Riza didn't like this talk of power. She had a feeling he didn't mean influence, or power like alchemy. What he did mean, however, she was of no mind to understand.

She stayed close as the colonel negotiated the distance to the bed, just in case he needed her assistance, but she didn't expect that he would. She knew his dignity often outweighed his reason. When he finally dropped safely to the thin mattress and closed his eyes, she stepped back, but didn't look away.

What had happened to him? And when? Where? Was it here? Could they do such things? How could he return to Amestris looking as he did?

She could feel her anger stirring. Humility reminded her that even if she'd been around, she couldn't have done anything. Yet even so, she couldn't stifle her protectiveness.

But Greed was still in the room, and she looked away. It had only been a second or two of staring, but it wasn't a subordinate's proper behavior. In more ways than one she was glad Greed would be accompanying them. Aside from the additional strength and intelligence, it would be easier, ironically, to avoid acknowledging what the colonel hadn't told her.