven. Make yourself useful.” She swatted him lightly
“You found me useful last night.” He pouted.
“And right now I’m finding you annoying,” she replied, apparently still irritated at his mistake of not finding her attractive in her Rennsalaer uniform.
His pout deepened. She nodded towards the kitchen. “Yes, ma’am.” Roy slogged into the kitchen and put some coal into the old oven. He started the fire. “Anything else?”
Riza looked over her shoulder. “Just this.” She slipped her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. “Now, what do you want to eat for breakfast?”
“You,” he said breathlessly, his hands smoothing over her back.
Riza’s chest hitched. “As fun as that sounds...I think I hear Uncle Bob moving upstairs and he’ll expect something to eat with his morning whiskey.”
“Damn.” Roy tugged on his tightening uniform trousers. “Eggs and bacon would be good. Probably should see what we have to work with.”
Riza opened the ice chest. “No bacon that I see. There’s sour cream and some preserved lingonberries. See if there’s flour in the canister, Roy. I can make pancakes.”
Roy nosed into the canisters then brought her the one containing flour. Riza took out the sour cream, milk and eggs and started turning them into thin crepe-like pancakes. Roy dusted some lingonberries with sugar and put butter on the table to soften.
“Uncle Bob will want some meat. I thought I saw sausages in the ice box. You could fry those,” Riza said and Roy just gave her a pained look. “What? Oh, will you grow up.”
“Easy for you to say,” Roy fetched the sausages. He let them dangle from his fingers.
“All right, so maybe it wasn’t my best suggestion or your best comparison,” she said, with a wicked smile.
Roy’s jaw dropped. “Riza! Okay, I’m sorry about the uniform thing.”
“As well you should be.” She smiled at him.
Roy just snorted and slapped the sausages into a frying pan.
“I have the cooking under control, Roy. Father used to have an array to dry clothing. Can you do that?”
He nodded. “Just transmute the water to vapor.”
“Well, the sheets are upstairs drying in front of the fire. Please hurry them along,” she suggested.
“Okay.”
Roy went upstairs to take care of the bedding. He even remade the bed then headed back downstairs to help Riza. They had the breakfast just about on the table when a bleary-eyed Bob poked his head into the kitchen.
“Smells good. You kids are up early,” he said, looking a little hung over.
“After last night, we’ll have to get back to base as soon as we can. They’re sending someone to help dig us out,” Roy said. “So, we figured we ought to have a good breakfast before heading out into the snow.”
“Did you have a good night’s rest?” Bob’s gaze slid between Roy and Riza in such a way they couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. Riza transferred pancakes with grim determination.
Roy nodded, tugging at his jacket collar. “Good enough. Using alchemy like that leaves me tired,” he lied, hoping Bob wouldn’t know any better.
Bob nodded, reaching for a plump sausage, slicing it up sloppily. “Alchemy never did my brother’s health much good from what I could see. You ought to be careful young man.”
Roy decided keeping on Bob’s good side was his best bet. “I am, sir.”
Most of the breakfast passed in silence except for the clacking of silver ware and a dull sound from outside that they all presumed was the plow. Roy helped Riza clear the table. “That was good, Riza. Thanks for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome. I could use some help with the dishes if you don’t mind.” Riza saw his lip beginning to curl. “You can dry them.”
That seemed to mollify him some. Together they made short work of the dishes while Bob retired immediately to his den. They went to find him when someone knocked on the front door.
“That’s probably the soldiers coming to tell us the car is free,” Roy said, going for the door. He opened it to Keddrick. Both men stared at each other for a moment, shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you that,” Keddrick sniffed, his snobbiness back in place after his humiliation of the night before.
“I spent the night.” Roy shot him a salacious smile, ignoring the unhappy sound Riza made behind him. “So, what do you want?”
“I have business to attend with Mr. Hawkeye that has nothing to do with you, Slant.” Keddrick glared at him.
“Careful there, or I’ll make you wet yourself again.” Roy smirked and Keddrick’s face went a mottled red.
“Roy! Just let him in,” Riza said, glaring at him. “Uncle Bob, Keddrick Thorne’s here,” she added loudly.
“Come to think of it, it was Riza and her gun that actually did the deed to you last night. That’s even funnier.” Roy’s look went positively devilish.
“You foul mouthed little...” Keddrick grabbed for Roy.
Riza got between them, shoving them both apart. “This is not a school playground. Can you two possibly act your age?”
“Is there a problem here?” Bob asked, coming into the foyer. His brown eyes were hot with annoyance
“No, Uncle. Roy was just explaining how he got stuck here because of the snow and had to spend the night in his old room,” Riza said, glaring at her lover for implying anything else. “I think the plow almost has us free.”
“Snow?” Keddrick asked, confused, and she wanted to hit him, too, just for assuming Roy had spent the night in her room.
“You know, the white stuff on the ground. The car got mired. How did you get here?” Roy asked, wishing his good morning hadn’t been ruined.
“Horseback, which means I can’t stay long. That old stable won’t keep Splash of Class warm for long,” Keddrick said. “But there is some business I didn’t think could wait, sir.” Keddrick addressed that to Bob.
“Of course, come on into the den,” Bob said, beckoning him to follow.
“Sir, before Cadet Hawkeye and I head out, I did want to ask if you’ve come up with a price for your brother’s alchemic possessions in that attic room,” Roy said, determined to interfere with Keddrick.
“Yes,” Bob said and quoted a high price. Keddrick’s eyes gleamed maliciously at it.
Roy stroked his chin as if thinking it over. “May I use your phone?”
“Of course.”
Roy placed a call to the bank and gave them his details, authorizing the transfer of money into Hawkeye’s account and promising to come by to sign any necessary paperwork. He kept his eyes glued to Hawkeye and Keddrick. Bob was looking at him with a mix of disbelief and avarice. Keddrik’s looks could be distilled and bottled for pure disdain. Roy read a novel of offenses in Keddrick’s faces for him ‘pretending’ he could work within Keddrick’s monetary level. “There you go, sir. I’ll come by with a truck to get the stuff as soon as I can. They need to talk to you about your account information to complete the transaction.” Roy held out the phone to a startled Bob.
“This has to be a joke,” Keddrick sniffed, with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if he believed this to be a play staged for his benefit.
“Oh, it’s no joke. Major Mustang has a very big bank account and he loves showing it off,” Riza said ruefully, giving one last glare of doom knowing they were having no effect. Her uncle’s look of disbelief had melted into pure greed as he hurried gave the bank what they needed. Keddrick still looked like he didn’t buy into it. Riza sighed. “I need to go get my coat so we can go, sir.”
“I’ll run up and get it. Would you like to take your dress, too? Is it in the armoire?” Roy asked, feigning ignorance as to where her clothes were.
“Yes, thank you,” she said moving closer to him. “See if you can do it without getting your tail feathers caught in the railing, you peacock.”
He scowled at her but ran up anyhow. To her relief, a pride-wounded Keddrick went into the den with her uncle, leaving her alone. Roy came back with her coat and her gown draped over his arm. He leaned close and whispered, “Your jewelry is in my pocket. I’m sure you didn’t want to just leave it here.”
He helped her into her coat and held the front door for her. The frigid wind whipped inside and they both reluctantly stepped out into it.
“Thank you. And before we get outside where the soldiers can see.” Riza slapped him on the back of the head. “That’s for not controlling your pride. I can’t believe you! Why don’t you just announce to the world what we did.” She slapped him again.
“Ow.” Roy rubbed the back of his head.
“Okay, that felt good. Now if only I could slap you every time you get out of control, however, I’m not sure my hand could handle that.” Riza gave him a dark look.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Roy whined, looking like a puppy who had been swatted for taking a leak on the rug.
“I should enlist Hughes’ help in keeping you in line.” Riza sighed, looking deflated. “It would help if one of us held equal rank.”
He rolled his eyes. “Speaking of Hughes, I wonder if he got stuck at Avaron’s.”
“Trust me, not a snowflake to be seen and he still would have gotten stuck at Avaron’s,” Riza said wryly.
“I know he was rather hoping for that,” Roy snorted, putting a steadying hand on Riza’s arm “Damn, this snow is deep. Be careful.”
“Hoping for?” Riza groaned. “You boys are pigs sometimes, you know that, right?”
Roy’s answer was a squall as he went down on the ice. “I hate this place!”
“Maes is right. You need to get stationed back in your temperate hometown. Too hot or too cold, all you do is whine.” She thrust a hand out and hauled him up. “You didn’t lose my jewelry, did you?”
He felt in his pocket, finding the jewelry safe in the pocket. “No, but my pocket watch just went places it didn’t need to go.”
“Poor Major.” She shoved him toward the passenger side of the car. He gave her a surprised look. “Junior officers are supposed to drive, you know.”
Roy gave a shrug and got in the passenger seat. “Wonder what business Thorne had with your uncle that just couldn’t wait?”
“I don’t know, but why does the mere idea make me nervous?” She started the car.
“Because you’re a wise woman.”
X X X
“I thought you were never going to get off duty,” Avaron said, serving Riza some tea laced with whiskey.
“I was barely on duty.” Riza laughed. “Householder gave us commendations and told us to take the day off.”
“Well, if you spent your evening wisely, you probably could use a little rest.” Avaron beamed, tossing her legs up on the couch unceremoniously after kicking the ottoman over to Riza’s chair. Why should men be the only ones allowed to put up their feet?
“Are you fishing for details?” Riza grinned, hoping for the chance to brag.
Avaron’s green eyes gleamed eagerly.“Right down to the color and kind of underpants. Maes’ were blue boxers.”
“I can not believe you just slept with someone you barely even know,” Riza gave her friend the gimlet eye.
“Why not? He was fun and you didn’t answer my question.” Avaron pouted at her.
“I don’t know...I know he had some but I don’t remember what they looked like. That part went rather fast,” Riza admitted, sipping her tea.
“Hell, I sure hope the rest of it didn’t go fast.” Avaron shot her a sympathetic look.
“No, no, that was not fast at all. That was very nice.” A dreamy expression floated like summer clouds over Riza’s face as she shifted on her chair. “He can be very sweet...when he’s not being an arrogant ass.”
“You just summed up most men, dear. So why are you here with me and not back there wearing that luscious exotic creature down to a nub?” Avaron purred.
“Because, we’re back on base and we’re forbidden to fraternize and since we both have roommates it makes it a little difficult...that’s why last night was so important,” Riza replied sadly. “I can’t exactly get off base whenever I want to, let alone tell Uncle Bob that Roy needs his old room back and oh, by the way, so do I. He might be a drunk but he’s not stupid.”
“My parents are gone and Igrayne prefers to stay at the Academy. Take the few hours you can get off base and bring that boy here. Make sure he brings his friend,” Avaron suggested, a lubricious gleam in her bright eyes.
“What are you suggesting now?” Riza’s eyes widened.
“Not that! My word, you’ve really turned into a sex-addled soldier haven’t you?” Avaron laughed. “Good for you.”
“You really mean it? We could spend a little time here?” Riza didn’t dare hope too much. She knew the moment she joined the military to protect Roy that if she ever wanted to spend time with him it would be on the sly, that they’d have to steal every moment together.
“I’m serious. My parents won’t be back for a couple of weeks. Take advantage,” Avaron encouraged. “Of course, you’ll have to tell me a few little details, like just how pretty is it when it’s all woken up.”
Riza’s lips pulled into a tight line. “I think you just say these things to be shocking.”
“Speaking of shocking, last night’s doings were that and more. I think I’ll be able to sell an article about the hostage situation to Central papers. I’ll even spell your name right...though I should probably leave out the part about Mr. Pissypants.” Avaron drained her mug.
“Yes, if you plan on living in this town.” Riza sighed, trying not to laugh at Keddrick’s misfortune. “Well, I guess it did help relations here in town, us saving the day.”
“You were magnificent,” Avaron assured her. “And who knows, if these articles sell, maybe I can get a position on the paper in Central. One day I might be writing about your exploits again.”
“Maybe you will at that.” Riza sounded happy for her friend and if she were stationed in Central whenever Avaron got there, they’d both have so much fun.
“So,” Avaron leaned in conspiratorially. “Want a few tips on things you can do with your mouth next time?”
Riza nearly drowned in whiskey-laced tea.
X X X
“You know, you’re not nearly as pretty to go to bed with as Avaron,” Maes said, looking across the room as he snuggled down in his bed.
Roy hesitated as he changed into his night clothes. “And you’re a whole hell of a lot less likely to get lucky tonight.”
“Speaking of which, Major It’s Not Like That, did you mess with a bobcat on your way home last night?” Maes pushed his glasses up.
Roy glared over his shoulder. “You’re just lucky that these uniforms have high collars or you’d have to explain to General Householder just how you made relations better with the townspeople.” Roy nodded toward the love bite on Maes’ neck.
“Wasn’t her uncle in the house? You getting brave?” Maes put his glasses on the night stand.
“I alchemized an escape route should it be necessary,” Roy admitted, climbing into bed.
Maes whistled lowly. “And the best I can do is to make sure I have no loose change in my pockets in case I have to dress in a hurry in the dark.”
“There are advantages of alchemy.” Roy snugged the blanket under his chin. “Damn, it’s cold in here. At least Riza’s room had a fireplace.”
“Not to mention a hot body to curl up with...I’m still not going to curl up with you,” Maes said, wagging a finger.
“You just stay on your side of the room, freak.” Roy pouted. “Now I’m all spoiled. I want my fireplace and my beautiful girl in the lacy silk nightie. You wouldn’t look nearly as good in it.”
“Frighteningly enough, you might. You have the legs for it,” Maes replied, waggling his eyebrows.
“That’s it, I’m alchemizing a wall between us,” Roy groaned, rolling onto his side so he could look at Maes. “You’re scaring the hell out of me.”
“Like you and Riza scared it out of Thorne last night?” Maes laughed.
“I’m not likely to wet myself,” Roy said, amusement creeping into his voice at the remembrance of Thorne’s embarrassment. “Thorne showed up at the house this morning.”
Maes went serious. “And how much of an ass did you make of yourself?”
“Riza hit me twice,” Roy admitted.
Maes slapped a hand to his forehead. “That much? That has to be a record.”
“I just wish I knew what Thorne wanted with Hawkeye that he had to come out on such a bad morning. Business could have been done over the phone,” Roy said, rubbing his chin.
“Thorne probably heard Householder telling you to take Riza home. He probably didn’t go there to talk to Bob. He wanted to catch Riza alone and instead found an exotic rooster in the hen house.” Maes chuckled. “That had to be a blow.”
“Yeah...I don’t like this, Maes. Something’s wrong, I can feel it,” Roy fretted.
“We’re sleeping alone while your rich, handsome, cowardly competition is free to move about and do as he wishes, yes, that’s wrong,” Maes replied.
“More wrong than that.” Roy scowled. “I don’t know what yet but something is wrong.”
“Nothing you can do about it now. Talk to Riza tomorrow if you’re that worried. Have her talk to Avaron. That girl knows everyone’s business. She can keep an eye on Keddrick when we can’t,” Maes suggested.
Roy made a noise in his throat. “Good idea, Maes.” Roy only wished it was that simple. Somehow he suspected it wouldn’t be.
Chapter Eight
“Thank you for coming, dear.” Bob gestured to the table where a modest meal of sandwiches was laid out. “I know you don’t get a lot of time for lunch.”
“No, I borrowed a horse from the base stable, to give us a little more time since you said it was important,” Riza said uncomfortably. She knew when she got sent on a temporary duty assignment from the academy to Portsmouth that she’d have to deal with her past and all that remained of her family but it wasn’t as if a cadet could say no, no matter how much she wanted to.
“Yes, very important. You know, Riza, that technically your care is my responsibility until you’re of age. No one asked me if I wished for you to enter the military academy.” Bob’s brown eyes hardened. He didn’t touch his food. “You just up and followed that fool boy.”
“You’ve never had any reservations that I was aware of,” Riza said, unable to sample her lunch. She didn’t like where this was going. She had in her mind a host of ideas as to what he was going to say, each uglier than the other. “I’ve been at the academy a year already.”
“A year that would have been better spent at Rennsalaer,” Bob countered, drumming his fingers on the table.
“I’m happy where I am now, Uncle,” Riza said, trying to keep her voice even though she felt the swell of panic in her.
“In the military? You don’t need to be in that uniform, carrying weapons. It’s not befitting your station,” Bob argued.
“And if I wasn’t, people might have died last night.” She tried to let her pride in her accomplishment show, as if it might persuade her uncle to see things her way.
“You shot a man,” Bob slapped a hand on the table. “What would your father think? He hated the military.”
“He’d be happy that I’m making my own way,” she said uncertainly. Father hadn’t thought she was ready for that, hence him giving her to Roy. “It’s my choice...and it’s Major Mustang’s. Father left my fate to him.”
Bob snorted imperiously. “That boy? I’m your uncle. Your care falls to me.”
Riza shook her head. “That isn’t what Father wanted. He made Roy promise to take care of me and he has.”
“Dumping you in the military is not caring for you.” Bob sighed, his face morphing into the benign worried uncle expression. “Please don’t be difficult, Riza. I’m putting my foot down. I’m having you withdrawn from the military academy. You’ll come back to Rennsalaer.”
“I will not!” She dropped her glass, heedless of the spilled water.
“And you’ll marry Keddrick Thorne and that’s the last we’ll speak of this,” Bob growled, moping the spilled water away from him.
Riza couldn’t speak for a moment. Of all the scenarios she had in her head for Bob and Keddrick’s meetings, maneuvering her into this position hadn’t ever entered her head. While half the purpose of Rennsalaer was to arrange good marriages, she hadn’t expected to be bartered off without so much as a by your leave. “No, I won’t.” She slammed her hands down on the table, griping it tight as she fought for control of her emotions.
“Listen, girlie, Thorne wants you and I want his money. Your father might have cared nothing about restoring the family fortune but I’m not him. You will do as you’re told. I’m not going to let some deathbed arrangement by my idiot brother take away the one chance I have to do that. There’s nothing on paper saying Mustang is your guardian and I’ll be damned if I stand idly by and have you snub your chance at a fortune.”
“No.” Riza jumped up, her legs shaking. “I won’t do it. There is nothing you can do to make me marry Keddrick.”
“What if I lodge a complaint against the good major with General Householder after his conduct last night?” Bob was on his feet, hand locked over her wrist, faster than she knew her uncle could move.
“What are you talking about? It was a blizzard. You were the one who insisted Major Mustang stay the night in his old room. You even gave him the bedding!” Riza said, trying to yank free.
“And then that dreadful boy took advantage of my generosity and my niece’s naive nature to seduce her in direct violation of the law. There is a law against that, I’m fairly sure of it.” Bob smiled coldly.
“He didn’t...” Riza whispered, wondering if they had somehow not heard her uncle listening in at the door. It was certainly possible or Keddrick could have told him about Roy’s foolish insinuations in their game of one upmanship yesterday. The only real proof, the bloody sheets had been taken care of; Roy had transmuted whatever it was and turned it into a powder that shook out.
“Who cares if he did or if he didn’t? Even without proof, they’re likely to reprimand him formally and they’ll probably boot you from the academy,” Bob said triumphantly. “Or at least see it my why that you’re better off here at Rennsalaer.”
Riza pulled free, rubbing her bruised wrist. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t capitulate. I left Rennsalaer to get away from this place. I don’t care if you do get me removed from the academy. I won’t come back here. I won’t marry him. This is a big country. I have friends. I’ll go where you can’t find me.”
“Think what you want, little girl, you will do as you’re told or you’ll be very sorry,” Bob grated out so coldly the outside felt like summer in comparison.
Riza just ran out and got the old riding mare she had taken out of the base stable. She had to warn Roy first and then, well, she did have friends. Avaron would be horrified. She’s help Riza escape this fate. If worst came to worst, Riza would sell all the jewelry she managed to keep after her father’s death and she would use the money to start a life anywhere but here. Nothing would compel her to marry Keddrick.
X X X
Roy didn’t know what was worse, freezing his ass off out in the woods patrolling for Drachmaians or getting shoved into a tiny office with Maes assigned to tackle stacks of paperwork bigger than they were. Today was paperwork day. At least the little office was warm, too warm. Maes was face down on his stack, his glasses pushed up onto his forehead. Roy was like a cat in a sunbeam, all liquid, pouring into every nook of his chair, thoroughly relaxed. At the sound of his name, Roy jerked fully awake. The look on Riza’s face made him sit up right, slamming his feet down, startling Maes awake. The fact that Riza didn’t yell at them for goofing off was proof enough, even if he hadn’t seen the fear in her eyes, to tell him something was dreadfully wrong.
“Hawkeye, what is it?” he asked, barely remembering to keep it formal just in case.
Riza made it to his desk then collapsed against it, nearly sending a towering stack of paperwork to the floor. “He’s trying to force me out of the academy.”
“What? Who is? What are you talking about?” Roy took Riza’s shoulders. Maes was on his feet, coming around the desk as if to get between her and whatever might be coming for her.
Riza took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Uncle Bob has decided to finally take an interest in my life as my legal guardian now that he’s realized he can sell me to Keddrick for profit.”
“What?” Roy grated out, his fingers digging into her.
“Uncle Bob informed me I’m now engaged to Keddrick and he’ll be rich,” she spat, shaking under Roy’s hands. “That had to be what Keddrick’s oh-so-important meeting was about.”
Roy’s hands dropped and his legs went weak. “This is all my fault,” he whispered. “If I hadn’t kept trying to get the better of Keddrick...”
“No, Roy, it’s not. Keddrick’s always wanted me,” Riza said, putting a hand on his cheek.
“It doesn’t matter why it happened,” Maes broke in and they jumped, all but forgetting he was still in the room. “What matters is what do we do about it.”
“It’s worse than you know,” she said, rubbing a hand over her eyes. “If I don’t agree, he’s promised to tell Householder that you forced yourself on me, Roy...or seduced me...” Riza shook.
“How could he know?” What little color Roy had drained away. “I could have sworn he was way too drunk.”
“He doesn’t know,” she interrupted. “He doesn’t care that he has no proof. The allegations alone will ruin us and you know damn well Keddrick would gladly fill in details that don’t exist from the dance.”
“Son of a bitch,” Roy growled, taking out his rage on a stack of paperwork, toppling it over off the desk.
“You’re in a mess,” Maes said, laying a gently hand on Riza’s shoulder. “There has to be something we can do to help.”
“If I have to, I’ll run off once they throw me out of the academy. No matter what happens, he’s not forcing me into a marriage. Even if I never get to see my friends again....I’ll do what I have to.” Riza wiped at her eyes, trying hard not to cry.
“Maybe a direct approach would be the best,” Maes said, giving Roy a knowing look.
“That was my thought,” Roy replied, gathering up the files.
“I don’t understand,” Riza said, looking between the men.
“You and I go to General Householder right now and tell him what your uncle is trying to do to you,” Roy said.
“But no one but you and I heard Father’s dying declaration about you taking care of me,” Riza said, too rattled to think clearly.
“It doesn’t matter. We tell him what Bob is going to say. We deny being lovers and ask for his help. Maybe he can’t do anything to stop this, Riza, but if we beat Bob to it, maybe you stand a chance,” Roy said.
“And at least maybe we can protect you, Roy.” Riza brushed her fingers over his hand. “I’ll settle for that much.”
“You two go and I’ll handle things here,” Maes said. “Riza, is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes, please call Avaron, Maes. Tell her what’s happening. Tell her not to do anything,” Riza said, obviously fearing her friend’s temper. “Just tell her I might need to borrow money.”
“Of course,” Maes said, going for the phone.
Roy put his hand against the small of Riza’s back and guided her out of the room. He didn’t say anything to her as they walked towards Householder’s office. Out in the open, someone might overhear and he suspected Riza needed the time to pull herself together. Roy had only rarely been tempted to use his alchemy to hurt someone and as awful as Keddrick had been to him, he hadn’t thought of it until now.
Once in the general’s office, they spoke to his adjutant and were told that the general should have time to see them. They waited in Householder’s anteroom, silently waiting on him like prisoners awaiting final judgment. Finally Householder’s aide let them in.
“We’re sorry to disturb you, sir,” Roy said, standing rigidly at the edge of Householder’s desk.
The general indicated for them to sit. “You two look like you have something weighing on you.”
“Sir, Cadet Hawkeye has a very grievous problem and there will be serious and untrue allegations made about me and we thought you needed to be aware of them since they will effect your command,” Roy said grimly then he and Riza laid out Bob and Keddrick’s plan.
Householder sat back at the end of it, stroking his moustache. “This is...a very vexing problem. I’m not sure that we could block your uncle from removing you from the academy if he is your legal guardian, Cadet.”
“My father wished Major Mustang to be my guardian, sir,” Riza said as if hoping if she said it enough someone important would believe her.
“And you contend there is no truth to your uncle’s forthcoming allegations,” Householder looked at them as if he didn’t quite believe it.
Riza glanced at Roy then met Householder’s eyes. “Sir, I can’t deny my relationship with the major goes beyond our duties. We are friends, nothing more. He was my father’s apprentice for years. Major Mustang lived in my father’s home all that time. Maybe it’s inappropriate for me to be under his command here but we didn’t see it as a problem. If anything, our prior relationship makes us work better together, witness the attack on the party.”
Householder sat stroking his prodigious moustache silently for several long moments. “I’ll consult with our legal geniuses and see what we can do. I would hate to lose you, Hawkeye. Even as a cadet, you’re a better soldier than some of my lifers. Though, at best, we may have to separate you and the major, just to appease the powers that be.”
Roy and Riza exchanged glances again. “We understand that, sir,” Roy said.
“I want to remain in the military, if at all possible, sir,” Riza added. “I willingly left Rennsalaer Academy. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with myself.”
“I’ll be sure to impress that on the legal consul,” Householder promised. “All right, let me handle this and I want to impress this on both of you, you especially, Flame, do not talk with either Thorne or Hawkeye. Under no circumstances do you go to their homes, have nothing to do with them. If they insist on talking to you, you do so through a JAG officer, is that understood?”
“Yes,” Roy mumbled. “Sir, I just transferred a good amount of money into Hawkeye’s account in exchange for a room full of alchemic texts and devices that were my mentor’s.”
“I’ll see to it that you get it, Mustang, even if you have to go with soldiers to make sure that you get what is yours,” Householder told him.
“Thank you, sir.” Roy got up and headed out with Riza on his heels. “Went better than I thought,” he whispered to her.
“We’re still in trouble, lots of it,” she replied, looking drained
“Less than we were. Householder believes us,” Roy said, “or is at least pretending to.”
“This isn’t going to end well,” she said morosely.
Roy hazarded a light touch on her arm. “But it might not end as horrible as you fear. Come on, let’s see what Maes has managed to do with Avaron. She might have killed Thorne by now.”
“That’s the best thought I’ve heard all day,” Riza gave him a look that chilled him
Chapter Nine
“How are you holding up?” Avaron skipped the tea and just served Riza a glass of whiskey. She gave her young friend a critical look as Riza huddled on the leather chair by the fire. “You off duty?”
Riza nodded. She wasn’t a big fan of drinking but right now she could use it. “Not well. General Householder is allowing me to continue my duties for now but I’ve been pulled off the forest detail, which is just not right. We’ve doubled the patrols in the woods, after the incident at the school and now, Roy’s out there alone. Householder doesn’t want to risk me getting hurt, especially if things don’t go my way and I am withdrawn. The military doesn’t want to explain to my uncle,” she drew the word out like a curse, “why I got shot or whatever.”
“Well, I can see the military’s fears about that,” Avaron said gently as she absently toyed with her hair. “But surely Roy isn’t all alone out there?”
Riza made a face, sipping at her whiskey. “No, but you don’t understand. He’s a daydreamer, Avaron. If it’s not alchemy, he gets distracted in a matter of moments. Roy’s probably out there in the woods thinking, ‘wonder if I could use this in alchemy?’ And if Hughes is around, then neither of them will be thinking about anything but ‘girls,’ add in a little sniggering and hand gestures where appropriate and you and I can only hope we’re the girls they’re thinking about.”
“Teenaged boys? Please, a boob bobbles by them, any boob, and that’s what they’re thinking about. Your Roy better not get Maes shot. I’m not done playing with him yet,” Avaron said, her nose wrinkling.
“You’re awful,” Riza informed her, squirming on the leather chair. “At least Householder didn’t tell me I couldn’t see you. We’re under strict orders not to have any contact with Thorne or my uncle.”
”Be glad Keddrick doesn’t know that or he’d be standing at the fence between our properties just to taunt you,” Avaron said, her green eyes flashing.
Riza shuddered. “I’ve had happier thoughts.”
”Shouldn’t those lovely young men be here by now?” Avaron cast a glance at the mantle clock.
Riza followed her gaze. “Not yet. They’re back on base by now though, but you don’t know them, peacocks the both of them. Trust me, they spend a great deal of time getting their hair to look that messy. Maes will want to shave, though I’ve heard rumblings about him wanting to try and grow a beard…I don’t think Roy shaves. He has the smoothest skin.” Riza shrugged.
Avaron laughed. “Oh, your boy looks like he’s made from porcelain, just like that group of Xing traders that came and talked to our fathers a couple years back, remember?”
“I still have the robe.” Riza nodded. “As I remember, not a whisker among them. Roy’s mom came from there. Xi-Feng, she’s the one who started teaching him alchemy. I met her once when I was just a little girl. She knew my father some how. That’s how Roy came to live with us later. She was so pretty. All I really remember was how bright and chaotic her clothing was and everyone staring at her.”
“Everything here’s too boring, witness our uniforms,” Avaron interrupted. “She would have been like a peony in a bed of daises.”
Riza nodded. “And I remember her exercising outside the house, these slow, beautiful movements. I thought she was a princess from a fairytale since I had never seen anyone like her. I know now that those were a type of Xing fighting move. I’d like Roy to teach me.”
“There’s something a girl doesn’t ask a guy every day. Dear, teach me how better to kick your butt.” Avaron smiled, approval for the idea written all over her face.
Riza laughed. “Well, with Roy, that might be necessary to keep him in line. A quick shot to the head to get his attention.”
“I will give you jewelry if I could witness that,” Avaron said, draining her whiskey glass. “I’d set you up in a house if you did it to Keddrick.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Riza replied darkly.
The low dull thuds of the huge brass knocker on the front door cut into Avaron’s reply. Avaron waved Riza down as the other girl rose. “Cynthi will let them in.”
Cynthi led Roy and Maes into the parlor. The boys, as Riza predicted, were freshly groomed and out of uniform for the night. Both wore riding boots. Avaron indicated for them to sit.
“You get your horses stabled up?” she asked.
“Your groom is taking care of it. It’s snowed a little again. We decided against walking,” Maes replied, holding his hands towards the fire.
“We’ll probably all have to be back on base in a few hours,” Roy said, regret heavy in his voice. “You two okay?”
“Yes, we were just talking about your mother,” Avaron said.
Roy gave them a querulous look. “My mother?”
“And her sense of fashion. We were talking clothing mostly…and her fighting style,” Riza said, blushing though she wasn’t sure why. “I might like to learn that provided, of course, I’m not expelled from the academy,” she added bitterly.
“I’ll teach you,” Roy said.
“We’ve had Xing traders up here. I liked their silks,” Avaron said then gave Riza a coquettish look. “Riza has a Xing robe.”
“I know. I saw it in her closet,” Roy said then blushed as Avaron’s green eyes fixed on him in surprise. “She asked me to go through it and find a gown for her to wear to the ball.”
“All he found were shoes and night gowns,” Riza grumbled and Roy and Maes exchanged leers in remembrance.
“Are you surprised? He’s male. What were you thinking?” Avaron shook her head ruefully.
“It was temporary insanity, apparently,” Riza replied. “I was expecting him to act like an adult.”
“I think men are powerless when confronted with nighties,” Avaron said, wagging a finger at Riza.
“Roy can show her his fancy silk pj’s and call it even,” Maes suggested with a sly grin.
“You have silk pjs?” Avaron’s feathery eyebrows climbed high.
Roy shot Maes a pinched look. “They’re not pajamas. I have one set of my traditional clothing with me because when I’m lounging around, studying, they’re very comfortable to wear, not that Maes would know that.”
“How would I? It’s not like I can borrow them.” Maes waved a hand at Roy. “You’re doll-sized, after all.”
Riza didn’t know what she and Avaron were laughing harder at; what Maes had said or the look on Roy’s face.
“Oh, I want to see you in those silks sometime.” Avaron managed to stifle her giggles. “You have to go back to base in a few hours? Maes, want to help me with an experiment?” Avaron got up and held out her hand.
“Experiment?”
She grabbed his hand and yanked him up. “Yes, on the power of a silky nightgown.” Avaron hauled him away before he could form words. “Remember what we talked about the other day, Riza,” she called back over her shoulder.
“Do I even want to know?” Roy asked.
Riza set her glass of whiskey aside. “Yes, actually you do. Come with me.”
She led Roy to the guest room Avaron had given her and shut the door behind them. She hadn’t actually explained to Roy that her friend was letting them use her house for illicit trysts. She wasn’t sure what Roy would think of that so Riza decided to show him rather than tell. Riza pressed him back against the wall near the marble fireplace and kissed him hungrily.
“This is what you talked about?” he asked when she let him up for air.
“No, this was.” Riza whispered something in his ear, laughing softly at his shocked looked. She sank to her knees, lifting his shirt to flick her tongue around the circle of his navel before she unzipped his trousers. Roy’s head clunked back against the plaster as a moan escaped his lips.
Neither of them remembered to draw the heavy curtains in their haste to not lose what little time they had together. Neither saw the glint of light sparking off metal and glass from the binoculars pointing at them from the property next door.
X X X
“This is the wrong year.” Keddrick’s hand flashed out, catching the maid across the face. She cried out, nearly dropping the bottle of wine.
Keddrick snatched it away from her and collapsed angrily in his chair across from his father’s. The maid scurried away from the den, a place the Thorne’s barely tolerated a female presence. Keddrick looked at the label.
“The help gets more useless every year. I have no idea where your mother finds them,” Thorne sniffed. “What has you in such a fit of temper? I’ll assume it’s not merely the wrong vintage of wine. I heard the tirade earlier.”
Keddrick studied his father for a moment. He couldn’t tell him that the girl he intended to make his own was whoring herself out to some freak of nature. Keddrick might be able to overlook such a lapse in judgment but his father couldn’t. “There is someone trying to stand in my way.” Keddrick rotated the bottle so the label faced his father. He tapped it. “This man’s son, some half bred Squint freak.”
“Oh, you mean that upstart alchemist.” Thorne snorted, tapping his heavy ring on the arm of the chair. “I didn’t care for that boy at all. I’m shocked General Householder puts such stock in the likes of him.”
“I remember him from when he was living with the Hawkeyes. He’s an arrogant little bastard, thinks he’s better than he is,” Keddrick snarled.
Thorne got up and took the bottle of wine. He went to his desk and the decanter set resting there. He picked up the corkscrew. “So, what do you plan on doing about it?”
Keddrick knew that tone. His father would brook no weaknesses here. “Eliminate him.”
Thorne smiled as he uncorked the bottle and let it breathe. “I suggest a glass of the man’s wine while you think of the best way of doing that.”
Keddrick laughed. It was perfect. “Thank you, Father. That was the plan. I know this freak. It’s just like you always tell me, a wise man can learn all he needs to know from watching his enemy.”
“You know that, you can do anything you want to him.”
Keddrick just smiled.
X X X
“Did you know girls talk about sex?” Roy asked as he guided his horse along a mountain trail, way to early in the morning to suit him. He and Maes had drawn the short straw and pulled the duty far up in the hills, an area best reached by horseback. That meant his thighs and ass would be killing him later. He didn’t ride badly but it had been a long time since he spent this many hours on a horse.
“I suppose they do,” Maes replied, giving the impression he would soon either freeze to death or die of boredom.
“I never really thought about it,” Roy said, not sure what to think about it. On one hand he liked what Riza had learned in the talk but on the other, intimate details about him were being shared; not that he didn’t share those same details with Maes but that was different.
“Wonder if they compare us.” Maes looked distinctly unhappy with that thought.
“You’ll be coming up short.” Roy smirked.
Maes made a face at him. “In your dreams, little man. They’re probably talking about you and your silk pj’s right now.”
“Right now, Riza is at the office pushing papers and they’re not pajamas.” Roy scowled, dodging a low branch.
“Whatever. All I know is they’re bright red with yellow flames and big, giant, yellow lizards on the back of the shirt,” Maes replied.
“Those aren’t lizards! They’re dragons,” Roy replied.
”What is it with you and lizards?” Maes narrowed his eyes at Roy. You have them on your gloves, too.”
“That’s not a lizard either. It’s a salamander. It’s the personification of fire,” Roy said in his best tutor’s voice. “My uncle gave me that outfit, he said it fit me.”
“If by that he meant it makes you the center of attention, then yes it does,” Maes snorted, reining up his mare as the path forked. He expertly ignored the heat of Roy’s glare. “You take the left fork and I’ll take the right.”
“Fair enough.” Roy didn’t really want to leave Maes on his own. Patrol was boring enough and while he knew he and his friend were making too much noise, it was worse being off on his own. Little sounds seemed to magnify when he was alone in the woods, winding his paranoia up several notches. It wasn’t long after Maes left that Roy could have sworn he heard other hoof falls but he could see nothing. He didn’t even know if the Drachmaians had horses at their disposal. He didn’t remember that in any of the reports.
He fought to dispel the cobwebs from his mind. Anxiety wasn’t going to help matters. Roy eventually distracted himself with the tingling pain in his fingers and toes from the cold. He had on two sets of gloves and thick wool socks but he was still cold. Discomfort began to fade as thoughts of Riza pushed in. He was still upset over their first night together, learning how he had inadvertently made her feel.
Roy hadn’t known that the two of them had perceived the day of Hawkeye’s funeral so differently. She thought he saw her as an object. In truth, he had seen her as a tutelary goddess, illuminating his life with just the barest hint of herself. A few inches of cloth sliding down a perfect back and his life had changed forever. Even if he hadn’t fallen in love with her, she still would have been the most important person in his life. Roy needed to find a way to tell her that but he wasn’t sure he could without hints of disgust at her father creeping into the conversation. He still thought it was blatantly unfair to make Riza into the finest, best journal of Hawkeye’s work.
An inhuman snort startled Roy. He glanced around frantically, hoping a bear hadn’t stumbled across him. Shouldn’t they all be hibernating? Did mountain lions hibernate? What he saw was nothing natural to these woods. He barely registered a tall bay stallion at a distance and its rider who looked better suited for an organized hunt than anything else. What in the hell is Keddrick doing out here?
Something roared and Roy’s head felt like it was coming undone. There was the strange smell of cordite, the scent of flames and it felt oddly comforting as the world winked out.
D M Evans
Disclaimer - not mine
Rating FRMAO (Nc-17)
Pairing - Roy/Riza
Time Line - Manga verse Pre-Ishbal, based off revelations of ch 58 but mostly written before 59 came out so we can safely say it contains spoilers for 58 and is totally AU after that
Summary -Riza finds herself caught on the horns of her past and the pride of the powerful men in her life with dire consequences
Chapter Seven
Roy felt a little grungy in his dress uniform even though he had washed up the best he could. Bob was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Riza who had gone to wash the sheets. Warmed by thoughts of her, Roy put in a call to the base to see when a rescue would be mounted. He heard a clacking noise as he hung up the phone. He turned and made a little face. Riza was dressed in one of her academy uniforms.
“You know how to make a girl feel good, Mustang,” she said crossly, giving him a withering glance. “I was not about to make breakfast in my ball gown.”
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “That is just one ugly uniform.”
Riza tapped her toe, her look of death deepening. “Was that the base?” She nodded at the phone.
“They’ll be around to plow us out in an hour or so.” He sounded disappointed at the prospect of a rescue.
“Good, then get into the kitchen and start the oven. Make yourself useful.” She swatted him lightly
“You found me useful last night.” He pouted.
“And right now I’m finding you annoying,” she replied, apparently still irritated at his mistake of not finding her attractive in her Rennsalaer uniform.
His pout deepened. She nodded towards the kitchen. “Yes, ma’am.” Roy slogged into the kitchen and put some coal into the old oven. He started the fire. “Anything else?”
Riza looked over her shoulder. “Just this.” She slipped her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. “Now, what do you want to eat for breakfast?”
“You,” he said breathlessly, his hands smoothing over her back.
Riza’s chest hitched. “As fun as that sounds...I think I hear Uncle Bob moving upstairs and he’ll expect something to eat with his morning whiskey.”
“Damn.” Roy tugged on his tightening uniform trousers. “Eggs and bacon would be good. Probably should see what we have to work with.”
Riza opened the ice chest. “No bacon that I see. There’s sour cream and some preserved lingonberries. See if there’s flour in the canister, Roy. I can make pancakes.”
Roy nosed into the canisters then brought her the one containing flour. Riza took out the sour cream, milk and eggs and started turning them into thin crepe-like pancakes. Roy dusted some lingonberries with sugar and put butter on the table to soften.
“Uncle Bob will want some meat. I thought I saw sausages in the ice box. You could fry those,” Riza said and Roy just gave her a pained look. “What? Oh, will you grow up.”
“Easy for you to say,” Roy fetched the sausages. He let them dangle from his fingers.
“All right, so maybe it wasn’t my best suggestion or your best comparison,” she said, with a wicked smile.
Roy’s jaw dropped. “Riza! Okay, I’m sorry about the uniform thing.”
“As well you should be.” She smiled at him.
Roy just snorted and slapped the sausages into a frying pan.
“I have the cooking under control, Roy. Father used to have an array to dry clothing. Can you do that?”
He nodded. “Just transmute the water to vapor.”
“Well, the sheets are upstairs drying in front of the fire. Please hurry them along,” she suggested.
“Okay.”
Roy went upstairs to take care of the bedding. He even remade the bed then headed back downstairs to help Riza. They had the breakfast just about on the table when a bleary-eyed Bob poked his head into the kitchen.
“Smells good. You kids are up early,” he said, looking a little hung over.
“After last night, we’ll have to get back to base as soon as we can. They’re sending someone to help dig us out,” Roy said. “So, we figured we ought to have a good breakfast before heading out into the snow.”
“Did you have a good night’s rest?” Bob’s gaze slid between Roy and Riza in such a way they couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable. Riza transferred pancakes with grim determination.
Roy nodded, tugging at his jacket collar. “Good enough. Using alchemy like that leaves me tired,” he lied, hoping Bob wouldn’t know any better.
Bob nodded, reaching for a plump sausage, slicing it up sloppily. “Alchemy never did my brother’s health much good from what I could see. You ought to be careful young man.”
Roy decided keeping on Bob’s good side was his best bet. “I am, sir.”
Most of the breakfast passed in silence except for the clacking of silver ware and a dull sound from outside that they all presumed was the plow. Roy helped Riza clear the table. “That was good, Riza. Thanks for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome. I could use some help with the dishes if you don’t mind.” Riza saw his lip beginning to curl. “You can dry them.”
That seemed to mollify him some. Together they made short work of the dishes while Bob retired immediately to his den. They went to find him when someone knocked on the front door.
“That’s probably the soldiers coming to tell us the car is free,” Roy said, going for the door. He opened it to Keddrick. Both men stared at each other for a moment, shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask you that,” Keddrick sniffed, his snobbiness back in place after his humiliation of the night before.
“I spent the night.” Roy shot him a salacious smile, ignoring the unhappy sound Riza made behind him. “So, what do you want?”
“I have business to attend with Mr. Hawkeye that has nothing to do with you, Slant.” Keddrick glared at him.
“Careful there, or I’ll make you wet yourself again.” Roy smirked and Keddrick’s face went a mottled red.
“Roy! Just let him in,” Riza said, glaring at him. “Uncle Bob, Keddrick Thorne’s here,” she added loudly.
“Come to think of it, it was Riza and her gun that actually did the deed to you last night. That’s even funnier.” Roy’s look went positively devilish.
“You foul mouthed little...” Keddrick grabbed for Roy.
Riza got between them, shoving them both apart. “This is not a school playground. Can you two possibly act your age?”
“Is there a problem here?” Bob asked, coming into the foyer. His brown eyes were hot with annoyance
“No, Uncle. Roy was just explaining how he got stuck here because of the snow and had to spend the night in his old room,” Riza said, glaring at her lover for implying anything else. “I think the plow almost has us free.”
“Snow?” Keddrick asked, confused, and she wanted to hit him, too, just for assuming Roy had spent the night in her room.
“You know, the white stuff on the ground. The car got mired. How did you get here?” Roy asked, wishing his good morning hadn’t been ruined.
“Horseback, which means I can’t stay long. That old stable won’t keep Splash of Class warm for long,” Keddrick said. “But there is some business I didn’t think could wait, sir.” Keddrick addressed that to Bob.
“Of course, come on into the den,” Bob said, beckoning him to follow.
“Sir, before Cadet Hawkeye and I head out, I did want to ask if you’ve come up with a price for your brother’s alchemic possessions in that attic room,” Roy said, determined to interfere with Keddrick.
“Yes,” Bob said and quoted a high price. Keddrick’s eyes gleamed maliciously at it.
Roy stroked his chin as if thinking it over. “May I use your phone?”
“Of course.”
Roy placed a call to the bank and gave them his details, authorizing the transfer of money into Hawkeye’s account and promising to come by to sign any necessary paperwork. He kept his eyes glued to Hawkeye and Keddrick. Bob was looking at him with a mix of disbelief and avarice. Keddrik’s looks could be distilled and bottled for pure disdain. Roy read a novel of offenses in Keddrick’s faces for him ‘pretending’ he could work within Keddrick’s monetary level. “There you go, sir. I’ll come by with a truck to get the stuff as soon as I can. They need to talk to you about your account information to complete the transaction.” Roy held out the phone to a startled Bob.
“This has to be a joke,” Keddrick sniffed, with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if he believed this to be a play staged for his benefit.
“Oh, it’s no joke. Major Mustang has a very big bank account and he loves showing it off,” Riza said ruefully, giving one last glare of doom knowing they were having no effect. Her uncle’s look of disbelief had melted into pure greed as he hurried gave the bank what they needed. Keddrick still looked like he didn’t buy into it. Riza sighed. “I need to go get my coat so we can go, sir.”
“I’ll run up and get it. Would you like to take your dress, too? Is it in the armoire?” Roy asked, feigning ignorance as to where her clothes were.
“Yes, thank you,” she said moving closer to him. “See if you can do it without getting your tail feathers caught in the railing, you peacock.”
He scowled at her but ran up anyhow. To her relief, a pride-wounded Keddrick went into the den with her uncle, leaving her alone. Roy came back with her coat and her gown draped over his arm. He leaned close and whispered, “Your jewelry is in my pocket. I’m sure you didn’t want to just leave it here.”
He helped her into her coat and held the front door for her. The frigid wind whipped inside and they both reluctantly stepped out into it.
“Thank you. And before we get outside where the soldiers can see.” Riza slapped him on the back of the head. “That’s for not controlling your pride. I can’t believe you! Why don’t you just announce to the world what we did.” She slapped him again.
“Ow.” Roy rubbed the back of his head.
“Okay, that felt good. Now if only I could slap you every time you get out of control, however, I’m not sure my hand could handle that.” Riza gave him a dark look.
“I can’t believe you did that,” Roy whined, looking like a puppy who had been swatted for taking a leak on the rug.
“I should enlist Hughes’ help in keeping you in line.” Riza sighed, looking deflated. “It would help if one of us held equal rank.”
He rolled his eyes. “Speaking of Hughes, I wonder if he got stuck at Avaron’s.”
“Trust me, not a snowflake to be seen and he still would have gotten stuck at Avaron’s,” Riza said wryly.
“I know he was rather hoping for that,” Roy snorted, putting a steadying hand on Riza’s arm “Damn, this snow is deep. Be careful.”
“Hoping for?” Riza groaned. “You boys are pigs sometimes, you know that, right?”
Roy’s answer was a squall as he went down on the ice. “I hate this place!”
“Maes is right. You need to get stationed back in your temperate hometown. Too hot or too cold, all you do is whine.” She thrust a hand out and hauled him up. “You didn’t lose my jewelry, did you?”
He felt in his pocket, finding the jewelry safe in the pocket. “No, but my pocket watch just went places it didn’t need to go.”
“Poor Major.” She shoved him toward the passenger side of the car. He gave her a surprised look. “Junior officers are supposed to drive, you know.”
Roy gave a shrug and got in the passenger seat. “Wonder what business Thorne had with your uncle that just couldn’t wait?”
“I don’t know, but why does the mere idea make me nervous?” She started the car.
“Because you’re a wise woman.”
X X X
“I thought you were never going to get off duty,” Avaron said, serving Riza some tea laced with whiskey.
“I was barely on duty.” Riza laughed. “Householder gave us commendations and told us to take the day off.”
“Well, if you spent your evening wisely, you probably could use a little rest.” Avaron beamed, tossing her legs up on the couch unceremoniously after kicking the ottoman over to Riza’s chair. Why should men be the only ones allowed to put up their feet?
“Are you fishing for details?” Riza grinned, hoping for the chance to brag.
Avaron’s green eyes gleamed eagerly.“Right down to the color and kind of underpants. Maes’ were blue boxers.”
“I can not believe you just slept with someone you barely even know,” Riza gave her friend the gimlet eye.
“Why not? He was fun and you didn’t answer my question.” Avaron pouted at her.
“I don’t know...I know he had some but I don’t remember what they looked like. That part went rather fast,” Riza admitted, sipping her tea.
“Hell, I sure hope the rest of it didn’t go fast.” Avaron shot her a sympathetic look.
“No, no, that was not fast at all. That was very nice.” A dreamy expression floated like summer clouds over Riza’s face as she shifted on her chair. “He can be very sweet...when he’s not being an arrogant ass.”
“You just summed up most men, dear. So why are you here with me and not back there wearing that luscious exotic creature down to a nub?” Avaron purred.
“Because, we’re back on base and we’re forbidden to fraternize and since we both have roommates it makes it a little difficult...that’s why last night was so important,” Riza replied sadly. “I can’t exactly get off base whenever I want to, let alone tell Uncle Bob that Roy needs his old room back and oh, by the way, so do I. He might be a drunk but he’s not stupid.”
“My parents are gone and Igrayne prefers to stay at the Academy. Take the few hours you can get off base and bring that boy here. Make sure he brings his friend,” Avaron suggested, a lubricious gleam in her bright eyes.
“What are you suggesting now?” Riza’s eyes widened.
“Not that! My word, you’ve really turned into a sex-addled soldier haven’t you?” Avaron laughed. “Good for you.”
“You really mean it? We could spend a little time here?” Riza didn’t dare hope too much. She knew the moment she joined the military to protect Roy that if she ever wanted to spend time with him it would be on the sly, that they’d have to steal every moment together.
“I’m serious. My parents won’t be back for a couple of weeks. Take advantage,” Avaron encouraged. “Of course, you’ll have to tell me a few little details, like just how pretty is it when it’s all woken up.”
Riza’s lips pulled into a tight line. “I think you just say these things to be shocking.”
“Speaking of shocking, last night’s doings were that and more. I think I’ll be able to sell an article about the hostage situation to Central papers. I’ll even spell your name right...though I should probably leave out the part about Mr. Pissypants.” Avaron drained her mug.
“Yes, if you plan on living in this town.” Riza sighed, trying not to laugh at Keddrick’s misfortune. “Well, I guess it did help relations here in town, us saving the day.”
“You were magnificent,” Avaron assured her. “And who knows, if these articles sell, maybe I can get a position on the paper in Central. One day I might be writing about your exploits again.”
“Maybe you will at that.” Riza sounded happy for her friend and if she were stationed in Central whenever Avaron got there, they’d both have so much fun.
“So,” Avaron leaned in conspiratorially. “Want a few tips on things you can do with your mouth next time?”
Riza nearly drowned in whiskey-laced tea.
X X X
“You know, you’re not nearly as pretty to go to bed with as Avaron,” Maes said, looking across the room as he snuggled down in his bed.
Roy hesitated as he changed into his night clothes. “And you’re a whole hell of a lot less likely to get lucky tonight.”
“Speaking of which, Major It’s Not Like That, did you mess with a bobcat on your way home last night?” Maes pushed his glasses up.
Roy glared over his shoulder. “You’re just lucky that these uniforms have high collars or you’d have to explain to General Householder just how you made relations better with the townspeople.” Roy nodded toward the love bite on Maes’ neck.
“Wasn’t her uncle in the house? You getting brave?” Maes put his glasses on the night stand.
“I alchemized an escape route should it be necessary,” Roy admitted, climbing into bed.
Maes whistled lowly. “And the best I can do is to make sure I have no loose change in my pockets in case I have to dress in a hurry in the dark.”
“There are advantages of alchemy.” Roy snugged the blanket under his chin. “Damn, it’s cold in here. At least Riza’s room had a fireplace.”
“Not to mention a hot body to curl up with...I’m still not going to curl up with you,” Maes said, wagging a finger.
“You just stay on your side of the room, freak.” Roy pouted. “Now I’m all spoiled. I want my fireplace and my beautiful girl in the lacy silk nightie. You wouldn’t look nearly as good in it.”
“Frighteningly enough, you might. You have the legs for it,” Maes replied, waggling his eyebrows.
“That’s it, I’m alchemizing a wall between us,” Roy groaned, rolling onto his side so he could look at Maes. “You’re scaring the hell out of me.”
“Like you and Riza scared it out of Thorne last night?” Maes laughed.
“I’m not likely to wet myself,” Roy said, amusement creeping into his voice at the remembrance of Thorne’s embarrassment. “Thorne showed up at the house this morning.”
Maes went serious. “And how much of an ass did you make of yourself?”
“Riza hit me twice,” Roy admitted.
Maes slapped a hand to his forehead. “That much? That has to be a record.”
“I just wish I knew what Thorne wanted with Hawkeye that he had to come out on such a bad morning. Business could have been done over the phone,” Roy said, rubbing his chin.
“Thorne probably heard Householder telling you to take Riza home. He probably didn’t go there to talk to Bob. He wanted to catch Riza alone and instead found an exotic rooster in the hen house.” Maes chuckled. “That had to be a blow.”
“Yeah...I don’t like this, Maes. Something’s wrong, I can feel it,” Roy fretted.
“We’re sleeping alone while your rich, handsome, cowardly competition is free to move about and do as he wishes, yes, that’s wrong,” Maes replied.
“More wrong than that.” Roy scowled. “I don’t know what yet but something is wrong.”
“Nothing you can do about it now. Talk to Riza tomorrow if you’re that worried. Have her talk to Avaron. That girl knows everyone’s business. She can keep an eye on Keddrick when we can’t,” Maes suggested.
Roy made a noise in his throat. “Good idea, Maes.” Roy only wished it was that simple. Somehow he suspected it wouldn’t be.
Chapter Eight
“Thank you for coming, dear.” Bob gestured to the table where a modest meal of sandwiches was laid out. “I know you don’t get a lot of time for lunch.”
“No, I borrowed a horse from the base stable, to give us a little more time since you said it was important,” Riza said uncomfortably. She knew when she got sent on a temporary duty assignment from the academy to Portsmouth that she’d have to deal with her past and all that remained of her family but it wasn’t as if a cadet could say no, no matter how much she wanted to.
“Yes, very important. You know, Riza, that technically your care is my responsibility until you’re of age. No one asked me if I wished for you to enter the military academy.” Bob’s brown eyes hardened. He didn’t touch his food. “You just up and followed that fool boy.”
“You’ve never had any reservations that I was aware of,” Riza said, unable to sample her lunch. She didn’t like where this was going. She had in her mind a host of ideas as to what he was going to say, each uglier than the other. “I’ve been at the academy a year already.”
“A year that would have been better spent at Rennsalaer,” Bob countered, drumming his fingers on the table.
“I’m happy where I am now, Uncle,” Riza said, trying to keep her voice even though she felt the swell of panic in her.
“In the military? You don’t need to be in that uniform, carrying weapons. It’s not befitting your station,” Bob argued.
“And if I wasn’t, people might have died last night.” She tried to let her pride in her accomplishment show, as if it might persuade her uncle to see things her way.
“You shot a man,” Bob slapped a hand on the table. “What would your father think? He hated the military.”
“He’d be happy that I’m making my own way,” she said uncertainly. Father hadn’t thought she was ready for that, hence him giving her to Roy. “It’s my choice...and it’s Major Mustang’s. Father left my fate to him.”
Bob snorted imperiously. “That boy? I’m your uncle. Your care falls to me.”
Riza shook her head. “That isn’t what Father wanted. He made Roy promise to take care of me and he has.”
“Dumping you in the military is not caring for you.” Bob sighed, his face morphing into the benign worried uncle expression. “Please don’t be difficult, Riza. I’m putting my foot down. I’m having you withdrawn from the military academy. You’ll come back to Rennsalaer.”
“I will not!” She dropped her glass, heedless of the spilled water.
“And you’ll marry Keddrick Thorne and that’s the last we’ll speak of this,” Bob growled, moping the spilled water away from him.
Riza couldn’t speak for a moment. Of all the scenarios she had in her head for Bob and Keddrick’s meetings, maneuvering her into this position hadn’t ever entered her head. While half the purpose of Rennsalaer was to arrange good marriages, she hadn’t expected to be bartered off without so much as a by your leave. “No, I won’t.” She slammed her hands down on the table, griping it tight as she fought for control of her emotions.
“Listen, girlie, Thorne wants you and I want his money. Your father might have cared nothing about restoring the family fortune but I’m not him. You will do as you’re told. I’m not going to let some deathbed arrangement by my idiot brother take away the one chance I have to do that. There’s nothing on paper saying Mustang is your guardian and I’ll be damned if I stand idly by and have you snub your chance at a fortune.”
“No.” Riza jumped up, her legs shaking. “I won’t do it. There is nothing you can do to make me marry Keddrick.”
“What if I lodge a complaint against the good major with General Householder after his conduct last night?” Bob was on his feet, hand locked over her wrist, faster than she knew her uncle could move.
“What are you talking about? It was a blizzard. You were the one who insisted Major Mustang stay the night in his old room. You even gave him the bedding!” Riza said, trying to yank free.
“And then that dreadful boy took advantage of my generosity and my niece’s naive nature to seduce her in direct violation of the law. There is a law against that, I’m fairly sure of it.” Bob smiled coldly.
“He didn’t...” Riza whispered, wondering if they had somehow not heard her uncle listening in at the door. It was certainly possible or Keddrick could have told him about Roy’s foolish insinuations in their game of one upmanship yesterday. The only real proof, the bloody sheets had been taken care of; Roy had transmuted whatever it was and turned it into a powder that shook out.
“Who cares if he did or if he didn’t? Even without proof, they’re likely to reprimand him formally and they’ll probably boot you from the academy,” Bob said triumphantly. “Or at least see it my why that you’re better off here at Rennsalaer.”
Riza pulled free, rubbing her bruised wrist. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t capitulate. I left Rennsalaer to get away from this place. I don’t care if you do get me removed from the academy. I won’t come back here. I won’t marry him. This is a big country. I have friends. I’ll go where you can’t find me.”
“Think what you want, little girl, you will do as you’re told or you’ll be very sorry,” Bob grated out so coldly the outside felt like summer in comparison.
Riza just ran out and got the old riding mare she had taken out of the base stable. She had to warn Roy first and then, well, she did have friends. Avaron would be horrified. She’s help Riza escape this fate. If worst came to worst, Riza would sell all the jewelry she managed to keep after her father’s death and she would use the money to start a life anywhere but here. Nothing would compel her to marry Keddrick.
X X X
Roy didn’t know what was worse, freezing his ass off out in the woods patrolling for Drachmaians or getting shoved into a tiny office with Maes assigned to tackle stacks of paperwork bigger than they were. Today was paperwork day. At least the little office was warm, too warm. Maes was face down on his stack, his glasses pushed up onto his forehead. Roy was like a cat in a sunbeam, all liquid, pouring into every nook of his chair, thoroughly relaxed. At the sound of his name, Roy jerked fully awake. The look on Riza’s face made him sit up right, slamming his feet down, startling Maes awake. The fact that Riza didn’t yell at them for goofing off was proof enough, even if he hadn’t seen the fear in her eyes, to tell him something was dreadfully wrong.
“Hawkeye, what is it?” he asked, barely remembering to keep it formal just in case.
Riza made it to his desk then collapsed against it, nearly sending a towering stack of paperwork to the floor. “He’s trying to force me out of the academy.”
“What? Who is? What are you talking about?” Roy took Riza’s shoulders. Maes was on his feet, coming around the desk as if to get between her and whatever might be coming for her.
Riza took a deep breath, steeling herself. “Uncle Bob has decided to finally take an interest in my life as my legal guardian now that he’s realized he can sell me to Keddrick for profit.”
“What?” Roy grated out, his fingers digging into her.
“Uncle Bob informed me I’m now engaged to Keddrick and he’ll be rich,” she spat, shaking under Roy’s hands. “That had to be what Keddrick’s oh-so-important meeting was about.”
Roy’s hands dropped and his legs went weak. “This is all my fault,” he whispered. “If I hadn’t kept trying to get the better of Keddrick...”
“No, Roy, it’s not. Keddrick’s always wanted me,” Riza said, putting a hand on his cheek.
“It doesn’t matter why it happened,” Maes broke in and they jumped, all but forgetting he was still in the room. “What matters is what do we do about it.”
“It’s worse than you know,” she said, rubbing a hand over her eyes. “If I don’t agree, he’s promised to tell Householder that you forced yourself on me, Roy...or seduced me...” Riza shook.
“How could he know?” What little color Roy had drained away. “I could have sworn he was way too drunk.”
“He doesn’t know,” she interrupted. “He doesn’t care that he has no proof. The allegations alone will ruin us and you know damn well Keddrick would gladly fill in details that don’t exist from the dance.”
“Son of a bitch,” Roy growled, taking out his rage on a stack of paperwork, toppling it over off the desk.
“You’re in a mess,” Maes said, laying a gently hand on Riza’s shoulder. “There has to be something we can do to help.”
“If I have to, I’ll run off once they throw me out of the academy. No matter what happens, he’s not forcing me into a marriage. Even if I never get to see my friends again....I’ll do what I have to.” Riza wiped at her eyes, trying hard not to cry.
“Maybe a direct approach would be the best,” Maes said, giving Roy a knowing look.
“That was my thought,” Roy replied, gathering up the files.
“I don’t understand,” Riza said, looking between the men.
“You and I go to General Householder right now and tell him what your uncle is trying to do to you,” Roy said.
“But no one but you and I heard Father’s dying declaration about you taking care of me,” Riza said, too rattled to think clearly.
“It doesn’t matter. We tell him what Bob is going to say. We deny being lovers and ask for his help. Maybe he can’t do anything to stop this, Riza, but if we beat Bob to it, maybe you stand a chance,” Roy said.
“And at least maybe we can protect you, Roy.” Riza brushed her fingers over his hand. “I’ll settle for that much.”
“You two go and I’ll handle things here,” Maes said. “Riza, is there anything I can do for you?”
“Yes, please call Avaron, Maes. Tell her what’s happening. Tell her not to do anything,” Riza said, obviously fearing her friend’s temper. “Just tell her I might need to borrow money.”
“Of course,” Maes said, going for the phone.
Roy put his hand against the small of Riza’s back and guided her out of the room. He didn’t say anything to her as they walked towards Householder’s office. Out in the open, someone might overhear and he suspected Riza needed the time to pull herself together. Roy had only rarely been tempted to use his alchemy to hurt someone and as awful as Keddrick had been to him, he hadn’t thought of it until now.
Once in the general’s office, they spoke to his adjutant and were told that the general should have time to see them. They waited in Householder’s anteroom, silently waiting on him like prisoners awaiting final judgment. Finally Householder’s aide let them in.
“We’re sorry to disturb you, sir,” Roy said, standing rigidly at the edge of Householder’s desk.
The general indicated for them to sit. “You two look like you have something weighing on you.”
“Sir, Cadet Hawkeye has a very grievous problem and there will be serious and untrue allegations made about me and we thought you needed to be aware of them since they will effect your command,” Roy said grimly then he and Riza laid out Bob and Keddrick’s plan.
Householder sat back at the end of it, stroking his moustache. “This is...a very vexing problem. I’m not sure that we could block your uncle from removing you from the academy if he is your legal guardian, Cadet.”
“My father wished Major Mustang to be my guardian, sir,” Riza said as if hoping if she said it enough someone important would believe her.
“And you contend there is no truth to your uncle’s forthcoming allegations,” Householder looked at them as if he didn’t quite believe it.
Riza glanced at Roy then met Householder’s eyes. “Sir, I can’t deny my relationship with the major goes beyond our duties. We are friends, nothing more. He was my father’s apprentice for years. Major Mustang lived in my father’s home all that time. Maybe it’s inappropriate for me to be under his command here but we didn’t see it as a problem. If anything, our prior relationship makes us work better together, witness the attack on the party.”
Householder sat stroking his prodigious moustache silently for several long moments. “I’ll consult with our legal geniuses and see what we can do. I would hate to lose you, Hawkeye. Even as a cadet, you’re a better soldier than some of my lifers. Though, at best, we may have to separate you and the major, just to appease the powers that be.”
Roy and Riza exchanged glances again. “We understand that, sir,” Roy said.
“I want to remain in the military, if at all possible, sir,” Riza added. “I willingly left Rennsalaer Academy. It wasn’t what I wanted to do with myself.”
“I’ll be sure to impress that on the legal consul,” Householder promised. “All right, let me handle this and I want to impress this on both of you, you especially, Flame, do not talk with either Thorne or Hawkeye. Under no circumstances do you go to their homes, have nothing to do with them. If they insist on talking to you, you do so through a JAG officer, is that understood?”
“Yes,” Roy mumbled. “Sir, I just transferred a good amount of money into Hawkeye’s account in exchange for a room full of alchemic texts and devices that were my mentor’s.”
“I’ll see to it that you get it, Mustang, even if you have to go with soldiers to make sure that you get what is yours,” Householder told him.
“Thank you, sir.” Roy got up and headed out with Riza on his heels. “Went better than I thought,” he whispered to her.
“We’re still in trouble, lots of it,” she replied, looking drained
“Less than we were. Householder believes us,” Roy said, “or is at least pretending to.”
“This isn’t going to end well,” she said morosely.
Roy hazarded a light touch on her arm. “But it might not end as horrible as you fear. Come on, let’s see what Maes has managed to do with Avaron. She might have killed Thorne by now.”
“That’s the best thought I’ve heard all day,” Riza gave him a look that chilled him
Chapter Nine
“How are you holding up?” Avaron skipped the tea and just served Riza a glass of whiskey. She gave her young friend a critical look as Riza huddled on the leather chair by the fire. “You off duty?”
Riza nodded. She wasn’t a big fan of drinking but right now she could use it. “Not well. General Householder is allowing me to continue my duties for now but I’ve been pulled off the forest detail, which is just not right. We’ve doubled the patrols in the woods, after the incident at the school and now, Roy’s out there alone. Householder doesn’t want to risk me getting hurt, especially if things don’t go my way and I am withdrawn. The military doesn’t want to explain to my uncle,” she drew the word out like a curse, “why I got shot or whatever.”
“Well, I can see the military’s fears about that,” Avaron said gently as she absently toyed with her hair. “But surely Roy isn’t all alone out there?”
Riza made a face, sipping at her whiskey. “No, but you don’t understand. He’s a daydreamer, Avaron. If it’s not alchemy, he gets distracted in a matter of moments. Roy’s probably out there in the woods thinking, ‘wonder if I could use this in alchemy?’ And if Hughes is around, then neither of them will be thinking about anything but ‘girls,’ add in a little sniggering and hand gestures where appropriate and you and I can only hope we’re the girls they’re thinking about.”
“Teenaged boys? Please, a boob bobbles by them, any boob, and that’s what they’re thinking about. Your Roy better not get Maes shot. I’m not done playing with him yet,” Avaron said, her nose wrinkling.
“You’re awful,” Riza informed her, squirming on the leather chair. “At least Householder didn’t tell me I couldn’t see you. We’re under strict orders not to have any contact with Thorne or my uncle.”
”Be glad Keddrick doesn’t know that or he’d be standing at the fence between our properties just to taunt you,” Avaron said, her green eyes flashing.
Riza shuddered. “I’ve had happier thoughts.”
”Shouldn’t those lovely young men be here by now?” Avaron cast a glance at the mantle clock.
Riza followed her gaze. “Not yet. They’re back on base by now though, but you don’t know them, peacocks the both of them. Trust me, they spend a great deal of time getting their hair to look that messy. Maes will want to shave, though I’ve heard rumblings about him wanting to try and grow a beard…I don’t think Roy shaves. He has the smoothest skin.” Riza shrugged.
