Lazier way to Hunt (craft)

Artorias gave a thoughtful hum as Rudy explained what he was up to. Snaring and trapping rabbits did seem to fill his brother's need to hunt without putting all the unnecessary strain on his healing body. It was clever, really, and he had to give his brother some credit where credit was due. Rudy made a comment about him going against Doctor Gwynevere's orders at some point, then mentioned Art doing the same and the dark-furred wolf gave a single laugh. He couldn't say Rudy was wrong in that assessment! He'd never been a good patient, far too easily stir-crazy and anxious to get back to life the way it was.

He sat and watched Rudy work for a bit of time while the dappled gray wolf explained how his companions had been helping him with creating the snares. The mention of their mother being better at this brought a somber smile to Artorias' face. He was glad that Bowen had been able to recover Resin's skin where he couldn't, and they'd finally laid their mother to rest once more. But the mental image of that slate and white monster wearing their mother like a set of pajamas... Artorias' claws raked at the ground, the dark anger stirring inside his heart for a brief moment before he tamped it down. He missed Resin so much still... He just hoped that whatever the afterlife was like, his mother had found peace and rest, and that she was once more made whole from her broken mind.

Rudy looked to him with the mention of a spar and Artorias gave another chuckle while he sank carefully down to his belly on the grass beside his smaller brother. "Yeeeah, I think both Gwyn and Briar would have my head if they caught me roughhousing this soon after getting out of that damn bed." And Bowen would probably be none too pleased either, but he didn't need to mention those feelings to Rudyard. His brother then asked about his own injuries and Art's expression sank. Vivid flashbacks of claws and serrated fangs, of ice and blood and freezing water and black beaches played back in his mind's eye. "It wasn't a predator..." He turned a grim look over to Rudy. "We have a brother, Rudy, and he does not like us."

Artorias gave Rudyard a minute to process what he had said before explaining further. "Gwyn was attacked by a wolf claiming to be one of Resin's sons. Thankfully he didn't hurt her bad, but he had desecrated our mother's grave and stolen her pelt. So I went after him to kill him and take it back. He was... frightening, Rudy." There, he'd said it. Artorias, the great knight of the Hallows, had been scared of the demon clad in a wolf's skin. He'd gone into the fight with such bravado and had been beaten in a matter of minutes. In fact, the violating he'd received from his adoptive brother had lasted longer than the fight itself had. "His name is Oxx. He's a dire wolf, slate gray and white with dark gray eyes and a mouth full of sharp, serrated teeth. That's what did this..." He brought a paw up to gently touch the pink ragged skin on the back of his neck. "He's violent and dangerous, and we need to avoid him at all costs." Well, except for Artorias. He would never forget Oxx, nor would he forgive his transgressions against his family. One day, he would have the behemoth's head. And then he would reclaim his sword.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"