It was quiet outside on the castle walls. With the cold still clinging to Auster, nobody wanted to be outside more than they had to. Except for Artorias, who sat alone staring out across the western sea. He barely felt the cold through the numbness in his heart. He had washed his paws, face, and neck of Sirius' blood, but even though his fur was now clean he could still feel their trusted family friend's blood sticking to him, hot and thick, the scent of it hanging in his nose like a grim reminder. He stared with empty eyes out over the roiling gray waters, listening to the distant washing of waves on the shore. He loved the ocean; he'd always gone to it when he needed to think or to calm down his nerves. But this time, it didn't seem to be working. He was too afraid—afraid of himself, of what he was capable of, of what he had done.

Vivid flashbacks of the fight danced before his eyes like a horror show. Sirius' booming voice echoed in his skull. He could still feel the cold weight of the knife in his jaws, could feel the pressure every time he pushed it into Seer's flesh. The scariest part was that he could recall the memories clear as day, but in that moment, Art had felt no control. His body had been running on automatic, using the deadly skills he'd learned and honed to do as much damage as quickly as he could without any cognitive input from him. The rage had guided his strikes, and they had very nearly been fatal. Artorias had never lost control like that before and it terrified him.

It had been several hours since the fight, and the healers of the Hallows had all tended to the injured Warlord. Words like "grievous" and "critical" had been tossed around while they worked on him. Art had wanted to stay, to make sure Seer was all right, but he had been ushered out of the room—just like when he'd tried to see Resin. The frustration returned, the feeling of uselessness. He just wanted to help and be a part of the pack, dammit! He hated being dismissed because of his age! By now, he reasoned the healers must have either gotten Sirius in stable condition or lost him. Either way, he needed to go see the Warlord, to make sure he hadn't made a grave mistake.

Artorias turned from the ocean view and made his way back into the castle, wandering the warm, silent corridors he had come to know so well until he found his way to the infirmary. It was noticeably quiet here now; his assumptions about the healers must have been right. A knot formed in the boy's throat and, after swallowing it back and gathering his courage, he stepped through the partially open door. The old hinges creaked a little as they opened, and he spotted Tamsyn sitting beside the bed Sirius lay in. She didn't seem distraught which boded well for their patient's condition. "Is he awake...?" he called over to his mother, trying to keep his volume low so as not to disturb Seer if he was resting. Even before waiting for her answer, Art was already crossing over to the them, his steps slow and measured, cautious and nervous. He was no longer angry or out of control, but cold guilt had since replaced the fire and he didn't know how to deal with it.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

Exhaustion had hit him pretty heavily after being patched up. He had spoken to Tam, and then drifted in and out of consciousness. Every time he woke, she was right there with him. The closeness, the hovering care, reminded him of Zee. it hurt but he couldn’t ask her to leave. Not after what he had done to her. Besides, he wasn’t entirely certain she would listen to him, Warlord or no. She had decided to make it her personal mission to keep him alive, and her determination was almost frightening.

He was drifting back into it when he heard the steps of another wolf. Assuming it was another healer come to hover over him, he tightened his closed eyelids, and waited for them to do whatever they needed to and bugger off. He had never been a good patient. That time he had broken his leg, he had just about his entire pack stepping in eggshells around him.

Even Zee had kept her distance.

He had a feeling that Tam wouldn’t be backing away any time soon. It seemed the more he scared her, the tighter she clung to him.

The healer was speaking, only it wasn’t a healer, it was Art. Well, there was a conversation he thought he would have more time to work his way up to. Art his godson. He had done something terrible to Art, and he didn’t want to open his eyes and see the hate in that noble blue wolf's eyes. “No.” he answered Art.

Tamsyn chuckled and swatted him - he assumed that was an order to behave - before she got up from her watch and left the room. Leaving him to face Art alone, the traitor.

"Speech"

When he drew nearer to the bed and heard Sirius answer his question with a pouting "no", the blue boy blinked in surprise, then managed a weak, relieved chuckle under his breath. Sirius was alive—he was alive and making snarky remarks. That was a good sign and brought him a little comfort. He hadn't killed the Warlord, and although he was sure it would be an accolade many a wolf would love to claim, he had no desire to be the wolf that slew the Warlord of the Armada.

Tamsyn slipped out of the room past him, allowing the two brutes a chance to talk in private. For a short while, Artorias hovered just a few feet away from Seer's bed, trying to steel his nerves to come closer and talk to the wolf he had almost murdered. In his mind, Artorias had always envisioned any life he took to be for a good cause: defending his pack, saving a life, winning a duel against a force of wickedness or evil. As it turned out, he had almost killed a friend out of pure fucking anger. Noble was anything but how the boy was feeling right now...

Once he had gathered up his courage, Art sucked in a slow breath and took the final few steps forward to assume the position Tamsyn had at the side of Sirius' bed. It was almost better that he hadn't opened his eyes; it allowed Art to really look at what he'd done up close without having to see the blame in those sky blue eyes. "I'm sorry..." The words finally tumbled out of his mouth, spoken softly and without his usual confidence or charisma behind them. They felt cheap, hollow compared to what he had done, but it was all he could think to say. "I lost control, and I- I've never lost control before... Not like that..."

He didn't want to say how much it scared him looking back on events, how easy it had been to slip out of his composure and just act. Amber eyes were softened with guilt and self-reproach while he looked over the "sleeping" Warlord. Nothing he could think of could make right the damage he had done today. "I just... I wanted to make sure I didn't..." Kill you. The words never left his tongue, but there was no mistaking what he had meant to say. Artorias didn't know what he'd do if he had gone all the way and killed Sirius. He didn't dare think about that. He was just relieved that Seer would live.

"Do you want me to go...?" he asked after a few minutes of silence between the two, his eyes turning down to stare at his paws so he wouldn't have to keep looking at Sirius like he was a corpse on display at a wake. He wouldn't blame him if he did. He'd send his mother back in so at least he wouldn't be alone.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

“No” He said angrily, his eyes snapping open. “No”’ he said again, more softly. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I lost control, and I steered you into this. I held hostage the things you loved, and gave you an ultimatum in the moment.” It hurt to hear the guilt in Arts voice, and that was for only almost killing him. Tam was right, he knew that already, but this drove it home. Art wasn’t ready to hold that on his conscience.

Regret tensed his muscles, and he winced as he tried to sit up and look at Art. He hurt all over, he was impressed at the number Art did on him. “You're pretty wicked with a blade Art, I’m impressed” He hadn’t tried to defend himself, but even if he had - Art would have given him a run for his money.

He reached out as though to grab Arts paw, and then stopped himself, letting it fall to his side. “I let things get out of control, and I’m truly sorry for it, Art.” What did you say to the boy used and abused in order to try and commit suicide? There were no words that could fix it. “Briar… Briar is fine. Mostly she just got a fright, but she’s fine.” he said, because he knew Art would want to know. He had grazed her skin, and it would be a quick heal. It could have been so much worse, but there was no point putting that out there right now. When he did eventually reach a point where he was too dangerous for those around him, it would not be Art he turned to.

"Speech"

Artorias was taken aback by the sternness in Sirius' sudden words. The older man apologized to him for pushing him, for riling him up and driving him to what had happened. Art's ears folded back to his head, a show of shame, while he just listened to his words. He appreciated what Seer was doing, but he had to be honest, they both shared the blame here. When Sirius began to move, Art turned to face the ailing Warlord more readily, still not turning away, even after sticking him gods knew how many times. A little wry smirk of pride turned the boy's frowning lips upward when the Warlord complimented his abilities with a blade. "Thanks. I've been practicing every day," he said, though the humility in his simple answer did not do his dedication justice. Artorias had not missed a single day of training, constantly working to improve himself to be worthy of his parents' legacy. Now that he'd seen what combat was like with a real edged blade, he couldn't wait until he was old enough to start practicing with one of his own.

"It wasn't just you. We both lost control," he reaffirmed with a shake of his head, refusing to let Seer take all the blame onto himself. "I've never felt like that before... I didn't know how to handle it. I've... never been so angry before..." It felt like a cheap excuse, but he wasn't using it as one. Artorias was unfamiliar with the rage that had possessed him during their fight, which led to it overwhelming him. It frightened him to think about ever losing control like that around anyone he cared about. But Seer... he had always seemed so composed, so level-headed... Seeing the larger than life Fatalis patriarch lose his cool just like he did made him wonder if perhaps he understood all too well what Art had felt.

