Imprints in Stone [AU]

[Kenta]

"Combat is a fine and worthy skill should words and goodness falter, but if that is all you wish, then perhaps you would be better served taking up the path of war with Junon," Kenta says with a slight frown.

[Carver Amell]

"No way. Wars happen other places. I have to stay with Bethany." Still, he watches them practice with a hungry expression.

[Kenta]

"Not all wars are waged between nations," Kenta says softly, eyes shadowed. "The bitterest, darkest wars are waged in the hearts and souls of mortalkind."

[Carver Amell]

"Uh. Sure." He tries to picture little toy knights in people's hearts, getting a cute, baffled expression on his face as he does.

[Kenta]

"Greed and generosity, hatred and love, fear and courage... loyalties against loyalties, doubt and arrogance, anger and timidity. All mortals must first combat themselves before they can hope to stand against an outside foe," Kenta continues somberly. "Sometimes the battles are easily won, sometimes the battle lines are clear and the heroes clearly known. Far too often, life and fate, capricious and unknowable things that they are, do not give such boons."

[Carver Amell]

"Wait, how do I fight myself? That doesn't make any sense."

[Kenta]

Kenta gives Carver a long, considering stare before replying. "Hast thou truly never been of two minds on a matter? Never wished to claim some moment for thine own use, yet know it was needed for another? Never been faced with a crisis that seemed to ask of you a price too great too bear to go forward, yet still worse a price to go back? Never have you had to press on when all your body cries out for rest? To reach out when your heart demands you withdraw to protect thine ownself?"

[Carver Amell]

"Uh.." He blushes, faintly. "I guess, yeah?"

[Kenta]

Kenta nods sagely, a most curious sight. "Exactly. It is a strange manner of thinking, perhaps, but my teachers call such things 'warring with oneself' and I suppose the idea is apt enough. But that is like enough to think on for a single day, let us speak with Bright's Tom and see if there are any chores or tasks that you could perhaps take upon yourself to start your path towards the Everlasting Shield's calling."

[Carver Amell]

"Uh, sure, okay."

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't take vows, not right away. What he does do is visit the temple on the daily, dropping off Bethany before spending his time sweeping, practicing combat, and helping with other minor tasks the Vangalites need. Before long, they expect Varric back -- and are surprised when he doesn't return. "Must be running late," they tell each other, nervously.

When they return from the temple the next day, not only is the house still dark, but there's a guard standing nervously out front. Carver pushes Bethany behind him with a frown. "Stay behind me."

[Bethany]

Bethany frowns but... she's trying to let him take the lead more often these days, wanting to give him something after everything she's asked of him. "Alright," she whispers, turning around to stand behind a statue down the street.

[NPCs]

When Carver creeps forward, he finds that he's surprisingly adept at it, based on how the guard doesn't notice him in the slightest. Even when the young man gets right to the wall around the house, she doesn't notice him lurking about. "Anything yet?" she asks after shifting about a few times. Closer now, Carver decides she's more impatient than nervous really. "How hard could it be to search a tiny house like this?"

"Hey, it's bigger than it looks- there's a basement and all," a voice calls back. "Besides, you know how hard the Sarge is pushing for this to be done right. Guy might have wiped out a whole fucking village, it's real important we not botch this."

[Carver Amell]

Might have--! 

Carver creeps back to Bethany, having heard enough. "We need to run," he whispers. "Come on. I met a guy the other day who might be able to hide us." Not Kenta -- he's thinking of someone he met before the temple, someone who made him an offer he didn't think he was going to take up.

[NPCs]

"Any sign of the..." the voice fades out before Carver can hear the rest, not that he cares much right now most like.