The board is set, the pieces are moving

The world of Ardent had begun to settle down some, the uncertain chaos that had risen in the wake of the rise of the Syndicate ebbing away like the high tide into an uneasy normalcy. Their enemies had settled far across the world from them, and although they still existed as an ever present threat just off in the horizon, it gave Artorias time to breathe and plan the Hallows' next moves. Though he had been able to keep the old Ashen Empire together in the new Ardent Coalition, there were still unaligned packs that they could perhaps sway to their cause with a great enough show of diplomacy. The Lord of Cinder sat in the council chamber, staring down at his map carved into the table and studying each of the pack effigies with careful deliberation. Amber eyes rested on Raiders Hollow. His talks with Modesty had been enlightening, but regretfully had bore no fruit just yet. Their war with Polaris came first and foremost to them before any considerations of joining the defense alliance. Understandable, but still disappointing.

Artorias' gaze turned then to the other neutrally aligned packs. Hemlock, Tojo-kai, Insomnia, Avalon... Artorias did not know Corbie of Avalon well, but he knew enough of the pack's tenets to know they would not be joining in taking up arms to defend anyone else. They stood staunchly by their neutrality. Hemlock had a positive relationship with the Hallows, as did Tojo-kai; perhaps with enough time and effort they could be convinced to join the others too. But Insomnia... Artorias breathed a sigh and stared at Insomnia's effigy. Insomnia had been a curious pack since their inception. They had spawned from the death of Habari, a part of the Ashen Empire, and Artorias had seen them as threats ever since.

But in the years they’d existed since then, they’d shown no signs of aggression or hostility towards the Hallows or their allies. They’d kept to themselves, reclusive and secretive. It gave the Lord pause to wonder if they were actually as much a danger has he had presumed Medusa and her lot would be… Chewing on his lip as he pondered the board before him, Artorias rapped his claws on the edge of the table. What to do, what to do… Hopefully Bramble would have some insight to offer when she arrived. Corbin should be returning with his daughter any moment now…

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"