Benedict approaches the temporary shrines outside Barra.

[nick]

Benedict approaches the shrine of Sidhe and kneels, placing aside his hammer and shield before bowing his head in quiet contemplation.

[Leah]

"Benedict," Arrianna says, approaching the shrine with some fresh candles to place around. "I came when I heard that you had a successful day yesterday. Barra certainly looks like it's a far safer place now. I'm glad you're safe."

"What happened?"

[nick]

Benedict stands, turning to acknowledge the approaching Arrianna with a nod. "Chaplain." He listens to the question with his hands clasped in his usual way, seeming slightly uneasy. "Uhh, well, Sir De Sanclair led our party to attack and capture the Earl, and we did. The second party managed to defeat the Primate of Githas and the apparent leader of the Mithrans." He pauses, sighing.
"There were losses, though, I hear. One was excommunicated on the other party and on our party the Dame, Head of the Black Order, fell victim to swiftdeath, I believe."

[Leah]

"Oh, fair enough." Arrianna shrugs. "And it's 'Sir Thomas', the 'Sir' always goes with the first name, not the second. Remember that."

"Anyway, I was down in Derwentshire visiting some family and I just got back, it's good to see that things have been going well. Why do you look so battered and bandaged?"

[nick]

"I took a couple of wounds in the fighting. I'm getting better at it but there sure seems a lot of room for improvement. The leg was an enchanted blow, and the chest was Sir Thomas, obeyed to attack us by a Mithran enchanter." Benedict looks back across the shrines towards Barra "Hopefully it was worth it, and without their leadership the Mithran's scatter. Then we can start rebuilding the cathedral."

[Leah]

"Indeed, I'm sure we'll manage to get Barra sorted in time. I'll look into setting up a Sidhean shrine inside. I have the relic and all."

"If you think you have room for improvement with your fighting skills then you have to practise. Do you want to die? Do you want others to die because you couldn't protect them? If you don't, you need to be practising, you have to give enough of a crap to make yourself train. Otherwise, you're just pathetic."

"I think you need to start training more, don't you?"

[nick]

Benedict blinks, shrinking slightly from the Chaplain, stuttering as he replies. "I, uhh, well I've not always been a fighter, and combat's not really my strong suit.." He pauses, looking down to the floor, then back up to Arianna "I can't help but feel such a judgement is a little harsh given the progress I've made in the short time I've adventured. Axir wasn't built in a day, as they say."

[Leah]

"If you think that you're good enough to get by, good enough that in time you'll get better -- What happens if you get attacked by demons, right now? Do you think it matters to them whether or not you've had time to grow as an adventurer or not? You'll be just as dead. Now, I want you to prove to me that you've got what it takes, I need to know that you're not going to just go out there and die, all because you didn't train hard enough, because I didn't make you push yourself to your potential. I think you should start your training right now. When better to start than when you've seen how dangerous it can be, such that your own party member took you out?" Arrianna walks around the shrine towards her backpack and weapons. Let's go." She throws him a one-handed sword."Ready?"

[nick]

Benedict catches the sword and holds it awkwardly. He looks backward at the shrine then back to Arianna "Chaplain, I don't think this is the time or place for such an excersise, and I don't think training with sharp weapons when I'm already wounded is advisable. Besides, fighting is not the answer to every problem we face.

[Leah]

"I think that you need to stop making excuses. Come on, it might just save your life. Sharp weapons are the only way to learn, I think. After all, if there aren't high stakes you're unlikely to really push yourself."

"Come on Benedict, I really want to fight you. I want to get better too, I think we need to practise. It's like an art form, something that has to be learned, honed, and there's no better time to do it when you're already struggling from the fight, because that's when it really matters. I'm worried about you - I need to know you're going to be able to protect yourself."

"Think of it as a challenge." With that she lifts her sword, "Come on, it's just one fight." With her movement, small flakes of dried blood fall from her armour. She brushes it off and swings at Benedict. "Protect yourself."

[nick]

"Woah, Woah!" Benedict brings up the shortsword to glance off of Arianna's with a loud clang, stepping backwards to cover himself and defend while he speaks. "Think about what you're doing, raising a sword in violence near a shrine, to a Templar!" He deflects another couple of blows. "And the blood on your armour, did you crush someone elses insides to get that? Why? How can you attack the outclassed?" Benedict is eventually pushed back almost against the shrines, where Arianna slices his right leg just below his chainmail, forcing him to one knee.

[Leah]

She lifts her sword, anger in her eyes. "How dare you accuse me of-"

As benedict falls to his knees before the shrine of Sidhe, Arrianna lets her sword fall slightly. "I'm only trying to help you, Benedict, can't you see that? I don't want anything to happen to you but..."

She turns away, dropping her sword. "I think I'm not myself."

[nick]

Benedict tightly grips his wound, reaching to his bandage pouch, and drops the sword. As he ties the bandage he answers, grimacing against the pain. "When we saw you butcher that man on the road and cover yourself in blood and entrails we did wonder, Errant Ingram and I. We wondered how a Priest of Sidhe could savage a dying man and not be cast from his light. You must be under a compulsion, magical or otherwise." He puts the finishing touches to his bandage, halting the flow of blood from his leg but remains on the ground.