Theyâd seen the fire two hours into their ride, with no idea how long it had been burning. It immediately struck all of them in the stomach like a lightning bolt, their conversation falling silent as the red glow lifted into the night. When they crested the hill that overlooked the quiet town of Resembool, their shock was amplified. Pillars of smoke towered into the sky like columns trying to support the starry heavens above, the red and orange flames lapping at thatch and wood all at once. Not even the snow was falling heavy enough to quench the fire.
It was obvious Kaitâs vision was coming true, that much Roy knew. No fire could spread through a village that fast when Resembool was one of the quickest in putting said flames to rest. But what he really noticed was the castle, lit up with candlelight and torches, the wall standing steady even though they were lined with soldiers and catapults ready to attack. But none of the three men moved, as if they were too shocked to even ponder going forward and trying to help those that needed it most. It was a steady silence of horror while screams of panic and pain rang through the hills.
Finally, Edward seemed to have a lapse in consciousness. âWe have to get the girls,â He said, his voice flat. âWe have to get the girls,â He repeated, shooting a glance at Roy, his golden eyes wild with both concern and a need for leadership. His words hardly reached Roy, too lost in trying to figure out how they had managed to be this stupid. They were men, for the godsâ sakes, they knew better than to all leave the castle to search for an enemy threat that was just as vigilant and desperate as they were. But somehow, theyâd had a fault of judgement by all leaving the castle to go searching. Dammit, he was an idiot. Claude could have already snuck past Edwardâs guards in the castle to slit Alyviaâs throat and stolen her crown. His gut didnât ache at the realization, hopefully meaning that was good news. So he shook himself from the blank state he was in and quickly scanned the landscape again.
âWe need to save the people in the town. And then the girls.â
That was enough Edward needed. He pulled his horse forward and then swung the mare around to look at the squadron of twelve he had brought with them. âAl, take the rest of the squad to the city to help evacuate. Lead them down to the riverbank so that the fire wonât reach them.â
âIâm not leaving Kait.â Alphonse spat back, the venom in his voice palpable.
âAl, please. Iâm not arguing with you right now. Iâm your lord and your older brother and you will do as I say.â Edward snapped, just as venomous.
Roy had never seen the brothers argue with such severity. Their disagreements were usually more over who had the blonder hair or what style sigil looked better on the red cloaks they shared together rather than Alphonse physically wanting to be with his wife while Edward was forcibly saying no. They held each otherâs gaze in a mental conversation, one Roy had seen many times, before the younger Elric backed down, like a child scolded. Roy honestly didnât think that Edward would have had it in him to make his brother do anything. Becoming Lord of the East was good for him. With a curse, Alphonse nudged his horse in the side, his gaze hardly leaving his brotherâs until he and the rest of the squad rode down the side of the hill, their horses in a mad sprint to reach the city.
Without a word, Edward led his mare back into the right direction, pushing her towards the castle. The fire in the valley as well as the light from the castle had lit up most of the hills, like a full moon on a starless night. It left a red glow wherever it touched, and the closer they got to the castle, the brighter it got. Royâs stomach tightened as he noticed thick stone catapults lined up to the gate. On top of the walls, archers made their stand, their bows instinctively shooting down enemy soldiers that were trying their damndest to scale the stone. A battering ram slammed against the sturdy stone gate, hardly making a dent. Edward had done better than Roy had in making sure his home was protected, even when it was in one of the calmest areas in the country. Roy swallowed uneasily, his nerves palpable as Edward remained silent, pushing forward, too focused on the mission to even stop and ask for any help from the King. Were they just going to ride up to the front gate and knock politely? Certainly Ed wasnât that daft.
No, Edward had other plans. He slowed by the front gate for a brief second, allowing Roy to catch up. âThereâs a hidden back gate just around the bend. My squadron guard will have gathered everyone there if heâs still alive.â He explained before the both of them set off in another sprint, Roy slightly behind so that Edward could lead. As they rounded the corners on the circular wall, he just barely made out a difference in the stone walls. Edward pulled his mare to a stop, the horse nearly throwing him forward off of her back. âItâs not open,â He whispered so quietly that Roy almost didnât hear him. âItâs supposed to be openâŠâ
âThis should catch their attention,â Roy said, pulling on a white glove onto his right hand, his breathing picking up. It had been over a month since heâd used his weapon, since heâd been so close to death that she had tangled her fingers in his hair and tried to drag him down with her. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, hoping he could still do it. It was for the girls. It was for Alyvia. He pulled his sigil off of his cloak and stared at it for a long moment before inhaling sharply, snapping into the air and feeling the flames course through his body like an old friend. A spark went into the air, higher, higher until it cleared the wall, where it exploded into a beautiful phoenix, wings spread and dominating the entire night sky like a firework. He exhaled softly, feeling warm again, the anger and sadness fleeing his body with the return of his flames.
âRoy!â He just barely heard, the sound of his wifeâs voice also restoring his confidence, somewhere deep in his belly. Before they could even glance at each other, the gate creaked before slowly dropping. Beside him, Edward let out a palpable sigh, enough relief for the both of them. He wondered if it was for Winry or if it was for someone else.
As the gate dropped low enough for them to enter in, Roy pushed his horse forward. As they rode deep into the castle courtyards, he noticed the amount of chaos that had been hidden behind composed soldiers when they had rode past the outside of the walls. Soldiers were screaming at each other, some trying to startle others into a false confidence, some trying to give orders that others didnât seem to be understanding. These men were so green that Roy was surprised the castle hadnât fallen yet. But there, waiting to greet them, was his queen, with both Kaitlyn and Winry standing close behind her as well as a small group of female servants. She, too, looked relieved that heâd returned. Carefully he slipped off of his trotting mare and hurried to her side, immediately grabbing her by the waist and pulling her gently towards him, her arms raised up to wrap around his neck.
They stood there in silence and his stomach churned that he had nothing to say to her. There was a time when he could hardly stand to touch her, to hardly speak of her in caring ways. And while he wasnât deeply in love with her the way Alphonse and Kaitlyn were, he did not want anything happening to her ever again. He wanted her by his side as his queen and his wife and the mother of his children. Yet he could not bring himself to say any words of comfort.
Edward broke the silence with a grunt. That was another reason Roy made so sure to hold her for as long as he did; Edward may be in love with her, but Alyvia was his queen and his wife and he refused to give her up. âDid you gather them all together?â He asked, obviously focusing his attention on Alyvia rather than Roy, who still had his arm wrapped around her waist tightly.
She nodded. âThereâs still a small group of soldiers going through the castle making sure no one is inside.â
âWhereâs Alphonse?â Kaitlyn asked, stepping past Winry and Edward, still looking over the heads of the crowd for her beloved, her hands wringing together like she was kneading dough.
âHeâs in the city, helping them evacuate.â Roy explained.
âHeâs all right though?â
âThere arenât enough horses to get everyone out of here,â Edward said after a quick glance around the camp, making Royâs stomach do another flip. He had to get Alyvia out of here, even if it meant staying behind like Kaitlynâs vision had predicted. Beside him, his queen pulled slightly from his embrace, standing up straighter, the same way she did when she was addressing the throne room or when she was putting on her crown; regal, sophisticated, presentable. That demeanor was a mask to who she really was, and she was getting scary good with changing into the queenly manner she needed every day. Still, inside, Roy could see the fire gleaming in her eyes, wanting to run and be free and not have to deal with this every month, every week, every day of her short life. âTheyâll break the wall down any minute.â
âEach horse can carry two, at least.â Alyvia said, staring Edward straight in the eyes.
As much as he hoped the sternness in the Queenâs voice would settle Edward back down, it only seemed to fuel him. âThat still wonât be enough.â
âWinry shouldnât be riding this late in her pregnancy,â Kaitlyn said, interjecting between the two and bringing back the focus to the problem at hand and not any quarrels the two had. After all, Kaitlyn was the most medically prepared to help and what she said had to happen. Roy inhaled quietly. She was absolutely right; Winry was in the last months of her pregnancy and it was known that riding horses could injure both mother and child. Still, she wasnât going to be able to walk out of the castle without being spotted and they would spare no life that got in their way, not even that of a heavily pregnant woman. Out of all the people there, Winry was main priority. She had to get out of the castle alive.
âSheâs experienced enough. She can at least ride to safety and then get a carriage to get to Rush Valley,â Edward said. When everyoneâs gaze fell on him, he continued. âThatâs where Pinako is.â
âNot Central?â Alyvia asked, her frown deep.
âI donât want her going back to the snakepit that is Central,â He snapped back, not moving from Winryâs side, but his stance was threatening. Alyvia could handle her own, but she had a sharp mouth and an even sharper wit. Angry, she could threaten to make those that loved her more than anything attack her. It was both a good and bad quality that she had.
âAnd I say sheâs not going back to Central. Sheâll be safer in Rush Valley!â
âEnough!â Roy snarled, stepping in between the two of them like they were quarreling children. Edward frowned but stepped down, tightening his arm around Winryâs. Alyvia, however, stared him through, as if she hardly noticed him there. It took her a solid minute before she noticed him glaring at her before she, too, backed up and regained her composure. âI agree that Winry will be safer in Rush Valley for the time being.â He said, watching Alyvia roll her eyes at him. His frown deepened as he turned back to face Edward. âBut sheâs going to need an experienced rider to get her there in the first place, and we donât have time to argue about it.â
âIâll go,â Edward offered, but Roy immediately shook his head.
âYouâre going to be needed in Central. Alphonse will go, once he gets back.â In front of him, Kaitlynâs features collapsed. He had no choice but to continue, no matter how much he hated to see her that upset. âBoth Pinako and Winry trust him. Hopefully this forsaken war will be over before she has her child and then she can come to Central.â
For the first time since theyâd returned, Winry spoke up. âWhy canât Ed take me?â She asked, her voice quiet and small. Roy sighed softly--she was in a situation that sheâd never been in and there was no doubt that she was terrified. While Alphonse was her brother in law, she would obviously much rather want her husband to take care of her.
âBecause I canât have the East riot due to their Lord fleeing with his wife to the South. Ed will help me figure out where to send refugees so that they donât believe theyâre abandoned.â He explained as gently as he could. âHis loyalty to his country comes before his family, Winry. Iâm sorry.â She dipped her head obediently but he could see the tears rolling down her cheeks as she clung to Edwardâs side for strength.
âWhat about Kaitlyn and me?â Alyvia asked, raising her voice for the first time since heâd snapped at her. âCertainly you donât want us here while you fight a battle with less than a hundred barely trained men,â She said matter-of-factly, her frown trying to hide the bitter retort. The composed queen was gone--back to the childish woman that heâd known for a better half of his life, staring him down with a fact that he knew he couldnât outrun. There were only so many men. They had no clue how to handle any of the situation they had been given. The archers shot their arrows. The soldiers waited at the gates, preparing to fight anything they didnât recognize as friendly. There was next to no way he could win this with the castle in tact instead of burned to the ground like the rest of Resembool was.
âIâll take the girls to Central,â Edward said somberly. âIâll get Hawkeye and Fuery and more soldiers and Iâll be back by morning. Iâm a fast rider and since you have Alphonse taking Winry, Iâm the next best bet in organizing troops fast enough.â
âIâm not sure if I can hold them off for eight hours by myself,â Roy admitted, pinching the bridge of his nose with his bad hand.
âThen the castle will fall,â Edward said, hands on his hips, brows furrowed sharply into his forehead. âWe can always get it back by spring. It wouldnât be that hard.â
âWe canât leave all at once, though.â
âThen I have no input left, Your Grace.â He snapped, fingers digging into his cloak. âYou want me to sacrifice my wife, my brotherâs wife, and my queen?â
âWatch your tone, Edward.â Roy snarled, but Alyviaâs hand touched his briefly. He hardly had to glance at her to know that he was getting out of control. With a low, angry sigh, he let his shoulders relax. âI want you to leave me the rest of your soldiers. If the castle falls, it falls, but not without a fight. I will not have him thinking that heâs won a great victory, which means none of us can afford to die. You will take Alyvia and Kaitlyn to Central, get Hawkeye and alert her of the situation. When I feel the tides beginning to turn in their favor, Iâll take the survivors and ride as fast as I can away from the situation. A small group can outrun an entire army, much to my demise. By that time I hope we can lead them into a trap and meet them on the battlefield, one much closer to Central.â
Edward dipped his head, counting out silently on his fingers. Finally he glanced back up. âI can leave you eight horses.â He said quietly, his features drawn and hidden. Roy nodded--Edward was thinking, no, knowing that most of his army wouldnât survive the night. Edward had never sent men to their death before, that much was obvious.