Seer reached for him—and then just stopped. Artorias gave him a confused look, wondering if he blamed himself the way Art was doing to himself. He slowly lifted a blue paw and rested it over the one Sirius had reached for him with, his smaller paw on top of the man's larger paw, making the first contact to show he still wasn't afraid and held no blame in his heart. Sirius explained that Briar was alive and fine, that she had mostly been spooked, but not badly harmed. That brought more relief to Artorias than anything else could, the tension melting from his body while his eyes brightened and shoulders slumped and relaxed; his friend was alive and well. "Good... She's my best friend." He didn't feel a need to have to explain why he cared about his daughter to Sirius, but it just came naturally. He cared for Briar, he couldn't imagine a world where she didn't exist in it.

"Mister-" Artorias paused, his words dying in his mouth. The formal decorum and addresses didn't feel right in this moment. "Sirius..." That felt better. "...How do you deal with it? The anger when you can't fix something? I don't want to keep feeling like I could snap like I did with you." He didn't want to keep feeling angry or not now how to handle it. Seer had always felt like someone he could relate to, connect with. Maybe the wiser Warlord would know how to help him. "I'm just so tired of feeling useless all the time," he sighed, turning his eyes down while his frown deepened. That's all he had been to anyone lately. Useless. Just an obstacle to work around, unable to help or contribute in any meaningful way, left shouting on the sidelines and ignored by everyone when he tried to protect them.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

The Warlord laughed softly, through there was little anger to it. “I don’t think your parents truly knew what they were getting into when they gave me your name. Protective to a fault, with a tendency to blinding rage when those that are yours are under attack.” Though he didn’t seem to have some of the Warlords nastier traits. His possessiveness, and how difficult he found it to love someone new. Someone that wasn’t his. Self destructive tendencies - through that was a new one.

“Rage… rage can be blinding, Art. There are tactics you can learn to help your control over it, but in truth, I can’t say I've fully mastered them myself.” some things in life had given him greater control - like Zee, and Tam. Other factors ensured he lost it.

Art reached for him, and the warmth of the younger pups paw on his pricked something inside of him. He wanted Art to be his. This young, prideful, noble warrior. He was going to grow into something magnificent… if Sirius didn’t screw him up before then. He was already partly his, but he was losing Resin, and Sirius had lost Zee and Azure. Those holes could never be filled, but perhaps they could be patched up, just a little, with the help of the other.

“I’ll show you some of the tactics once i’m out of this bed, Art. There are things like meditation to help you find your calm center. In the meanwhile here’s what I do - picture something in your mind's eye that you love. Picture them, and think ‘how would they feel if I let my rage go’ and hold onto that feeling.” Zee’s anger with him after the fallout of one of fits had eventually helped him to get a grip. She had made him be better.
“One of the hardest lessons you will ever face Artorias, is one of two things. It's when the fight is not something you can physically tackle, or when you can only watch and not help when another fights an enemy and your loyalty or situation demands that you have to stay behind.”


[color=#17a7d1]"Speech"

It was impossible for Artorias to resist smiling when the Warlord's laugh filled the otherwise quiet infirmary and he commented on neither of his parents knowing what they were getting into when they had given him the name Sirius. To some extent, it was the truth. Growing up, Artorias had been told about his namesake, of the brave and powerful and admirable wolf that led their sister pack with a firm yet loving paw. The stories of Tamsyn's and Resin's time in the Armada with Sirius had always been his favorite stories, and while it had been no secret that he aspired to be just like them, Art had also aspired to be like Sirius. A powerful protector, a force for defending those he loved and cared for, a name that struck dread into his enemies' hearts. That was what made hurting him that much more difficult to the boy. He felt like a part of him was desecrating his role model—or maybe it was humanizing Seer more than he liked. Suddenly, this nigh invincible figure had been laid low by relentless rage and violent bloodlust at Artorias' own paws. As he got older, that dark truth seemed to become more and more prevalent: nothing lasts forever.

Something inside Sirius' eyes stirred emotions inside the young boy when he touched the Warlord. There was pain in those blue eyes, but also a look of pride, of admiration—was that a bit of possessiveness too? He couldn't tell. All Art knew was that when he had been at his lowest, feeling like the world had cut him down to size, Seer had come running to his family's aid. Even when he screwed up, he admitted to his wrongs and had nearly paid for it with his life. And even after all that, he was able to convince Artorias that none of this was his fault. There was a longing inside the boy's soul, hurting for the things he had lost when Resin had slipped away from them. As much as he hated to admit it, his fight with Sirius had given him the channel that he needed at the time. Seer was trying his best to help him.

