PERSEPHONE

Persephone smiled as Evren’s light-hearted response. It was good to see in such trying times. In fact, Evren looked remarkably well – she had filled out just a little, despite the chill of the season and the frosty grazing, and she looked better for it, less worried.

“Likewise thankful for those small mercies, I suppose,” she replied playfully.

She let out a small sigh, resting one hind leg as she relaxed beside her companion. Things felt right, more at ease, when she had her right-hand at her side. All the weights of the world felt much lighter with a friend to help you carry them.

Her words grew slightly more sombre then.

“I expect to see Warsaw any time I turn around. I play a defensive game, but I almost wish at times he would get this whole conflict over with sooner rather than later. I worry for the herd, especially the children, and with Hannah’s birth around the corner.”

Persephone paused a moment. She was wondering whether to mention her suspicions regarding her own condition – how would Evren react? What would she say? Would she have any words of advice? She had been a mother once before, after all, while Persephone had never made it this far before.

The time seemed to melt away as she contemplated her options, then all of a sudden it felt too late, too awkward. She let the words drift away from her tongue.

“I want the Forest to survive this.” Her dark eyes searched Evren’s face. “And us too, I hope.”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh