Ashrain

18. Swamps Swallow Hooves

Wooyoung showed up on their doorstep unannounced, as he did so often, but this time his eyes were full of impatience. When Hongjoong opened the door for him, chaos overcame him at the way Wooyoung bounced on his feet restlessly. The hunter declined to come in, hand clutching the strap of his bag.

"Get Seonghwa ready; let's meet San!"

Mingi passed behind Hongjoong in his apron. Wooyoung flashed him a grin that Mingi copied with the same perplexity as Hongjoong.

"All of a sudden?" They hadn't even eaten breakfast yet.

"Yes, you can wake up on the way! Come on, he said he wants to meet you two." A pout pushed out Wooyoung's lower lip. Confused but unable to deny the intrigue of his request, Hongjoong turned to fetch Seonghwa. Mingi convinced Wooyoung to come in and close the door, though his jittery nerves kept him on his feet. He paced around the room while Hongjoong peered into the stables. When he noticed Hongjoong, the centaur stood up, a question written across his face.

"Wooyoung invited us to meet his swamp man with him. He seems to be in a hurry."

Seonghwa nodded, more placid with the unforeseen invitation than Hongjoong.

"I'll meet you outside."

Full of wonder, Hongjoong fetched his warm coat and his boots. Barely any leaves still decorated the few foliage trees dotting the dark forest, and he knew the wind was biting. Around the swamp, the humidity and natural gasses usually stored heat, but he didn't want to freeze on his way there.

Wooyoung followed him around, impatient to leave. Hongjoong probably forgot three things because of the watchful stare on him. After a hasty goodbye to Mingi, they stepped outside.

Hongjoong had convinced Seonghwa to wear a poncho. It covered his shoulders and torso to flap into a V over his horse chest. His forearms were protected halfway and the warm fabric hung on his frame cosily. He had tied his hair into a messy ponytail so it wouldn't get stuck on branches, but it was unravelling already.

With satisfaction, Hongjoong eyed the pretty centaur and his elegant body. When shyness overcame him at what had happened between them so recently, he directed his eyes back at Wooyoung. The hunter ushered them along to follow him down the narrow paths crossing the forest. Nobody knew them as well as the hunter did, and his light steps seemed to glide over treacherous roots and stones without touching them.

Hongjoong knew the general direction of the swamp, but he had never ventured this deep into the forest. The warnings about getting stuck there and sinking to be swallowed up like many others did an outstanding job at repelling visitors. San had picked an excellent hiding spot. Not that a merman had many options.

Since the way was arduous, Hongjoong panted into his collar, but Seonghwa's breath behind him was regular. When Hongjoong glanced at the centaur to check on him, he found Seonghwa's features serene. He matched his natural habitat in the effortless way wildflowers did. Hongjoong was in awe.

After two hours of walking the winding path and entertaining each other with the occasional remark, they arrived. The forest changed, growing mistier as pines became scarce to make way for mangroves that reached around the sickly green area with broad crowns and roots like tentacles that stuck from the loose earth. It was impossible to tell where the shore ended and the water began because of the blur of green. The swamp gurgled and squelched, ensuring them that yes, somewhere here was a deadly sinkhole.

Wooyoung motioned Hongjoong and Seonghwa to a halt. They checked on the centaur's hooves, making sure his weight didn't drag him into the soft earth.

The heat had invited some late insects to stick around, and they clung to their clammy skin, tasting blood and skin cells. Hongjoong wiped them off, disgusted by the sticky bog. He much preferred clean and dry woods.