Trying To Find The Words

Hearing his mother's voice, that calming, steadying rasp that was so distinctly Resin, it brought a soothing calm to his aching heart. As he embraced her, nuzzling into her ashen fur that had comforted him as a small pup, he wished that time would stop right where it was. He and his family could live in this moment forever, without ever having to let her go again, where for the briefest moment of time Resin was theirs again. He was jostled a bit when Rudyard pushed his way up into an embrace with their mother as well, both Carpathius sons surrounding Resin with love and support. He wouldn't even attempt to pull away until Resin gently ushered himself and his brother back, apologizing for missing their birthdays. Artorias immediately went to dismiss her apology; she had nothing to be sorry for. He would surrender every birthday celebration for the rest of his days if it meant keeping his mother around. Whatever it took, no cost was too great.

Instead, Resin gestured to the far wall. Artorias turned around in confusion, his eyes going wide with realization when they spotted the assortment of gifts tucked just beyond their view. Resin began to detail each gift in turn, but Artorias had already figured out which one was his before she said it out loud. He made his way across the room with slow strides, approaching the shiny silver sword propped up against the wall. The hilt was wrapped in fresh brown leather, and the blade hidden in a matching leather scabbard. Set into the shiny metal of the crossguard was a single piece of faceted amber that glistened in the dim light. He paused, staring at the gift, giving a glance back at his parents before picking up the sword as if it were a precious artifact. Slumping back onto his haunches, he handled the weapon with care, turning it this way and that to inspect it, then grasped the hilt in his teeth and slid the scabbard off with his paws.

The sword slid free with a soft rasp of metal on leather, revealing the beautifully crafted steel of the blade, swirled with the intricate and unmistakable Damascus pattern, making the blade appear as if it were made of water. As he stared in awe at the sword and turned it to examine it from all angles, the blade caught the light from the tiny window, glistening with a warm pale-orange hue. Holding the weight of the sword in his grasp felt surreal. It was like a final rite of passage, a physical symbol that his training had reached its end with Resin. She had promised to make him into her little knight and she had delivered on that promise. It was enough to bring tears back to the corner of his eyes, but the boy forced himself to hold them back. He would not cry on the one day he had with his family.

"Mom... it's beautiful...!" Artorias slid the sword back into its scabbard and slid it over his body, feeling the weight of it against his back. His heart surged with a cocktail of emotions: pride, love, and sorrow at the forefront. He had no idea if his parents had found this sword or had it forged, but either way, it was a gorgeous weapon and he would carry it with respect and dedication. He turned back toward Resin and Tamsyn, then hurried across the room to wrap up Resin in his forelegs, giving her a tight hug. "Thank you, Mom. It's perfect. I love you." Artorias reluctantly broke away from Resin to embrace Tamsyn in turn, giving her a nuzzle to the side of the neck. "Thank you, Mama! I love it. I love you too." The moment was bittersweet, knowing full well this would be the only birthday he got to share with both his mothers. Artorias was determined to make the most of it, if all he'd be left with after today were the memories and the sword.

"Artorias" | "Corbin"