Still reeling from the news of Zana's pregnancy, the dark Lykoi had found it difficult to pull himself away from her side. But he had his duties, now doubled by the fact that he would not in clear conscience let her out. So he had prepared Yegua early that morning, and set out to patrol the borders, armed as always and ready for battle; ebony spear secured tightly to a clasp at his back, and thick wolf skin leather tied his right shoulder. Helotes had not been far from the village when the call rang out, though he hesitated in responding to it. What if it were the Boreas? He wouldn't stand a chance alone against a group of them. But the warrior within him was curious and stoked, and he urged Yegua forward at a slow, even pace until they reached nearer to the center of village. There, he saw a group on horseback, and for a moment was sure it was the enemy, but then saw his Aquila atop his stallion and realized it must not be so.
Yegua gave out a soft nicker as they came closer, obviously in response to the group of horses, the stallion most in particular. Ezekiel had been breeding this stud with the other mares, but Yegua had not been chosen to foal this season, her filly from last year still attached to hip at times. Helotes felt this disappointed her slightly, because the stallion was quite the visage of equine masculinity.
The large Hydra said nothing, but pulled his horse up beside his leader. The others gathered were obviously of Salsola, and Helotes silently gritted his teeth but said nothing. His opinion of the pack to the West held no merit here, and would surely be silenced by Ezekiel. They were here for a reason, so Helotes kept quiet, but sat erect on the back of his mare, a forboding presence next to the Aquila's smaller, yet solid form.
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