PERSEPHONE

Once again, a loud call split the peace and quiet of Persephone’s forest. The birds squawked indignantly as they were startled from their perches up above. They would be moving south soon, for the winter, but for now the flurry of their wings merely sent a shower of browning leaves floating to the ground.

The trees had spent the past weeks turning from a rich green to varying shades of amber and brown – intermingled among the evergreens which stood strong beside them – but they were as thick and dense as ever, just now beginning to drop as winter drew closer with each passing day.

The climate was much like home, and for that Persephone wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or not.

But as the birds fled the disturbance, Persephone merely snorted and turned towards it. Dark-tipped ears flickering atop her head, she located the direction the call had come from and headed towards it at a brisk trot – weaving in and out of the trees expertly now that she knew the land so well. The branches no longer felt like they clawed at her when she passed, but merely urged her on, offering a touch of reassurance as she pressed forwards to discover who was next to intrude upon her lands.

For once, her visitor – or rather, visitors – had shown the manners to stop by the borders of her home. They had not come far, still hovering under the smaller, thinner trees where the forest first began to sprout. The foliage was not as dense here, and the sun filtered prettily through the thinner canopy of leaves here, casting her guests in a picturesque light.

The stallion was the first to catch her eye – being the biggest potential threat – and Persephone’s dark gaze lingered on him as she emerged from the trees, neck arched and ears pricked forwards. She watched him carefully, trying to determine whether he was here to cause trouble, but allowed herself a quick glance at his companions as she drew nearer.

Two young girls accompanied him, and all three companions were varying shades of gold and white – they looked quite the family, she thought, particularly given the youngest girl who didn’t look much more than a yearling, if Persephone’s eyes did not deceive her. It seemed unlikely that a stallion here to harass her or cause trouble would have brought along his whole family, and so she came closer, slowing her pace, although she remained focused on the male.

“Hello,” she began, her expression not quite a smile, but neutral, opting for a slightly less blunt approach than she usually took with intruders, given that they had announced their arrival before venturing any further, and the presence of the little one in tow. “I am Persephone. Do you have business in the Forest?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh