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Chael took the left path, dipping his head in a nod of "good luck" to the others. He hoped one of them would find the healing plant in time to help the firebird.

Chael listened as Keelin told him how one mudge is ok but as a group they could ambush a creature. Like Keelin, he hoped Pook would sense any such groups of mudge.

After thinking he saw a shadow pass over, and hearing the sound of flapping, Chael steps heavily forward into the sludge up to his front knees. An instant later Keelin had slipped and was sitting in the oozy surface of the marsh.

Chael was even more surprised to find a pulpit plant under the marshbush. Giving both the bag and the plant to Keelin for safekeeping, it was time to get out of the marshland and back onto the path.

Seeing a large shadow loom overhead, Chael decided it was time to make a dash. Telling Keelin to leap up for the ride, Chael galloped over the less sludgy ground of the outer marshland. Feeling something brush over him as they reached the edge of the marsh, Chael made it to the path safely and slowed his pace.

Chael had secretly hidden his cherry coloured chest in a favourite part of the woods when he decided he was well overdue for a wash. He was unsure how he could ever get all the dried up mud off his fur, but he would have to try. So Chael headed off for the closest running water. Little did he realise that there would be a surprise ahead for him, in the form of another unicorn.

Chael reached the springs and communicated to Yss that he was going to try to wash out some of the mud in his fur. "That waterfall looks like the best option, hey? You wait here. I don't imagine snakes like water that much." Chael headed under the spray of the falling water. Glad it was warm weather, he soaked up the water and shook himself off. Retreating to the land, he looked at Yss, who was looking at him intently. "If I knew you better, I'd say you were giving me some sort of look," Chael said to Yss. "What's with the look?"

"Reflectssssion. Lookss at yrrrssself," Yss relayed.

Chael did as suggested and realised what the problem was. "Hmm, I guess that marsh sludge sure is hard to budge once it's stuck to your fur. Pity you don't have hands Yss. I need my fur combed out."

Unknown to the pair, another set of eyes had been observing the situation. Stepping out from the woods, Angeni made herself known. "I might be able to help you," she said by way of an introduction. "Greetings, my name is Angeni. I happen to have a wooden comb. The creatures with hands sometimes use it to brush my fur. I can hold it with my mouth and brush you if you wish."

At first startled, Chael rallied round and uttered nervously "Oh, ah, yes, thank you. Oh and my name is Chael, and this is my companion Yss."

A bright blue butterfly landed on a rock nearby. "That's Neveah, my companion," said Angeni. "She doesn't say much but she is a good listener."

Chael had helped save the firebird he knew,
So he felt glad it was certainly true.
But the marsh really stank.
To be sure it was rank.
And now he found his fur matted with goo.

So Chael headed for a fresh running stream.
He really yearned to be happy and clean.
Yss went with him too,
His snake friend who was blue,
Off they went through the forest of green.

They arrived at the water so blue.
Chael leapt in without further ado.
His fur got all wet.
He thought he was set.
But some grooming was sure needed too.

A voice then was heard from the trees.
Chael can hardly believe what he sees.
A girl unicorn.
None prettier was born.
To her offer of grooming Chael said "Please."

Angeni worked hard combing fur.
Chael just couldn't stop thanking her.
The mats went away.
Chael said "Hip hooray!"
An instant friendship was sure to occur.

Time had passed and Chael and Angeni went everywhere together, followed of course by their companions, Yss the snake and Neveah the butterfly.