Gratefully, they shook the worst of the water from their hair and clothes, taking in deep lungfuls of fresh air. No hungry insects attempted to feast on them, and the scent of the pine needles washed away the smell of decay that had been with them since they"d entered the bog.
A myriad of birds flew overhead and darted between the trees, and creatures Jidan identified as ‘Nola’ scurried across the ground like plump, spiny mushrooms with legs. The Nola weren’t aggressive. They were, in fact, quite curious creatures who came to inspect them when they stopped to make camp, letting out puffs of sweet-smelling powder that made everyone sleepy. To prevent this during his watch, Jidan gave a few sharp snorts that sent the Nola scurrying away again.
The further into the forest they went, the mor
