The bright morning sunlight had now become his mortal enemy. Artorias grimaced as he slogged forward across the great grass plains of the Armada with Briar at his side, his girlfriend more leaning into him than walking on her own. The inside of his head was pounding like someone were hammering his skull from within. His mouth felt dry and his stomach wouldn't settle. Both Artorias and Briar were significantly hungover and smelled of one another all over from their overnight picnic out in the Fern Gulley, the two lovers too wrapped up in one another to care about the consequences of the morning after. Now that they were living the morning after, present Artorias hated past Artorias with a burning passion.

It took a tremendous amount of strength to make it to the den Briar shared with her brother, but with sheer will and determination he trudged inside with Briar, escorting her into her bed despite her grumbling. He spotted Lia just beginning to rise from her bed as he eased his girlfriend down to her own pile of furs and tucked her in with one, snickering a little under his breath when he watched the Fatalis princess immediately pull the fur up over her eyes to cover herself in darkness. He reached down and gave the end of her nose that was peeking out a little kiss before he heard gentle snores coming from her. Shaking his head, Artorias stepped back out into the main chamber of the den so as not to disturb the sleeping hungover princess, waiting for Lia to come join him as well.

When the fire-furred woman joined him, Artorias offered her a warm yet tired smile, still feeling the effects of the high proof alcohol. "Hello again, Lia. Sorry you had to see me this way," he apologized with a sheepish smile, trying to ignore the pounding migraine in his brain. "Briar and I, we, uh... had a bit too much to drink last night. She'll probably be cranky when she wakes up." Artorias figured it was best to warn Lia now, so she'd know how to tend to Briar when the princess woke up.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Lia rose quietly, tidying up her bedding as Art and Briar staggered in. Her eyes lit up in surprise at seeing the familiar face of her Master, before looking across fondly at her Mistress. Art tucked her in, and Lia ensured something soft was bundled under her pillow. Smelling the alcohol on them, she also placed a container of water beside Briar for when she woke.

As Art departed the den, Lia quietly followed after him. Assuming her hungover Mistress would not need her for some time. “There is nothing to forgive, My Lord” she assured him. “I’ll ensure she has everything she needs when she wakes.” she had seen snappy hungover Masters before. Somehow, she didn’t think Briar would be anything like the worst of them. “Would you like some stew before you head on your way, My Lord?”

"Speech"

Hearing Lia's sweet voice felt like a welcome relief to the young alpha. He had been so worried over her wellbeing and Briar's as well; not because he didn't think Briar would treat her well. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was concerned someone else would try to take advantage of her good nature when he wasn't present, but he was glad to see she was exactly as he'd left her. Briar was doing a fine job as her Mistress. Buying Lia from the slavers had been one of the best decisions the young wolf had ever made, especially when he knew the life she had now was significantly better than what he'd rescued her from.

Lia assured him that Briar would be well cared for, and Artorias gave a thoughtful hum and nodded his head. "I know you will, Lia. Thank you." Lia offered him a bowl of stew before he started his trek back to the Hallows, and Artorias tipped his head back and released a heavy sigh through barely parted lips. "That sounds heavenly. Thank you, Lia." Smiling at the promise of a good meal to help tide over his hangover until he could get home, Artorias stepped back inside the den,  settling down on one of the furs in the common space.

"How has life in the Armada been treating you, Lia? Is everyone treating you decently?" he asked while she went about preparing the food. If they weren't, he'd have no issues speaking to Sirius about making sure his wolf wasn't being mistreated behind his back.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Mortis and Hika were out on a holiday, leaving the den to just Lia and Briar for the moment. It meant a lot of space - built for a giant wolf with wings - for Art to stretch out in near the opening of the cave. At his agreement, she immediately began pulling out the ingredients needed. They were close at hand, she had been making Briar stew to help her get over her cold.

“It’s my pleasure, My Lord” she assured him as she settled it over the fire to heat. Happy to be a busy body, she gave her hands something to do preparing a bowl for his study and tidying up after herself.

At his question however, her head shot up nervously. Had Briar told him? She couldn’t imagine the Princess keeping anything from him, but she didn’t know. The man was gone now, and there was nothing Art could do. Telling him would only unnecessarily worry him. But, nor could she lie, not to him. She eyed him cautiously for a moment, wondering if his question was leading. He had wanted her to tell him of anything that happened to her after all, hadn’t he? After a pause that was far more suspicious than she would have liked, she responded.

“Briar has been wonderful to me, Art. The Armada wolves here don’t seem to consider me a slave at all.” Which had certainly shocked her. If she was very hesitant to leave pack lands, then it was no matter. Almost everything she wanted was here in the Armada - or too far away anyway, at the Hallows.

"Speech"

For a while, Artorias just watched Lia moving about the den, making him a fresh stew, cleaning up the already spotless abode. It still made him chuckle to see the young woman's work ethic at play. Though he had freed her from a traditional life of slavery, being kept occupied and busy was what seemed to keep Lia happy. Far be it for him to deny her the lifestyle that made her feel the most fulfilled. He couldn't wait to see her reaction when she got to live in the Carpathian Castle permanently. The poor darling would spend all of her days trying to keep the enormous structure clean at this rate! He might have to help her dial it back a bit, remind her that she wasn't a maid and wouldn't need to tend to the entirety of the castle.

His question seemed to strike a nerve within her though. Artorias raised a curious brow when Lia hesitated far too long, clearly searching for some rehearsed answer or carefully choosing her words in a tactful manner. Just as he suspected, Lia gave him a smile and informed him that Briar was treating her well and the rest of the Armada didn't even consider her a slave. "That's because you aren't a slave, Lia," Artorias corrected her gently. "You are the handmaiden to the princess. You play a very important role in her life. I may have bought you from slavers, but you are no slave. Not any longer."

He waited a beat to see if his words had sunken in. The way in which he treated Lia was not only a reflection of how he felt about the woman, but how he felt about her role as well. Lia was no slave in shackles. She was a trusted and devoted servant to the wolves he cared about. He had given her a number of luxuries and liberties. But most importantly, if she asked him to do so, he would free her fully. Artorias didn't offer it to her, since he had a use for her and saw the fulfillment serving brought to her life, but if the day ever came where Lia wished to be her own wolf, Artorias would strike down the imaginary chains binding her to him.

After a few moments, Artorias turned his focus back to Lia's attempt to subvert his question. "I'm glad the Armada wolves are treating you well. But that's not the whole truth, is it?" He fixed Lia with a gaze that showed he knew she was withholding something from him. "If you don't wish to tell me, you don't have to. But if something or someone is bothering you, Lia, I'd like to know."

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Be it as it may, she had spent more of her life in servitude then out of it. There would always be wolves that saw her for what she had been raised. A slave. Someone to use, to mount, to hurt and cast away. But not Artorias, and not Briar. They seemed so determined to see her as something else, and she loved them for it. Even if she wasn’t entirely certain she could be what they needed her to be. “And it’s my honour to serve the both of you however you need.” she said, equally as gentle.

’But that's not the whole truth, is it?’ the words rung through her, filling her with shame. So he did know, Briar must have told him. He didn’t seem to look at her any differently. She belonged to him, him and Briar. They were training her to hold her ground,a dn she had folded at the first brush of resistance. Then she frowned, as he told her he wished to know. He didn’t know then? He was simply fishing?

She sighed, testing the stew for heat, and pulling it from the flames. Banking the fire so she didn’t have to worry about it. Buying herself a moment of time to think. “There was an incident, but it wasn’t an Armada wolf. I… I left the pack grounds” She paused there, giving him room to rebuke her for the move if he wished to. “And a wolf recognised me for a slave, and chose to have his way with me.” she did not meet his eyes. She was far too busy covering the already covered ashes of the fire. “I… I know that you and Briar have been trying to train me, but.” she fought the urge to shrug, a gesture that definitely would have gotten her a beating in the past. “I folded. It is what it is.” She said briskly, and grabbed his stew, bringing to him still without lifting her gaze.

"Speech"

His prying question caused Lia to fall silent once more. The longer time stretched on between them, the more concerned Artorias got. What had happened that was so terrible that she was struggling to tell him? Finally, Lia began to tell him the story. She had an incident with a lone wolf somewhere beyond the pack lands. Immediately Artorias was on the defensive, his expression serious. Someone had done something to his Lia? She explained, very nonchalantly, that the wolf identified her as a slave, then had his way with her. A furious fire ignited within the young wolf's heart, amber eyes narrowing to smoldering points as he considered the reality that some bastard had touched his wolf in such a manner. He would have this wolf's head if he ever found him.

What bothered Artorias the most, however, was how coolly Lia related the story to him. She had been raped, taken against her will and violated, and she just... didn't care? "It is what it is." That phrase rubbed him the wrong way. Artorias didn't say a word, didn't make an effort to move until Lia had come closer to him. He waited until she set the bowl of stew down for him, and then Artorias was up on his paws, trying to ignore the wave of nausea that came with the sudden movement as he went to catch Lia's chin with a strong yet careful paw. He inspected the woman's face, looking her over up and down for any marks, fresh cuts, or healing scars on her that this dead son of a bitch might have left on her.

After he'd finished looking her over and determining she didn't have any outward physical injuries, Artorias breathed a heavy sigh and began to relax some, dropping his paw from her and settling softening eyes over her. "Are you all right, Lia?" he asked, more to find out her mental and emotional state since he could see physically she was all in one piece. "I never want you to say that again. Being assaulted and raped is not something that 'is what it is'. Nobody is ever allowed to touch you like that without your permission again. I swore to you that you'd never have to be that way again, and I meant it, Lia." Gods, he was so angry now! Not at Lia, but at the fucker that dared to lay a paw on his wolf.

Settling himself back down with some deep breathing, Artorias brought a gentle paw up to touch Lia's cheek, feeling like he'd failed her by not being around to protect her when she needed him the most. He had to get her and Briar into the Hallows as soon as he could. At least then he'd be able to make sure they were always safe. Nobody could touch you behind high castle walls, after all. Artorias slid back down to his belly to begin eating. The warm broth felt amazing in his stomach, and the meat and vegetables were tender and delicious. He had no idea Lia could cook, but by the gods, could she cook!

As he ate, his mind continued to reel back the story she'd told him. One thing kept standing out that bugged him the most. She'd folded; she just let a stranger have his way with her because he wanted it and she hadn't put up a fight. "Lia... do you like being dominated by another wolf?" It was an awkward question to ask, but as sex positive and open as she was about sexuality, he didn't feel as if the question was entirely outlandish for them to discuss. It would also give him insight into Lia's mind and preferences so he could understand why things had happened the way they had.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

She froze when he reached a paw towards her. She did not believe him to be a wolf that would hand out punishments easily, but perhaps she had stepped a line in his mind. She belonged to him and she had not fought. So, she froze, and let him move her head as he pleased. Let him look into her face, though she still had trouble meeting the gentle gold of his gaze. The intensity in his gaze burning her in a way she imagined the sun must if a wolf strayed too close.

It wasn’t until he relaxed his paw that his gaze softened and she could breathe again, free from the trapping heat of his eyes. She glanced at his paws, and then hesitantly back at his face again. His question was gentle, and if there was any punishment to come, he gave no indication of it now. Assault and rape weren’t the labels afforded to a slave. punishment and deserving of were the ways it was described to them.

His stew seemed to be forgotten, and he couldn’t stop touching her. His paw this time went to touch her cheek, and she leaned into his touch. “It’s not your fault, Artorias, My Lord” she whispered it’s mine went unspoken. She had a feeling he wouldn’t appreciate the words. “I… a part of me did think you would come. But, you are not a god, and this isn’t a fairy tale. My Lord, we are limited by the logic of the world.” She was grateful when he remembered his stew and dug in. She no longer felt steam rolled by the weight of his gaze.

