Just one bite

The excitement in his boy was palpable, and Artorias couldn't help but smile proudly. He hoped that none of his children ever lost that childlike wonder and zeal for life. As a father, he would do all he could to make sure that never came to pass. Ciaran followed him enthusiastically down the halls to his dojo and listened attentively while Artorias explained how he had learned to become as proficient at armed combat as he was. With that same sense of awe, Kea asked him if he still had his original training sword, and the Aegis beamed with a wide smile. "Sure do! It's kept locked up in a chest in our chambers, along with all the things from when your dad was a pup just like you." The wooden sword and leather body armor that Outlaw had given him years ago may as well have been sacred relics as far as Art was concerned. For him, they were where his destiny had truly begun. Maybe this moment here would be the start of Ciaran's own path.

Artorias watched Ciaran lift the wooden sword, seeming a little cumbersome and imbalanced, but totally expected for a small pup getting his first feel for the additional weight of a weapon in their jaws. It made Art smile around the sword hilt in his mouth, giving his son all the time he needed to get comfortable with holding the wooden sword. Then he positioned his feet shoulder length apart to brace himself, setting his stance to make sure he was solid. "Do like I do. Set your paws apart, just like when you're fighting without a sword. Balance yourself, make sure you feel sturdy with the ground." Then Artorias began a slow demonstration of turning his head to bring the wooden sword through the air in slow arcs and slices, moving equally as slowly forward so each swing brought with it a step in advance. "Treat your weapon like it's a part of yourself. Feel how it moves when you move your head. Which directions it goes, how to control the movements. Remember to always be moving your paws as you swing."

Art glanced back to Ciaran, urging his son to join him with a nod of his head. He moved slowly alongside his pup so that Kea could watch him and use him as an example. It was a basic lesson, but one of the most important ones to building a foundation for sword fighting. He had taught Fern this way, he had taught Mercury this way, and he would teach his children the same way as well.

"Artorias Carpathius"