The Proposition

It was his mother's reluctance to fully detail the degree of how bad Sirius' mental state was that put Artorias off the most. He knew for something to rattle his well grounded mother like this, it would have to be something extremely serious or dangerous. Tamsyn wasn't a shrinking violet when it came to facing adversity. Whatever Sirius had said or done at the festival, it had been severe enough for her to want to sever their lifelong friendship and bond. That did not bode well. Artorias' ears flicked back and the concerned expression on his countenance deepened his frown. He still didn't feel like he was getting all the details, but even what little he was getting had him worried and confused.

He sat quiet for a moment, pondering over everything his mother had told him. The way she described the Warlord, that was nothing like the wolf he had just been speaking with. It was nothing like the Sirius he had seen come to the Hallows time and time again. His mind was trying to wrap that into reality and it just couldn't. He was glad to hear that it didn't seem like the same kind of madness that killed Resin, but tp what degree was Sirius slipping then? So many variables, so many unknowns... But what concerned him the most was Tamsyn's admission that she didn't know how violent he might become in the future if he kept deteriorating. That all but sealed the deal for him. If Briar was living in a state of danger and didn't even know it, he would have to go, if for no other reason than to protect her.

"If he's as dangerous as you're making him sound, then... then I have to go, Mom," he said after a moment, bringing his eyes up to meet hers as he spoke. "If he's dangerous, then everyone in the Armada is in danger—including Briar. He's already almost killed her once, and that was before all of this. I have to go protect her, or at the very least find a way to bring her back here where I know she'll be okay." He didn't expect Tamsyn to be happy with what he was saying, but if Briar was in mortal danger, then he didn't need her to. He just hoped she could understand his rationale and why he had to go to the Armada. Unless she came up with a better alternative, he couldn't risk losing Briar—not again.

"You still haven't told me why Sirius would want to hurt you, or why he'd want to steal me away..." he pointed out, fixing his mother with an adamant stare. She had brought up that concern, and he wasn't going to let it go until she explained everything in full. He was owed at least that much, to know where his mother's worries were coming from.

"Artorias Carpathius"