She was surprised at his next question, especially considering how shy and awkward he had been when she had accidently propositioned him in their first meeting. “When you take off the sugar coating, it was the entire reason of my slavery, it was what I was desired for. Prized for. There are many times in my life I was left cowering and in pain in a corner somewhere. I… I don’t know, did I enjoy any of it? I mostly remember the pain.”

"Speech"

Lia didn't need to say the words she chose not to. Artorias would have rebuked her right away, taking the blame upon himself for not taking more measures to ensure her safety. She was a beautiful wolf, of course the monsters of the world would want to feed on that. He knew better and yet he still did nothing to prevent it from happening. Never again, he vowed to himself in his head. Never again would a wolf touch Lia in that fashion. She spoke up again, admitting that she'd hoped he would come to her rescue, and Artorias' heart broke. It didn't matter if he was just a mortal bound by the laws of reality. He should have done something. He should have been able to save her and protect her. He hadn't, and he'd failed, and he'd let her down.

But then Bowen's words played back in his heart when he'd lamented the same guilt over not having been able to save her either. "You can't save the world, Art." More and more, Artorias was beginning to realize that. The older he got, the more he was forced to come to terms with the fact that no matter how just his cause might be or how noble his efforts were, sometimes bad things happened. Sometimes the bad guys won. He didn't like it but he couldn't change it any more than he could change the color of the sky. Artorias closed his eyes, taking in a slow, deep breath and releasing it a few moments later. He couldn't save the world. He couldn't even save his own world.

Their conversation shifted, and Lia seemed taken aback by his question. He supposed it made sense—although it was a far cry different to be asking her about her tastes in sex a few months after meeting her than it was her offering to service him the day they'd met. He had also just returned Briar home after a long night of drunken sex, so if anything it proved he wasn't unfamiliar with the topics of sex, love, and lust. Lia described how that had been her purpose as a slave—a sex slave. She was beautiful, wolves purchased her to use that beauty, and they would do it however they pleased. They were not kind nor gentle with her. She was left in pain. Artorias suppressed the urge to growl; he didn't want to startle her thinking his anger was directed at her, not that it ever could be.

"Hmm... I was curious, is all. I don't want you to feel pain or fear anymore." Pleasure and comfort, on the other hand... He finished eating the last of his stew, cleaning his bowl til it was empty. His tired, aching body instantly felt better for the hot meal in it, and he gave Lia an appreciative smile. "Thank you again, Lia. It was delicious and exactly what I needed."

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

She was paying a great deal of attention to Artorias at the moment, and she noticed the way he closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. Perhaps she should not have admitted to wishing for his appearance. She felt an urge to reach forward herself and touch his cheek, but could not bring herself to be so forward. She did glance up at him again however, offering an apology in her eyes.

“I understand, my Lord. I am happy here, with you and Briar as my Master and Mistress, truly.” She promised him. She opened her maw to make other promises, but closed it again. Perhaps it would change some time in her future, but right now fighting back wasn’t in her nature.

“I’m glad it helped, Artorias. Can I offer you anything else?” she asked, wishing to delay his leaving for as long as she could.

"Speech"

Artorias cast another gentle smile Lia's way, shining amber eyes finding the ever-burning embers of her own. He didn't ever want Lia to feel awkward or uncomfortable in his presence, and he never wanted her to regret being honest with him. He'd rather know a painful truth than live in the ignorant bliss of a lie. He appreciated that openness she had with him and hoped it never went away. "I know you are, Lia, and I hope I continue to give you reasons to be happy with us." Perhaps he shouldn't be trying to change Lia. Some wolves just weren't fighters, and that was okay. He knew Briar, coming from the line of Fatalises, would probably disagree with him, but he couldn't force Lia to be something she wasn't. And besides, he could be her savior as often as he could, even if it wasn't always.

