The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Carver Amell]

He nods. "No, that makes sense. It's... it's hard sometimes to... explain myself to people. They don't understand what's going on inside me, and it's... hard. But I understand a bit more, and if people are like me, I might understand some of what they're going through. Mother never could."

[Merrill]

Is that why he understand me the way Ra- the way those others never did? Merrill tilts her head to peer up at Carver thoughtfully. In an entirely guileless, artless expression, she stretches up to kiss him softly on the cheek. "You understand me," she murmurs. "I think I love you for it."

[NPCs]

Not catching Merrill's words- or even that she spoke at all- Roland clears his throat. "Seems like you have a fairly solid reason to go back," he allows. "One that the lad here can accept. Still doesn't mean it's safe."

[Carver Amell]

"Safe," growls Carver. "I can fight, now. Let them try."

[Bethany]

"Fight, yes, not every battle can be won with claws and grit," Bethany says worriedly. "Carver, are you sure about this? I- gods, I get that there's a lot of people that need help, but that's always true. And you've suffered so much- we've all suffered so much that- I just- damnit, I care more about you than some faceless thousand."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Vangal- I was charged twice over to take up this quest. The Lantern ordered me to find the missing heir and bring... them back. But the first order and the higher authority- Vangal- gave a slightly- but vitally- different command. 'Strongest shield 'o gold and steel, seek the lost, seek the hurt. Broken and recast, temper and guard until rightful place returned.' It was originally given in celestial, so translation is... inexact, but... You were lost and hurt, broken by your past and recast into your proper shape. The last part? Lantern just wants me to drag you back however I can. Vangal wants me to look after you. Proper place might mean your Lighthood. Might not. Until I feel comfortable that you're there..." She shrugs a little. "I'm no politician nor businesswoman, but you don't make Captain without some skill in both. Nor do you become a Knight Champion without the ability to defend people from more direct action."

[Carver Amell]

Much of that clearly goes over Carver's head -- he's no good with prophecy and commandments. But he seems to understand the gist, looking up at Aveline with his eyes shining too bright. "You'll... help me? Protect me?"

[Aveline Vallen]

"I will," Aveline says quietly. "I'm no god and I know better than to think I can protect everyone. I feel guilt about not having saved you before, when you were being... But I know that hating myself for that won't help. Nor will hating you for making me feel that guilt. What will help is helping you now." She pauses, then offers cautiously, "and... if you do this, if you take up the Lighthood... you could help others. Others like you. Create charities, donate to the Ciren, Bastion and Vangal churches so the programs they already have can reach more people." She glances down for a moment. "It... it can help. Saving others from what you went through. It... it might not ever make it... go away. But it can help."

[Bethany]

Bethany's eyes narrow a bit at what she sees as a sales pitch. Still... she might have a point. Helping Carver in the grotto- or, well, helping Merrill help Carver I guess- did help me feel better about fucking things up with him before...

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods, slowly. "I can't... do it alone. I can't be that person. Even Lord zi'Amell. I can't do it. But... maybe... maybe if we make a Lord zi'Amell together, I can pretend to be him. If Beth tells me who to befriend and what policies are good. If Aveline protects me. If we h-hire someone to do the a-accounting," he adds, stubbornly refusing to give into tears at the thought of replacing Jadan. "And run the household," he adds. "I won't make Beth do it, or Merrill." Some Lights' wives take a firm hand with the staffing of the households, while others prefer to hire a steward to manage things instead. 

"We could make this happen. Together. I think. We could... change things. Look out for other children who are... hurting, and fix them."

[Merrill]

Merrill blinks rapidly, trying to figure out why he thought to mention not wanting to make her do it. Does that... does that mean he thinks that we... Stupid. He's asked to marry me already, even if... He was serious? 

[Bethany]

"I could run the household," Bethany corrects him. "At least long enough for us to make sure our... shite." she mutters, the curse in orcish. Looking at Aveline, she asks tiredly, "how much of the house staff is still around?"

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline winces, nodding at her question. "A handful. Most just left, a handful are in jail for looting on their way out." Others for... worse things. 

[Bethany]

Beth groans. "Ugh. Alright. I can... I can... figure something out to work short-term. Just need to figure out how to make sure they don't poison us or spy."

[Carver Amell]

But Carver's already shaking his head. "You'll be busy," he corrects. "How many of Mother's allies are willing to be mine? How many of Jadan's contacts will be turned against us? How many of your friends are in positions to help us, how many of your enemies are in a position to hurt us? I'll need you on the front lines, smoothing ruffled feathers among the other Lights. And Merrill -- if you can teach Merrill how to host, she can help with some of that, when she's not taking care of me. And I will need you to take care of me, Merrill. You understand my black moods, you can help me through them so they don't take so much away from us. So we'll need someone to manage the staff, keep things moving smoothly at home, and someone to manage the businesses, keep us funded. And protection. Aveline can't do it all, I think, we'll need her help hiring better security."

Think of it like a war, and yourself as a general. Just like in history books. Defend the home, advance across the battlefield until you control enough territory to sit comfortably.