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It was... refreshing for Artorias to hear such measured and levelheaded words from Basilisk. Being the son of Azure, Artorias had worried that the new Warlord might have inherited his father's disposition towards errant rage and grudges. Thankfully, that did not seem to be the case. The world scarcely needed another Azure Fatalis. He nodded assent; he understood Basilisk could no more influence the decisions of others than he himself could. "You said your piece. You gave her the warnings. Whatever she does next, that's on her. But I would be prepared in case she chooses to walk that path." Art hoped that whoever this wolf was (though he had a strong suspicion he knew who) she made the smart decision. Artorias had been forced to put down family that turned on their own before. He would not hesitate to do it a second time to keep his loved ones safe.

Basilisk spoke true when he pointed out how many fledgling alphas had been present at the summit, himself included. The only truly tenured leaders around the Carved Table had been himself and Hattori. Even Avacyn and Modesty had only been leading for just over a year's time. "Too new to remember the time when strong alliances kept us all alive in the bleakest of nights," he murmured with a shake of his head. "All they've known is peace. How could they possibly comprehend the threat of war and violence when it's never been made real to them." It did worry him. A world of segregated packs was ripe for plunder from a group as insidious as the Syndicate. But there was no use in ruminating on the failure the meeting had been. At the end of the day, the world remained fragmented, and this would be the chessboard he would have to play with.

As he had suspected, Basilisk had come with another intention. Artorias listened with intrigue as the massive wolf asked him for a favor as his nephew. Bas stumbled through his explanation at first, earning him a curious quirk of an eyebrow from the elder alpha. What eventually came tumbling out of the Fatalis' mouth took Art by pleasant surprise. Basilisk was in love! The scribe he had brought with him to the alphas' meeting was his betrothed, following a similar story that Sirius and Zee had written. Art sincerely hoped this one followed a happier ending... Basilisk asked him to officiate his wedding to give them the legitimacy of a union, and Artorias was even more surprised, but honored all the same.

"It would be my honor to officiate your wedding, Basilisk," replied the Lord of Cinder with a lopsided smile. Artorias was a hopeless romantic at heart, so this was right in his wheelhouse. Oh, Briar would be so excited to get to host a wedding and reception in the Hallows again! "Have you and Ignita decided on a time you'd like to be wed? Auster's fall season is lovely if the rains keep at bay. Were you thinking a ceremony inside Hearthstone, or amongst the gardens, or maybe on the plains or the beach...?" How much planning and discussion had Bas and Ignita had so far? Art was getting a feel for how far along their plans were and where they'd need a helping paw.

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