Reaffirming the reaffirming to reaffirm

Artorias was gladdened to hear Deimos so readily agree to his suggestion of practice raids between their packs. The Elysian king even made the suggestion of adding some friendly wagers as stakes to make the raid more interesting. Art found the idea of making a practice raid more authentic with actual resources to pillage an exciting idea. Hopefully the rest of his knights would think so as well. "Well, I can never say no to more raw materials for my forge," he remarked with an amused chuckle and a daring gleam in his flaming eyes. "I’ll make it even more enticing—if you can best me, alpha on alpha, I’ll give you a bottle from my own private collection." The Hallows were famous for their wines, but even the Lord of Cinder kept the cream of the crop for himself and his Lady to enjoy together. No doubt a brute like Deimos would find the offer of a rare reward enticing too.

Deimos confirmed that Avacyn had filled him in on the goings-on of the alphas meeting, as well as the reports and details of the Syndicate. Good; that meant Artorias wouldn’t have to repeat himself filling in the Mendacium brute with that entire conversation. Hearing Deimos openly denounce the Syndicate and Sephiran Saxe brought some comfort to the Lord of Cinder, grateful that their alliance with Elysium would continue in the face of this threat. Deimos seemed far more resolute in his willingness to oppose the Syndicate. "I do not intend to start a war on happenstance either, but the lack of willingness to oppose a clear and present threat by the other alphas was greatly disheartening." Artorias sighed and shook his head. He didn't know what he could possibly do to convince the others to see what he had seen. "If war is to come, it will not be by my paw. But I will not sit idly by if the Syndicate chooses to instigate anything."

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"