Avaron laughed. “Oh, your boy looks like he’s made from porcelain, just like that group of Xing traders that came and talked to our fathers a couple years back, remember?”
“I still have the robe.” Riza nodded. “As I remember, not a whisker among them. Roy’s mom came from there. Xi-Feng, she’s the one who started teaching him alchemy. I met her once when I was just a little girl. She knew my father some how. That’s how Roy came to live with us later. She was so pretty. All I really remember was how bright and chaotic her clothing was and everyone staring at her.”
“Everything here’s too boring, witness our uniforms,” Avaron interrupted. “She would have been like a peony in a bed of daises.”
Riza nodded. “And I remember her exercising outside the house, these slow, beautiful movements. I thought she was a princess from a fairytale since I had never seen anyone like her. I know now that those were a type of Xing fighting move. I’d like Roy to teach me.”
“There’s something a girl doesn’t ask a guy every day. Dear, teach me how better to kick your butt.” Avaron smiled, approval for the idea written all over her face.
Riza laughed. “Well, with Roy, that might be necessary to keep him in line. A quick shot to the head to get his attention.”
“I will give you jewelry if I could witness that,” Avaron said, draining her whiskey glass. “I’d set you up in a house if you did it to Keddrick.”
“Don’t tempt me,” Riza replied darkly.
The low dull thuds of the huge brass knocker on the front door cut into Avaron’s reply. Avaron waved Riza down as the other girl rose. “Cynthi will let them in.”
Cynthi led Roy and Maes into the parlor. The boys, as Riza predicted, were freshly groomed and out of uniform for the night. Both wore riding boots. Avaron indicated for them to sit.
“You get your horses stabled up?” she asked.
“Your groom is taking care of it. It’s snowed a little again. We decided against walking,” Maes replied, holding his hands towards the fire.
“We’ll probably all have to be back on base in a few hours,” Roy said, regret heavy in his voice. “You two okay?”
“Yes, we were just talking about your mother,” Avaron said.
Roy gave them a querulous look. “My mother?”
“And her sense of fashion. We were talking clothing mostly…and her fighting style,” Riza said, blushing though she wasn’t sure why. “I might like to learn that provided, of course, I’m not expelled from the academy,” she added bitterly.
“I’ll teach you,” Roy said.
“We’ve had Xing traders up here. I liked their silks,” Avaron said then gave Riza a coquettish look. “Riza has a Xing robe.”
“I know. I saw it in her closet,” Roy said then blushed as Avaron’s green eyes fixed on him in surprise. “She asked me to go through it and find a gown for her to wear to the ball.”
“All he found were shoes and night gowns,” Riza grumbled and Roy and Maes exchanged leers in remembrance.
“Are you surprised? He’s male. What were you thinking?” Avaron shook her head ruefully.
“It was temporary insanity, apparently,” Riza replied. “I was expecting him to act like an adult.”
“I think men are powerless when confronted with nighties,” Avaron said, wagging a finger at Riza.
“Roy can show her his fancy silk pj’s and call it even,” Maes suggested with a sly grin.
“You have silk pjs?” Avaron’s feathery eyebrows climbed high.
Roy shot Maes a pinched look. “They’re not pajamas. I have one set of my traditional clothing with me because when I’m lounging around, studying, they’re very comfortable to wear, not that Maes would know that.”
“How would I? It’s not like I can borrow them.” Maes waved a hand at Roy. “You’re doll-sized, after all.”
Riza didn’t know what she and Avaron were laughing harder at; what Maes had said or the look on Roy’s face.
“Oh, I want to see you in those silks sometime.” Avaron managed to stifle her giggles. “You have to go back to base in a few hours? Maes, want to help me with an experiment?” Avaron got up and held out her hand.
“Experiment?”
She grabbed his hand and yanked him up. “Yes, on the power of a silky nightgown.” Avaron hauled him away before he could form words. “Remember what we talked about the other day, Riza,” she called back over her shoulder.
“Do I even want to know?” Roy asked.
Riza set her glass of whiskey aside. “Yes, actually you do. Come with me.”
She led Roy to the guest room Avaron had given her and shut the door behind them. She hadn’t actually explained to Roy that her friend was letting them use her house for illicit trysts. She wasn’t sure what Roy would think of that so Riza decided to show him rather than tell. Riza pressed him back against the wall near the marble fireplace and kissed him hungrily.
“This is what you talked about?” he asked when she let him up for air.
“No, this was.” Riza whispered something in his ear, laughing softly at his shocked looked. She sank to her knees, lifting his shirt to flick her tongue around the circle of his navel before she unzipped his trousers. Roy’s head clunked back against the plaster as a moan escaped his lips.
Neither of them remembered to draw the heavy curtains in their haste to not lose what little time they had together. Neither saw the glint of light sparking off metal and glass from the binoculars pointing at them from the property next door.
X X X
“This is the wrong year.” Keddrick’s hand flashed out, catching the maid across the face. She cried out, nearly dropping the bottle of wine.
Keddrick snatched it away from her and collapsed angrily in his chair across from his father’s. The maid scurried away from the den, a place the Thorne’s barely tolerated a female presence. Keddrick looked at the label.
“The help gets more useless every year. I have no idea where your mother finds them,” Thorne sniffed. “What has you in such a fit of temper? I’ll assume it’s not merely the wrong vintage of wine. I heard the tirade earlier.”
Keddrick studied his father for a moment. He couldn’t tell him that the girl he intended to make his own was whoring herself out to some freak of nature. Keddrick might be able to overlook such a lapse in judgment but his father couldn’t. “There is someone trying to stand in my way.” Keddrick rotated the bottle so the label faced his father. He tapped it. “This man’s son, some half bred Squint freak.”
“Oh, you mean that upstart alchemist.” Thorne snorted, tapping his heavy ring on the arm of the chair. “I didn’t care for that boy at all. I’m shocked General Householder puts such stock in the likes of him.”
“I remember him from when he was living with the Hawkeyes. He’s an arrogant little bastard, thinks he’s better than he is,” Keddrick snarled.
Thorne got up and took the bottle of wine. He went to his desk and the decanter set resting there. He picked up the corkscrew. “So, what do you plan on doing about it?”
Keddrick knew that tone. His father would brook no weaknesses here. “Eliminate him.”
Thorne smiled as he uncorked the bottle and let it breathe. “I suggest a glass of the man’s wine while you think of the best way of doing that.”
Keddrick laughed. It was perfect. “Thank you, Father. That was the plan. I know this freak. It’s just like you always tell me, a wise man can learn all he needs to know from watching his enemy.”
“You know that, you can do anything you want to him.”
Keddrick just smiled.
X X X
“Did you know girls talk about sex?” Roy asked as he guided his horse along a mountain trail, way to early in the morning to suit him. He and Maes had drawn the short straw and pulled the duty far up in the hills, an area best reached by horseback. That meant his thighs and ass would be killing him later. He didn’t ride badly but it had been a long time since he spent this many hours on a horse.
“I suppose they do,” Maes replied, giving the impression he would soon either freeze to death or die of boredom.
“I never really thought about it,” Roy said, not sure what to think about it. On one hand he liked what Riza had learned in the talk but on the other, intimate details about him were being shared; not that he didn’t share those same details with Maes but that was different.
“Wonder if they compare us.” Maes looked distinctly unhappy with that thought.
“You’ll be coming up short.” Roy smirked.
Maes made a face at him. “In your dreams, little man. They’re probably talking about you and your silk pj’s right now.”
“Right now, Riza is at the office pushing papers and they’re not pajamas.” Roy scowled, dodging a low branch.
“Whatever. All I know is they’re bright red with yellow flames and big, giant, yellow lizards on the back of the shirt,” Maes replied.
“Those aren’t lizards! They’re dragons,” Roy replied.
”What is it with you and lizards?” Maes narrowed his eyes at Roy. You have them on your gloves, too.”
“That’s not a lizard either. It’s a salamander. It’s the personification of fire,” Roy said in his best tutor’s voice. “My uncle gave me that outfit, he said it fit me.”
“If by that he meant it makes you the center of attention, then yes it does,” Maes snorted, reining up his mare as the path forked. He expertly ignored the heat of Roy’s glare. “You take the left fork and I’ll take the right.”
“Fair enough.” Roy didn’t really want to leave Maes on his own. Patrol was boring enough and while he knew he and his friend were making too much noise, it was worse being off on his own. Little sounds seemed to magnify when he was alone in the woods, winding his paranoia up several notches. It wasn’t long after Maes left that Roy could have sworn he heard other hoof falls but he could see nothing. He didn’t even know if the Drachmaians had horses at their disposal. He didn’t remember that in any of the reports.
He fought to dispel the cobwebs from his mind. Anxiety wasn’t going to help matters. Roy eventually distracted himself with the tingling pain in his fingers and toes from the cold. He had on two sets of gloves and thick wool socks but he was still cold. Discomfort began to fade as thoughts of Riza pushed in. He was still upset over their first night together, learning how he had inadvertently made her feel.
Roy hadn’t known that the two of them had perceived the day of Hawkeye’s funeral so differently. She thought he saw her as an object. In truth, he had seen her as a tutelary goddess, illuminating his life with just the barest hint of herself. A few inches of cloth sliding down a perfect back and his life had changed forever. Even if he hadn’t fallen in love with her, she still would have been the most important person in his life. Roy needed to find a way to tell her that but he wasn’t sure he could without hints of disgust at her father creeping into the conversation. He still thought it was blatantly unfair to make Riza into the finest, best journal of Hawkeye’s work.
An inhuman snort startled Roy. He glanced around frantically, hoping a bear hadn’t stumbled across him. Shouldn’t they all be hibernating? Did mountain lions hibernate? What he saw was nothing natural to these woods. He barely registered a tall bay stallion at a distance and its rider who looked better suited for an organized hunt than anything else. What in the hell is Keddrick doing out here?
Something roared and Roy’s head felt like it was coming undone. There was the strange smell of cordite, the scent of flames and it felt oddly comforting as the world winked out.
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