Artorias listened with attentive eyes and keen ears as Seer gave him some rudimentary instructions to managing his own inner fury, then promised to show him some more once he had healed up. It was a fair request, one that Art was looking forward to. Sirius' final lesson was a hard one, but one he took with all the serious attention he would have any other important life lesson. He was already experiencing what it was like to try to fight something he could not physically touch. The other lesson piqued his curiosity, as it sounded like there was a story behind it. He had never found himself in a situation where that had happened, and he hoped he never would.

"Thank you, Sirius," he replied, heartfelt and appreciative for the Warlord's guidance and support. With a small smile gracing his lips, Artorias leaned his head closer to Seer's and nudged against the side of the injured wolf's neck in a short nuzzle. With Sirius, it almost felt like having a third parent, someone else looking out for him, watching over his family, even if it was from afar more often than not. "What can you do when you're in those situations? Where you can't fight for whatever reason?" He then followed up his question with a more specific one. "Is Briar really okay? I'm nearly a year old, I can take the truth." It wasn't that he didn't trust Sirius' word, but he was so tired of others shielding him from the truth or the details because they thought he was too young. Seer had been the only one to not spare him the gristliness of the real world. He cared deeply for Briar, and he'd rather know a harsh truth than be sold a kind lie.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

He didn’t know what Art was thinking, but it seemed that the ruffled feathers between them had eased. It shouldn’t have, not with what Sirius had done. Perhaps Art didn’t fully comprehend it yet, how Sirius had tried to lead him to murder. It would sit in his chest like a led regret, but perhaps it would serve to remind the Warlord what selfishness could cost.

He swallowed past the pain the boys thanks gave him, and wordlessly gave the boy paw a pat in lieu of a verbal response. It was becoming very clear to Sirius that his loyalties and time were going to be split between the Armada and the Hallows. The pack and his family needed him, but so did this part of his family. And he needed them. Art and Tamsyn both.

He closed his eyes and leaned into Arts nuzzle, feeling a desperate need to protect this boy. It was a frantic feeling bubbling up inside of him - because the Warlord had discovered recently that he could not protect those that he loved. There were some things that he was utterly powerless against. It mirrored Arts question, and his throat was dry and sore when he answered. “Nothing, nothing at all, and I can think of nothing worse.” He admitted. He grimaced, and pulled his weight to one side, where one of his injuries was pulling at him. They were beginning to itch as well, which was not a fun feeling. “Can you pass me the water?” He asked, making use of the uninjured young boy well he was there.

He gave a sigh-like laugh at Arts last question. “I’ll send for her, and you can see for yourself. I know you won't truly believe until then. Besides, she’ll need you. She’ll need a friend. She just lost her mother.” He coughed past his dry throat, and hid his grief his words brought in the gesture.

"Speech"

The weight of the situation still hung heavy in Artorias' mind, even as Sirius returned his nuzzle and patted the paw that he was touching him with. But Artorias simply could not bring himself to fully blame Sirius for what had transpired. Seer had goaded him, egged him on, pushed him to the edge—but it had ultimately been Artorias who had acted. He had taken the bait, drove the dagger into his neck, lost control. He had every opportunity to walk away. He could have stopped the fight when he realized Sirius wasn't fighting back. But he didn't. He had let his rage dictate his actions and his responses. Perhaps to some Sirius did share a greater portion of the guilt as an adult, but Art just did not see it that way. They were both at fault, and they would both work through it together, because it was fast becoming apparent that they needed one another.

Although Sirius' answer hadn't been the one he had hoped for, it was the one Art needed to hear nonetheless. There was nothing to be done in situations where they could not participate or fight back. It was the same thing he had heard from Lúta when he'd asked the healer about how they could help fix Resin. It was a harsh lesson the boy was slowly coming to understand. Sometimes there was nothing you could do, no matter how much you wished there was. Artorias swallowed hard, thinking of his mother all alone in her cell, wasting away into nothing. He would need to go see her again soon. With any divine grace, she would still be herself...

Sirius asked Art for the water, and the boy immediately perked up, turning to spot the water skin and empty bowl lying just out of reach. He hopped up to his feet and snatched the water skin up, bringing it with the bowl back over and laying both beside the Warlord in his bed. He popped the stopper off and poured the contents into the bowl, then set the empty skin back on the floor. He made a note to make sure someone knew to refill it for their patient.

When Seer said he'd send for Briar, Art's face lit up with a light it had been devoid of for the last several days. He breathed another sigh of relief, a slow smile crawling its way across his face. Good, that meant Briar truly was okay. The grim reminder that the Fatalis family had just lost their matriarch as well as an older sibling dampened his happiness, and his smile slowly melted off his lips. That was right... Not only had Sirius lost his mate and his son, Briar and the others had lost their mother and brother. Artorias tried to imagine the pain, the grief, the confusion at the sudden loss they faced. He tried to imagine how he would feel if he was not only losing Resin, but Rudyard or Gwynevere too. His heart wrenched in his chest; he wanted to be able to help Sirius, but this was also one of those situations where his strength meant nothing.

"I'm sorry I never got the chance to meet Zee," he said after a moment, ears still flat to his head while empathy clouded his bright eyes. "I wish I could fight the pain... All of it; mine, yours, everyone's. I wish there was something I could do besides just hurt all the time." Artorias looked away for a moment, giving himself some headspace to gather his thoughts and keep those emotions from building up into another breakdown or sobs. He peered over at the far windows, at the murky gray light spilling in from the icy day outside.

"I hope you know how lucky Briar is that you're her dad. You're about the best anyone can get." A rueful smile twisted at the corners of his mouth. "I'll probably never know my dad. Mom says she doesn't know who it is. I don't know what that means, but... sometimes I think that's for the best." He finally looked back to Sirius then, trying not to let the melancholy creep into his voice or his eyes. It had always been a sore spot for the boy, getting to watch other families be "normal". He wouldn't trade his family for anything in the world, of course, but it was enough to make him wonder all the what ifs that came with it. "Besides, Resin's been kinda like the other dads I see, and when you're around, it's kinda the same thing, right?"


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

He took a moment to take a long drink of the water Art had filled for him, letting it wash the dryness and grief from his throat. Grief that washed back only a moment later as Art admitting to having never met Zee. hadn’t he? They had spent some time in the pack, and well it had been more of a chance for Resin and Tams children to meet his - surely Zee had been there? He tried to look back in his memories and find her, but doing so was so painful he had to give up after a moment. Her loss was too fresh, it hurt to think about the places she had been. The places she belonged.

“There it is, that hardest lesson. I’m sorry you’re having to learn it so early, Art.” He whispered softly. Resin, Zee, Azure. Why couldn’t they stay with him forever?

He wasn’t sure what he thought of Art calling him the greatest dad - but then he hadn’t been exposed to many fatherly figures. Tamsyn and Resin had been more than enough for the boy. If Art had called him the greatest mother he would have had no choice but to correct him. Both Tam and Resin made far better women then him. His muzzle twitched into a painful smile.

It surprised him at first to learn that Art ‘knew’ that he had a ‘father’ but after reflection, he realised that Tam and Resin wouldn’t keep that from him. He wondered if Artorias also knew then that he shared no blood relation to Resin. He shook the thought away. The majority of Seers family were made up of the wolves he had chosen, so blood had never mattered to him in the first place. Art shared no blood with him either, but he was his godson. His child. Family.

He pushed the water bowl aside and playfully jabbed Arts side, trying for a little bit of humor. “Your wrong, Resin makes a far better father than me” - on a more serious note. - “You are one of mine Art, forever and always.”
"Speech"

His attempts to make the boy smile had worked, Artorias couldn't resist a toothy grin and a reflexive laugh when Seer jabbed at his side with a paw. Art had never been a very playful child as a pup, having dedicated most of his time to working towards the path of the warrior he asked to take under Resin's guidance, but that didn't make him invulnerable to things like tickle spots, of which he had plenty of along his sides. Smiling at the Warlord felt easy, natural... which is why it had been so hard for him to keep up his anger during their fight. He didn't want to be angry at Sirius, didn't want to hurt him. He had had no choice though. Maybe that was where real strength and courage was needed the most: to make those hard decisions and take difficult action when it was needed, but not necessarily wanted. Today had been a tremendous learning experience. It had also been exhausting, physically and emotionally, and Artorias just felt drained as the dust settled.

