PERSEPHONE

Persephone’s time in the Lagoon had not been pleasant. Cullen had turned out to be quite the villain – first impressions had not been good. Aside from him, she had not managed to learn much about the other men in the Lagoon – they seemed few and far between, at least, but that left her feeling that she had not made full use of her time here, even if it had been forced.

Other women, too, did not seem to be found here. It had been a lonely, long time for Persephone, and she worried for what awaited her when she finally returned home. Whatever it was, however, she was sure it would be better than staying here.

And so, as her sentence came to its end, Persephone made her way swiftly towards the borders of the Lagoon. No doubt Cullen was not expecting a heartfelt goodbye from her, and she did not intend to give him one either.

As always, however, it was when she least expected it that someone new came her way. The sound of hooves shifting the moist ground nearby caught her attention, and not recognising them as Cullen’s now familiar pace she turned herself in their direction.

As she drew nearer she discovered, to her surprise, another mare – a chestnut woman she had never seen before. Her expression appeared worried and on-edge, and Persephone surmised she must be new. She let out a small snort to draw the woman’s attention before she approached, so as not to startle the stranger.

“I don’t recognise you, stranger,” she began, her voice quiet but warm enough. “Who brings you here?”

It did not seem to far of a stretch to guess that there was a who rather than a what.

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh