It's Funny How Reflections Change

The days were dark with worry following the fall of Norad and the rise of the Syndicate. Artorias had put all of his warriors on high alert, monitoring their borders tirelessly even long after the Syndicate had left Auster to return back north. Not knowing where they were headed as a full-fledged pack was very much a concern to the Lord of Cinder, but he couldn't rightly pursue the bastards without starting a war, and he had no intentions to inciting open conflict with the group—not yet, anyways. And following his altercation with his daughter after the fact, Artorias' mind was heavy with thoughts. Self doubt began to cloud the alpha wolf's mind. Had he done the right thing? Had he done enough? Should he have intervened directly with the Syndicate? So many what ifs, and of course there was no way of knowing what would have happened, but still... Ember's words plagued his conscience.

Thankfully, it was Haydée's familiar call at his southern border that shook him out of his brooding. Artorias glanced up from the hearth he had been staring long and hard into, his mind catching up to his ears. He left Hearthstone and headed down to greet his guest who was becoming quite a familiar face around the Hallows as of late. He found the little alpha waiting for him down where the beachhead met with the grasses of the plains, looking as tired as he felt, maybe more. Art regarded Haydée with a gentle smile as he approached her, gesturing for her to walk with him as he led her up the grass to a spot raised just above the beach where the view of the western sea was exquisite.

"I know that look," he remarked, looking to Hay's distressed expression again. "What's on your mind, Haydée?" Now up close to the young woman, Artorias realized just how badly beaten up she looked. "Parting gifts from the Raiders?"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"