The land was so much different from the sea. In the depths where he had grown up, there wasn’t much but miles of sand and rocks. Here, however, plant life thrived. There was so much more color to the world than he had imagined. It kept him wanting to explore, wanting to see new sights. Eventually, he gave in. First, he patrolled the rivers bordering Duskora territory and ventured further south to Cerulean Cove. Now, he was venturing to see what was north.
Cool, refreshing water washed through his fur. He could tell by the river's temperature that colder weather was approaching. It didn’t phase him. The waters where he had grown up were much more frigid than anything he could imagine facing here. Nearly a ray of sunlight could reach the abyss to warm it. He was still getting used to the warm waters, and he was thankful that now they seemed to be cooling - and he hoped they would get only colder as winter approached.
He stopped as the river came to split up ahead. Breaking the water's surface, he could see the current getting stronger. He was confident in his abilities to brave the rapids, but that wasn't what made him hesitant to pursue the path. The scent of Verdantis drifted in the winds. If he continued forward, he would be trespassing.
Growing up as a rogue, he had never really honored the boundaries of his neighboring kingdoms. He would frequently raid them for food and resources. However, he was part of a kingdom now—a very different kingdom from the ones that claimed the abyssal plains, but a kingdom nonetheless. He had yet to establish himself as a valuable member of Duskorna, and he was sure the others wouldn’t appreciate him going around causing mischief for no good reason. If he wanted to keep a good reputation, it was best to stick to their side of the border. After pondering, Loch would turn right where the current was gentler.
It soon brought him out of the clearing and back into the forests. The shade of trees dappled the river with shadows. It was refreshing to finally be out of direct sunlight. He slowed his pace, looking at the scenery beyond the river waters. He swore he could see another body of water in the distance, and this was enough to entice the curious canid out of the river. He’d pull himself onto the bank, shaking the water droplets out of his fur before padding forward. The rocky terrain soon changed to soft grasses as he trudged onward. Indeed, there was a small pool of water just up ahead, but it didn’t appear he was alone here. Cautiously, Loch decided to approach the springs. They didn’t show any signs of hostility, but he kept himself on alert. It was not only possible but probable that he had not been spotted yet.
As the grassy terrain changed to pebbles once more, Loch found himself pawing closer to the water's edge. Slowly, he stepped in, shock overtaking him as he realized the water's temperature. It was hot. It didn’t burn him, but it had surprised him enough to quickly back away. “What the heck?” he couldn’t help but speak aloud. "Why is the water hot!?”
Cool, refreshing water washed through his fur. He could tell by the river's temperature that colder weather was approaching. It didn’t phase him. The waters where he had grown up were much more frigid than anything he could imagine facing here. Nearly a ray of sunlight could reach the abyss to warm it. He was still getting used to the warm waters, and he was thankful that now they seemed to be cooling - and he hoped they would get only colder as winter approached.
He stopped as the river came to split up ahead. Breaking the water's surface, he could see the current getting stronger. He was confident in his abilities to brave the rapids, but that wasn't what made him hesitant to pursue the path. The scent of Verdantis drifted in the winds. If he continued forward, he would be trespassing.
Growing up as a rogue, he had never really honored the boundaries of his neighboring kingdoms. He would frequently raid them for food and resources. However, he was part of a kingdom now—a very different kingdom from the ones that claimed the abyssal plains, but a kingdom nonetheless. He had yet to establish himself as a valuable member of Duskorna, and he was sure the others wouldn’t appreciate him going around causing mischief for no good reason. If he wanted to keep a good reputation, it was best to stick to their side of the border. After pondering, Loch would turn right where the current was gentler.
It soon brought him out of the clearing and back into the forests. The shade of trees dappled the river with shadows. It was refreshing to finally be out of direct sunlight. He slowed his pace, looking at the scenery beyond the river waters. He swore he could see another body of water in the distance, and this was enough to entice the curious canid out of the river. He’d pull himself onto the bank, shaking the water droplets out of his fur before padding forward. The rocky terrain soon changed to soft grasses as he trudged onward. Indeed, there was a small pool of water just up ahead, but it didn’t appear he was alone here. Cautiously, Loch decided to approach the springs. They didn’t show any signs of hostility, but he kept himself on alert. It was not only possible but probable that he had not been spotted yet.
As the grassy terrain changed to pebbles once more, Loch found himself pawing closer to the water's edge. Slowly, he stepped in, shock overtaking him as he realized the water's temperature. It was hot. It didn’t burn him, but it had surprised him enough to quickly back away. “What the heck?” he couldn’t help but speak aloud. "Why is the water hot!?”
Table background by Noxeri