#451 :: Horsey is derpy hooves in disguise.
He probably should've taken the Court Man's visit as a sign not to leave. He probably should've gone to Halifax like he'd planned. He probably should never have done the things he'd done to get on Ezekiel's good side.
But thinking of it would mean regretting it, and a Trovato never had regrets. Ever. He knew what his father and mother had been, people of great standing and high power. He knew what he and his brother were expected to be, as the young princes to a mighty throne. He couldn't think about it now. Yet again, his medicine career was taking a back seat to his life as a spy.
Except, this time, he had useless information. This time, he was hoping for a job, a task, to keep him busy, more than anything. He needed to remember his priorities. The stand-in leader of AniWaya was no powerful queen or matriach. Ezekiel held more power, more strength, which meant Matteo instinctively thrived to match him... or to at least grow to be trusted by the coyote.
So he'd steered Jericho away from the fenced borders of AniWaya and headed North. Anyone who'd been talking to him before would suspect him to be riding to Halifax for provisions. The truth was, half way there, he veered towards the Fire Clan, eyes gleaming with a darker light, something familiar to him now.
As he approached the borders, he slowed Jericho into a steady walk, stopping before they crossed over. He didn't want to cross, he didn't want to howl. Bitterly, he remembered the treatment he'd gotten from Zana and Vesper, a stark contrast to the welcome he'd received from Omni. It was at this series of contrasting memories that Matteo dismounted and, in a moment of hesitation, started walking the line of the borders, almost hoping to be noticed and questioned. At least he wouldn't have to howl this way, and chances were that Zana and Vesper wouldn't be patrolling... right? Right.
Voices in the distance came to his attention, long ears perking upright to listen. He stopped walking and looked out into the surrounding area, hoping to catch the speakers. In the far distance, too far for Matteo to see in detail, two figures, one smaller than the other, both in their optime forms... and one seemed injured. Cautiously, Teo turned to head the other way, leading Jericho by her reigns and taking very careful steps. His horse wasn't as quiet and upon sensing his discomfort, she whickered a touch loudly, planting her feet down stubbornly... and refusing to move. "Jericho, you brat!" He hissed at her crossly, though quietly. It made no difference. They'd probably heard her by now, anyway.
