Fortune Favors The Prepared

Artur had made the long journey to the battlefield despite the season, without even a second thought about whether it would be worth the trip. Of course it was, if he wanted to master the art of battle as he should have seasons ago if the volcano and his need to stay nearby Valhalla for his sisters hadn't kept him quiescent for far longer than he should have allowed it to. He hadn't forgotten his promise to Caelia to spend more time with her, and with his decision to leave Valhalla he wanted to get as much time with her as possible. He didn't anticipate never seeing her again, but she would have her duty to her pack to think of first, while he had no intention of lurking on Valhalla's borders hoping to catch her on patrol to see her again, so it was likely that their time together would be limited. He hadn't told her yet, but his experience with Geoffrey told him he shouldn't keep putting it off. Still, he kept the comversation light and inconsequential on his part as they jouneyed, focusing on the companionship of traveling together, until they reached the battlefield. They had barely crossed the border when a call rose for an opponent, and he inclined his head towards his sister with a faint smile. "Shall we?" he murmured, but didn't wait for an answer before he stretched out into a lope.

The male waiting for him there was a little younger, and wouldn't have appeared to be anything unusual - he was a severe black and white, though his eyes were startlingly bright - except for the set of black horns that swept up from his forehead like some sort of antelope. Artur blinked, and privately wished Caelia was not there so he could nack down from this fight with his dignity intact. But she was, and he was already here, so fearsome horns or not he was going to be facing this opponent.

Fatalistically, he squared up to the younger wolf and gave him a sharp nod. It would be rude to simply jump him without warning, since it was merely a spar, so he politely spoke. "I'm Artur Adravendi. This is my sister Caelia, she is just here to watch today." He felt compelled to assure the male that they had no intention of ganging up on him, as much as Aurielle's silly rule about witnesses made it appear that way. He settled into a warrior's stance naturally, and noted with unease that the other wolf held himself just as naturally. "Whenever you are ready," he offered.