"Well, maybe we should both be calling her dad then instead of mom," he quipped back with a chuckle, some of his dry humor returning to him as he played to the fact that Resin had adopted both him and Seer. Sirius' suddenly serious comment that Artorias was one of his made the boy's heart swell with pride and sink with guilt. Being called one of the Warlord's wolves felt like such a huge honor, and he silently vowed to uphold that honor. But at the same time, this was coming from the wolf he had nearly murdered. He did not deserve that honor after today. No matter how much Sirius insisted it wasn't his fault, Artorias would take part of the blame, and he wouldn't fully forgive himself until Seer had fully recovered, the same way he wouldn't stop worrying about Briar until he saw her. That was just who he was; he cared for and worried over the wellbeing of his loved ones and would not rest if one of them was out of sorts in any way.

The happiness to hear that final sentiment was written clear over Art's face. He may not have had the words to appropriately reply, but the emotion was easily readable in his eyes. He was beginning to understand why Tamsyn had found such comfort and security in the possessiveness of the Armada Warlord. Everything he said was resolute, firm, unyielding. He was like a harbor in the storm that was the world. That was what Artorias longed to be as well. Shelter in the storm. The shield that guarded the Hallowed lands. A barrier between good and evil. A light in the darkness.

"Other wolves keep telling me that I'm going to be leading the Hallows one day," he confessed to Sirius, a touch of nervousness and uncertainly entering his expression. "I don't know how true that is... but if it is, I have a favor to ask you. Mom Resin, she was still teaching me what it means to be a leader before she-" He couldn't say the last words. He swallowed them back, then continued, "If I need help—guidance or lessons on what being a good leader is—can you teach me too?" Artorias was always planning, thinking of the future, of what came next. He didn't know if his path would ultimately lead him to leadership or not, but if it did, he wanted to have as many friends with him when he walked it as possible. Sirius, arguably the most accomplished alpha outside his mother, would be one of the greatest companions to have on that journey.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

A thousand words

He laughed in surprise at the boy's tease. “Maybe we should at that” he agreed, wondering what Resin would think if he walked down into that dungeon and called her father. Maybe he would do it anyway, her laughter was seldom heard these days.

Art didn’t respond to being called ‘his’ but he could see the pride in the boy. The Warlord would have to do better, be better, to make up for how he had wronged Art. But calling him ‘his’ felt right. Perhaps his parents had felt a touch of insight to the future, calling this boy Sirius. He felt drawn to him, and knew he belonged in Seers heart.

One day, Art would be a seasoned warrior, following whatever path he desired in the world, and he would do a far better job then Sirius when he got there. The Warlord would do what he could to help him along that path.

As through reading his thoughts, Art reached out to the Warlord and asked him to help guide him into being a leader. The Warlord hid his smile. He was still injured and aching, inside and out, but being around the boy reminded him of brighter things. “ Whatever path you chose to take, I know you will do Resin proud.” He promised Art softly. “But yes, I will be there for you, every step of the way.” He closed his eyes as he made that promise. Wondering if Art fully knew what it meant. If he was to be there, helping to guide Art, then he had to truly give up his quest to return to Zee. He would see her again, one day. When his bones ached, and his childrens, childrens, children were making their way out into the world. It would be a long, long wait, but he would see her again one day.

"Speech"

Watching the way Sirius laughed, the shifting light and shadow of pain and hope in his pale blue eyes, his movements dulled by the injuries inflicted upon his body and soul, it made Artorias realize why his mothers had given him the name of the Warlord. Sirius was by far one of the strongest wolves he had seen, ranked high alongside his mothers. Who else could endure so much, be so much for so many others, and still keep going as if he would perish the moment he stopped? It was Sirius' dedication to his wolves and the drive to do right by them that had inspired Art so, and why he now felt a compulsive need to fix the broken man. He wanted to see the mighty Warlord restored to glory, to overcome the daggers life had driven into him. He wanted to stand beside Seer as he grew to an adult, learning and growing from the wise alpha, until the world saw both Siriuses lording over two mighty packs with love and protection. More than anything, he wanted to do right by those who came before him—to bring honor and respect to the name Sirius, to the name Carpathius. To leave the world better than he had found it.