Alyvia tugged on his finger. Quickly he glanced back over at her, her gaze reserved. âYouâre still not fully healed,â She whispered, taking his hand in hers. Everyone knew about his eyesight, but she was one of the few to know about his arm as well.
âIt doesnât matter.â
âI canât lose you.â She whispered, her grip on his hand serious. He closed his good eye, frowning for a long second, before he nodded. To what he responding to, he had no clue, but he hoped it gave her enough comfort for her to ride out and escape without having to worry about him.
The sound of horse hooves approaching fast sent chills up Royâs spine and he turned quickly away from Alyvia, his fingers raised to snap in the general direction of the still open gate. He almost did, too, before he saw a glint of gold and breathed deeply when he noticed Alphonse. Behind him Kaitlyn gasped in relief, pushing past him as he lowered his good arm. Alphonse pulled his horse to a quick stop and jumped off before the mare had even finished bucking her head in resistance, rushing to his wife and picking her up, like a giant holding a kitten. He spun her around, his hand cradling the back of her head gently. Carefully he set her back on the ground when he realized everyone was staring at him, but he made sure to keep her close to his side. It was if he knew their separation was coming. âMost of the town had already reached the river by the time Iâd gotten there. I warned them theyâd probably be heading to Reole or Youswell, and theyâre not happy.â
âJoy,â Edward mumbled.
âAlphonse, youâre going to take Winry to Rush Valley,â Roy ordered, taking no time to brief the younger Elric on the situation. He needed to get them out of here as fast as he could; it was a surprise that the army on the other side of the wall hadnât managed to break through yet. The Elric line had built their home as a fortress. Nothing more and definitely nothing less.
âRush Valley? Not Central?â
âSheâll be safer in Rush Valley. I understand Pinako is there and youâre strong enough to ride with her.â
âWhat about Kaitlyn?â
âIâm taking her and the Queen to Central. Sheâll be in good hands.â Edward said, catching his brotherâs attention. Alphonse held his gaze for a long moment, another mental conversation flickering back and forth between the two of them. It was scary how silent they got when they were acting out this way, both incredibly overprotective of those they loved even when they loved each other just as much.
âYou swear no harm to her?â Alphonse asked, his voice barely above a whisper. It was as though he needed to hear Edward promise it out loud.
âI swear. Just as no harm better come to my wife.â He said softly.
Another second, and then the two boys both dipped their heads.
âThen itâs settled,â Roy said, interrupting the quiet demeanor around the camp. âThe rest of the servants will meet up with the refugees and head towards Reole. I can spare on guard, but no more. Thereâs going to be resistance, Iâm sure of it. Just be prepared. You have five minutes to say your goodbyes.â Before he even finished his words, he pulled Alyvia aside, his good hand touching her waist. She had returned to her queenly demeanor, guarding her emotions very well. âPromise me youâll be careful,â He begged, pulling off his dark cloak and wrapping it around her already cloaked shoulders, making sure the sigil clasped perfectly.
âIâm not going to get hurt.â She said softly back. âItâs you Iâm worried about.â
âKaitâs vision saw you still fighting even though you shouldnât have been. She kept repeating that you wouldnât leave. You still keep your left hand close to your side even though itâs been a month or so. You only have one good eye and youâre bound to be dead tired.â
She was right about more than a lot of things. He tensed up, puffing his chest slightly as she stared him down, as if she were waiting for him to discredit her and tell her that she was completely wrong. Instead he let out the breath heâd held in and ran his good hand through his hair. âYou women and your crazy accuracy,â He said, just barely getting her to smile. That was enough for him; he had things to do, to prepare for. But she grabbed his hand and pulled him back, her green eyes vivid as she made him look into them.
