Even the bog had grown high with the coming of warm sun and melting snow, Isuni noted in disgust.  She’d set off on a run with the intention of endurance training – something she felt quite important for a guardian in training – and found herself all the way at the marsh’s edge when she’d come to a halt.  The woman thought to get herself a drink, but this was not the same, shimmering lagoon she’d met Enoki at during the heart of winter.  Even with the fresh flow of burbling water, it was thick with muck and dirt, swept in from the rivers and stirred up from the bottom.

“Gross.”

Capable wrinkled her nose and drew back from the water’s surface, even as her mouth felt all the drier for it.  She’d have to wait, have to track the river to the north, even if that was even further than she’d intended to travel.  Ugh.  She knew vaguely a pack existed among those trees in the distance, for Morganna had sent them a gift when the hogs were slain, but no more than that.  Running into their borders was not high on her list of things to do.  So she whirled about and steeled herself – she’d simply have to make it back to the Willows before she could have her drink.