PERSEPHONE

Persephone listened carefully to Orkaan’s response. So Shamwari had tried to steal from him, she assumed, given the way he worded it. She had nothing particularly against the method herself, although it was certainly insulting, but then Persephone generally did not get involved to any interference with other herds without reason or provocation.

It led to too much unnecessary trouble, as she could see quite clearly here, and such unnecessary trouble was only dangerous for herself and the wellbeing of her herd.

“I see,” she replied, her tone pensive as she wondered about her opinion of Shamwari and how this might change things. “A low thing to do unprovoked, I can understand your frustration.”

For now, that was all she would say on the matter.

Turning her attention back to more important matters – meaning those which affected her and her herd directly – she noted Orkaan’s words intently. She nodded her head as she drank the information in, ensuring to digest it and commit it to memory in case it should come in useful someday.

“I would be very grateful if you shared anything you heard about him,” she replied earnestly, offering him a small, honest smile. “As I say, I have not been living on these islands long myself either, but should I hear a rumour of any bad tidings for your home and herd I will do my best to pass it along to yourself, also.”

Persephone had heard of the Lagoon, although she knew very little about it except that it was where the bachelor herd lived on these islands, while the lone mares owned the Peak, both living on the Crossing, away from the rest of the herds.

“Thank you for the advice, Orkaan – they sound mischievous at the very least, if nothing worse. I will be wary of them.”

She paused for a moment then, considering what she was about to ask. Orkaan had been forthcoming with his information and advice – a welcome trait, which Persephone had been using thus far in her introductions as a kind of test – but his conflict with Shamwari was worrying.

She had not been lying when she said that she did not know him well, but equally she did not want trouble with her neighbour – more than she did not want trouble with Orkaan. She did not want to end up in the middle of them at any point – they both seemed fine enough men, but she owed no real emotional allegiance to either of them, regardless of a formal alliance or not.

But a world filled with important connections was useful, and a little risk was not the end of the world – not to suggest the idea, at least.

“You seem like a sensible enough man, Orkaan,” she began, measuring her words carefully as she held his gaze. “I do not know how open you are to the idea of formal alliances, but I will tell you that I have no intention of causing you or your herd trouble so long as you give me the same respect. Whether you care to call the Forest a friend or not if up to you, but you may know you can at least turn your back on us without fear, if nothing else.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh