Show Me Your Ways

Artorias listened to Sirius' sagacious words with rapt attention and introspection. He had considered all of the responsibility and attention being in a position of leadership would bring him; it had actually been his biggest fear when he thought of himself as a leader. All the hopes and trust of his wolves placed on him, the eyes watching to see him succeed or see him fail. He hadn't thought as far ahead as having a mate, and he certainly hadn't expected scrutiny to come from there as well. He thought about Briar, wondering just how much careful observation he'd be under from her. What if he didn't meet the expectations of his wolves? What if he let them down? What if doing what he felt was right turned out to be the wrong move, or wolves disagreed with him. He thought back to what Seer had told him about the governing of the Armada, how his word and his call was final and supersedes everything else. Perhaps it would be better to lead the Hallows like that...

Sirius tried to reframe the idea of slavery and the role of a slave to him. As alpha, he would get to decide what best affected his pack and he could make the call what slaves could be should he choose to keep any. He could treat them as the Warlord did, teach them skills and make them functional members of the pack when they'd earned their rights. He could keep them for servitude and labor. He could demean them and demand anything from them should he choose it. Or he could treat them as others did, like commodities, tools, resources, currency. Ultimately, a slave was a wolf far below him, below his wolves in his pack, and no would should aspire to stay in that position.

The more Artorias thought about it, the more difficult he found drawing the line with slaves was. Perhaps this was a subject that was so far into the shades of gray that lines simply couldn't be drawn. Or maybe he simply didn't understand the function of a slave or how best to utilize them if he chose to keep one. Fortunately, Sirius seemed to understand that, and offered to introduce him to a wolf named Iris who had apparently come from slave traders. That caught Artorias' attention. "I think I'd like to meet her," he agreed with a tip of his head. She might be able to elucidate her purposes for him more practically in ways he could better understand. "You said Iris came from slave traders. But she isn't one of your wolves you demoted to that rank. So... why did you purchase a slave? What were you going to use her for?"

"Artorias Carpathius"