PERSEPHONE

A small sense of relief bloomed in the pit of Persephone’s stomach as the other mare took a step closer to her. There was something comforting about this trusting presence of another woman after so long locked up here in this tangle of damp earth and overgrown trees all alone save the troublesome men who had brought her here.

But there was little time for pleasant conversation, unfortunately. Both women seemed to know that their time would probably be best spent trying to learn what little information they could gather about this trouble that had begun to plague them before the opportunity was lost.

Persephone turned her attention to Macabre’s words.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she replied, a pensive expression on her face. “It seems he is a man who does not know what belongs to him and what doesn’t.”

At the mention of his treatment of her, Persephone let outa small sight and paused a moment, considering how to answer. She would not lie to the woman about how Cullen had greeted her, but she also hardly wanted to exacerbate the mare’s fear when she was only just on her way in.

“Not kindly,” she began, choosing her words carefully. “I tried to stay away from him as much as I could, to be honest. He didn’t seem much for conversation, and especially not sharing information. He was… aggressive at first. I would advise you try not to show him any weakness, or he will take advantage, but at the same time don’t antagonise him if you can help it. I wasn’t able to learn much about him, but it seems clear he is… volatile.”

She shook her head again, forcing the frown from her lips as she turned her gaze back to Macabre.

“You’re strong though,” she continued, offering a small smile of encouragement. “I can tell.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh