We advanced going around the pond. The waters were muddy and probably hid some nasty animal, insect, or plant beneath the surface waiting for an afternoon snack that would probably fight back and destroy the surrounding environment.
Jumping over the pond wasn't a sound plan since swamps are treacherous and what might look like solid ground could be a clump of leaves floating on deep waters. The dim lighting wasn't helpful, giving the surroundings a gloomy atmosphere often associated with swamp witches.
There was also the fact swampy water is gross, smells like a rotting corpse, and probably has parasites. The reasons to go in it were practically none.
Our mounts moved quickly but carefully. Lapia's Vulupitas, the large donkey-sized fox she bought in Paarjo and named Delazh, moved with both certainty and care. Looking ahead and to the sides, the animal sniffed the air and moved its ears around.
