Their mom was gone, dead.  As the first hint of darkness touched the sky Rudy watched the beach with a mournful calm to him.  Mom was dead.  Mom wasn’t hurting anymore.  The question that his mind backtracked to was what was after death?  Did you just die and poof nothing?  Could the dead see the living?  Did the essence or spirit or whatever remain in some way?  Rudy had told mom that Art and himself would be leaders and they’d make her proud.  Would she be able to be proud somewhere from the grave?  That or she was simply gone.

Either way, mom wasn’t hurting anymore.

The day had been warm, the night was easing the temperature and the breeze that blew in across the water ruffled through his fur was pleasant touch.  Well, enough thoughts on the dead for now.  Rudy tilted his head up and howled for Art.  He owed Art a beach spar and this time it would be won Rudy aimed to win.  Sure, Art was stronger and had more experience but Rudy had luck and hopefully Art hadn’t practiced as much in the sand or surf?

Rudyard Carpathius

In the days that had followed Resin's funeral, Artorias had become quiet and withdrawn, brooding and moody without saying much to anyone. Briar had come for the funeral and stayed with him to help keep him grounded while the swirling vortex that his life had been the last couple seasons finally began to settle into a dreary state of normalcy. Now that his mother had passed, the world seemed to be getting back to the way it was, proceeding as if nothing had even changed. As if one of the greatest wolves to ever live hadn't been suddenly and violently ripped from it. But he noticed; he felt the loss deeply. In his life, he had never dwelled much on what came after death. It wasn't a topic their parents had ever broached, nor did he ever think to consider it in his young life. Now he was forced to face that dark reality. What came after death?

Artorias was sitting in the great hall all by himself in the quiet room, staring blankly at the empty chair Resin had once occupied—the chair Ulric now occupied with his family at the head of the pack. His lip curled upward. While he respected the Adravendi man as his alpha, it felt wrong seeing him sit where Resin had been only months ago, like a slap to the face and a constant reminder of what his family had been forced to endure. His right shoulder ached with the healing muscle Resin had torn into in her final battle, the pinkish skin scarring over. Now both he and Tamsyn would bear marks of Resin's final slip into insanity for the rest of their lives. How fitting... The wolf he had looked up to, aspired to be, leaving him with her mark just before she left him.

A howl for him in his brother's voice broke him out of his brooding. It sounded distant, and to the west. Was Rudy at the beach? Curious, Artorias left the great hall with a final parting glance at the Aegis' seat, leaving the castle grounds bound for the shore. It wasn't hard to spot the gray and white form of his brother amongst the golden sands, and he approached with a raised brow and cocked head. "Rudy," he regarded his brother while he came closer, taking a seat next to his sibling and staring out over the ocean shimmering in the bright, warm summer sun. A gentle coastal breeze fluttered his fur while he waited to hear what Rudy had on his mind.

"Artorias" | "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.
____________________

“Hey Art,” Rudy offered with a bit of cheer on greeting.  Rudy knew Art well enough to imagine a small amount of his brothers hurt.  Neither one would ever know exactly how the other felt and he did acknowledge Art had spent more time with mom than Rudy had.  It wasn’t just the time though, Art had always been more serious and focused and in Rudy’s mind sometimes needed help finding the good side of things.  Certainly, now it would be harder than ever.

“You know,” Rudy offered straight to point as he looked towards the surf, “I seem to recall recently discussing who would end up with their head underwater in our next brawl at the beach.” That had been stated before mom died.  It was ages ago, lifetimes ago, at least one wolf's lifetime ago. “I bet, with no weapons, no armor, no pets that I could be the one having to pull you out of the water this time.”  Rudy remembered how upset Art was when the darker wolf had thought he’d potentially gotten Rudy killed.  Heh.  Rudy would never die easy.  Fate and luck liked him too much for that.

The thought of talking about mom and feelings and even mentioning death had been considered.  Someday maybe they would discuss it but not right now.  Right now Rudy decided Art needed some sand in his mouth.  “Hmm, but then again I wonder if you stand a chance without your sword,” the challenge was stated with classic Rudy smirk.  Art was still the most likely to win but they could both use this.  

Rudyard Carpathius

Artorias did have to admire how Rudyard always seemed to keep his spirits up, no matter how grim or melancholy the situation was. His brother always saw silver linings, always was the ray of sunshine through the clouds. Himself, he was more prone to brooding, anger, and dour thoughts, his mood much more wild than his brother's was. In his life, Artorias had tried to surround himself with wolves that helped keep him grounded and stable. Briar, Rudy, Sirius, Tamsyn, they all kept him even-keeled. Rudy brought up the conversation they'd had recently about who would win in another beach spar, and a roguish grin slowly crept its way across Artorias' muzzle, putting two and two together before Rudy even finished speaking. Ah, so that's why he'd called him down to the beach... Very clever, Rudy, very clever.

Rudyard set the terms of the fight: no weapons, no armor, no pets. Just the two of them, their own fangs and claws, the will of the gods, and the skills they'd developed. Secretly, Artorias was glad that this was what Rudy wanted. He had been concerned he was about to have another heavy conversation with his little brother, one he was not ready to have. Maybe someday... but not today. He cocked a wry smirk at Rudy's taunting of how much of a chance Art would have without his sword. Shooting Rudy a playful glare, Artorias gave a short howl for Corbin. The large raven came fluttering down to land on Artorias' back, cocking his head curiously. "We're going to have a fight, just ourselves. Take a break," he said. Corbin bobbed his head in a nod, then flapped away with a "Good luck, Master Artorias!"

Once Corbin had settled in a nearby tree, Artorias got to his paws and took a couple steps away from Rudyard. He unfastened the strap for Embershard's scabbard, unslinging the sword from his body and tossing it carefully to the soft sand. He began to unsnap each buckle on his armor, shrugging it off and slipping it over his head to land on the beach beside his weapon. Now naked and unarmed, Artorias gave his fur a tousle to fluff it out and turned back to face Rudy with a challenging grin and fiery eyes. "Y'know, as the one in charge of training you as a Knight, I'm very proud of your confidence," he commented to his mottled gray brother, spreading his paws to settle into his fighting stance. "But as your brother, I'm gonna warn you that I'm gonna kick your ass, Rudy. Come at me!" Amber eyes narrowed, white fangs bared, Artorias prepared for Rudy to get ready and for their beach brawl to start.

"Artorias" | "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.
____________________

Rudy made a silent affirmation to himself as Art lightened up a bit at the challenge.  Art had to remember the world had good things to offer, he had to know that the load of pain couldn’t be carried all the time.  The boy waited as Art gave Corbin instructions.  Rudy hadn’t brought his pets along though who knew where Reddy his hawk was at any given moment.

Rudy had never imagined how much more lethal Art would become when he got a real sword, watching his brother take it off he recalled back as pups how not everyone bought into the idea a wolf could do better with a sword than their own teeth.  Well, guess Art had shown any doubters how well it could work.  Rudy snorted at the comment of being in charge of knights, “yah, well, never bother listing me as another knight your in charge of,” Rudy stated dryly, “no charge over me, at least no more than any brother.”  The return was said with the same challenging tone but had it irked Rudy just a little inside?  

Somehow the idea of being clumped in with the knights and being under Art’s charge did actually rankle him when put that way.  Rudy didn’t label it arrogance but he was more than just a knight, a future leader even if it wasn’t acknowledged yet.  Rudy acknowledged it.  No one was in charge of him.  It had been ok when mom was the leader as that was mom who would be in charge for being moms well as station.  Flattening his own ears, getting into a defensive stance, “After I best you, I’m not letting you forget about it.”

Rudy charged in at his brother, putting his weight on his back paws so his front half could go slightly off the ground, a paw aimed towards the face even as his jaws went for Art’s neck.  The plan was if Art wanted to return bite there would be a paw in the way.  Rudy might hit his brother with the paw, he might get his paw bit, but the bet was he’d get to Art’s neck either way unless his brother backed up.  Rudy was betting on Art not backing away, not with his warrior's pride.

Rudyard vs Artorias for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Rudyard Carpathius

At Rudy's comment about not considering himself in charge of him, Artorias had to raise a brow. His brother was feeling feisty today, it seemed. He knew Rudy's ambitions and his drive, but there was a fine line between ambition and insubordination. Whether they liked it or not, the lines had been drawn, the ranks and roles assigned and assumed, and Artorias was responsible for overseeing the training of all the warriors—Rudyard included. But that didn't matter right now. All he had to focus on was the fight his brother was about to kick off.

"Show me what you've got, Rudy!" Artorias taunted his opponent, then braced himself as Rudy made the first move. Jaws came for his neck and a paw for his face. Unfortunately for his cocksure brother, Artorias had been training in unarmed combat with Sirius—and right here on the beach no less. Moving in the sand had become much less of a hindrance, though it did mean less stable footing for both wolves, and Artorias instead pushed forward into Rudy's attack to use this to his advantage. He timed his movements to push and roll his shoulder forward into his brother's jaws, shielding his throat and taking the brunt of the attack elsewhere. Rudy might bite his shoulder in the process, but it was far better than his vulnerable throat.

He felt Rudy's paw miss his face when he moved, glancing backwards to rake claws over his neck instead. Artorias growled while he kept his momentum up, pushing into Rudy with all his strength, counting on his larger size and more developed muscles to either force his brother back or topple him over onto the sand. If he stumbled back, Artorias would begin to pounce forward at his brother to try and take him off his feet. If he fell to the sand, he would be on him in an instant, jaws aiming for his neck to try and grab his brother's throat in turn.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Rudyard Carpathius for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Not used

"Artorias" | Thoughts

Rudy’s mouth connected with flesh!  Unfortunately, it was the shoulder and not a great bite as it was mistimed with how Art had rushed forward.  Rudy was up against Art’s brute strength and size being used to try and back him up or make him outright fall.  The grey-toned wolf let go of the shoulder fast.  Art wasn’t going to lose to an attack he was already aware of like that.

Rudy had an idea! It was an idea that might be horrible or great and there was no real-time to carefully consider it.  Best chance to see how dumb or brilliant it was would be a spar with his brother and no one else watching.  Either way, the moment Rudy thought it up the idea was put into play.  

Art clearly wanted Rudy to fall over so Rudy dove down.  He let his feet drop out from under so that his body would go down and one back leg stretched out to the side.  The other feet he’d been more careful of, he had fallen so they were still hidden under his lying down body.  His brother would come for the attack and the moment Art got in range Rudy planned to use that moment for a surprise attack to Art’s neck.  

Rudyard vs Artorias for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Rudyard Carpathius

Just as he had hoped for, Rudyard had toppled to the ground under the sudden rush Artorias had pushed back against him with. But there was something off about the way he went down. He didn't end up sprawled out on his side, or better yet on his back with his vulnerable parts exposed. Rudy had fallen almost too gracefully, like he'd dropped himself down to mimic a fall. Artorias' guard was up, but he also wasn't going to squander an opportunity to take advantage of his downed brother. As soon as Rudy was on the ground, Artorias pressed the attack, knowing he would either overwhelm Rudy or spring his brother's trap, whatever it was. With a ferocious snarl, Artorias lunged for Rudy, aiming to lock his jaws around his downed brother's neck just behind his skull. He was counting on the soft sand preventing Rudy from making any sudden moves, and if he could get a grip on his brother, pinning him down into submission would be a piece of cake.

Artorias Sirius Carpathius vs Rudyard Carpathius for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ year
Size: Extra large
Build: Medium
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Not used

"Artorias" | Thoughts

And the winner is...

Artorias

Rudyard must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Rudyard : Rolls:    94, 50, 65, 14 Adjusted rolls:    112.8, 52.5, 65, 14 Total:     293.16 Artorias : Rolls:    50, 11, 93, 56 Adjusted rolls:    52.5, 11.55, 116.25, 56 Total:     295.38