Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

They nod. "This one believes the trail resumes in Goldengreen. This one cannot make the journey safely, but this one would send a factor to collect what evidence remains from the Elders there."

[Varric]

Varric's expression jolts, just a little. "Goldengreen? Elven Enclave a few days to the west? That... I might actually have some... business out there in the next month or two. I could ask for you, or you could come with. Might be something of a family trip though, depending on if they're... up for it."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene blinks. "Ah! Alydra smiles upon this humble one's quest. Yes, this one will get you the information to ask about."

[Varric]

"Not much for travel yourself?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is... small. An unused to the dangers of the wilds. This one can and has travelled, but..."

[Varric]

"You might be small, sure- though not all that much smaller than me- but you're also a powerful oracle. I've little doubt you'd be just as, if not more, useful in combat as either of the twins. And I plan to hire a guard or two to come a long just in case anyway," Varric counters.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "This one has no skill in combat arts. This one's magical abilities are bent toward other things, and this one only has one spell useful for self-defense."

[Varric]

"Well, plenty of time still to work on that. We can run some drills, go over some ideas, do some spars. I'm sure you have a few tricks, even if you don't realize it."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene smiles. "This one trusts Mr Tethras with the research necessary. But, if Mr Tethras prefers, this one can accompany."

[Varric]

"Eh, just figured it'd be nice to get out of the city for a week or so. You don't travel often, I gathered, so a nice, close destination with a group... seemed like a good chance."

[Carver Amell]

His hair slick with sweat, Carver leans back against the wall to catch his breath. He'd lost, again, as he had lost every spar with Aveline so far, but the boy had a real aptitude for combat, and clearly had some training before coming to Nyra. He did his tutor proud, whoever that was. He fought fiercely, with no lack of courage, even for a spar, as if he didn't know how to do less, to tone things down. As if every fight was a fight for his very life.

[Tethras Clan]

Interesting mix of styles and techniques. Basic improvised, rough and tumble street fighting as the base, just kids practicing on each other. But it's been polished, and polished well, with some Orzammar militia- probably from the younger Tethras. Hints of... catfolk, I think? Some of his moves seem to want to transition into a claw swipe but he never lets it come. Some dirty tricks in there as well. Not very chivalrous, but practical. And then there's a layer of beginner Vangalite temple training. "Not too bad for your age, given that you weren't raised for a military career," the paladin comments, not even sweating much at all in her trousers and undershirt. "No shortage of grit or fire, good physicality, you adapt well and you have good instincts for reading your opponent."

Walking over to him, Aveline offers the water pouch she'd half drained. "As for bad... your style is messy. You're trying to combine too many influences and it's not melding smoothly. You need to focus on one, then, after you've reached expert level, then you can start combining. You also need to learn when it's time to attack, when to defend and when to wait."

[Carver Amell]

"What do you mean influences? Fighting's fighting."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline stares at him a long moment. "Wrong," she says flatly. "That's like saying all music is the same, all food. It might serve the same broad goal, might share notes or flavors, but it is not all the same thing."

[Carver Amell]

Carver frowns. "How, what's different about what?"