Loneliness

Artorias was glad to feel his littlest daughter's tension slowly melt away as he did his best to reassure her. He never wanted any of his children to be afraid to venture forth into their world. He wanted them to grow into the strong, confident wolves they were, able to seize the day and take charge of their destinies. He refused to let the Syndicate take that from his children. The giant sire wolf then met her curious dual-toned gaze with a knowing smile, gleefully enjoying his scheming while she was totally unawares. Oh, he had a plan in mind that he thought would solve her dilemma of feeling stuck and needing a purpose. Clove confirmed that she was good at caring for animals, even mentioning the pet lizard she'd found when she was but a wee pup with Briar. That was all Art needed to hear.

Not hesitating to indulge in his daughter's curiosity, Artorias motioned with a tilt of his head for Clove to follow him. "Come with me, little love." He rose to his paws and led Clove out of her room and back down the many stairs until they had reached the ground level, then led her through the gardens and up the exterior stairs to the top of the high stone walls that surrounded Hearthstone. On the west wall, facing out towards the shimmering sea, sat a small tower. Art led Clove to the tower and pushed open the wooden door to step inside. Inside the tower was the Hallows' rookery—the dozen ravens they had managed to raise nesting in preparation for the evening. Many of them were chicks from his own ravens, Corbin and Eira, and were unclaimed, waiting to be companions to a lucky Hallowed wolf.

"Have you ever been in the rookery before, Clove?" he asked, glancing down at his daughter with an excited glimmer in his fiery eyes. Artorias glanced up at the family of ravens resting on the beams and struts of the tower, peering down with curious eyes at the Carpathian wolves. Art looked up at them with a warm smile, meeting the gaze of his own two companions high above the generations of ravens they had helped spawn. "For as long as we Carpathians have existed in Ardent, we have had our raven friends at our side. We live in perfect symbiosis—we provide them with food and a home, and they provide us with their aerial dominance. It's because of them we are able to keep the Hallows so safe and stay in touch with our friends and allies all across the world."

Looking to his daughter once more, Artorias gestured up to the ravens. "Up to now, I've been taking care of them. Bringing them fresh food, ensuring their nests are properly supplied, keeping them healthy and cared for." Lifting a large sapphire paw, Art patted Clove on the shoulder with a proud fatherly smile. "Now, they will be under your care, Clove. I am naming you Rookery Ranger, responsible for all the care of our feathered friends. You will be responsible for their training too. Take them out on explorations, show them how to scout, test their stamina and endurance and speed. Their success is your success." Artorias lowered his head to plant a gentle nuzzle atop his daughter's crown. "Is this something you would like, Clovie?" Artorias wanted to give Clove the purpose she was seeking. But more than anything, he wanted her to be happy with what she was doing too.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"