An evening of peace

After the day's excitement around the unexpected challenge for Habari, Artorias had been more than ready to retire back to the safety of the Armada. With the number of extracurricular fights emerging in the wake of the challenge, the Aegis' top priority had been keeping his son and his family safe, though thankfully none of them had come to harm. He had however been perplexed by Sirius' sudden shift in tone when Venom and Chimera had arrived to the conflict. He had made a mental note to seek out his father-in-law to make sure everything was still okay between the Armada and the Ashen Empire when time permitted. Zephyrus had been sent off to bed and Briar was spending time relaxing with her mother, leaving the Aegis to a very happy-looking Warlord.

The two wolves had meandered off to rest in front of the crackling bonfire in the communal area of the pack, a few cold drinks in their possession as they unwound from the excitement of the day. Letting the fire warm his coat in the cooling temperatures of the evening, Artorias graciously took the offered beer from his father-in-law and took a long swig of the cool, hoppy beverage. It was in moments of reprieve like this that made the young wolf appreciate just being alive. He had a wonderful family, an amazing pack, and he'd been blessed with so much in his life. Sometimes taking a moment to reflect on it all was exactly what he needed.

Art turned his gaze towards Seer as the older wolf spoke, drawing an amused chuckle from the onyx and azure wolf at his side. "I don't think he really knew what to make of it, but he's always wanted to know more about wolf customs. He's a bright boy, he'll probably have a million and one questions for me about it in the morning." Artorias drank slowly from his beer, watching the flames of the fire dance before them for a moment. "You've done an amazing job turning this place into a real home, Sirius. You and everyone in the Armada should be very proud of the work you've put in," Artorias remarked with a smile, gazing around at the Col in awe. It was such a stark difference from when he'd come here last—cold, empty, desolate. The Armada had brought life to this previously vacant void.

"Speech"