𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗘 ━━ an original story

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗘

as the light of early morning graced the expansive marshland, an ethereal beauty was woven across the landscape. delicate wisps of silvery mist hung low, stubbornly clinging to the reeds and waterways like a child to a favored blanket, enveloping the wetland in a blanket of dewy fog.

the glimmer of dawn painted the canvas of the sky in a palette of purples and soft gold, heralding the advent of another day. sunbeams tentatively cut through the clouds, etching lacy patterns on the fog.

each lick of light touched the marshland, glinting off of wet foliage and causing the damp grasslands to shine with a luminous radiance.

there was a mystifying quietness, broken only by the gurgle of slow-moving waters and the occasional chirping of birds awakening from their nightly slumber. pools of standing water nestled amidst the dense tufts of marsh grass, perfectly still, like mirrors that reflected the burgeoning day.

rich, mossy undergrowth carpeted the edges of the marsh, heavy with morning dew, making every tiny leaflet and petal glisten with an unearthly sheen. flowers started to awaken, blossoming forth their pastel-hued petals to meet the light of dawn.

there were splashes of viridian green and watery blues around the fringes, with cattails swaying in the breeze gently, whispering secrets to the breeze. willowy reeds stood tall, erect and unyielding, as if ancient guardians of the marshland, casting long shadows that danced over the water's glassy surface.

frogs remained hidden amongst the foliage and croaked loudly, forming a medley with the sibilant whispering of the wind.

the brackish air stung hollyhockfang's nose. the tom stalked just behind mothroar. it had been some time since he and mothroar had patrolled together. but, being a deputy meant mothroar didn't have so much time on his paws to leisurely stroll the territory at any given chance - he had patrols to set, borders to walk and mark, a leader to attend to, and help.

both cats paused, staring out across the marshlands as the sun turned the whole world into a dusky pink tone. from the shallow waters emerged slender necks of herons and egrets, silent as ghosts in the light.

mothroar nudged hollyhockfang lightly with his shoulder, and hollyhockfang inquired, ❝ you think there's trouble? ❞. his eyes squinted into the sun-lit marsh, half expecting something to lunge out from the darkness of a bush, or from the depths of the bog water that surrounded them.

but mothroar only shook his grizzled head.

it was silent again, the only sound being the squelch of mud under their paws and the whisper of wind through the sparse reeds. they padded on, alert and ready.

bathed in a sheen of sunlight, and nestled within a secluded patch of velvety grass, sat a rabbit. it's ears were pointed straight up, like two radar dishes, tweaking slightly, alerting it to any distant rumblings of danger.