Between Letters: Part II: Dear Carver
Dear Carver…
Seated on the staircase that leads to the shared barracks for the recruits that he has been grouped with, Carver crumples the letter with a frown after he's done reading it, unsure of how to take his sister's words.
…Several people lost to the taint.
Then he sighs and smooth's out the paper to read it again. For the third time.
…I know you think I have always overshadowed you, but I promise it has never been intentional…
He is frustrated, angry and bitter…but still comforted…and dare he say it, understanding.
It's always been this way, for as far back as he can remember. Marian has always been his rival, a challenge to his opinions and the greatest obstacle blocking any chance to make a name for himself.
That's why he joined the Fereldan army. It was something, she as an apostate mage, could not do. It set them apart but even then, she rescued him when he fled from Ostagar after the King was betrayed, risking her freedom and life in the process just so he would be safe.
And he would forever be eternally grateful.
Yet still, his rivalry and dare he admit it, jealousy for his older sister was not something he could easily brush aside.
In every other aspect of life, she had always seemed to be a step ahead each and every time…she'd always been stronger, smarter, more charming and heroic. Despite the stigma regarding her abilities, his older sister continued to manage to make herself well-liked even if people initially hated her.
Even the people who would never warm up to her completely, still seemed to hold some kind of grudging respect because that's just how Marian was, how she would always be. She was unstoppable when she put her mind to it and he always found himself falling behind.
Or so he has always thought.
Joining the Templar's, was not a decision he had made lightly nor did he regret it the way he thought he might.
His short time here so far, had taught him a bit of humility and he finally understood some of Marian's stubbornness to always defend her family and those without the ability to do so. He even understood her unbalanced view on Mage rights, how she hated the circle and the Tranquil yet detested blood magic more so – always walking the knife-edge between standing up for those like her and standing against those who would use vile magic to cause harm.
He finally understood that Marian was stronger because she fought for something even when she struggled, while he simply fought to become better than her without no real goal or true purpose in his sights.
Carver sighed and got to his feet, returning to his room and writing a response that he had initially not been intending to write.
Dear Marian…