Cerridwen was a pop of colour in the vast gloominess of the sleepy mores. Her bright reddish-orange coat with white sabino was as vibrant as naked bones. And attentive eyes as dark as black earth, promising to swallow the sound of every step she made. She was looking for something. Something quite special. Or maybe for a special someone?

Caw-caw-caw…

Her head sneered up, and the tips of her ears trembled. She could have sworn she had heard something, but it was empty around her, only she and the bones.

— I think I can find lavender here, maybe some violets and myrtle. Oh, I wish Moores would be so favourable and show me some rosemary, it will make a great tea. It’s not that I need tea, but by the time the tea collection dries up, I’ll find someone to share it with. — She was completely absorbed in her thoughts, which she thought out loud. The head was hopping from side to side, now and then it went down to the ground, trying to find the right odours-hints.

Caw-caw-caw…

— What is it? It’s even closer this time. — But the sound absorbed the fog that came out of nowhere and surrounded the red horse.

Muffled cawing Interrupted hoofbeat. Or vice versa. Both now thundering sounds were approaching at a considerable speed. And yet the inevitable collision caught her by surprise. Stains of cream and milk hit her shoulder, splashing foam. Brown eyes sparkled with whites, and nostrils were breathing noisily.

— Run?.. Run.!! — The hoarse and high voice of a stranger set her in motion. She followed without looking back at the thick veil of fog and what it was hiding. In front of her, the tip of the colourful tail loomed and fluttered very close. The stranger smelt like ashes and anxiety. Another bright child of the furnace, she thought to herself. The soil beneath their legs shuddered, and crows were stunned. They moved forward in disturbing silence. But the danger in the air speaks for itself. Cerridwen held tightly onto a small bunch of rosemary, violets, and lavender. She savoured what a delicious broth it would get and how happy a new acquaintance would be.