A Price To Be Paid

Artorias was not having a good day. Syanna, who had been missing for several days, had turned up back at the Hallows on her own, ragged and violated. Ezra had been a hot mess since her disappearance and had spent the entirety of the day at her side, as to be expected, trying to comfort her, but the fox-like fae was virtually catatonic. Gwynevere had said it was due to trauma, that it could take some time for her to process what happened to her and start to heal. As patient as he was, Artorias had managed to get one bit of information from his wolf: her attacker. Syanna had told him that it was a wolf claiming to be his brother and carrying the Carpathius name. Artorias knew immediately who it was. Oxx had struck again, this time abducting one of his own wolves and tormenting her. He'd advanced beyond just harassing his family, it seemed. This had gone on long enough. Oxx was a rabid dog and he needed to be put down now.

Fortunately, given how recent Syanna's attack was, Artorias knew Oxx would still have to be somewhere nearby. He couldn't have gotten too far, and with any luck, he'd be able to track him down. He'd already informed Rudy about the Oxx sighting and told his brother to prepare for war; they were going hunting today. Artorias offered to bring Ezra along as well for a chance at vengeance, and the Adravendi brute was all too happy to take him up on that offer. With their hunting party of three formed, Artorias had gone to collect his sword and armor when an enraged shout from out on the plains caught his attention. He recognized the distinctive voice of Chimera immediately. For the love of all things good, what did the Fenmyrian king want right now?

Artorias heaved a sigh and tossed his equipment down at the bottom of the stairs—he would deal with it when he came back—and trudged his way outside and across the gardens to the gates. He intercepted Chimera just as the dire brute was storming his way up to the gatehouse, a look of wrath contorting his visage. Artorias' brow furrowed in confusion. What was Chimera so pissed off about? They hadn't done anything to incur his rage, at least nothing he could immediately recall. "Chimera, this isn't a good time. Can this wait?" he said to the advancing man, standing between him and the gates of the Hallows. He didn't believe Chimera to be dangerous to anyone within, but it was still his responsibility to safeguard all lives within the Hallows, and until he knew what had a murderous Chimera at his doorstep, he would handle the situation with caution.

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