Mend this Burning Bridge

In recent weeks, Artorias had not dared to leave Hallowed lands, hanging around the castle like a phantom haunting the halls. He had been so afraid that if he left, something terrible would happen with Resin and he wouldn't be around to help. So much of his life was falling apart at the seams, changing and evolving like a phoenix burning to death and rising anew from its own ashes. The world was burning currently; soon it would be nothing but ashes, and what phoenix would rise from that, only time would tell. He had stayed the course, kept strong in body, mind, and spirit for his family's sake. He had to be that pillar of strength they could collapse on when they stumbled. If he crumbled under the weight of life, his family would go down with him. That could not happen.

Rudyard's disappearance for a month had been hard to cope with, especially when it fell to him alone to nurture Tamsyn's failing spirit and keep the pack running with Ulric. The last time Artorias had seen his brother, the two had exchanged heated words, and he had lost control of his temper. It was the same loss of control that had almost pushed him to kill Sirius, the loss of control he was most afraid of and working to learn how to manage. Now with his family reuniting towards what would undoubtedly be the closing of this chapter, he had to make sure the bridge between him and Rudy that he'd set on fire didn't burn down completely.

For the first time in a while, Artorias had stepped beyond the pack borders, heading towards the western sea he loved so much. Summer was fast coming across Auster, the warm and humid days helping to melt the snow away into slush and mud, and green grass was starting to be seen again. Flowers and other plants would soon join, and the world would come back to life. He was sure Gwynevere would be happy about that. Artorias walked towards the shore, heading for a rocky cliff that stood just outside the castle and overlooked the golden beach and the clear blue waters. Tipping his head to the sky, Artorias gave a call for his brother, hoping that he would heed it so they could reconcile. Then he sat down on the cliffside and waited, watching Corbin sway gracefully in the coastal breeze just above his head.

"Artorias" | "Corbin"