The gloom of the swamp began to lift. The oppressive gray mist thinned, replaced by shafts of genuine, golden sunlight that pierced through the canopy. And there, in the distance, was the most beautiful thing Ren had ever seen.
Dirt. Dry(ish) dirt. Trees with green leaves. Solid ground.
Ren almost cried tears of pure joy. She wanted to kiss the ground, provided it didn't try to eat her first.
"Land ho!" Ren cheered weakly, slumped against the gunwale. "Goodbye, Shrek's jacuzzi. I will not miss you."
She looked over at the captain of the vessel. Syris was not celebrating.
The Snake King sat on the rowing bench, his chin resting in his hand, looking like a teenager who had just been grounded from his Xbox. He was staring mournfully at the empty space where the heavy trunk used to be.
"My treasures," Syris muttered to the air. "My finest snakeskin robes. My stash of meat."
