Since the couple returned to the castle, Fern has been trying to get down to the armory to take care of her sword. Rudyard has been very protective of her during her pregnancy and it had taken him some convincing to allow her to go maintain her weapon. Blue gaze flicks over to her mate as they slowly make their way downstairs, offering him an exasperated but happy grin. With Lark’s Song firmly in place across his back, the pair move through the door and into the armory.

There is a work station inside and she directs Rudyard to gently deposit her sword onto it before lightly kissing his cheek. Having talked to Artorias beforehand to ask permission, Fern says, “Okay. You want to call the pups? I’ll get the items I need set up.” A smile is given before she moves to place the whetstone, a pot of oil and a cloth near her sword. It rests in its scabbard, the hunter green leather still as supple as the day Art had gave it to her. A paw lightly traces runs along the matching hilt and lingers a moment on the engraved F.

As Rudy’s voice rings out, Fern turns her attention to the door and smiles, taking a seat as they await the pups arrival.


"Fern Carpathius" | "Puff"

Rudy went along with Fern with a sense of dramatized resignation to the whole thing.  He wasn’t surprised Fern wanted to keep working while she was pregnant.  He knew she wasn’t one to want to just hole up and do nothing but knowing that and liking it was different things.  If it was anyone else's mate he might respect their ability and encourage them to be careful but no other problem with it.  Fern wasn’t anyone else's mate, she was his mate and those were her pups.  So it was Rudy had even chosen to carry her sword for her.  She shouldn’t stress herself in any way.

Rudy puts her sword down where requested, nudging under her jaw and giving a little quick kiss back.  Telling her to be careful or not tire herself out wouldn’t do much at this point so Rudyard just nodded.  Letting out a howl to ring across the castle Rudyard called for the pups, offering a chance at a lesson in the armory.

How many kids would show up?  How many nieces or nephews were future warriors?

"Rudyard"

Today Andromeda has decided to stick around the castle and enjoy the many twists and turns it has. Purple paws pull her through the corridors, gaze roaming over doors and rooms while her mind drifts far away. There is a sense of foreboding hanging around the Fatalis family, as if, at any moment, their world will shatter. Part of the pup hopes that it is just some far flung fear that has wormed its way into her mind but, when she looks at her father and mother, she knows that it isn’t.

Worry is her constant friend as she waits for the whatever it is to happen, to shatter her world and steal some of her youth away. A call pulls the pup from her thoughts and the invitation to a lesson has her pausing. Part of her doesn’t want to go, to instead find a dark corner and curl up in the shadows to hide from the inevitable bad news that will come. But Andy cannot do that. She knows that her parents would want her to keep playing, to hone her skills, and enjoy her time here… even if the purple pup no longer does.

With a sigh, Andromeda turns herself in the direction of the armory and swiftly moves, arriving in short order to find two gray adults in the room. Bowing her head in greeting, she moves to take a seat where she can see the items on the table while allowing room for younger, shorter pups to sit in front of her. A forced smile appears on her lips as she waits for others to join.


"Andromeda Fatalis"

A call to the pups about the armoury had Kea sitting upright with a bolt. He jumped to his paws, eyes wide. They were allowed in the armoury? They were going to be taught things about the wonderful weapons there?

He didn’t hesitate, he bolted from his patch in the sun back into the castle. He knew the way to the armoury of course. To the forbidden door. Today he found it open, and Fern and Rudyard, and one of the pups that was related to him were already there. He trotted inside with a wide grin. “I’m here!” he said, rather irelevently.


"Speech"

Thorn had been right outside the castle, practicing with his newest sword of wood.  It was better than the first, the wood actually sharpened on one end, and a hole in the middle of the stick let the crossguard slide into the long branch.  Vines are still wrapped between the wooden ‘cross guard’ stick and the ‘blade’ stick.  The wooden blade was chipped and cracked at points since wood does not so early sharpen smooth from a child's attempts.

When he heard the howl the boy charged into the castle, through hallways to the great hall, and into the armory.  He knew the path well enough but of course, he had never been in the armory.  Never.  Except maybe once but he hadn’t touched anything!  Besides, no one had seen him so he was innocent.  His aunt and uncle were giving the lesson today it seemed.  The boy already knew his aunt used a sword so he was quite excited at this opportunity.

Thorn lay his own sword at his feet, bright eyes looking up to the adults with pure joy at this weapon class.  He’d absorb everything!  Thorn needed to be a great fighter as soon as possible! The boy glanced at Ciaran, bobbing a greeting to his brother and then to Andy before his focus swerved right back to the teachers. "Hi!" a greeting was offered all around, "Did I miss anything?" He'd ran as fast as his four paws could carry him so hopefully not!

