Your journeys begin today

Some time had passed since the birth of their second litter, the days seeming to blend into one pleasant hazy blur of excitement, love, and activity as the happy Carpathian couple had watched their puppies grow from squealing little munchkins into somewhat cognizant wolf nuggets. The half dozen little pups had known only the confines of the alpha's quarters so far, but now that they had grown enough to be able to navigate their environments (mostly) safely and were getting restless to be let loose to see the rest of the castle, the time had come to set the new wave of Carpathians out into the Hallows. After breakfast had been eaten, Artorias cleared his throat to get his pups' attention, the great sire wolf making his way over to the large mahogany doors that stood between them and the rest of the world. For a moment, he studied the doors, looking at them as if considering something, hamming up the moment a bit to build some suspense. Then, turning his fiery amber gaze back to his children, Artorias gave them all a grin and asked, "Who wants to go outside?"

While waiting for Briar to help herd the excited little ones over to the door, Artorias began to lay the ground rules. "Okay, little loves, listen closely! I know this is a very exciting day, but that doesn't mean we forget our safety rules. You are all to stay in our sight or with your older siblings or an adult at all times. You are not to play or run on the stairs, and you must stay within the castle walls. We can play in the gardens, but no one is leaving Hearthstone today, understood?" Of course, Artorias had already arranged for the front gates to be closed, so escape wasn't even remotely an option, but knowing how wily his first litter had been, he wasn't going to take any chances. Once all six had voiced their agreement, Art smiled wide, eyes shining with playful excitement, and he unlatched the doors and pulled them open, letting all six out into the wide world for the first time. "Fii liber!"

"Artorias & Briar Carpathius" | "Carpathian"