Frogspawn Swamp Some say

The swamp was alive.

The pale woman had long before given up any attempt to keep clean and dry, and now found herself wading through a deeper, clearer part of the swamp. Water rose to her underbelly, and the perpetually wet earth beneath her paws felt like quicksand, soft and pliable. Above her, should she have chosen that moment to set her gaze skyward, she would have noticed the dying colours of a fading sunset, fiery gold, amber and orange, slipping rapidly beneath the horizon. The sun shone through the moss-covered trees of the swamp, casting reaching shadows through the hazy air. 

The last remnants of colour finally leeched from the sky, which in turn became a bloodless grey. Night had not yet fallen fully, the last bit of light and the moonlight lit up the marsh fairly well. She paused in her slow movements, having never seen a marsh by night, and simply let her gaze fall where it may.

I flash of light, hovering, bobbing, blue-green in colour. It was there for a moment, she swore, it's light a soft radiance that reminded her of the sky-lights to the north. But it had been there, dancing, for merely a moment, and she thought she may have imagined it. Again. Another, further away, pale blue in colour this time, and hovering and swaying as the other had. Mesmerised, the silver warrior simply watched it, struck into still silence by the wonder of such lights.  Had she know the true name of this phenomenon, she would have given it it's name; will-o-the-wisps.

Liekos entered into the swamp carful of her first steps into the water. She felt the soft earth squish under the weight of her body. She slowly waded into the water which rose high enough to graze the white fur of her underbelly. As she continued to come further into the swamp the damp air coated her back speckled in black, brown, and gray fur.  

She was new the the Teekon Wilds and was cautious of her surroundings. Her ears pricked as she heard noises echo throughout the swamp. The setting sun left the swamp dimly lit causing Liekos to be even more alert. A few yards infront of her something jumped into the water. Likeos slowly walked forward to where the small ripples in the water began. She sniffed around and was then splashed as a frog jumped out of the water. She watched the frog hop away and then shook her head attempting to get the water out of her face.

She continued through the water and saw something pop up out of the corner of her eye. She dismissed it as another frog. But as she continued on she began so see more and more of these pop up. They seemed to be brightly colored flashes of light. 

As she continued on she came across a patch of white up ahead in the water. She walked a bit closer and the patch seemed to take the shape of a wolf. "Is anyone out there?" Liekos called ahead toward the white patch. Uncurtain if it was infact another wolf and if it was what their reaction would be.

Spalshing. She heard it, the subtle sound of another making their way through the swamp, though the Squire did not turn her head just yet. It seemed that her silence and solitude were to be disrupted, though frankly, she had had enough time to herself. Not to mention the fact that she had been in high spirits since Arthendal had finally staked their claim on the Isle, their howls ringing out still an echo in the woman's head. 

"Is anyone out there?"

The voice rang out, and only then did the pale wraith turn her muzzle. She adopted a proud stance, though the impact of it was somewhat reduced by the fact that she was standing in a swamp. Oh well. "There is. Make yourself known, girl, I do not bite. Mostly."

The white patch moved what seemed to be its head as it responded to Liekos's call.
 
"There is. Make yourself known, girl, I do not bite. Mostly." it responded.

So it was another wolf, a female from the tone of her voice though Liekos. At least she knew that much. The wolf seemed welcoming from her statement or at least not agressive toward Liekos's pressence. But Liekos still wasn't sure of who this wolf was or what they were fully like and still was a bit cautious.

Liekos walked a bit further hoping to make out this wolf a bit more. "I am Liekos, and am new to this part of the land. And who might you be?"

The girl moved forward, and Aeronwyn caught a better sight of her. Brown pelted, and she stood large for a wolf. Aeronwyn, while not exactly dwarfed by the girl, was certainly not as tall as she was. This didn't bother her in the least, however, should this one prove aggressive she had confidence in her fighting abilities. Liekos, the woman said, and Aeronwyn had to admit she rather liked the name. The woman asked for her own, and remembering the secrecy with which her Lord and Lady ruled, and her own, Aeronwyn provided a vague answer. 

"Names are a powerful thing, and mine is not one I give lightly." she replied matter-of-factly, though not unkindly. "What seek you in these lands, Liekos?"

As she came closer Liekos she could make out the wolf more clearly. She saw that this wolf was slighly smaller then her as the water in fact touched her underbelly where it only grazed Liekos's. But size did not always display the abilities of a wolf and Liekos wouldn't underestimate this one as such. Though Liekos gave her name this wolf did not, though with her explaination Liekos could accept that. The wolf then asked what Liekos seeked in this land. Something Liekos wasn't entirly sure of herself.

Regarding the wolf's statments about her name, Leikos responded "A respectable notion." 
Liekos then though a bit before responding to the wolfs question. "I seek nothing specificaly, but do desire a possible pack I could join and become a part of." she told this wolf. She saw no harm in this infomation being known.

Hmm. This was turning into a certainly interesting conversation. Arthendal's ranks were slim as a result of them having only recently settled their claim over the Isle, and while she was in no position to accept or deny new recruits a position, her words certainly held sway. She regarded Liekos with interest, curiosity glinting in her gaze briefly. "If it is a pack you seek, I may be able to help you with such a task." If not to Arthendal, she could give her the location of packs she had encountered in her travels. 

She thought a moment longer before asking simply, "If you do not mind me asking, which skills would you bring to a pack?"

Liekos was pleased to hear that this wolf was willing to help her possibly get into a new pack. She had always been a part of a pack and was eager to join a new one. Liekos didn't expect to be joining a new pack to early but she definatly wasn't against it. 

When asked about what skills she possessed Liekos was a bit nervous. She didn't specalize in any trades just yet though she was eager to learn. She wasn't much for traveling alot or fighting unless neccesary and she knew how to hunt but not any better then any ordenary wolf. She was mostly pack orientated with respect for the alpha, team work and care from pack mates. She didn't wish to lie to this wolf as she was new to this land and wanted to have a good reputation. She told the wolf the truth in hope it would be enough to at least consider her as a recruit to the pack she was speaking of. "I don't have any specalized skills, but I am a pack wolf and have the greatest respect for high ranking individuals and desire to help in anyway I can to creat a close nit family atmaspere in a pack. I am also eager to learn and refine my abilities."

Hmm. She claimed not to have any skills, though Aeronwyn suspected that she had interests in certain subjects. Didn't everyone? Still, she did not pursue the subject, the choosing of the trades one wished to pursue and excel at was no quick decision. It was well that this girl did not make up a story to appear desirable to a pack, honest was something Aeronwyn valued (though did not often employ herself).

Regarding the female curiously, and deciding something, Aeronwyn begun speaking. "To the north lies my home. It is a secretive place, but one of learning and where one may pursue subjects they seek to excel at with the teachings of others. We are tightly knit, a close pack. If you so wished...I could take you there." to Arthendal. The name of her pack remained unspoken, she was not the one to give it away, neither had she ever. She was interested on how this wolf would answer her proposal.

It seemed that Liekos's honesty had paid off as the white wolf had invited to take her to her pack which resided to the north. The pack that she described seemed to be just what Liekos was looking for. A tight nit group that she may be able to eventually call family. The explanation of the packs secrecy explained why the white wolf gave no name for herself or the pack. Something Liekos thought she could manage if accepted into the pack.

Her tail slowly swayed in the water due to the excitement Liekos felt about the chance to join a pack. Her tail swaying in the water remeinded her of that fact that she in deep was still in a swamp and standing in water. "I would enjoy that dearly" said Liekos to the white wolf eager to meet the leader of the white wolf's pack and get out of the swamps.

The first hint of a smile appeared on the woman's muzzle, she was sure that the woman would not regret her decision should her Lord and Lady allow her a position in Arthendal. She dipped her head slightly to the other, showing her approval in the other's words. She too was eager to get out of the swamps, and spoke quickly and smoothly. "I am glad. Follow me, then, I will lead."

With that, she spun on her heel, beginning to lead the woman out from the swamps and toward her Isle home. 

Would you like to make another post, wrap it up? I started a new thread for us :D

As the white wolf expressed her delight with a slight smile Liekos was happy. She had impressed this wolf enough to have her lead Liekos to her pack. The wolf told Leikos to follow and so she did. She was happy to both meet this pack and to find a place she could stand to shake off.

So the two made their way from the swamp, the wraith leading the other out of the swamp and toward dryer land. Though the swamp had certainly been an interesting experience, she was glad to be out of it. The journey would be long, but she hoped the girl would prove satisfactory to her leaders.