As soon as Clio had recovered her strength, and Proserpina had put on a little more weight, the mare sought out those who had come to their aid weeks earlier and thanked them, before quietly taking her leave and guiding her daughter back down the mountain.
During her brief time here, she had debated leaving Proserpina with the vulcan mares and returning to the Lagoon to try and steal Briseis away, but her youngest daughter was anxious and ever alert, and refused to stray from Clio’s side.
It would be best for Proserpina to get her home where she would know safety and security, and then together, Clio and Carthage could rescue their middle daughter from that wretched swamp that the bachelors inhabited.
It had taken some time to coax Proserpina into the sea, but once they were carried along by the water, the young filly seemed to adapt well enough, sticking close as always, and not uttering a single complaint. "Not far to go now, my girl," Clio had murmured encouragement, frequently checking on her daughter. She kept up her pace, realizing Proserpina was beginning to tire out, and the moment they set hoof on the sands of Atlantis, she allowed a trembling sigh of relief to escape her.
Ushering Proserpina out of reach of the waves, Clio took only a moment to catch her breath before she let loose a cry, calling for one she had longed to see ever since the day she was taken from this place. As usual, Proserpina clung to her, and both turned at a sound from the treeline - Proserpina on edge, Clio desperate and hopeful, uttering a name with hushed longing. "C-Carthage?" |