"Thorn Carpathius"

Kite was a little slower to arrive. She was easily confused by the corridors of the castle, and the tall windows were far too helpful in letting in natural light. She had her eye mask on as she trotted cautiously towards the caller.

She had Lioness at her feet, ready to sound off if Kite started to veer off course or was at risk of injury. She used her nose to get around for the most part, keeping it up as she sniffed the wind. She found the scent of her sister when she arrived, as well as that Thorn guy that was related to her. And other people too. “Andy, you here?” she hissed softly as her nose touched fur. At a sniff, she learned it was Thorn she was walking into, and not her sister.


"Speech"

Carefully, the gray woman moves the items she will need over to her worktable, smiling at Rudyard as he howls for interested pups to come get a lesson. Seating herself behind the table, she spies a small purple girl slip in, the quiet pup moving to an area where she can watch from and a soft smile is given to the youngster. Ciaran appears next, trotting in to announce presence and Fern chuckles warmly, saying, “Why, yes you are. Excited to learn about weapons today Kea?” Next to appear is Thorn and his stick sword which has a joyful laugh bubbling out as he questions what he missed.

With a shake of her head, Fern’s attention is pulled to the blindfolded pup that hisses for someone named Andy. Putting two and two together as the purple pup whispers to her sibling, the gray woman nods to herself before offering a huge smile. “Hello class! Today, I thought you might like to learn about swords and how to take care of them. Are you excited to be in the Armory?” Listening to the pups, she chuckles happily as he props up her sword for the pups to see.

The hunter green scabbard shines in the light and Fern waves a pale paw over the weapon while saying, “This is what is called a broadsword. This is the hilt.” Paw moves to indicate the leather wrapped section that sticks out above the scabbard. Next, she lowers the sword slightly to grab a hold of the hilt and, in one smooth motion, pulls the sword out into the light. The blade shines as she lowers it to table, gently setting it down before saying, “This is the scabbard. Think of it as a home for the sword.”

Lifting the sword slightly, she moves to indicate the steel part, saying, “This is the blade. Every sword has four sharp sides. You have one,” paw touches the right side of the blade, “two,” she touches the left side, “three” carefully turning the sword around she touches the left side that had been the back, “and four” paw touches the right. Looking to the pups with a serious eye, she says, “These are extremely sharp and you should never be near a sword unattended. Understood?” Gaze flicks to Rudyard to see how she is doing.


"Fern Carpathius" | "Puff"

Other pups arrive and, when Kite appears, Andy immediately moves to guide her sister. As she hisses out for her, Andy softly says, “Over here Kite.” Her sister bumps into Thorn before she can steer her away and the lavender pup mutters an apology to the by before guiding Kite to a space where they can sit together. Pressing gently into her sister’s side, the gives her attention to the teacher as the lesson begins and happily chirps a, “Yeah!” at the question.

Quickly, Fern moves into identifying various parts of the sword and Andy leans toward her sister’s ear, softly whispering the location of each place the teacher points to. At the statement of swords being sharp, the purple girl chuckles and nods her understanding. Raising a paw, the girl waits to be called on before asking, “Why does it have four sides? Shouldn’t it just be front and back?” Head tilts slightly in curiosity as she waits for the answer.

"Andromeda Fatalis"

Thorn hadn’t missed anything, tail twitching behind as he waited eagerly for this lesson to begin.  His head pivoted around to watch Kite enter, “Hey Kite,” then looking back at his aunt.  Learning about swords and how to care for them! Perfect!  Thorn had his goal set to be the best weapons fighter so this was exactly what he needed!

His uncle was off to the side, and Thorn caught him giving Fern an encouraging wink.  Apparently, he wasn’t helping on the lesson itself though as Fern was the one who started talking gain next.  He let her go over the different parts of the sword, ear twitching in some confusion on calling four sides of a sword sharp.  Looking to Andy at her question then back at Fern, waiting.

Maybe she had meant it as four areas that could be dangerous.  Maybe you could bang it on someone’s head like a club? It would still be better to cut them than bang them though as far as Thorn could imagine.  Well, there was a wide variety of strategies.  Or, maybe four-bladed swords and some were two-bladed also?  The boy remained quiet, watching Fern curiously.

(Rudyard is in the background watching - feel free to skip him)

"Thorn Carpathius"