They bundled up tightly and set off.
As they approached the edge of the woods, Cecilia Adler reminded him of the dangers within.
Ian Quincy said, "The ground 'eats people'? You don't mean this forest has a swamp, do you?"
"What's a swamp?"
Ian Quincy explained what it was and added instructions on how to save yourself if you got trapped in one.
Cecilia Adler listened intently. "You sound pretty experienced."
"I read it in a book. I've never actually seen one myself," Ian Quincy said. "The geography around Valoria shouldn't allow for any 'man-eating' swamps. Let's head in and take a look."
Cecilia Adler was speechless. 'So much for his expert advice,' she thought. It was completely useless.
....
Deep inside the woods, the trees formed a shady canopy, yet the light was bright. A faint floral scent seemed to hang in the air.
Ian Quincy was inwardly amazed. 'His parents had lived in Kordell for half their lives and had probably never seen a place like this.'
