PERSEPHONE

Persephone listened carefully to Evaline’s words, not wanting to miss any pertinent facts that might come in useful later when she came to making her rounds and meeting this ‘Valve’ directly. A faint sense of admiration swelled in her belly at the mention of another female leader – herself, Mariael, and this woman in the Dunes, that made three so far, and it pleased her to think of that.

“That is good to hear,” she replied with a small smile. So far all the leaders she had met seemed kind and reasonable enough, although she knew there must exist somewhere some cruel soul who her meeting would not go so smoothly with. “She sounds like a strong woman, I look forward to meeting her.”

At Evaline’s comment on the weather, Persephone gave a small chuckle. “I will remember that.”

Her expression hardened, however, as conversation turned to Asp. Evaline’s tale was chilling, and for the first time Persephone got an impression of the man’s character besides the fact that he was a troublemaker for her allies and previous residents of the Forest. At least there was a positive story about Shamwari in there.

“A horrible creature, I’m sure,” she said with distaste. “Your son is a good man, Evaline. I intend to stay his friend and ally, and so long as that is true rest assured I will have his back also.”

She offered the woman a smile. The river was just up ahead of them now, Talya was almost upon it and Persephone could hear the water rushing by peacefully.

“I will leave him to you for today, Evaline, but you can let Shamwari know I will be paying him a visit soon,” she continued as they walked.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh