Mend this Burning Bridge

Rudy had been out hunting but so far had come up empty.  His intent had been medium-sized prey but so far all he’d found was a rabbit he had chased with only partial focus and thus it had easily alluded him.  Sitting down he stared up at the sky and searched for an answer he knew wouldn’t come.  Running off for help from other wolves who could speak had been pointless so it wasn’t very likely the silent sky was about to drop any answers on him.  
Artorias howl rang out through the sky.

Rudy’s lip twisted up in bitter amusement.  Ask the sky for an answer and get a result huh?  After their last conversation, Rudy wasn’t sure how this one would go nor did he really want to have it.  Maybe he shouldn’t have gotten so upset at Art chewing him out but there it was.  They had always been on the same side, always.  It was one of those constants in life that you just come to accept without realizing just how important it becomes. Art had always been there for him, always.  Rudy ran to Art’s howl before he even decided to respond.  Rudy couldn’t say he was looking forward to the encounter but he could hardly deny Art’s call, not his brother.  Whatever the disagreement they were brothers and Rudy wouldn’t let that go.  Even before he arrived Rudy felt ready to defend himself against any fault tossed at him.  Last time Rudy had been engrossed with pain and guilt at his own belief and actions but now there was frustration and hidden anger deep down that was hard to keep under control.  

The boy was surprised that Art hadn’t chosen for them to meet up away from the pack land.  Lately, he kept within and never quit working.  Noble and dedicated to be sure so, what now?  When he spotted Art Rudy moved forward at a walk.  Art appeared fine so most of the concern slipped aside back to wary curiosity.  A breeze sent Rudy’s fur to dancing momentarily, the beach and water was admittedly a nice sight but not his focus of the moment.  

“What’s up?” Rudy’s question sounded casual but there was still a defensive wariness to his posture.  This seemed all too familiar to when he had called Art away from the castle to talk about things presenting a bitter taste in his mouth to go with the bitter memory.  Rudy was going to lose his mom at some point and there was a hidden fear that he might lose his brother in another way.  How much of what Art had said was really meant?  Anger could make you say things you don’t mean, it could also have you speak truths you just normally kept hidden.  

Rudyard Carpathius