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"If you keep going south far enough, the Swamp stops, and there is sand and water as far as you can see, and farther. Deep, clear water. Deeper than a mangrove tree, and you can see all the way to the bottom, and there are fish there bigger even than you with tender pink flesh, and fruit as big as your head. That is where I am from. The coast." She stomps a hoof and stirs up another cloud as she halts, primarily to keep the filly in focus. "Only the best of the best can live where I live, Frenzy."

"You're bright, aren't you? Seeing the chinks in everything." This is the closest Bitterleaf will ever come to a true compliment, and it's dimmed with sarcasm. "Because only the best can live where I live. So when people come to live with me, I make them prove how good they are. I make them come with me and we go from one end of the swamp to the other and then right back again. I have seen more of this swamp than most, I believe." Tossing her hair from her eyes, Bitterleaf casts a sideways glance at the ferocious little filly. "And if they can do it, and not complain, they come live with me on the coast. It's a beautiful place, where I live, but the coast doesn't take pity on the weak, so I weed them out first."

"Yes, you will." There is absolute certainty in the doe's voice. "And I will see you then, when you are the best. Just head south. Now tend to your belly, and find me when you're ready." And then the doe pushes on, winding off into the speckled shade until she is a pulsing teal gleam, and then gone.