It was a long road back to the pack she had left some seasons ago. Setting her eyes on the castle as she approached, she wondered if the wolves beyond would still recognise her. She was not the wolf who had left them, and she certainly wasn’t the wolf that the Armada Warlord had purchased. The wolves that ruled this land were strongly cemented into her mind. But surely she was only a passing thought in there’s. One wolf - among many - that they had helped once upon a time.

She settled at the border, shifting her weight wearily and fighting the urge to run a paw across the raised skin across her face. The last gift her mother would ever give her. Finally, realising she could procrastinate for only so long, she raised her head and howled. Her call ringing softly through the territory, calling for Artorias and Briar. Her first and only friends in this world.

"Speech"

Early evening in the Hallows meant getting the massive Carpathian family washed and ready for dinner, which in of itself was a tremendous feat for the patriarch and matriarch of the household. Artorias had herded their half dozen younglings from the baths into the Great Hall to help their mother set the table for dinner when an all too familiar voice called almost hauntingly from the borders. Artorias froze mid-step, head snapping up in shock as the voice filled his head with memories of seasons gone by. As surprise faded, it gave way to excitement and joy, and without a second thought Artorias hurried out of the castle and for the borders. Many a night since she had left he had imagined hearing her call coming back home, praying that she would be safe on her journeys. And now his prayers had been answered.

Hurrying up the sloped hills towards the borders by the forest, Art saw her standing there, the figure of autumn colors like living flame he remembered well. There was no hesitation in his stride, no slowing of his pace as he ran up to Lia and all but pulled her into a strong embrace, forearms going to wrap around her back and draw her in the way family would after being apart for far too long. His head lowered to nuzzle at her cheek, so overcome with joy at seeing her alive that he hadn't bothered to stop and notice anything different about her yet. It wouldn't have mattered in the least anyway. Lia was as much family to him as his own blood was and he was just content to see her here, alive and well. Words failed him, and the emotions he couldn't say were spoken in his actions as he embraced her.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian"