How to save a life

The longer they sat and spoke, the more Artorias began to see Mercury's impassive expression gradually melt away, revealing the true turmoil he was masking. The poor soul was clinging on to threads of hope, seeking any sort of solace or answer. He didn't know if he'd be able to provide any to Merc, but he knew that not trying would haunt his conscience. He'd made a solemn vow when he took up the mantle of Aegis of the Hallows to provide sanctuary and support to all who needed it. They may not have been sitting behind his high walls in his southern kingdom, but if anything, that just meant the need for Artorias to uphold his virtues was even more dire now. Mercury posed a rhetorical question to him: could he give any less than his all to the woman he loved? The azure wolf nodded assent. There was nothing he wouldn't do or give for Briar, and that included walking to the ends of the earth if it meant seeing her. He could not find fault in Mercury's impassioned emotional response.

Artorias said no words right away, instead moving to place a paw atop Mercury's, a gentle show of comfort and support. "Then we will try every avenue," he reassured the wolf with a soft smile. The journey to the north would be a long one, as Mercury pointed out, and with a quick glance to the darkening twilight sky, Artorias smirked and motioned with a jerk of his head. "We'd best get moving then. If we hurry and move swiftly, we could be to the north before nightfall tomorrow."

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