âDo not let Kaitâs vision come true. Promise me youâll leave and come back to me.â She ordered, stern as ever. He struggled to escape from the green haven that was her eyes, captivated by her and her wildness. Finally he came crashing back to reality as he lowered his lips to her forehead. He shut his good eye and leaned his forehead on hers.
This time it was her who broke the silence, leaning up and pressing her chapped lips to his. He relaxed only slightly into the kiss, cradling her face with the palm of his hand. It felt like an eternity as he melted into her touch, soft and calm but all nerves as well. He jumped when he heard Edward call out her name and she pulled away from the kiss, just barely glancing over to him. Both he and Kait were already on Edwardâs sturdy mare. His golden eyes glimmered in the candlelight--Roy wondered if it was jealousy he saw or if it was just desperate longing. Or maybe Roy was honestly just seeing things; it was too hard to tell anymore. Alyvia let her hand fall from Royâs face, glancing up at him one last time before she pulled her hood over her short hair and wandered over to the mare. Edward offered her a hand and helped pull her up onto the horse. It was cramped but the mare hardly protested. Roy swallowed hard, shoving his hands into his pockets as the snow began to fall harder than it had before.
It was almost too bittersweet when Edward kicked the mare forward and she only glanced his way for a handful of seconds. And then she was gone into the night and Roy had things he had to do.
As opposed to the courtyard where everything was relatively quiet as they had formulated plans, the noises outside the castle walls were loud, like a roar of thunder as catapults flung huge chunks of rock towards the sturdy walls and soldiers screamed orders at one another. Alyvia turned her main attention from Roy to the ride they were going to have to make; the snowy hills showing brown underneath as the men and beasts tried their hardest not to slip and fall, clumps of soldiers bloodthirsty and desperately wanting to give anything to kill the queen and her accomplices. Edward was stoic and silent, pushing the mare forward as fast as she could go, his body leaned forward the same way he would if he was racing the mare. She swallowed hard, tightening her grip around Edwardâs waist tighter as he pushed them into the fray.
Before they could even reach the resistance, a large wall of fire swooshed around their feet, playing catch-up as it chased after them. It touched every soldier in their path before sprinting ahead as though the ground had been doused in fuel. Then it stopped moving and created an elaborate fire tunnel. Alyvia glanced back at the castle one last time before they entered the tunnel, spotting Roy on one of the watchtowers, looming over the land with both a protective and furious demeanor. He snapped his other finger while keeping his bad arm raised above his head and spinning to keep the tunnel going. âThank the gods for Roy,â She breathed, but neither Ed nor Kait said anything and she wondered if sheâd even said it aloud.
The fire tunnel did not make it to the end of the resistance, but it sure made it close. The mare neighed below them as Edward pushed her faster and faster, trying his hardest to keep her from wearing out too quickly while making it so that they could escape without much trouble. There were soldiers at the edge of the spinning vortex of fire. Alyvia held her breath, wondering just how Edward planned on getting out of this mess. Just as she grew worried, he unsheathed his automail, holding it low to his side as the reached the end of the vortex. Immediately it clipped on of the soldierâs throats and slit from ear to ear with no trouble at all, leaving a spray of blood on the new snow. Again and again he did the same thing, slicing and pushing forward, never saying  word. They were going to make it, she thought, holding her breath as she saw the line of resistance fizzling out like the flames that barely reached the bottom of the hill.
Then out of nowhere, a large spear came flying from the left. It hit Edward square in upper thigh. Edward screeched out of pain as the momentum from the thrown spear knocked him from the mare. âEd!â Both Alyvia and Kait screeched, looking back to where he lay in the snow gasping for air. The fall must have knocked the wind out of him, but his eyes were wide open and terrified. Kaitlyn struggled to maintain the speed of the fleeting mare when Alyvia shot out and grabbed onto the leather reins, tugging sharply. âHang on,â She shouted over the roar of the army all around them. Kaitlyn ducked, grabbing onto the horseâs neck before Alyvia tugged as hard as she could, the mare bucking onto her two hind legs for a brief moment, nearly knocking the both of them off. âHang on!â She shouted again as Kaitlyn struggled to maintain her grasp, before Alyvia pulled on the reins once more and forced the horse to back down. When the horse finally responded to the lighter control of the female riders, Alyvia forced her to rush back to where Edward lay in the snow. âGet him up, quickly!â She shouted, glancing around rapidly. To their luck, Ed had landed in an area with virtually no one was. Kaitlyn slid off of the mareâs back as Alyviaâs eyes continued to look around, at least for the spear thrower. She should have guessed from the moment she saw him. There, in thick metal armor definitely designed for the King of the Bears, stood Claude, a wicked grin on his face. He stood much out of the way of the others, letting his expendable soldiers do as much killing and dying as they could until he reached the castle to finish whoever remained off.
