Together, We Grow Stronger

His father returned his affections, holding him close. It was a moment that Charlie knew, even when it was past, that he would cherish. Hearing those words from his father filled his heart with joy, swelling with pride. Even if he didn’t need to rise within the Armada, he wanted to. Both for his father, and for himself. As he looked at the challenges he had faced thus far, he realized he didn’t resent them. They had been learning opportunities, and growing up, taking more responsibilities, and bettering himself was all part of that too. As much as he wanted to make Sirius proud, he wanted to be able to look at himself at the end of each day and be able to say he’d done everything he wanted and needed to do. To feel that pride in himself.

But hearing that their blacksmith was absent troubled him. Charlie would draw back, frowning. “Ruga has been missing? I hope that he is alright…” The worry for his packmate was clear, and Charlie furrowed his brow in thought. With Ruga missing there was no one tending to the weapons and armor of the Armada. He looked at the ground for a moment, considering his father’s words, and then he would lift his gaze, certainty within those blue orbs. “It sounds like fate is encouraging me to walk that path. The position is open, and needs to be filled.” Charlie stood straighter.

“Warlord, I request the rank of Master of Arms.” His lips pulled up, a smile touching them. “And I am ready for any task you ask of me to prove it.” He would step up and rise to this challenge as he had the other. Fighting his father for the rank of warrior had been one thing, but Charlie was far more confident in his attention to detail and perceptive nature. Besides that, he had enjoyed working on the weapon Sirius. Maybe they would be able to finish it soon. Charlie was sure it could have been finished by now if he had asked, but it was a task he wanted his father part of. The bond in creating the weapon had meant more to him than the weapon itself. He knew that when he was able to use it, the mace would not fail him.

"Speech," 'Thought.'