Virtues are not conditional

Ember was quiet all the while he was explaining what had happened and what he had learned, but she was quick to accept his rule as her father to avoid the Syndicate. It brought some comfort to Artorias' concerned soul. His intense gaze softened some and he nodded his approval, humming a sound of acknowledgement before the two wolves went back to looking at the garden. His mind was racing with a million different thoughts, none of them good. He would need to convene a meeting of the Ashen Empire and all potential allies to warn them of this new threat. Sephiran had directly threatened all packs currently in the Empire and they needed to be warned as soon as possible.

Artorias' mental marathon was interrupted then by Ember's absurd question. The Lord of Cinder looked at his daughter shocked and aghast at her question, and even more bewildered by her explanation of how she'd gotten to her conclusion. "We're not going after them, Ember," he stated very matter-of-factly, the resolution in his deep voice making it clear that this was not up for debate. "I went over there as a show of strength, to warn the Syndicate of what will happen if they step out of line against us or our allies. I did not go over there to start a war." Artorias frowned and turned to face his daughter more directly, fixing her with a serious look. "Hunting down wolves goes directly against our tenets of the Hallows, Ember. You know that. Why would you ever suggest such a thing?"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"