PERSEPHONE

Dropping Mariael’s name into the conversation seemed to pique Orkaan’s interest. Persephone could see why – she was a remarkable woman, that much was obvious even from the little time the mares had spent together. But she was not speaking to Mariael now, and her focus returned to the stallion who led the Inlet.

“Yes, it is,” she replied, a short chuckle escaping her lips. “I thought winter was cold until I arrived on this island earlier today – I can’t say I would like to brave that swim in a few weeks time.”

At Orkaan’s formal welcome, Persephone dipped her head respectfully with a small smile. The mention of her neighbour, however, made her tilt her head in curiosity, although she kept her expression neutral.

He knew Shamwari? And not in a good way, it seemed. Persephone pondered what could have happened while Orkaan mentioned the attacks his herd had been under recently. Could Shamwari be involved?

It did not seem a good time to mention her alliance with the stallion, but as his nearest neighbour it would not appear suspicious for her to be curious about whatever trouble he had gotten himself into. He had treated her well enough thus far, but she would not trust him fully for some time, particularly if this Orkaan had anything of relevance to tell her.

“Shamwari?” she asked, her tone relaxed but curious. “Has he been causing trouble? I haven’t been in the Forest all that long, I don’t know him very well.”

It was not a lie.

She turned the conversation back to less sensitive matters then, returning her focus to what Orkaan had been saying. “Don’t worry, I understand – you should give your herd your upmost attention. I will make my visit quite brief, so as not to distract you for too long.”

She paused, thinking back to the Forest which she was anxious to get back to before nightfall, and the worrying information that Mariael had shared with her.

“Life in the Forest has been going very smoothly thus far,” she replied. “Although Mariael gave me a warning about a stallion called Asp, who had apparently wreaked havoc on the islands trying to take the Forest in the past… I worry if he returns he might try again, but I hope to be prepared for him at least if it comes to it.”

She frowned at the words, snorting as if the thought left a bad smell in her nose. “You don’t happen to know anything about this Asp, do you? Or any other information which might be pertinent to protecting my home?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh