Time had passed, wounds were healing. There were still traces of pain but the sort one can ignore. Sometimes ghost pains came on, his nonexistent tail or the toes that no longer existed would suddenly say something hurt them, yet nothing was there to be hurt. These were things Rudy could move past and he couldn’t stand doing nothing a minute longer. There were deeper wounds in his heart that refused to heal when he spent so much time with lack of activity.

The normal chipper wolf had been quieter with less effort at fake cheer. There wasn’t a lot to be cheery about that his mind could imagine. So Rudy made his to the sparring area and howled for his brother. He needed to fight and he wanted it to be with family. He wasn’t going to be at his best, despite all the inner anger that burned in his soul the body needed strengthening to properly use it. So, if someone had to see him at his worst Art was the best choice.

Rudy started to get into an attack position while waiting, testing it then relaxed his muscles with a small huff of irritation at himself. He had tried to set his tail but other than some stub there wasn’t much to set in any position, sure wasn’t at risk of being bit. Yeah, he wanted to rip and tear into something. Were he stronger this fight would be taken off their land. He’d want the fight somewhere it was ok to tear into the partner but there was no chance he’d get a solid bite into his brother. Rudy cautiously stretched out, testing muscles then sat down to wait. Art could be busy so who knew how long the wait would be.

Rudyard Carpathius

Artorias, despite being alpha, was not busy. With the end times upon them all, many of the pack's duties and chores had fallen to the wayside. Tending to the sick and ill had taken priority, and in that regard, Artorias was virtually useless. He did offer Gwyn and Syanna protection whenever either needed to slip out of the castle to gather herbs, but beyond that, the Aegis mostly wandered the halls of his castle, patrolled the walls surrounding their home, and focused on keeping his family safe. There were plenty of dangers lurking out in the darkness, but until the Long Night either ended or the world finally succumbed to the darkness, it felt like everyone was just waiting on a razor's edge for something to happen.

The call from his brother came as a surprise, but a welcome one. Artorias had seen Rudyard up and about after recovering from his mauling at the jaws of Oxx, though the attack had taken a noticeable toll on his little brother's personality. The once boisterous and bright boy had become withdrawn and introverted, a shadow of who he had once been. Not like he could be blamed for it; Rudy had suffered through a terrible ordeal. But now it sounded like he had something to give him purpose. Artorias wasted no time heading down to the sparring arenas, spotting Rudy's mottled gray and white coat easily, even in the darkness. He approached, doing his best not to look at his brother's missing tail or toes while he greeted Rudy.

"Looking for a distraction, or a way to blow off steam?" he asked. Rudy was already in an offensive posture and it was clear what he wanted Artorias for. Of course, the young alpha would oblige his brother. This would be a delicate balance between being careful of Rudy's condition while also not babying him. Rudy would need to learn to live and fight in his new state and treating him gently would just do him a disservice. Twisting his head to and fro to pop the vertebrae in his neck, Artorias rolled his shoulders and stretched to loosen up his joints and muscles before assuming his fighting stance, paws bladed and level to his shoulders, head lowered to align his head and spine.

"Come at me as hard as you need to," he told his brother, fiery amber eyes sparking with electricity. "Don't hold back on me now, Rudy." Bloodshed was forbidden in their lands out of malice or spite, but since taking over, Artorias had made the rule more lax when it came to spars and training. If Rudy wanted to go for the gusto and take the gloves off, Artorias would reciprocate in kind. This fight's rules were up to Rudyard.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

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.
____________________

Art showed up faster than he expected and that was a relief. There came a time and place a wolf needed to act, in this case, needed to fight.  He’d been the victim of his inner demons while alone and resting.  Distraction or a way to blow off steam?  “Distraction, mound of steam, and necessity.”  Unless he planned to be worthless he needed to get in condition and do his part.  To be fair though he also just really wanted to fight.  “I’m sick of doing nothing.”  

Artorias needn’t fear his holding back.  It was debatable who Rudy was angrier at, Oxx or himself for being weak.  On top of all that he’d hurt Fern and she’d runoff.  He’d caused his family to worry.  Rudy couldn’t imagine much he had done right recently.  All of that and permanently damaged.  Toes wouldn’t come back, the tail wouldn’t come back.  He’d liked his tail damnit! Not that he ever thought about it until Oxx happened.  This first spar had to be with Art.  His brother knew him best and wouldn't coddle him.  Also, it was just right to learn how to fight like this with the same brother he'd learned to fight with as a pup.

 Rudy lunged in towards Artorias, attempting to feint to the left before attacking to the right shoulder.  It was a sloppy feint though, his balance wasn’t there, a back foot sliding out a short ways, so he doubted it would work.  Rudy still aimed to bite the shoulder but was ready to adapt to a different target if needed.  If Art did grab a hold of him Rudy wasn’t choosy with where his teeth sank in, chest, shoulder, or whatever.  Aiming and finesse would be great but not likely if Rudy couldn’t move fast enough.

Rudyard vs Artorias for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed leather bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Caiman hide armor
Companion 1: Tasmanian devil, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed hawk, Female - Flying
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter

Rudyard Carpathius

Rudy confirmed that he needed an outlet to vent, and fighting seemed to be the medicine prescribed today. The fight began with little exchange of words, the mottled Carpathius boy lunging for his larger dark-furred brother. Artorias watched Rudy's movements, noticing the lack of balance his brother had while he still got used to moving with some missing toes. Rudy's feint attack was sloppy and predictable, and Artorias was easily able to pirouette on his heels to veer just out of the way of Rudy's snapping jaws so his opponent got nothing but air. Now right on top of one another in close quarters combat, Artorias could rely on his greater size to try to overpower Rudy.

The black and blue brute aimed to push his body forward into Rudyard's side like a tackle, seeking to bring a paw up amidst his movements and wrap around Rudy's neck while his jaws moved to close the pincer maneuver around the other wolf's neck so he could lock him in a grapple. The plan was simple: grab Rudy, throw him down, then get him in a pin. But first he had to grab him, and Art knew how slippery his brother could be. Part of him wanted Rudy to get away and come at him again. He wanted his brother to fight back tooth and nail so he could invigorate his warrior spirit once more. A fight that ended in one move? That was no fun or good for either of them.

Artorias vs Rudyard for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

It was hardly the first time Art had aimed to pin Rudy and certainly not unexpected. The moment Art dodged and came up aside him Rudy could only assume that was his brother’s maneuver.  Normally at this point, Rudy would have tried to pull back to avoid the tackle, a fast backstep to gain clearance.  That might or might not work in the past.
 
Rudy instead grit his teeth, shoving his paws to the ground to press for more speed, to keep his body down low, and trying to get ahead of the grapple instead of swerving around.  Rudy didn’t expect to fully escape without impact, but if Art only got his rump Rudy would still be able to get free possibly.  This wasn’t just avoidance either, this was aiming for an opportunity.  Rudy was already down low and moving forward so it was the perfect position to aim for a bite at the underside of Art’s throat.  If he could get Art’s throat in his mouth then maybe he could even win.

The plan had problems with it but it was last moment and offered a lot more hope than previously.  This was new, this would be unexpected hopefully and, it didn’t require nearly as much balance work as the feint earlier had.  It might be an ugly win but he could do it!

Rudyard vs Artorias for spar
Round 2/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed leather bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Caiman hide armor
Companion 1: Tasmanian devil, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed hawk, Female - Flying
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter

Rudyard Carpathius

Artorias went for the grapple, but Rudy was quicker and darted straight out of his grasp, leaving the larger brute to only end up colliding with his brother's hind end. He tried to snap his jaws around where Rudy's tail should have been—then remembered there was nothing to bite onto. Rudy's maim had allowed him to completely evade Art's attack! Left blinking in surprise, Art tried to reorient himself in time to intercept Rudy's counterattack, but luckily for Rudy, he was still quicker on the jump. Artorias turned just in time to receive the brunt of Rudy's lunging bite, but with the way his body was turning, Rudy's fangs ended up glancing off of his collar bone and landing near his shoulder.

Artorias snarled in response and began to tilt his weight back, hoping to use the momentum of Rudy's attack to turn it into a throw. If he could successfully maneuver his feet just right, he'd be able to wheel Rudy about and get him on the ground in a pin, even with his teeth in his shoulder. As he turned and shifted his weight, Artorias would also try to crane his head to grab Rudy by the scruff just for added good measure to hold his brother to the ground if he managed to reverse the attack.

Artorias vs Rudyard for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

And the winner is...

Artorias

Rudyard must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Rudyard: Attack Roll: 81 Defense Roll: 2 Agility Roll: 21 Perception Roll: 42 Total: 146 Attack[81] + 45% Bonus[36.45]: 117.45 Defense[2] + 15% Bonus[0.30]: 2.30 Agility[21] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 21.00 Perception[42] + 10% Bonus[4.20]: 46.20 Total[186.95] + 20% Bonus[37.39]: 224.34 Artorias: Attack Roll: 46 Defense Roll: 26 Agility Roll: 78 Perception Roll: 95 Total: 245 Attack[46] + 75% Bonus[34.50]: 80.50 Defense[26] + 20% Bonus[5.20]: 31.20 Agility[78] + 25% Bonus[19.50]: 97.50 Perception[95] + 10% Bonus[9.50]: 104.50 Total[313.70] + 25% Bonus[78.42]: 392.12

Even as he felt himself swing around he had felt some satisfaction in scoring a bite.  He may lose but it wasn’t as much of a failure as it could have been.  Rudy felt himself get swung about, brows narrowed as he tried to tighten his group on his brother's shoulder.  When his back hit the ground his teeth dislodged, thinly raking thinly between skin and fur. Personal victory even if a lost battle.

Then something Rudy hadn’t expected happened.  Art pinning him wasn’t a surprise with how common of a way he’d bested Rudy in a fight.  The surprise was when Rudy’s heart picked up, pounded in his skull at the feeling of being pinned.  The surprise was the feeling of terror and wide eyes staring at Art and how Rudy pulled back his lips for a momentary snarl that came from a desperate need to protect himself as he realized he was helpless.  He didn’t see Art regardless of looking at him, he just saw a force that had him down and the sense of searing pain that was about to come as his body was mutilated.

It felt like his heart stopped forever, it only lasted a second.  It was Art’s scent that he acknowledged the next second, blinking his eyes it was his brother he saw.  Still, he’d attempt to shove his way free of his brother’s grasp.  Rudy wanted air suddenly as if it was somehow denied while pinned and he didn’t want Art to see the fear he’d felt for a moment, that was draining out with each breath.  Hell.  What was that about?

Was he a coward now also? Pride stitching together demanded he not be such a coward.  Cowards couldn’t get revenge, cowards couldn’t protect his family.  There was no moving forward till he got past all this, “another round,” he grumbled, looking to Art.   Rudy internally repeatedly told himself never to let anyone else ever see that expression on his face.  Oxx had to die.  Rudy needed to help him die or at least see it happen.  So, Art would help him to not be a coward.

Rudyard Carpathius

Artorias' maneuver had been successful, and using his brother's own momentum, he was able to sweep Rudyard right off his paws and throw him to the ground, albeit careful to not hurt him as he went. Once Rudy was on the ground, Artorias placed both paws on his brother's chest to pin him in place. This was nothing new for the two brothers—Artorias had pinned Rudy many times in the past—but this time, a primal fear and panic overtook Rudy's wide golden eyes as he struggled to get free. His brother's sudden panicked flailing freaked Artorias out, blinking rapidly while he stared wide-eyed at the mottled gray brute. He didn't resist or try to restrain Rudy when his brother shot up like a rocket, backing off to allow him space and air. The terror that he'd seen in Rudy's face in that moment... That was like nothing he'd ever seen in his usually bold brother's face before.

"Rudy-" Artorias started to apologize, but Rudyard cut him off by demanding another round. Art stood and stared at Rudy, considering his brother's demand for a moment. He weighed the benefit and risks with sparring again. Something had freaked Rudy out something fierce just now and it made the dark-furred Carpathian hesitant to continue. The only thing that convinced him to oblige Rudy's demand was when he recalled how he'd felt after his battle with Oxx. Artorias wanted to get back to his normal life as quickly as possible, get back to training and reclaiming his strength and confidence. Rudy was going through the same thing—except his little brother's trauma was significantly more damaging.

Fixing Rudyard with a resolute look, Artorias nodded and once more resumed his fighting stance. This time, Artorias took the initiative, kicking off the dusty ground of the arena to launch himself at Rudy. Artorias didn't try anything fancy to start, going for a straightforward tackle with his larger form charging at Rudy shoulder-first. He aimed to catch his brother in his chest and send him sprawling to the ground, keeping his head low and chin tucked in to shield his throat and prevent Rudy from trying to get any sneaky bites in there.

Artorias vs Rudyard for Spar rematch
Round 1/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

Rudy was ready to be defensive if Art had followed up with anything besides agreeing to a spar.  He didn’t want suggestions, he didn’t want apologies, sure as hell didn’t want pity.  The only thing he wanted was for that prior moment to not have happened and for the spar to start again right away.  Art really didn’t take that long to think about it but it seemed a good while to Rudy.

He could understand Art’s hesitance, could see his large brother considering it. Rudyard's jaw was set in determination.  Rudy needed this and he felt a bit of tension release at Artorias’ nod of agreement.  A faint smile tugged at Rudy’s muzzle, once again seeing the understanding. Nexxt amusement was to wonder if they’d get berated by Gwyn if they fought too rough.  Well, if Rudy didn’t admit to it he bet Art wouldn’t either.

Rudyard was not going to get slammed into the chest at the beginning just to be tackled and end up on the ground again right away!  Instinct demanded he step backward and to the right, using his stronger right legs to brace the landing.  It still wasn’t as fast as he liked, but instead of a shoulder to a chest, it was just Art’s overly bulky shoulder clipping Rudy’s shoulder.  It still ended up with Rudy stumbling back a step but the tackle at least didn’t work.  Even as he’d stumble Rudy wouldn’t waste that moment of them being in close and would aim a bite for his brother’s cheek, and it would indeed draw blood if it connected.

Rudy was doing as he always did and going off of whatever inspiration came to him.  Once he had his balance he attempted to get another stride away from his brother as he’d noticed something.  Both when Art charged and when Rudy stumbled dirt had been kicked up.  Rudy attempted to swipe the dirt from the ground and fling it at Art’s face if his concerned brother gave him time.  Rudy wasn’t waiting to see if it worked, if the dirt did get in Art’s eye it wouldn’t last long.  Rudy would follow it with a lunge in hoping for the lowered head to raise up so he could go for the neck, and if not the leg would do.

Rudyard vs Artorias for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed leather bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Caiman hide armor
Companion 1: Tasmanian devil, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed hawk, Female - Flying
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter

"Speech"

Artorias made contact with Rudy, but it was far from the full frontal bludgeoning he'd been gunning for. Rudy had managed to (somewhat) sidestep him, their shoulders clipping instead and staggering Rudy. Artorias turned to face off with his brother again—which turned out to be the wrong move to make. As soon as he did, he saw Rudyard's jaws coming for him, sharp fangs snapping down and raking over the skin of his cheek. Artorias grunted and backpedaled to put a couple feet of space between them. Warmth and wetness dampened his fur, and when he pushed a testing paw to his cheek, he found dribbles of fresh blood left behind by Rudy's teeth. Artorias fixed Rudyard with his burning amber gaze, eyes narrowed while he focused on his opponent. Rudy wasn't playing anymore, and neither would he.

The two wolves circled one another for a tense moment. Then Artorias saw his mottled opponent draw a paw back and swipe at the ground. After his battle with Oxx and the snowball that had been his undoing, Art had learned to keep a close eye on all of his opponent's moves—especially ones that affected the environment. When Rudy kicked up a spray of dirt his way, Artorias turned his head and closed his eyes, feeling the debris glance harmlessly off of his face, then faced his brother with a snarl. Rudy was already coming at him, but Artorias was going to remind Rudy that being bigger didn't mean you weren't agile as well.

Artorias timed a backwards step as Rudy lunged for his neck, feeling his brother's jaws pass harmlessly by. The dire brute then took the opening and close quarters with his brother to reply in kind, lunging with sharp teeth and powerful jaws to try and grab Rudy at the soft point of skin where his neck and shoulder met. At the same time, Artorias brought his paw up to swing for Rudy's face, using strength and claws to hopefully hit and disorient his opponent. With teeth and claws in play now, if any of his attacks landed, Rudy could likely count on blood being drawn in turn.

Artorias vs Rudyard for Spar rematch
Round 2/2
Age: 1+ years
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Damascus steel sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced leather cuirass
Companion 1: Common raven, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Silver cross fox - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Stronger teeth and jaws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Thicker fur - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Weaponsmaster

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

Rudyard normally would have no desire to hurt his brother but this battle had to be serious.  If it was just training with no consequences then how could he get past the fear of consequences?  The change in Art’s eyes made it very clear his brother was ready to take things up a level higher also.  Originally fighting hard but withholding the damage had been all Rudy had felt a need for.  Something about a moment of terror that changed a mindset.  If they didn’t fight seriously then how would Rudyard behave when a serious fight happened?  Let there be harsher consequences now for messing up.

Rudy’s aim was true but apparently, his brother was ready for that dirty trick. Still, his eyes had shut and hopefully, that would give the needed opening.  Art stepped back fast and Rudy’s attack completely missed.  Damn.

Rudy felt teeth clamp between neck and throat and inwardly cursed another potential loss.  Not yet! Clenching his jaw Rudy twisted his neck, just a bit, ignoring the fact it would mean the trickle of blood felt would be more than Art otherwise intended. He only needed the head tilted enough for a surprise.  When Art’s paw came for his face Rudy intended to sink his own fangs into it.  So, it all went down to if Rudy could twist enough at a cost of some blood and whose aim was truer, Art’s paw to his face or Rudy’s teeth to Art’s paw.

At least Rudy seemed fully in control of himself and in attack mode in this manner.  Teeth holding onto him wasn’t enough to cause the fear he’d felt earlier.  No, now he was still in full fighting spirit hoping to win.

Rudyard vs Artorias for Spar
Round 2/2
Age:  over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed leather bracers
Defensive Battle Accessory: Caiman hide armor
Companion 1: Tasmanian devil, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Red-tailed hawk, Female - Flying
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter

"Speech"

And the winner is...

Artorias

Rudyard must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Artorias: Attack Roll: 94 Defense Roll: 68 Agility Roll: 71 Perception Roll: 51 Total: 284 Attack[94] + 75% Bonus[70.50]: 164.50 Defense[68] + 20% Bonus[13.60]: 81.60 Agility[71] + 25% Bonus[17.75]: 88.75 Perception[51] + 10% Bonus[5.10]: 56.10 Total[390.95] + 25% Bonus[97.74]: 488.69 Rudyard: Attack Roll: 71 Defense Roll: 6 Agility Roll: 8 Perception Roll: 52 Total: 137 Attack[71] + 45% Bonus[31.95]: 102.95 Defense[6] + 15% Bonus[0.90]: 6.90 Agility[8] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 8.00 Perception[52] + 10% Bonus[5.20]: 57.20 Total[175.05] + 20% Bonus[35.01]: 210.06

It appeared that Artorias would once again get the upper hand over his little brother. The dark-furred Carpathian grabbed a firm hold around his brother's scruff, fangs gripping unyielding around fur and flesh. But Rudy didn't go down easy. The mottled wolf in his grasp thrashed and struggled, causing Artorias' hardened teeth to tear through skin until he tasted blood. Though Artorias' first instinct was to release Rudy and make sure his sibling was okay, he forced himself to keep fighting, treating this like a proper battle. Rudy was his opponent right now, and Artorias gave his enemies no quarter. Rudy had attempted to turn his head to bite at his swinging paw, but Artorias kept too tight of a hold on his brother's neck, preventing him from getting the twist he needed. His paw smacked hard into the side of Rudy's face, claws biting into his skin around his brow. Artorias was very careful to not rip or slash across Rudyard's face; he wanted to subdue his brother, not scar him for life.

Now with a firm hold on his brother's head and neck, it was a simple thing for Artorias to twist and push down with his weight on top of Rudyard, throwing him to the ground in one smooth judo-like throw. Once Rudy's body hit the ground, Artorias released his brother's neck and stepped back, giving Rudy some breathing room so as not to trigger another panic attack. He was panting hard from the effort of their fight, but that didn't stop him from checking over his brother to make sure he was okay. "Enough for now!" he said, moving back up to help Rudy to his paws if he needed it. "You okay?" He looked to the trickles of blood he'd left on Rudy's neck and brow. Dammit, Gwyn was going to skin them both if she saw them...

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

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.
____________________

The fight was fast, once again.  This time blood had been spilled on the both of them.  Rudyard had lost and that was frustrating but it was hardly a new frustration.  His brother was a damn good fighter and too damn tall and bulky.  Rudy had been willing to lose a bit of blood to win but the win would have to come another day.  Either he had to get stronger and faster or just trickier than Art.  Rudy had seen the paw coming but still was surprised at the force of impact.  Not that he was upset about it, truly Rudy was glad Artorias was willing to take the fight seriously enough, even if it did mean a bit more blood.  The new pain was minor and would cause no lasting damage so easy to brush off.

A soft grunt was let out as his body hit the ground, between the whack to the head and impact into the ground his brain took a few heartbeats to adjust.  Ironically in this case it was a good thing, those few heartbeats were all the time Art needed to step back and Rudy had no time to get concerned by it.  Rudy stood up, a flash of a grimace at the abused he’d just given his healing body.  A simple scrap or two and he could feel it in his bones. The pain was offset though, the earlier fear was offset in the fact he had gotten to fight.  Getting to take out some of that frustration and unused energy was more than worth the ache and stinging pain from the whole thing.  Some back part of his mind warned him it would hurt more the moment the energy granted from the fight faded.  Didn’t matter though, it was still worth it.

Silently he agreed with Art that it was indeed enough but he smirked at it all the same.  “Tired already huh?” Rudy had a lot of things he needed to fix but at least he felt refreshed enough to give at least one teasing jab to his brother.  “I’m alright.  So long as no one tells Gwynn we’ll probably both live.”  Rudy looked more focused at Artorias at that thought, somberly stating “no one needs to know about it, right?”  The ‘it’ being his panic attack and he doubted Artorias would tell anyone but it would feel better to hear the reassurance.  The last things Rudy wanted was anyone to try and pity him or label him a coward.  There were surely some wolves who would do one or the other and Rudy would have none of it.  Any family member who saw it would just have one more thing to worry about.  “Thanks though, I did need it.”

"Speech"

Although it was easy for Artorias to see through his littler brother's bravado, he didn't call him out on it. Rudy had been through hell and back again; the fact that he was able to stand and fight at all was in no small part a miracle! Artorias shot his brother a playful grin and laughed when Rudyard accused him of getting tired. "More like I'm afraid you'll actually try to hurt me if I push you too much," he remarked, jesting of course. He knew his brother would never intentionally harm him, but it at least lightened the atmosphere and didn't explicitly voice his concerns that he was pushing Rudy's recovering body too hard. Watching the humor wash away from the mottled gray wolf's face, Artorias simply gave Rudy a knowing smirk. "Needs to know about what?" A wink to suggest he knew exactly what Rudy meant and that he had his brother's back. No, no one—especially not their sister—needed to know about their scraps out here today.

There was something that needed to be said first though. "But... if you ever feel something starting up again, maybe talking to someone might help. It doesn't have to be me or Gwyn, but... it's better than keeping it bottled inside." Artorias knew what Rudyard was going through—well, he had an inkling. He hadn't been harmed nearly as grievously as Rudy had been by Oxx, but Oxx had definitely shattered his confidence when he'd raped the young alpha. The memory still haunted Artorias, as did the realization that if it wasn't for Bowen, Artorias' last conscious memory in life would've been his adoptive brother's bulk crushing him while he emasculated him.

Art managed a more genuine smile when Rudy thanked him, and he approached his brother and lowered his head to move to nuzzle Rudy's cheek with his own. "Hey, what're brothers for? I love you, Rudy. I'll always have your back,"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

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 smirked at the glib response about Rudy attempting to hurt him if it kept up.  Normally what he had wanted from Art was a bit of backup here, a bit of fun there and someone to share his dreams with.  Today it had been to keep a secret and his brother was giving him that too.  Rudy let out a slow exhale as he acknowledged that he had already expected Art to keep the secret.

Art’s next words made sense and were clearly the best path to take but Rudy had always bottled problems up.  The hardest up till now had been mom’s sickness and death but it had still been a shared pain.  At that time all f the family had been suffering and he’d managed to put his focus on their pain and in doing so made it easier t ignore his own feelings.  Funny.  Rudy loved talking of dreams, encouraging others, lifting spirits but just now talking about his own thoughts or feelings?  It didn’t want to come out.
 
Twirling the thoughts about in his mind he looked up at his giant brother, leaning in for a moment and letting out another slow exhale.  After a moment he looked at his brother, a small sick smirk on his face, “that bastard,” Rudy shook his head, “Said he’d help me learn to not talk too much.” Sure enough, Oxx had apparently done it.  Rudy had felt tongue-tied a lot more often lately than he used to. There was a moment of silence but Rudy didn’t seem so much done talking as deciding the next few words, “when we kill him Art, when we finally do,” Rudy wanted to say they take the tongue or they make it slow or that he wanted the creature to suffer. It sounded monstrous in his own mind to want to torture versus just kill, he didn’t want to admit to that ugliness, “Let him suffer first.  Don't give him the mercy of dying fast.” It wasn’t a joke, it wasn’t empty hot air.  He wanted that bastard to know pain, he wanted him to hurt fear and regret.

Rudyard Carpathius

Rudy's uncharacteristic quietness hadn't been lost on Artorias. He saw how his usual bubbly, outgoing brother had become reserved, silent, morose since his assault. When his monochromatic sibling explained that Oxx had said he'd "help Rudy not talk so much" it infuriated the Aegis. How dare anyone say such things about his brother?! Were he a lesser wolf, Art would have rounded up every wolf in the Hallows and led a manhunt for the fucker from Manatee Bay up to the Sparse Pines. But he knew he couldn't. He had a responsibility as alpha of a pack to be a role model to his wolves; to protect them and guide them and be their foundation. If he fell apart to anger, then he'd lose himself, and their enemy would have won.

Artorias didn't say anything for a long, quiet moment while both males gathered their thoughts. It was Rudy who finally broke the silence once more, asking that when they finally do kill Oxx, Artorias lets him suffer first. Again, Artorias didn't say anything right away. Oh, he'd spent nights lying awake replaying his attack in his mind and fantasizing about all the ways he could get his revenge. And though that fire burned him from the inside out, Artorias knew he would have to be better than Oxx. The depraved maniac had harmed their family grievously, and anything Artorias did to him would no doubt be justified—but once it was done and the dust settled, it would be Artorias who had to live with himself and the consequences of his actions. Artorias wasn't in the business of torture. Oxx would get justice served to him one way or another, and he would rue the day he crossed the Carpathians, but he would not stoop to his level of methods to win.

"Don't you worry. Oxx will get what's coming to him, sooner or later." Artorias' words were spoken on a deadly growl that promised violence. Yes, he would have Oxx's head someday, and no doubt Rudy would help, as would others in the Hallows. But the killing blow would be served by the Aegis himself. He who passes the sentence should swing the sword. Nodding his head back towards the castle, Artorias nudged his brother's shoulder gently. "C'mon, let's go get something to eat. We could use a break after that roughhousing." He led the way back through the castle gates, his mind clouded with dark thoughts and memories every step of the way.

- exit Artorias -

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

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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