It's been SEVEN YEARS!

Artorias's posture visibly relaxed as he breathed a sigh of relief to hear Syanna was still alive and well, just over in the nearby territory. After the slew of deaths and departures from the Hallows, he had feared the worst when he saw Ezra here without her, especially since the two had been nigh on inseparable when they were living in the pack. The second part, Ezra's mention of a new half-sister, did earn him a raised eyebrow from the black and blue brute. Ulric and Eska had been busy it seemed. The pair of brutes sat down in the grass as Ezra began to explain everything to him, Art listening attentively and with interest, yearning to hear what his friend had been up to in his time away. Ezra explained how he had met up with Ulric and his new sister, and how Eska had passed away shortly after birthing her. Artorias' expression sank along with his heart to hear the grave news. Although they hadn't been close, Eska had been his family. Her loss was a tragedy, mostly to Ulric and Aylin.

But the tragedy didn't stop there. Shortly after they reunited, Ulric passed away as well. That bit of news came like a punch to the heart and almost had Art buckling over. The grief washed over his face as he stared out blankly over the plains, lost in thought. Ulric had been such a mentor to him. He had helped prepare him to take over the Hallows, had filled in as Aegis after his mother's death, fought and bled for the pack... Hell, he was a founding member of the Hallows. To know he had died, that he would never be coming back... it felt like a dagger of ice in his chest. "Ezra... I'm so sorry. Your father was an incredible wolf, one in a million, and he will always be remembered and revered in the Hallows." Artorias looked away so he could wipe a paw across his eyes, removing the small tears threatening to well up. When he looked back at Ezra, he offered his friend an empathetic smile and patted him on his shoulder. "I'm glad you were all there for him too. He loved you so much, and I know he wouldn't have wanted to go any other way than with his family at his side."

Artorias' lips pursed, his jaw set tight as he realized he had to fill Ezra in on the happenings of the Hallows since their departure. "Things have been... up and down. Briar and I had another litter, six this time. The little hellions keep us busy night and day. My sister, Avantika, went missing. We still haven't found any trace of her anywhere. My daughter Talyssa left home for a while, going traveling like you did. Audra and Laeta both passed away earlier this season. It... hasn't been a good time to be Aegis, what with all the funerals I've had to host lately." Art put on a rueful smile, trying to keep the strong front up, but in the wake of the tragedies, it was getting harder and harder to do.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"