The past guides us

Mercury joined him at the workbench and began to assist in sharpening and polishing the weapons Artorias had laid out. There wasn't much left to do, but Art appreciated the help all the same. These were the standard weapons in the armory, of course; there were still too few wolves he trusted to handle maintaining the Carpathian steel ones locked up in the vault. Though perhaps Mercury would be able to help him with them soon as the male grew more familiar with his own blade. While they worked, Merc brought up his desire to continue progressing up in the ranks of the Hallows. This had been a conversation he and the midnight-blue wolf had shared before, but it had been some time since then. Mercury had already shown time and time again how invested he was in the Hallows, so it was no question of his commitment or ability. No one could doubt the Ermís wolf's dedication or loyalty. It had only ever been a matter of timing and availability.

Artorias glanced over to meet Mercury's gaze while he spoke, fire orange catching arctic sapphire. There was a sagacious, knowing look in the Aegis' eyes, like he had been expecting this conversation to come. Art ran the oiled cloth down the length of his dagger, making the pristine silver blade shine in the firelight from the forge. "You feel ready to move up in the pack?" It was a rhetorical question. Mercury's ambition was relentless and stalwart—a trait he admired in his Vanguard. Artorias nodded his head, seeming to consider the subject, despite having already had his mind made up on the matter long before. "You have been a faithful and admirable member of the Hallows from the moment you arrived, Merc. Your commitment to your craft and your dedication to the wolves of the pack is undeniable. As a Vanguard, you have kept my family safe and shown exceptional abilities in training my little ones. It does make me wonder how you'd do being responsible for all the pack's combat skills and training."

Sliding the dagger back into its sheath beneath his leather bracer, Artorias turned to look at Mercury, pausing his work for a moment. "I know you're aware that there can be only one Commander in the Hallows, and that rank is currently occupied by Tika," he began, rapping his claws against the wooden surface of the workbench in thought. "Ordinarily, you would need to challenge her and beat her in combat to prove your skills..." A pause for dramatic effect from the Aegis as he considered his options—or pretended to. He knew what he wanted to do already. "...But my sister has been missing for some time. As far as I'm concerned, she's abandoned her duties as Commander and left the role vacant. So if you want it, then it's yours, my friend. You've proven yourself tenfold to me and it'd be my pleasure to see you do what you do now to greater effect." A lopsided smile touched Artorias' face as he read Mercury's expression, eager to see his friend's reaction to the offer placed before him.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"