Lord Of the Keep

As Mercury would speak, Artorias would listen with keen interest. His guest told him that he was new to these lands, a fact the sagacious Aegis had already ascertained from his deductions of the other wolf's responses, and that he was getting a lay of the lands so to speak. There was much to be seen, much to learn, and Mercury was having a difficult time digesting it all, it seemed. Then he explained his motivations for his pilgrimage of knowledge—he was sworn to another wolf who desired a pack in these lands. That caught Artorias' interest in a snap. Though his expression didn't change, Art felt more on guard now. The last time a pack wolf had come sniffing about the Hallows for information, they had been raided by the pirates. He didn't know if this wolf Mercury worked for was of the same ilk as those deplorable curs or not, but it did give him reason to remain cautious.

"I see," replied the alpha with a single nod of his head. It was a simple response, but sufficient. Despite his trepidations, Mercury had been polite and cordial and had shown him no reason to find distrust in the other wolf. Either he was a master manipulator and talented actor or he was being genuine. Luckily for him, Artorias usually aired on the side of assuming positive intent unless proven otherwise. "Well, if you wanted to get a look at the castle, then we should get you closer to it. You've come all this way, it'd be a shame to only see it from a distance." Artorias rose to his paws again and beckoned for Mercury to follow with a nod of his head. "Come, take a walk with me."

Artorias set a leisurely pace for the two wolves to traverse the edge of the vast plains, moving south along the border to let Mercury drink in the sights of the Hallows from the coast of the shimmering sea to the edges of the dense forests that bordered the pack. The farther they walked, the closer the castle got and the larger it stood, its impressive monumental structure practically glowing in the golden sunlight. "So what did you want to know about me?" asked Artorias while they walked, casting a curious glance to his guest. "You said you're curious about me, my sword, and my castle. So what would you like to start with?"

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