PERSEPHONE

Persephone had come to the river to drink. A few small streams can inwards through the Forest, which were good enough when she was too busy to travel, but she preferred the fresh, running water of the river that marked the end of her territory and the beginning of her neighbour’s.

She wondered what Shamwari was up to, peering out across the wide, open land he reigned over. Sometimes she would see him and his herd just across the river when they were on this side of the Prairie, but today she saw just one of them.

A little chestnut filly, splashed with white, came bounding across the river – evidently chasing something, although Persephone did not catch whatever had enticed her across the water. She watched her with a soft smile on her lips as the filly headed towards her quarry, only to squeal loudly as a rustling in the undergrowth announced that the little forest creature, whatever it was, had escaped her.

The Forest had been quiet for some time, but now she was starting to gather a small group here. It was nice to have some life around the place – especially Talya, who was the most entertaining little thing. Persephone had no children of her own, not yet, but she couldn’t help the warmth that flooded her when she watched them play from afar. It reminded her of her time on the mainland, but those memories were bittersweet.

So, instead of wallowing in them and the sadness they carried with them, she shook her head and headed downriver to approach the youngster.

“I don’t think you’ll catch him,” she teased with a small smile.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh