There was a moment of doubt, particularly when the path gave way what Ragnar assumed was the densest part of the forest, the thick canopy blocking out the suns’ direct rays of light. He had to keep part of his attention focused on the overgrown path they took him on, stepping around the thick, gnarled and ancient roots of the towering trees that lingered here in the heart of this forest where it had begun it’s life. They came into a small clearing, though the putrid scent of something assaulted the Viking’s black, leathery nostrils and he let out a breath through his mouth, trying not to draw attention to the fact that the rancid scent like falling into a sewer and then wading through it. He glimpsed around then, coming to a stop as they gave the small pond a wide berth and figured as his eyes zeroed in on the bacteria lined water (at least that was what Ragnar thought it was) that said water was giving off the fetid odor.
Something moved in the shadows across from him and his muscles tightened across his shoulders, defining the junction between them as he lowered his head instinctively to protect his throat as the shadow began it’s slow and what appeared to be, wobbly approach. Ragnar’s posture did not entirely relax as he realized that the fox that was emerging was ancient but it softened some. She spoke to him breaking the eerie silence of the area around them, though it was her last sentence that grasped the curious Viking’s attention like a bear trap. How did you know? Seemed like an obvious question to ask but Ragnar did not have too for he immediately assumed that he was dealing with a Seer.