PERSEPHONE

Persephone had always been quick to answer unfamiliar calls within the Forest’s borders, but she was especially so in the aftermath of the war, when paranoia and anxiety still ran high. She was not far from the shore when the calls came, having been patrolling the borders multiple times most days. She marched far and wide in circles around her territory, and was often too unsettled to eat, yet she had not lost weight.

In fact, although not really noticeable to strangers, those who saw her regularly might have begun to notice the slight swelling of her barrel. Persephone was just beginning to confirm in her mind that she was pregnant again. The idea frightened her, although not nearly as much as it had the first time – and each time she looked into Sabran’s eyes, in the hours she spent at her young daughter’s side, she grew a little more sure, and a little more excited.

She emerged from the trees to find a huge, dark, spotted stallion on the outskirts of the territory, apparently waiting for her. His youth was clear in his face, and his body language seemed nervous and uncertain, but his stature was somewhat intimidating, and Persephone was already on guard given recent events.

She approached him confidently, holding herself carefully as she drew to a halt a few feet in front of him. Her dark eyes sought his. When she spoke, her voice was cool, reserved but not unkind.

“Hello,” she began. “I am Persephone, the lead here. What brings you to the Forest?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh