Witch's Marsh prettier and younger but not any better off

@Evanora

he didn't often wander far from whitebark stream. it was his home now, his to protect and to serve and to cherish. he felt as if he had grown somewhat close with kavik and his shy son, with artyom, with aphrodite. . . why leave? it had everything he needed, and if somehow he felt lacking, he could always visit the maplewood.

but south of the maplewood was a dark and odious place that caught his attention. he kept the curiosity at bay for a little while, but today, surya was too tempted to resist. he left the trees he knew and entered the shade of the trees he did not, his paws immediately sinking into damp, cold earth.

the yearling made a face of disgust but trudged on, keeping to high ground as best he could. it was a dismal place, and though the cold prevented a swarm of summer insects, he felt incredibly uncomfortable here. a while longer, and then he would return home. he did not belong here—no sane creature did.