You'll Blow Us All Away

The new parents were given scant little time to get a breather before Briar's contractions started up for a second time. The next pup was on their way. With Gwynevere coaching and reassuring Briar, Artorias felt much calmer than he would have been without her aid. Gwyn truly was the greatest healer he had ever known—perhaps the greatest in the world—and she did so much for their family and the Hallows. He shared a grateful smile with his sibling, then returned to stroking Briar's side and letting her lean on him for support as she pushed their second child out into the world. All the while he continued to lick the back of her neck and head, whispering sweet words of encouragement for the struggle she was going through for their family. He squeezed his wife's paw all the way through the second birth, and after a painful moment, the Carpathians were rewarded with another squealing puppy cry. Artorias wasted no time, immediately lifting his head and craning his neck to peek at their second born child. Another boy, equal in size to his brother, but wearing a coat of dark blacks and streaked with blue. It was clear which parent he had gotten his coloration from.

"Two sons... Two perfect little boys..." he murmured in wonder as he stared in awe at his children nursing at Briar's belly. The third set of contractions began, and Artorias quietly wondered just how many pups Briar was carrying. He knew large litters ran in her family, but gods be good, they seemed to have blessed both parents with abundant fertility! Artorias held Briar's paw, gritting his teeth through the pain of her cat-like claws digging into the flesh of his forearm as she struggled along, pushing in time with her rippling muscles. After some time and nothing happening, Gwyn began to check Briar and informed them the pup had breached. Artorias felt a pang of panic strike his heart, amber eyes wide with worry. "It's okay, Gwyn will fix it... You're doing great..." he whispered to his wife, nuzzling behind her ear while Gwyn did what she could. It felt like a lifetime before Gwynevere told Briar to continue pushing, his sister working to help free the child, then Art felt his breathing stop as their third child was born. He looked down immediately. Was the pup okay? Had it survived?

"Gwyn...?" Artorias' voice was filled with nervousness as he looked to his sister cleaning their child, waiting to hear her cries. When the pup let out a banshee-like scream louder than either of her brothers, Artorias visibly slumped back in relief. A heavy sigh slipped from his lips while he watched with assuaged eyes as their first daughter was presented to them, black as night like she'd been rolled about in soot from the hearth. Art smiled down at their little girl, smaller than her brothers, but just as big in personality already. "She really did," the dire brute agreed with an emotionally drained chuckle. "Mom's gonna love that when she gets to see her."  Gwynevere began to give Briar some more herbal medicines and supplements, and Art gave his sister another grateful nod. "Thank you, Gwyn." Then to Briar, he nuzzled her cheek and asked, "You're doing amazing. How are you feeling, love?"

"Artorias & Briar Carpathius"