long time coming

In spite of her regality and sometimes austere aloofness, Artorias found Venom quite easy to talk to. At least in their conversations, there had been no pretenses, no calls to stand on ceremony or a fundamental rift between them. Perhaps it was because she had met him when he was so new to the role of leadership and he had found her in the lowest valley of her life that they had seen the true natures of one another. There was an honestness in their friendship, one the fairly young alpha appreciated from his peer. Venom teased and joked about him not having enough Klein blood to be considered part of the empire, earning a hearty chuckle from the azure-furred brute. "Well, as far as we know, at least," he quipped back, taking a bit of a shot at himself with his joke. Artorias was not shy about the fact that he'd never known his father. He supposed that it wasn't impossible that whoever had sired him and his siblings could have been a Klein, though they would never know. For all he knew, he could have been Klein, Fatalis, Abraxas, or anything! All he lived his life under the mantle of was Carpathius though—that was good enough for him.

Venom reassured him that just as he did not wish to place his pack in an awkward compromise between allies, the Empress did not desire that for her wolves either. Artorias gave her a short nod of understanding; so far, all their terms had been mutual and easy to agree to. This was shaping p to be a solid alliance between two strong and noteworthy packs. "It gladdens my heart to hear you say that, Venom," he replied with an easy smile, though there was a seriousness and fire behind his eyes as he added, "If the day ever comes, I will fight to my last breath to defend you and your own. I hope you wouldn't hesitate to call on us if you ever needed our aid." Artorias had seen enough packs he knew fall for one lifetime. If Ashen was ever in peril, he had no qualms dying on the battlefield to protect someone's home and way of life. So long as he breathed, his friends would have a powerful ally making sure they never fell.

Artorias barked out a hearty laugh when Venom mentioned his longstanding offer of arson against her ex-husband. He did so enjoy their running inside joke! The idea of taking a trip to the Ashen Empire in the near future was a delightful prospect, one Art would consider more as their children would grow to be more independent and less likely to injure themselves or each other. He and Briar could use a little romantic vacation, after all. "And you will always be welcome in the Hallows, to its lands, our castle, and our services, should you ever desire a vacation solo or with a... special someone." Artorias did not know Venom's personal life, but he did recall spying her dancing with a stranger at his wedding. Had it been a one night fling, or had Venom found someone new to grow her life with in the wake of Hattori? "You and your wolves, for that matter. Ashen wolves will always be welcomed in Hallowed lands."

At the discussion of trade offers, Venom spoke of fish being their most bountiful resource, earning another chuckle from the Aegis as she lamented the very limited freshness of it. "All the more reason to come visit then," he remarked with a witty smirk. "We'll keep trade lines open then. Should you need medicines, wines, herbs, we have ample supply to offer. We also offer a surplus of alpaca wool we use to make blankets, bedding, and cloaks. Excellent for keeping you warm during cold Boreal winters. I'm no blacksmith like what the Armada has, but I do have my armory and forge, and if its steelwork you need done, or weapons, I might be able to fill the Empire's needs."

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