Learn to live with the unimaginable

Artorias regarded every Hallowed wolf that began to fill the great hall after him with a sullen nod of his head, giving a small smile to both Jane and Daphne when both girls came to sit next to him. He leaned his body back into Daph's when she pressed into his shoulder, offering her his support throughout this ordeal. He could be the pillar for his family when they needed it. He cast an acknowledging nod of mutual respect and a smirk to Ezra when his larger mentee entered the room. He was somewhat surprised and a little miffed to see Grimshaw in attendance; he'd thought the moody boy had struck out on his own for good once he'd disappeared from daily life and all but abandoned the family that had taken him in when they were at their lowest.

Tamsyn entered the room then, and Artorias immediately noticed the way she carried herself past everyone like she was ashamed. He nuzzled her back when she nosed his cheek, then turned a hardened gaze over the crowd, watching each face carefully for any signs that anyone was staring at his injured mother and shooting a silent glare and growl to any that did. No one would look at his mother with anything less than respect and reverence. One by one, the rest of the pack began to gather until Ulric called the meeting to order. Artorias fixed him with his gaze, but his eyes were distant during the new Aegis' detailing of the events that had transpired to bring them here today. He didn't need to hear all this again... he had lived it, witnessed every horrifying detail unfold before his eyes. He swallowed back the lump of emotion strangling him, forcing himself to remain strong and austere for his family's appearances. Be strong, be strong for Resin...

Once Ulric had revealed the situation with Resin to the rest of the pack and offered an exit to anyone looking to move on, he addressed the pups that had turned to yearlings this season. He welcomed them into the ranks of the pack, and Artorias managed a small smile and nod of appreciation to their new Aegis. Gwyn was made a Sage, and Rudy and Avantika were made Knights. He was proud of all of his siblings; he knew the work they had put into their training. Then he announced Sota as a Sage and Dunkan as a Knight before moving on. Artorias' heart sank in his chest and his expression fell under a touch of disappointment when he realized he hadn't been called upon to be a Knight. But... why not? Had he not done well enough by Ulric's standards? He'd been training his whole life to be a knight like his parents. What had he done wrong? He was only barely paying attention while Ulric announced Tamsyn and Indigo as Templars, the upper echelon of the warriors, and then turned to the role of Baron.

Ulric announced him as Baron. Artorias' eyes sparked back to life, head lifting from the slump it had begun to droop into to look with a stunned expression to Ulric. The Adravendi man's kind praise and recognition of his efforts made his heart swell with pride, his mouth agape and eyes wide while his brain tried to wrap around what he had just heard. He was the leader-in-training, the head of training the Templars and Knights, the heir apparent to the Hallows. He was being entrusted with the future of the pack. Artorias didn't know what to say, what to think, how to react. All he could do was manage a humble smile and nod to Ulric when the new Aegis spoke of looking forward to working with him. Artorias could still hardly believe it, half expecting to wake up from this dream at any moment. Him, the Baron of the Hallows...

Once Ulric ended the meeting, Artorias remained seated where he was, watching the other Hallowed wolves disperse. He wanted to take a moment to talk to Ulric in private once the crowds had cleared, and to make himself available right now if anyone wanted to share some words with him as well.


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"