long time coming

Artorias had been curious about how this moment would play out in reality from the moment he imagined a partnership with Venom. His mother before him had stalwartly refused to align the Hallows with other packs, least of all Ashen. He could understand her apprehension; Resin had never been shy about her desire to keep the pack out of the fold of the Abraxas' dominion nor her opinion of the family. But Artorias was not his mother. The world they lived in had changed, and continued to change rapidly. Dangers of all kinds threatened their existence, and with so many packs both new and established falling like houses of cards, it left the Aegis awake at night concerned for the longevity of his reign.

Venom opened the delegations simply with an offer of mutual protection. Ashen would stand with the Hallows in its defense, and in turn she expected the same consideration. That was easy enough to agree to. What intrigued him was the offer of raid training between the two packs. He did recall the simulation raid Ashen had led on the Hallows years past when he was almost a yearling, how it had been his first taste of real combat against real opponents and not just an organized spar. The option for trade was also opened, all things Artorias had also sought in his alliances. "These are acceptable terms," he began with a nod of his head once Venom had finished speaking. "But I want to make it clear that whatever agreements we reach, the Hallows is to remain an independent entity outside the Empire and not one of its subjects. It was my mother's wish that the Hallows remain a place open to all who seek shelter, and I intend to keep it that way." Artorias spoke adamantly, yet respectfully. Venom was someone he admired and a wolf he called a friend, but he would never allow the Hallows to be subjugated to anyone—friend or foe.

Artorias took a long sip of his drink before continuing. "The Hallows will stand to defend Ashen against any of its foes, just as you would for us. But we will not be involved in any aggression that does not directly involve us. We defend our friends, but we are no conquerors. We don't fight without cause." He hoped Venom would find this easy enough to agree to. The Hallows was not a warmongering pack. They would fight tooth and nail to defend their friends and fight in the name of justice and what was right, but they had no intentions of fighting for someone else's conquest. It was as much support as Artorias could offer without jeopardizing his pack's core tenet. "Raid training... Now that is something I hadn't considered! The last time we had a practice raid with you, I got to beat two of your wolves over the head with a wooden sword." Artorias chuckled at the memory and sipped his drink. "It was a worthwhile lesson then, and I think my wolves could definitely benefit from more. Trade as well. Though I admit, you have me at a disadvantage. You know well what we offer as goods..." The Aegis gestured to the mug in the Empress' paws. She was no doubt familiar of the Hallows' brewing works, as well as the medicines and crafts produced in the castle. "I regrettably haven't spent much time in Ashen to know much of your pack. I'd like to remedy that, if you'll have me and my Queen as guests at some point."

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