The Curse

Chapter 23 Marshes

(I have no idea how to react to boys! Damn once I think I am comfortable in my own skin a guy comes along and flips my boat so now I am swimming in a sea of tomato red blushes! Just play it cool just play it cool (author having a mental battle)

*Darkshadow was currently sinking in the marshy mess of mud and Drake was jerked out from his sleep as he hit the marsh with a sunk in sound as he fell face first into the mud.*

"What the fu*k is going on?!"

"We have reached the marshes."

"This isn't a marsh this is a swamp!"

"Shush."

*I slid off of Darkshadow as I hit the mud my feet sunk under the mud with a gurgling sound. Darkshadow picked a hoof up I placed special boots on his hoofs that were rubbery and helped to stay above the mud and water I did that for all of his hoofs till he was only going a few inches down instead of a few feet I did the same for Drakes horse then gave him some shoes of the same material Jinx and I walked lightly along the muddy marsh barley even sinking we knew this terrain well so we knew how and where to place our feet to keep from sinking down into a black mucky brackish mud.*

"How can you even walk in this stuff?!"

"This was my playground when I was little so I know what to look for and avoid and follow. For assassins this is a suicide mission to even attempt. However I know marshes very well so this isn't a suicide mission rather it is a perfect place to practice your skills so when you are on solid ground it will be so much easier to move it will feel like you are flying."

"What about the horses aside from the boots,they need grass to eat and solid ground."

"Once we find the center we will have solid ground and their is plenty of marsh grasses rich in vitamins and water for them to eat."

*Drake seemed to be not too thrilled at the idea of navigating the marshes. I tilted my head a few inches to the south and heard some thundering hoofs.*

"Lesson one escaping and concealing. Go ahead of me,I want to see how well you can navigate in unknown terrain."

*Drake took some skittish steps then some larger ones while I lead the horses along the easiest path behind Drake. He was going to need some major training the castle had pretty much taken away his natural instinct that everybody had for survival he wasn't even taking and educated guess.*

"Ok,enough this is pitiful not to mention  we have limited time follow me and keep in mind of  my foot placement."

*I studied the mud finding clumps of hard clay hidden below the mud and stepped on them so I ended up not going under and sinking I made my way into the trees then concealed the horses with some marsh grasses which I tied on them then I made Drake duck in the grass while I hid behind a tree to observe our perusers and look for a royal crest and or a form of  identification as to what assassin guild they might be from or another kingdom. I scanned them thourally looking for anything I saw a brown cord contrasting to their black outfits around their necks probably a badge if identufacation, on that not they were assassins an probably the royal guard assassins They scanned the marshes their eyes falling right over mine. They weren't very good assassins even rookies would have seen my contrasting eyes they hadn't had the same training most rookies had. I smirked as they turned and left I remained still an made sure Drake and everybody else did also.*

"Ok well that wasn't close."

"Sarcasm?"

"No I am being serious those royal guard assassins are worse than rookies. Who trained them?!"

*Drake was taken aback by my sudden outburst.*

"Why are you so mad?"

"Sorry,I was..never mind I am jus diss appointed to think you have such incompetent people at that place you called home. Now seeing your trained assasins in play I realize if I had wanted to I could have killed all of you in less than five minutes."

*Drakes expression changed to one if confusion.*

"Umm...yeah? Should I be worried if so I an just going to take a few paces away from you while I can."

"Your fine,your fine."

*I waved Drake off lost in thought on how easy getting away would be. It was so easy I could almost die crying! I felt a burning sensation on my left side of my face that crept down winding around my arms. I clutched my face and cringed as I felt what was like fire stung my skin.*

"You ok?"

*Drake gently held my shoulder.*

"Peachy."

*The burning stopped so we could continue our journey once again.*