Chapter Text
Carver remembered that day far too well.
He was eight years old and brushing his long hair in preparation to sleep. The other novitiates were all gathered around, shooting glances at the most recently called Steward; A young boy who appeared to be two years younger than Carver. He had his knees pulled to his chest and a scared look in his eyes. The others were muttering about him, which didn't help the boy at all. If anything, it just made him more paranoid. Some novitiates tried to approach him, but he just buried his head into his arms. Carver couldn't help the tinge of pity in his chest, he remembered all too well the fear he felt when he was first called. The first night was awful, an outsider in a world of the old. To leave behind the life you knew and begin a new. How everything felt familiar and strange all at once. Quite frankly, it was suffocating. Carver had long since adjusted to the ways and customs of the hall, but some things still felt strange to him.
Perhaps that is why he approached the young boy. Carver set his brush down and slowly walked over to the new Steward. Carver heard many novitiates mutter that he wouldn't budge, something in Carver brushed those remarks off. Now, in front of the boy, he could see him shake with fear and hear his small mumbling. Carver slowly sat down beside him and place a gentle yet steady hand on his shoulder.
"Hi." He started, not too sure exactly how else to approach this.
Just as he expected, the boy sunk his head further into his arms.
"Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. I just wanted to make sure you were alright" Caver slowly said. "My name is Carver, and yours?"
The boy paused and stopped shaking. For a minute, he did not budge or say anything, but then he poked his head up. Carver could see brown eyes that were full of tears and fears, and the small quiver of his lips. Perhaps it was some sort of natural instinct in Carver, but he wanted to wrap the boy in his arms and protect him. The boy looked so scared and afraid, it was... A little sad. Carver for sure thought the boy was too paranoid to even blink. Yet, he opened his mouth.
"Emery." He muttered.
Emery. What a nice name, Carver thought. He smiled at Emery.
"Lovely to meet you, Emery." Carver said with a smile. "I hope we can be friends."
While a small smile back, Emery nodded his head. That was the start of their everlasting friendship.
Only a month later, Carver and Emery found themselves in front of a girl who was still sitting at her desk, despite the fact lessons were over.
Beatrix, Carver had heard other novitiates whisper her name as she walked by. The strong willed and confident girl from Leeds who seemed to lash out at everyone. The other novitiates grew wary of her, but Carver and Emery knew better. Deep down inside, she was scared. Scared of this new world that was all so new and so familiar at the same time. Carver walked towards her slowly, Emery following close behind. In an instant, Beatrix's head snapped towards them. Her brown eyes annoyed and irritated, yet, the tinge of fear still lingered. She was still a child, and a scared one at that, so she expressed her fear by making herself loud so no one could hurt her.
"What?"
Up close, Carver made the analysis that she was as old as Emery. He smiled at her.
"Forgive us, we were just wondering if you were alright? Lessons are over and you're still here."
"I'm okay." She said, her eyes looking down at her lap.
Emery poked his head out from behind Carver. "We were planning on feeding the horses some apples, if you want to join us?"
A beat of silence, then, Beatrix got down from her seat and nodded her head. Carver smiled and the three walked out to the stables. The walk there was silent, unless you count the sounds of the Stewards behind them, going about their daily lives practicing and keeping their lost culture alive. Beatrix had glanced over at the large structure a few times, clearly in awe. Quite frankly, Carver sometimes did that too, he had been living in this hall for two years and yet the sight of it never failed to amaze him.
When they got to the horses, Farah raised an eyebrow at the three novitiates but didn't comment on them. Emery brought out six shiny red apples from his pocket and handed two to Carver, and the other two to Beatrix. Carver approached one of the horses that brought him to this great hall and held out the apple to her, she accepted it happily. Then, he turned to the other horse which brought him here and gave him the other apple, he ate it slowly as if he had eaten recently. Beatrix's eyes scanned the crowd of white, before stopping on two in the corner sitting happily together, she walked towards it and held out the apples in both of her palms. The horses took it from her and made a sound of approval.
"Any reason you gave the apple to them?" Carver asked her.
Beatrix nodded her head. "When I was called, the Stewards who escorted me here rode these horses."
Carver smiled. "Same reason as me."
"What's your names?" Beatrix asked, slowly running her hand along one of the horses manes.
"I'm Carver, and that is my friend, Emery."
Emery gave her a small wave, and she waved back.
"Beatrix." She said back.
A mutual respect and bond had formed between the three instantly. That night, during dinner, they sat together. It was odd, Carver had never gotten close with anyone this quickly in his life. They had laughed and shared stories of their old homes and chores they've done this past week. Carver found himself smiling more than he had ever had in these two years without them.
Carver had no idea how much these two would mean to him. He had no idea that in eleven years, his last thoughts would be of these two.