PERSEPHONE

The crunch of hooves over leaves announced the approach of another, and was quickly followed by a whinny of greeting. Persephone paused and turned to see Zevulun approaching her. She gave a friendly nicker in response, pleased enough to see him. It was good to have someone she could trust as a neighbour, particularly an old friend.

“Good morning, Zevulun,” she replied in greeting and accepted his offer to share breaths. “It’s good to see you.”

And she meant it. Persephone’s ideal Luthien was one were the borders of the territories were merely formalities – where all of the leaders could trust each other enough to let their herds wander between the lands freely without fear of harm coming to them. So long as she and Zevulun remained on good terms, she did not begrudge him any unexpected visits.

She was surprised then when the conversation turned to her daughter. Sabran had not mentioned meeting Zevulun, but then she had always been a quiet girl and tended to keep things to herself. In fact, Persephone could not deny she was slightly surprised to hear the implication that Sabran had actually conversed a little with Zevulun.

She smiled.

“Yes, I am,” she replied, her tone a little wistful. “She’s come quite a way. It’s strange to think back now to when she was born – in the middle of war and chaos. It wasn’t the best environment for a child, I worried she might be affected by it growing up. But she seems to have come through it okay, her sister also.”

She paused a moment, thoughtful, then added with a chuckle, “Sometimes it still seems strange to think I have two children. Time flies, doesn’t it?”

all of your demons will wither away

mixed, bay varnish roan, 14.3hh