Firestone Hot Springs Not at Home

Yet again he'd cut across from the northern finger of the forest, avoiding the majority of the pools.  He was going to check out the other forest that was nearby.  He'd passed through it once, but he wanted to refresh his memory.  Honestly, no real reason beyond that.  Just a brief trip before he returned to his own home.

The weather certainly was reminiscent of winter already -- it was cold, and though the first snows had melted, it still felt like the world was starting to warn him off going on longer voyages.  Perhaps that was why he didn't avoid the pools entirely.  They emitted some warmth, and as much as he hated the overpowering stench in places, he also enjoyed not being cold.  So Mal dawdled a little -- just because.