Behind the curtain

Artorias could see the struggle in Lia. The conflict she grappled with, the overwhelming impossibility of freedom. IT was what he imagined any domesticated animal would feel if it was returned to total autonomy. She was used to a life structured by rigid commands and unbending rules. To have all of that stripped away, even if for all the right reasons, must have felt like a total rebirth and relearning of everything she'd ever known. He could sympathize, but he would not retract his offer of her freedom. Lia would still be a handmaiden in service to him and Briar, but slavemasters they were not nor would they ever be. But... would he still feel the same if being a bit more structured with Lia meant making her more comfortable? If she asked him now to impose rules, guidelines, and restrictions for her, would he deny her on moral principle or would he bend to keep her content?

Lia pointedly avoided making eye contact with him when he turned her face towards him, making the Aegis' lips twitch into a little frown. He released her chin, allowing her to look away again if she wished it, and sighed when she preemptively sought his forgiveness for mistakes she hadn't made. "Doamne ajuta-ma... There is nothing to forgive, Lia. We all make mistakes, and that's okay. We learn and grow. That's life. I'm not going to punish you for making mistakes. I know you'll do your best, and that's all I could ever ask of you." Artorias turned his fiery gaze away again to look out over the dewy gardens and courtyard again, listening to some nocturnal insects around them. "We're grateful to have you in our lives too. Truly, we are."

There was a beat of silence between them before Lia asked him why he was awake as well. That was far easier for the Aegis to answer than her lingering doubts had been. "I always take a walk of the Hallows before turning in for the night. I like to make sure everyone is accounted for, safe at home. After the raid, I also do a patrol on the walls with Serenity just to make sure we're secure. Fortunately, all's quiet tonight." The pirates' attack had shown him that danger often came for them when they least expected it. The saber cats in the middle of the frigid night during the extended winter and now the invaders in the dead of night. The Hallows couldn't let its guard down for a second.

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