âItâs stuck!â Kaitlyn shouted, snapping Alyvia to look away from the man she hated most to the one she was in love with. Edward was still is severe pain, but his breathing was back to labored instead of being completely out of breath. The spearhead had gone deep into his leg, with only a bit of the metal actually poking out. The rest of it was sticking straight out.
âThat will kill him.â
She inhaled sharply, glancing back to where Claude had just been. He was much closer now, as he plucked another spear off of the body of one of his dead soldiers, his grin growing much more wicked. If she fled without Edward, sheâd never forgive herself. Welling up as much courage as she could, she, too, slid off of the mare and rolled him flat on his back. âHold it tight around the wound.â She said, pulling off her cloak and using Edâs unsheathed automail to cut the cloak into shreds. She held her breath, trying to ignore the fact that Claude was so close, so destined to kill her in this moment exactly. She pushed it away; Ed needed her, Ed needed her, Ed needed her. Kaitlyn took the shredded cloth and wrapped it around his pierced thigh, her face wrought with confusion. Then Alyvia inhaled and grabbed his hand where the automail was, grabbing the blade with her hand. It stung and she only had enough strength in her good arm to do it. The blade was sharp enough to cut her, but she refused to feel the pain. Ed needed her. She glanced up once more to see Claude only yards away, laughing maniacally. Heâd kill the horse first. âKait, if I say leave, you leave,â She snarled, not wanting to alert Kaitlyn of anything. âIâll die here, but youâre gonna live a long life, okay?â
âShut up, Lyv,â Kait begged as if she knew who was nearby. They stared at each other for a split second before Alyvia turned her focus back to Edward.
He was moaning low and loud, enough to tear Alyviaâs heart into shreds. Still she took the automail and placed it to the staff of the spear. With a deep inhale, she started using it like a knife to cut the spear off. Edward screeched out in pain--every movement of the spear was hurting more of his thigh but she needed to do it or else all three of them were going to die. She paid no attention just how close Claude must be by now. Halfway through the pole she heard a low whoosh come from out of nowhere, her shoulders raising up before could even think about it. He would make her suffer, he wouldnât cut off her head, right? But then all around her was alight, bright red flames surrounding them like a circle. Roy, thank the gods. She heard a curse from Claude, just under his breath--he was so close and so was she to being done with the pole, and Roy had just diverted his wrath back to him. Before she could even glance up, the automail cut through the pole with one last slice. âWe can get the rest of it out later,â She explained, tossing the staff to the side.
Kaitlyn nodded hurriedly and tried her damndest to help pick Edward up by herself, but all three of them were tired and ready to be done with this damned war. Alyvia wrapped her relatively good arm around his waist and helped him stand with the help of Kaitlyn. âHeâs in and out of consciousness Lyv,â She said above the roar of the flames. âWeâre not going to make it to Central with him like this.â
âWe just have to get out of here for now,â Alyvia explained, praying for a miracle. Edward came into consciousness for only a brief moment and the two girls pushed him onto the back of his horse. Alyvia climbed on next, using her broken arm even though the pain sent needles up her shoulder and down her back. Just as she did, Edward collapsed back into unconsciousness once more. Kaitlyn tightened the tourniquet theyâd made around his thigh while Alyvia cradled Edâs body to hers like a child. She hardly glanced around to see where Claude could possibly be--he wasnât here, and that was all that mattered. Kaitlyn climbed onto the back of the horse as well, and after a few moments of trying to get situated, the horse pushed forward and raced away from the castle, away from Resembool, away from those trying to kill them.
