Gone are the days you were there protecting me; so cold, so alone

Nightmares were not something Artorias was used to having often. Usually the alpha wolf's sleep was peaceful beside his mate, but this night his slumber was plagued with disturbing visions. A dark, roiling sea collided all around him, tumultuous waves crashing down around him like a cataclysm were happening. He was drowning, fighting to keep his head above water, but no matter how much he fought, the darkness just kept pulling him down deeper and deeper. Salt stung at his eyes and nose and bitter cold cut through his fur and flesh to the bone. It seemed as if the darkness was destined to claim him. Eventually though, he did surface in his dream, still paddling for his life in endless blackness—but up ahead, he could see the lights of Hearthstone glowing in the distance. Warmth, safety, sanctuary. Home. The tide pushed him ashore, and as soon as his body hit the sand, he vomited up water. Then his mother's voice was yelling in his head as clear as the last day he'd heard Resin alive.

"Wake up."

Amber eyes snapped open with a jolt, drawing in a harsh breath. He was safe in bed, curled up beside Briar, their children sleeping in their whelping bed. A fire smoldered in the hearth, its embers barely illuminating the bedroom. Darkness still claimed the land; night time. How late was it? Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, Artorias flopped onto his back and gazed blankly up at the ceiling above him. What an awful dream... He had no way of knowing it hadn't been a dream, but an experience of what his brother had lived through—at least not until he heard Bowen's distressed howl for him coming from the beach. Rising with a start, the Aegis hurried over to the tall windows and peered out into the dark. He couldn't see anything from here, even with his improved eyesight. What the hell was Bowen doing outside at this hour?!

Fearing the worst, Artorias hurried quickly and quietly out of the bedchambers to prevent from waking his family, then sprinted down the halls, the stairs and out of the courtyard. Nimble paws followed familiar paths down to the dark sandy shores. Even amongst the scent of sea salt he could pick up Bowen's scent, following his sister's trail like a beacon in the dark until her pale form came into view. "Bowen! Are you all right?" he asked. That was when his gaze shifted to the dark lump of fur collapsed at her side. Brow furrowed in confusion; what was he looking at here? A closer inspection though revealed a familiar scent amongst the overpowering smell of surf and salt clinging to the body's coat. He knew this scent. Fiery eyes widened as recognition dawned on him. A giant paw lifted to shift the stranger's face, revealing elongated fangs and a nasty wound to his face. "Grim...!" Artorias breathed, shocked by their brother's appearance washed ashore. He was supposed to be up north with the Armada. How the hell had he gotten all the way down in the southern ocean?!

No time was wasted as Artorias hurried over to where Bowen was trying to get Grimshaw to his paws. His larger bulk slid up alongside their brother, using his muscles to help support Grim's frame so they could get him up. He felt skinnier than he remembered Grimshaw being. What had happened to him...? "Grim? Grimshaw, can you hear us? Make a sound if you can. Can you stand?" He was no medic, but Gwyn had taught him enough basic triage to know that gauging someone's cognizance was the first key to seeing how rough their shape was.

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