Firestone Hot Springs silence can mock

Steam rolled in waves from the heated water and mingled in the air above, creating an ephemeral atmosphere; he noticed it in passing, just as his rectangle of a body reached the marsh's featureless edge. Further out from the hot springs, the grass was inundated with fluid. It sank like a plush carpet beneath his steps. Njal was curious of the springs but he did not wish to venture very close. Already he had passed them - going in the opposite direction a few days prior - but he had been keen to do his duty. Now, tired and restless, the man paused long enough to peer across the surface. It was silent like any other body of water - but it was warm, even from a distance.

Then, there was a cacophonous hissing. Subtle cracks in the air and fizzing from the marsh - and a new wave of steam emanated skyward. Njal baulked at it briefly and moved on. His imaginings as to how the water was so dangerous and hot were few; attributing it to the way things are with a mental rigidity that was so fit for him. It was hot and boiling because... It was hot and boiling. With his interest slackened, the platinum-streaked warden found his attention wandering to the skies overhead. Where the mist condensed in to real cloud - looming figures that drifted across the sun, but were not so heavy as to birth rain.

Between the sterling of the sky and the misting horizon, Njal saw a figure.

He was perched within the marsh, close to the venting pools. Hunched and keenly observing. Wary at first, the traveller did not know what to make of it; but as he drew closer (thinking in terms of avoidance and eager to skirt a possible stranger today) a thick scent grabbed at his nose and captured his attention. This wolf was from the creek. Njal thought back to previous pack meetings, trying to place the figure - but he had not met him before, and was unaware of his importance, if he had any at all. Still, Njal woofed a greeting - which was partly swallowed by a third writhing crackle - and paused nearby to watch.