Leave It Up To Fate

Life in the Hallows had returned once more to its calm and harmonious normalcy following the rousing wedding festivities. The ceremony was done, the party had, and the honeymoon enjoyed. Now it was time for the Aegis and his Queen to settle back into their everyday routines and keep their sanctuary in this little slice of paradise running at its peak. Now with his attention focused fully back into the pack, Artorias had begun to build a laundry list of things he wanted to complete to help improve the quality of life for his wolves. Expanding their produce gardens seemed like a good place to start, as well as finally finishing repairs on the outer stone walls that kept them all safe. Resin had begun the work patching holes satisfactorily, but time and other matters had kept it from being completed. But for now, everyone had earned a well deserved rest after all their hard work to make the wedding such a tremendous success!

Lying out in the castle gardens beside his new wife, stealing little affections in the forms of kisses and nuzzles, Artorias discussed the ideas he had for improving the pack with her. The gentle call from their northern borders caught his attention, obsidian ears pricked atop his head. He didn't recognize the voice; perhaps it was someone seeking asylum with them? Casting a curious gaze to Briar, Art motioned to her with a nod of his head and rose to his paws, a quick shake jostling any loose grass from his fur. "Let's go see who's at the door, dear," he teased her with a playful smirk. He led the way out past the castle gates and across the vast plains, their lush grasses swaying in the cool coastal breeze from the nearby sea. The two strangers at the border were easy enough to spot amongst all the greenery—one a pallid monochrome of whites and grays, and the other in a coat of stark dark slate and snowy white. As he suspected, he knew neither of them, but that was about to change.

Approaching their guests, Artorias regarded the man and woman with a warm smile and a tip of his head. "Good afternoon to you both. You've arrived at the borders of the Hallows." The young man raised an azure paw to his chest, then gestured to his mate as he introduced them. "I'm Artorias Carpathius, Aegis of the Hallows. My wife and Queen, Briar." There was a pause left for the two to make their own introductions and explain their intentions, with Artorias keeping keen and inquisitive amber eyes on both while he worked to determine if this was a friendly meeting or otherwise. The last stranger he'd had at his borders had subsequently raided his lands, after all.

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