Artorias smiled brightly, not enough to flash any teeth, but a damn sight better than the remorseful frown he had slunk into the room wearing. He was overjoyed to hear Seer would still want to devote time and patience to teaching him the ways of the world and how to be the best damn leader he could be. The world was robbing him of Resin, but he would always have Sirius at his back. The young lad would never be able to put into words how gratifying and comforting that felt. Over time, he would earn his retribution for what he had done to Sirius today, and he would make sure every scrap of effort put into him was made worth the Warlord's while. Artorias choked back the emotions gripping at his insides when Seer said he would do Resin proud no matter what he picked. It was all he could ask for.

"I hope you know that means you can't go around letting wolves take free stabs at you anymore then," he said with an edge of dry sarcasm in his tone, still trying to keep the humor alive to lighten their spirits. Both of them felt like shit enough; they needed to heal, to repair themselves inside and out. "Thank you, Sirius. I promise I'll do my best." He would do whatever he could for Seer, even if it was just being there, like Tamsyn was doing. She was a close friend with Seer, and he wanted to be the same—if not more akin to a father-son dynamic. But maybe that was hoping for too much. After all, the Fatalis patriarch had enough of his own kids to worry about. Speaking of... "I'll send my raven to go fetch Briar. I'm sure she wants to see you too," he said, tapping Seer's paw with his own as they still sat touching. "Um... I should probably leave you to rest, huh?" He didn't want to keep the injured wolf from getting his sleep to recuperate, but only if they were done talking.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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A thousand words

Giving up his quest to see Zee wasn’t an easy one. He understood why he had to, but a selfish part of his heart would always feel hellbent on finding her again. His pack, his kids - All of them, including Art - his friends. These had to hold an importance in his heart. Tamsyn was right to keep him here, to make him stay for their sake.

Art echoed his thoughts, and he gave a wry grin to the boy. “I’ll make sure I stab them back next time” he agreed, making a playful jab at Art’s ribs. Grimacing as moving that far pulled more stitches then he could count. Damn wounds. Maybe they would serve as a reminder to the Warlord for a while yet.

“That would be good, thank you. Just make sure your Raven finds Naiche, too. He’s easy to spot, he’s the brightest yellow wolf in the pack - and let him know Briar will be heading to the Armada” no point giving his General a heart attack when he found one of his charges missing. He leaned back against the bedding. “I’ll be dividing my time between Hallows and Armada, we will have meditation and practices each time i’m here” he promised Art.

"Speech"

Artorias laughed again when Sirius jabbed at his side again, claiming he'd stab his next foes back. "Good! I'd have doubts about a warlord who doesn't fight back," he teased the larger man in turn. He was quick to rise to Sirius' aid when the dire wolf grimaced in pain, but easily settled back down. He nodded to Sirius's directions, making sure he had memorized them carefully to the letter. Send Corbin to retrieve Briar, then have him deliver a message to a bright yellow wolf named Naiche on behalf of the Warlord. Let him rest, let him heal, and then when he returned they would begin their lessons together. A hopeful smirk played on the young lad's lips; this Seer was a far cry from the Seer he had mercilessly stabbed in the neck in the courtyard only hours before. It was amazing what a near-death experience would do to someone. Or maybe that was still the blood loss talking... Whatever it was, Art was happy to see Sirius gradually returning to the way he remembered him being. The angry, hollow shell of what the Warlord truly was had been a cheap imitation, one he had been glad to shatter to bring this wolf, the wolf his family adored, back to them.

"I'll get that taken care of at once. I'll send my mom back in so she can stay with you." Even though he was still a little upset at Tamsyn regarding this entire situation, he was glad that she was staying so close by Sirius to make sure he was okay and taken care of. The two wolves shared an intense closeness, one he hadn't even seen between his two mothers. Bowing his head to the Warlord to take his leave, Art rose back up and gave a final gentle nudge of his head against Seer's. "Thank you again, sir," he spoke softly, stepping away to allow him to go back to sleep if he wished.

On his way out the door, Artorias lingered and glanced back to the dire wolf resting on the bed. A strange longing for something tugged at his heart, but he wasn't able to quite place it. Maybe one day he would, and maybe one day he would be able to put those emotions into words he could speak or actions he would convey while he walked the Path of the Warrior. But for today, it was enough to know that Seer was still alive. He hadn't fucked up too badly. "I'll see you back on the Path, Warlord," he called back with a little grin, and then he slipped out the door, waiting until Tamsyn had gone back in to rejoin him before heading off to find Corbin.

He had work to do.



— E X I T —




"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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