The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[NPCs]

"Sure," Roland says, puzzled at the random statement. Why is he saying that as if- Roland winces suddenly, then mutters a curse. "Right, you were still... out of things when that came up," he realizes, voice low but loud enough for Carver to hear. "Beth figured it out and once she did, I couldn't imagine how I missed it to be honest. Marian has her father's eyes and his smile... but so do you. Especially not that you're shaped right. You're broader than Malcolm of course, given he was an elf that's only to be figured. But you have his features clear as day."

[Carver Amell]

"But... I'm... I'm not..."

Carver blinks, struggling to sit up despite himself. "I'm... a bastard?"

[NPCs]

Roland scratches his chin thoughtfully. "Might be? Depends on Nyra's marriage laws I suppose. Could be that you're adopted by your mother marrying that rich guy. Would it bother you to be?"

[Carver Amell]

"I-- I can't inherit if I'm--"

Something of light comes back into his eyes. "We can tell Aveline that, and she'll let me go."

[NPCs]

"Let you go?" Roland asks curiously. "Beth didn't really cover that part of things. What did the good captain want exactly?"

[Carver Amell]

"She-- she wants---"

Carver swallows, laying back down. "I'm the heir," he says dully. "Mother is gone, and Father, and Uncle."

[NPCs]

"Ah. Being rich and powerful isn't worth the burden of all that politics and shite?"

[Carver Amell]

"I hate it," he whispers. "Being that person, being Lady zi'Amell, it's like swallowing razor blades."

[NPCs]

Roland nods easily. "Most folks wouldn't give up that sort of coin and prestige for love or honor. Glad to see that there's some of Mal in you." And not just your bitch mother. "Still... you said being Lady zi'Amell. How about Lord zi'Amell? Bethie mentioned that you spun a tale of a broken curse... stick to that and people will cheer you on being a man, not try and force'ya back. Nothing in the Amell rules about having to be led by a woman, right?"

[Carver Amell]

"They-- they want me to be someone I'm not. I can't be that. I can't face that. I can't-- I can't walk back into that house where I nearly died." He takes a deep, shuddering breath, hands shaking. 

[NPCs]

"Definitely sell that place," Roland agrees instantly, noting how Merrill tightens her hold around Caver when he said that. "Who do they want you to be? Maybe there's someone else that might just work?"

[Carver Amell]

"They want Lady zi'Amell," he whispers. "I'm just Carver. I'm not -- I'm not even Lord zi'Amell."

[NPCs]

"Would you mind being Lord zi'Amell, iffen you could?"

[Carver Amell]

"Yes. I-- they-- they play these games, I don't-- I'm straightforward. I can barely follow things like Beth does. I don't care who dances with who, I don't-- I'm just not like that. I can't be a Light. I always expected to be dead."

[NPCs]

Roland winces at the very straightforward admission. "Suppose that's a fair worry," the elf allows. "What are the requirments to be a Light?" Fuck if I know much about Nyrain politics...