Bones Again

Duchess' subtle efforts were working on the young brute. Though they were sharing small talk, Artorias didn't realize Duchess was testing the waters between them, so to speak, finding it just a conversation without the overt flirtation to raise any red flags. He noted how her saw set when he mentioned her traveling alone and the band. Ah, so there was something sore on that subject. Art made a mental note to not bring up the band again. Duchess explained that she was recently a solo traveler, and that she was scouting the lands for resources for the band. The prospect of them moving back to Auster for a time came up and Artorias gave an understanding nod. "You're always welcome to crash at the Hallows for a while if you need beds, food, maybe some good drink," he offered with a rakish grin. "We've gotten very good at producing wine now, and the cellar's always full of the stuff. If you partake, of course."

It wasn't long before the pair had reached the opposite side of the Boneyard, their paws finding bus green grasses once more. Artorias paused long enough to glance back over the arid and lifeless segment of Auster. Yeeeah, he'd be happy to never come back here again. Turning bright eyes back to Duchess and to the lands they were headed for, he felt the rejuvenated excitement of exploration and discovery welling within his heart. "So, where are we headed next?" he asked his partner, wondering just what sort of resources she was scouting for.

"Artorias Carpathius"