Lia asked if she could do anything else for him. Artorias mulled it over for a moment, grimacing as the stiffness in his back from having to nearly carry Briar all the way back home coupled with his hangover headache. "Actually, I would love some water." He hesitated for a moment before adding, "And maybe a massage? I really liked the last one you gave me, and it's been a while since I had one." He gave Lia a sheepish smile, ears folding to his head as he tried not to think about how that massage had almost ended up. The last thing he needed was to start getting all flustered when she was about to be paws-on with him.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

She gave a shy smile, glancing back up at him again. “You do. Every time I see you.” She admitted, the Master that treated her with kindness, gentleness. Who wanted to protect her from the horrors of the world that she had lived with most of her life.

She laughed when he spoke next, and got back to her paws. More than happy to comply. Fetching water for him first, she placed it in front of him, pushing it towards his paw. “Lie down on your stomach then, my Lord.” She requested, waiting until he complied. Once the blue-black wolf was resting on the coat, she leaned beside him. Pressing her stomach against his side for balance as she leaned over him. “Where are you feeling the stiffest?” she asked softly, running her paw gently down his spine.

"Speech"

Lia's lyrical laugh filled the quiet space in the den and brought another genuine smile to Artorias' face. That was what he wanted to hear. Laughter. Smiles. Joy. Call him what you would, but Artorias' goals had always been simple in nature, complex in practice: leave the world a better place. Hearing Lia laugh and seeing her smile seemed like as good a step as any. Dutifully as ever, she fetched him a bowl of water, which he was quick to down to quench his parched throat. Fed and watered, Artorias did as he was instructed to, lying down on his belly and resting his chin on his paws, allowing Lia full access to him.

He felt the young woman press closer to him, her warm belly against his side. She asked where he was stiffest, and Artorias did a quick self-assessment. "My neck, shoulders, and hips mostly, though I won't stop you from doing what you think is best," he replied, settling in to enjoy the work Lia was about to do for him. He hadn't thought about it at the time, but Lia would no doubt find the fresh scars on the back of his neck from his fight with Oxx, the same fight he'd nearly lost his life in that had both her and Briar coming to the Hallows to his aid.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Lia rather liked having full access to the young Lord, if only for a little while. It was a rare privilege she didn’t get very often. Everything about his presence was welcoming, comforting to her. He made her feel safe in a way she had not felt before he had appeared like magic into her life.

She slowly made her way up his back, working along his spine as she made her way towards her shoulders. Just as she began to spread her paws across his broad shoulders, she noticed the scars - scars that certainly had not existed the first time she had massaged him. “What happened, My Lord?” she asked, her voice very soft as she let her paws brush across them, feather-light. Someone had hurt him? Artorias, who was a glimmer of golden light in a dark world? She frowned, a strange feeling bubbling up in her chest as she let her paws flicker gently across them again, blinking suddenly.

"Speech"

Lia began without hesitation, and within moments Artorias was relaxing completely against the fur with a smile on his face. Low rumbles of delight vibrated in his chest as her paws worked up his spine from the middle of his back until she reached his shoulders. Amber eyes slowly closed, blocking out the harsh light from the den's entryway and sparing himself a further headache. He could have easily fallen asleep like this, with Lia's paws working magic on his aching muscles, his tail tip very slowly flicking up and thumping back down to show his enjoyment.

That was when Lia asked what had happened, and at first, Artorias didn't know what she was referring to. A single soft paw brushing over the raised skin on the back of his neck with a feathery touch answered that question for him. Artorias' smile slowly sank away as darker memories returned to him. Memories of teeth and claws and ice and blood and pain and shame. Ever so slowly Artorias cracked his eyes open again, staring into space as he answered, "My brother..." It still felt like a disgusting long shot to call that bastard his brother, but he couldn't deny fact and truth. Oxx was a Carpathius wolf, one might say even more so than he was.

"We had a difference of opinion of one another. It didn't go so well." That was the nicest way he could think to put it to spare Lia the gristly details of how Oxx had pulverized him, violated him, stolen from him and then nearly killed him. Artorias released a heavy sigh while he forced thoughts of slate fur and dagger-like teeth out of his mind. Lia's paw moved over his scars again, the gentle touch sending a little shiver down his spine.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Lia frowned, knowing her features were tucked away behind him. She realised she didn’t know much about his family. Certainly she didn’t know about a brother that would leave such deep scars in his beautiful coat. “Well.” she said, giving the scars one last gentle brush. “I’m sure you’ve put him in his place now.” She couldn’t imagine this Prince losing any battles.

She wasn’t entirely certain what emotions she was hearing in his voice. It was clear he was trying to sound unperturbed by it, but betrayal in the family hurt. Even little Lia knew that. “if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here” she promised softly, working her paws expertly across his neck and shoulders, careful not to disturb his scars. Determined to ease him gently into comfort and relaxation

"Speech"

Artorias was silently glad that Lia couldn't see his eyes when she was behind him, otherwise she might have noticed the way the amber hue darkened when she mentioned how he'd put his brother in his place. That couldn't have been farther from the truth. He'd been beaten badly, only managing to deal a single cut to his murderous adoptive brother before he'd had his ass thoroughly handed to him. He didn't respond to Lia, hoping she wouldn't probe further so he wouldn't have to talk about the fight anymore.

A soft hum vibrated in his throat when Lia brushed her paw over the back of his neck one last time. She reassured him that if he ever wanted to talk about it, she was here for him. A soft chuckle left the grinning young wolf. A servant, a masseuse, and a therapist all in one? He'd hit the jackpot when Absinthe had brought Lia out for show. "Thank you, Lia. I doubt you'd want to hear about it though." After all, what wolf wanted to hear how their alpha had been beaten? He was just lucky Oxx had decided he was too amusing to kill. Someday he would make that slate-furred bastard regret his twisted sense of mercy.

Lia's paws were working wonders on him though, and Artorias found it impossible to dwell on the negativity when she was expertly working him into a state of deep relaxation. His breathing deepened and slowed, the wolf hovering somewhere between nirvana and euphoria. "You're so good at this," he murmured under his breath, his eyes disappearing behind closed lids once more.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

“My ears are yours for anything” she promised him, instead of agreeing. But she wouldn’t push, if there was anything he wished to share, she knew he would speak it. Instead, she continued along his shoulders. The slow gentle rhythm of her paws working to ease out any stress from his body.

She smiled at his compliment, making her way back down his back again. Heading towards his hips. Leaning over his broad body and feeling his warmth as she worked out any kinks in his muscles. “I aim to please you and make you feel good, My Lord.” what more could she want in life, then to hear the soft sounds of his contentment?

"Speech"

The gentle smile on Artorias’ lips grew while Lia’s paws worked over him with practiced precision on an expert. She targeted every taut muscle and tight bundle of nerves, unknotting every spot of tension and stress she came across. Those low purrs of satisfaction continued to pour from him, breaking into quiet groans only whenever she’d hit a particularly sensitive area with her soft paw pads. His tail gave weak, relaxed wags as she went on, working down his body at a steady pace. His toes splayed, paws flexing on reflex.

"The wolf that gave me those scars is named Oxx. He’s my brother on the side of my adoptive mother, her blood child." He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake by telling her this. He didn’t want to scare her, but it didn’t feel right ignoring her concern for his well-being. "When I returned home, I discovered that he had attacked my little sister and robbed my mother’s grave. I started hunting him down to avenge my family. When I found him, I challenged him to a deathmatch." Artorias hesitated in his story, his eyes peeking open to stare dejectedly at his forepaws. "…I lost. I lost badly. Fortunately for me, he has a sick sense of humor, so he let me live by throwing me in the Rio Grande and letting fate try to kill me. Turns out I’m too stubborn to die."

Artorias gave a weak chuckle under his breath, shifting his head to rest it on his paws better. How would Lia take learning that her invincible master was bested? She’d said it best herself, he was not a god, and this life was far from a fairy tale.

"Artorias Carpathius"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________