Friend-Shaped

Artorias was on his way back toward Hearthstone at the end of his morning patrol, already looking forward to the warmth of the castle's halls and many fireplaces to chase away the chill of the autumn morning air. Summer had ended and the cooler seasons were now in full swing, the breeze coming from the neighboring ocean growing colder with every passing day. The leaves of the trees had begun to change color and the flowers in the gardens were starting to recede in preparation for a winter hibernation. That meant the pumpkin patch would soon have to be harvested. But that was young Solaire's duty this year. Artorias was eager to see how his son, who had grown so very fond of the plants and crops of the pack, would manage in his first real responsibility. His boy was growing bigger by the week, almost meeting Artorias' eye level and it was clear he would easily grow to his sire's massive size before he had reached adulthood.

Still, despite Sol's growth spurts, Artorias knew that harvesting some of the larger pumpkins was no small feat. So, as he came up to the outskirts of Hearthstone, Art diverted his path from the gatehouse over to the pumpkin patch to see how Solaire was getting along and if he needed any help. Paws crunching over the dew-covered grasses, the Aegis' fiery gaze soon landed on the form of his son... just sitting at the edge of the pumpkin patch, staring at something. A curious tilt cocked Artorias' head as he drew closer. What had his son so transfixed like that? The answer came to him in the form of a loud crunch of a gourd being split open. Art's eyes snapped up to find the massive rodent sitting in the center of the garden, pumpkin viscera and husk still clinging to its snout as it chowed down on a pumpkin. Several things happened simultaneously then. Art's eyes went to the rodent, then to the half-eaten pumpkin, then to the gaps in the patch where other pumpkins had been eaten, then to Solaire who was watching the culprit with fascination. How long had the animal been at this, and how long had Solaire been watching it?!

Stepping up behind his son, Artorias cleared his throat and stared down at the boy with a raised brow. "Hey, Sol... Uh, whatcha doing, kiddo?"

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"