always

oh your hands can heal, your hands can bruise. I don't have a choice but I'd still choose you.

It came as only the slightest of surprises when Taliesin forcefully grabbed Alcide’s paw, and the beast smirked at the young man’s tenacity. Allowing his paw to be taken with only the slightest of resistance his mass tumbled to the ground. He did not immediately rise, instead training his eyes upon the youth to see what he would do to continue the upper hand he suddenly held in this training spar. Taliesin was on his feet before Alcide’s body had fully settled into the snow, which impressed the king. His words made him grin and a loud chuckle rumbled forth from him as the boy came to stand towering upon the fallen leader. “Well done, my boy! he said before rolling onto his side in a relaxed manner. That would do for today’s lesson – best not to overload him with too much information in their first session. There would be more to come as the weeks passed and Taliesin continued to grow.

Pushing into the ground with his forepaws, he walked himself up into a sitting position. “You have proved your potential, Taliesin. Sleekwing will be lucky to have you as his first student – he could use a regular sparring partner.” Alcide winked at the mahogany lad. His two sons would be able to teach each other many things. In due course Sleekwing would see himself promoted to Hercules, but he had to prove he was ready to be a defender and teacher first. There was more to being the lead warrior of the mountain than flashing fangs and pushing your weight around.

For a moment he was content to sit with the boy and chat for a while, but as the sun began to descend into late afternoon, he knew that he should be getting on. Alcide had greatly enjoyed the spent with his adoptive son. Such a refreshing change of pace. Rising to his paws, he looked to the young soldier. “The perimeters require a check,” it was an open ended invitation. The boy could join him or just as easily go about his own business and it would not offend the alphen. But he would certainly enjoy Taliesin’s ongoing company. With a simple nod of his head he turned and made his way down the mountain towards the far northern border where he always began his marking of the territory. He tossed a single glance over his shoulder to see if the boy would join him, but if not, he would be well on his way.

alcide | seventeen | moonglow | polaris of spirane
sleekwing, swallowbane, orca, daenerys, ceal, taliesin | ♥