A stitch away from making it

Baron of the Hallows. It was still something Artorias was coming to grips with. Ulric had officially taken over as Aegis of the Hallows, a smooth and somber transition of power between his mother and the Adravendi patriarch. Although it had tasted bitter in his mouth in the moment, Artorias had been surprised by Ulric's decision to promote him to the rank of Baron. He had been sure his mother Tamsyn or one of the other more seasoned warriors would assume the role—but Ulric had bestowed it upon him, along with all the rights and responsibilities that came with it. He was the right hand to the Aegis, in a position of importance and actually had a lick of power behind it. It was a strange thing to contemplate. Artorias, who had complained of not being able to do anything of substance around the pack, was now the second highest rank in its roster.

The dark-furred wolf stared at himself in the cracked mirror in his bedroom, staring back at the wide-eyed face of the wolf looking back at him. There was so much uncertainly and anxiousness in those amber eyes that peered out at him from the smooth, shiny surface of the glass, so much to learn and a million things he hadn't done. But it was clear that Ulric trusted him. Tamsyn trusted him. Sirius trusted him. All the Hallowed wolves trusted him. He sucked in a deep breath, holding it in his lungs for several seconds, then slowly released it. Art nodded to his reflection, steeling his gaze. He could do this; he could be what his pack needed him to be. Just you wait...

Artorias tightened the buckles on the side of his new armor, still getting it fit just right to his growing body, then headed out of the warm bedroom into the cooler castle corridors. He wasn't sure where he was headed just yet, but with Sirius having gone back home to rest, Art was left to go back to his normal routine of patrols and training. He would have to come up with some plans to get the other warriors on regular training regiments too, start getting used to shadowing Ulric on his daily tasks and learn what leading was all about. A short, soft howl for him made the yearling boy's ears prick up atop his head, his eyes brightening and heart leaping in his chest. Briar. As if all the world had stopped turning, Artorias bound down the grand staircase, almost losing his footing while he sprinted out to the courtyard and across it, out the main gates and to the border where he'd heard the call of his friend. He had wondered when she would show up after Corbin returned days ago from delivering his message. Why hadn't she come right away? Was she too busy up in the Armada with everything left in the wake of Zee and Azure's deaths? Did she just not want to see him after hearing what he'd done to her father?

The worried concerns that clouded his mind all disappeared when he saw her tawny-and-turquoise silhouette at the border. His gait slowed to a brisk trot, his breathing labored but not quite panting, approaching her with a different kind of concern now. Was she okay? Sirius' frenzied words echoed in his ears. He had to see for himself; what had the Warlord nearly done to her? Artorias approached her, a crooked smile on his face when he met her turquoise eyes, looking as if all the world's problems had melted away the moment he saw her. But once he came close, he glanced down at the small puncture wounds around the side of her throat, still fresh with pinkish hues where the skin was mending and wound turn into scars. His smile dropped immediately, a flash of panic zipping between his eyes. Sirius really had almost killed Briar—almost ripped her throat from her body. He looked back to Briar, stopping where he stood. In her eyes he saw the anxiety, the sorrow, the uncertainty. Her gaze ripped his heart out of his chest and made his stomach twist into knots. What had she endured at the hands of her own father?

Without a word, Artorias finished crossing the distance and, repeating the actions she had done for him when he'd fallen apart in the castle, threw his paws around her, pulling Briar into a tight embrace against him. He immediately cradled the back of her head with a paw, leaning his head against hers, his breath catching in his throat while he fought to suppress down those embers of anger and protectiveness he could feel flaring up deep in his core. Now was not the time to get upset. Briar had suffered through a tremendous ordeal, and like Sirius had said, she needed her friend right now. Artorias still didn't say anything as he held Briar, shielding her away from the unworthy world that had tried to harm her, not entirely sure what to say with his words, but knowing what he had to do with his actions. Briar needed him to just be there for her, that was why she had come, and that was what he would be for her. He would always be there for her.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"