keeping promises as if my life depended on it

The cold winds of winter gusted gently about Auster as a light flurry of snow drifted down from the heavy gray clouds that obscured the blue skies above. Inside the Hallows castle, it was warm and quiet, every room lit with the gentle glow of firelight to chase away the chill. Artorias was tending to the grand hearth in the great hall, feeding the fire with fresh timber to keep it burning bright and hot and welcoming to all. With this winter shaping up to be atypically cold and snowy, the Aegis wanted to ensure the castle was always a beacon of shelter and respite for any who might need to get out of the cold for a while. That, and he had a pregnant wife to keep comfortable too. A small smile touched his lips while he considered Briar, thoughts of their family that would soon be here filling his preoccupied mind. He would do everything in his power to ensure they were cared for every day until the day their little bundles of joy arrived, and then every day after that as well.

Artorias' solitary musings were interrupted by a familiar voice calling from the gates of the castle. Black auds perked alert atop his head, surprised amber eyes lifting with widened shock. He would have recognized that voice anywhere. Audra was here. But why? That uncertainty made the Aegis worry, and he wasted no time running out of the castle, heavy paws crunching on the fresh powdered snow while he sprinted across the gardens to the gatehouse. He half expected to find no one there—a trick of the wind making him hear things. But no, there she was. Audra stood at the gates of Castle Carpathius, shifting her weight back and forth in an excited little dance. Art froze in his tracks, staring at her in awe. That lasted for a single long moment—then Artorias was rushing up to throw his arms around Audra in a welcoming embrace. The alpha wolf could have wept with joy he was so happy to see her again after nearly two seasons, and his wagging tail betrayed his obvious joy. A warm smile pulled across Artorias' face, but that happiness was only short-lived when he noticed the fading pack scent from Audra's coat, and it brought him back to the matter at hand.

The Aegis drew back to look Audra over, first making sure that she was okay and unharmed, then checking for any signs of malnourishment or mistreatment. "Audra, what are you doing all the way down here? Is everything okay up north?" What had happened to the pack she'd gone off with? Concern overshadowed the joy in Artorias' fire-toned eyes, but his nerves were at least settled for now knowing that she was all right. "Come, let's get you inside and warmed up. Can you believe we're having snow down in Auster again, and this early in winter!" Without a moment of hesitation, Artorias gestured for Audra to enter the castle that had once and would always be a home to her, leading her back through the familiar gardenscapes and into the warmth of the bastion. He headed for the great hall and the kitchen, set on getting her settled by the fire with a hot meal after her long trek from the north. "Tell me everything. Has something happened in Menagerie?"

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