i can't say it, but..

Artorias gave a grunt as he swung his sword through one of the training dummies, cleaving its head off, but getting the blade stuck in the padded torso. His eyes narrowed to points with a frustrated growl while he yanked and tugged to pry the blade out of the dummy, watching as sand poured across the floor from the sliced body. It had not been nearly as clean as he was used to, but it would work, he supposed. After spending days scouring through the armory, Artorias had found nothing to replace Embershard with. This sword had been the best of the blades they had on hand, but even that paled in comparison to the sword his mothers had given him. But there was no use lamenting over it now. He had lost Embershard and would likely never see his sword again. This was what he would have to get used to.

Sliding the "replacement" sword into his scabbard and slinging it across his back, Artorias made his way out of his dojo. He'd just stepped into the corridor when the voice of Gwynevere calling his name caught his attention. The young brute glanced up to spot his sister rushing up towards him. "Gwyn, hello!" he greeted her with a smile, then gave her a curious look. "Is everything all right?" Gwyn explained that her friend, the wolf that had brought her home after Oxx attacked her, was here at their borders. Artorias blinked in surprise. He hadn't heard a call from anyone. Had he just missed it? He was familiar with what Gwyn and Ulric had told him, how this boy had helped her back home when he'd been gone. This would give him a chance to meet his little sister's friend, size up the wolf for himself, and thank him personally.

"Of course I'll go with you, Gwyn." He would protect and escort his sister anywhere in the world until she felt confident enough to venture on her own again—and if she never did, then he was fine being her permanent bodyguard. Gesturing with his paw for Gwynevere to lead the way, Artorias followed alongside his sister out of the castle and through the gardens. "Is there a reason he's sending his falcon to you and not calling for admittance? Usually a wolf will summon the alpha to allow them into pack lands." There was something peculiar here, but Art couldn't quite place his paw on it yet. Did this other wolf belong to a pack? Did he not know typical lupine decorum?

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