Just one bite

Artorias closed the door to the armory with a firm and secure click of the metal latch landing into place. After he'd caught Talyssa and Dread inside and unsupervised, the Aegis had taken great care to doubly ensure that door remained shut so snooping pups couldn't get into places they shouldn't be going. Gods only knew the tongue-lashing Briar would give him if one of their inquisitive babes got hurt exploring his armory on their own. Making his wya back down the short corridor to the great hall, Artorias briefly wondered what all of his children were up to right now. No doubt Thorn and Dusk were off getting into trouble with their competitions. The silence in the castle was almost deafening when he'd gotten used to the noise of five chaotic puppies.

Stepping out from the corridor into the great hall, Art's curiosity was swiftly answered as he saw Ciaran's dark-coated form only a few feet away and heading in his direction. Artorias greeted his son with a warm smile—then paused when he saw the shocked and worried face the boy was making, eyes as wide as dinner plates like he'd just seen a ghost. "Ciaran..." Artorias began, the upward inflection of his voice emphasizing his suspicion of what his son was up to. A brow raised over one amber eye. "Why do you look like you're doing something you're not supposed to be? What are you going this way for?"

"Artorias Carpathius"