Where our Problems Began

Artorias did not need an actual confirmation from Talyssa to know that she had been kept from sleep by an overactive mind, but the slow, almost sad nod and tired grin she gave him just served to further show the sire how badly his daughter had been affected by her experience. She was such a strong spirit, but even he could see she had been worn down in the aftermath of what had occurred. Damn that violet bastard for taking her peace of mind. Thank the gods it was only her peace of mind he had stolen from her... or he wouldn't have stopped at a beating and the crows would have feasted well last night. He offered her a walk with him, and after a brief glance back out the window by his tawny child, Taly looked back and asked if she could go on a proper patrol with him. Artorias was surprised, but more so he was relieved to see that she wasn't afraid of the outside world. A part of him had feared that she might develop the same sort of adversity to going beyond the castle walls like Gwynevere had when she had been attacked. Thankfully that was not the case, and the sire was all too glad to let his child accompany him.

"Fireşte. Come, Taly." Artorias motioned with a flick of his head for Talyssa to follow him, lingering in the doorway for his daughter to climb off of her chaise and join him at his side. Offering his girl a gentle half smile, the Aegis led the way for the two wolves out of the castle proper and across the courtyard until they had passed out of the gates of Hearthstone and into the plains. It was still dark as the dawn sun was just beginning to rise on the eastern horizon, the sky turning into shades of pale blue and pink just beyond the forest. A cool breeze rippled from the west across the land, bringing with it the smell of salt from the sea as it tousled the wolves' fur. Artorias had doubled up the patrols when he had returned last night just in case their unwelcome visitor decided to try his luck again, so he knew they were free to patrol wherever their hearts desired and it would be fine.

Looking down to Talyssa, Artorias decided to let her make the choice for them. "Which path would you like to patrol, Lys? The western path by the sea or the eastern path by the woods?" Whichever choice Taly made, once she had decided, Artorias would turn in that direction and begin to lead the way across the lush plains toward their patrol route. Somewhere in the distance songbirds were beginning to chirp, signaling the coming of the new day. It was so peaceful and serene, the way Art always wanted the world to be. But he couldn't save the world, and he could only fix and protect so much... There was a somber expression on the dire wolf's face as he kept stealing glances down at Talyssa, making sure she was still okay. "Do you want to talk about what's on your mind, Lyssa? I imagine you have more questions for me after yesterday's events." Artorias knew what this conversation would eventually have to entail, but if they began where the girl's curiosities lay, maybe he would be able to ease his way into the more severe topics instead of floundering trying to figure out how to have this talk.

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