Little soldier boy The boy had returned from his adventures lately. He was starting to really become a accomplished fighter if you asked him. But that didn't mean he was going to skip a good workout or chance at seeing his uncle. Nikolai was around the castle somewhere, probably enjoying a good snuggle with someone, seeing as both boys enjoyed a good snuggle. Andrei was on his shoulder as he padded down the corridor. In his sack he had something important. A great hunk of metal ore. He was going to deliver it to his uncle. The metal was dark and almost like the steel his family made but it wasn't quite right. He had returned to the castle too late the night prior to seek his uncle out but he was determined. Over his back was a piece of parchment rolled and held with a band. His plans for his own armor. He knew he would need to grow more but if his uncle had the plans maybe they could discuss them and maybe, just maybe his uncle would let him become his forge apprentice. He moved towards the room his uncle occupied with his aunt before the sun was even risen. The small croak of Andrei his only sound as he moved with silent paws. When he reached the door he stopped and lifted a paw knocking steadily for his uncle. Though he hoped he didn't wake his Aunt briar. Walk, "Talk", Think Come marching home

Artorias planted a tender kiss on his sleeping wife’s cheek, just as he did every morning when he woke up. The Lord of Conder had always been an early riser, even as a young wolf, and his habits and routines had long been established. Lingering a moment to rub his paw gently over Briar’s pregnant belly before he slid out of bed in the early pre-dawn stillness, Artorias began to gather up his sword, preparing for his morning meditation and patrol.

He had no sooner picked up Embershard than a gentle rapping came at the bedroom door. Artorias winced and quickly glanced over to Briar, who was thankfully still asleep and tucked up in bed. Phew. Art breathed a quiet sigh and headed for the door, Corbin and Eira gliding down from their perch in the rafters to alight on his back. When Artorias opened the door, he was quite surprised to see not Mercury, not Ezra, not Sirius, but little Titus waiting for him.

"Titus!" Amber eyes blinked wide as Artorias quietly shut the doors behind him so as not to disturb his wife’s slumber. "The sun’s just rising. What are you doing up this early?" Whatever it was, it was keeping his nephew from sleep.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"

Little soldier boy As soon as he knocked he could hear movement inside so he dropped the bag he had been holding in his mouth into his paw hand. He'd already broken a rule this morning but he saw it as being for good reason. If his uncle was ever going to take him seriously he would need to show him what he had already accomplished. As the door opened he backed up to let his uncle out so they could talk without waking everyone. He had a determination in his eyes as he looked up into his uncle's surprised eyes. He likely didn't expect Titus nor know everything the boy and Nikolai had gotten up to lately. As soon as the door was shut and Art had asked his question Titus took his opportunity. "Uncle Art, I want you to train me and make me your forge apprentice." He had all the conviction in the world. This was how he was going to become useful to his family. He took the moment to extend his paw and offer the rough hunk of metal in a leather bag to his uncle and used his dexterous thumb to open it at the same moment to reveal the almost four inch diameter hunk of dark metal to his uncle. He made to continue before his uncle could tell him no or laugh in his face. "I've already placed my trophy collection in your forge this morning as well, so you can see I'm serious and a capable warrior. I didn't touch anything and only placed them in there before you get upset, they are on your workbench." he gave a flick of his tail. Yes he'd broken the rules, but he had touched nothing and done nothing but go in place the tails and the ear he had collected and get out. He viewed it as a necessary thing to be taken seriously. A tiger tail, mountain lion tail, bear ear, and coyote ear were all he had added but he was pretty sure his uncle would see the resolve and strength in the parts he had delivered to the work table. He was an intelligent kid and wanted his uncle to see that. From his back he could hear Andrei fluff and unfluff himself a few times. Walk, "Talk", Think Come marching home