Who you were meant to be

As his eldest litter turned two years and his youngest turned yearlings, Artorias had been dwelling on thoughts of the future more than ever. His children were growing, sometimes much too fast for his liking, and they were all becoming their own independent wolves, people he was so very proud to be their father. Seeing them transform into who they were meant to be was an experience that brought him a joy unlike anything else. But there was one of his children that had shown amazing growth, owned her own destiny and had truly stepped beyond any expectations he had as her father. It was high time that Artorias not only acknowledged his daughter's development, but rewarded her for her commitment and perseverance too.

It was a typical rainy afternoon for Auster in winter, the rain falling gently from gray skies to beat rhythmically against the walls and windows of Hearthstone. Artorias walked down the corridors of the castle, heading for the Council Chambers with his companions in tow. He lifted his head and gave forth a short call for Bramble, summoning her for a meeting in what he had come to realize was one of her favorite rooms in all of Hearthstone. He wanted to give her his feedback on the ball she had organized—as well as surprise her with the just rewards for all her hard work and dedication on her second birthday.

Artorias entered the chambers and began to light the fire in the hearth to chase away the chill in the room, getting a crackling fire started before he stoked the brazier back to life as well. He lit the candles under the great stone table to illuminate the map carved within and set out the pack effigies across its surface, placing the Raiders' within Ethne's territory to mark the recent raid that had occurred. Then he waited for Bramble, studying the effigies on the map like pieces on a chessboard, analyzing the next moves to be made.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"