Today was the day that Tempest was going to take little Cordelia to the Blackbriar Bog. It’s a very unsavory place to go just for fun but she felt everyone needed to experience the bog at least once. Plus, Tempest had a new ability she hadn’t used just yet. Purify would be ideal used in the bog seeing as the air was as nasty as the water. As they finally reached the bog, Tempest could only chuckle as she watched Cordy’s face winkle.
“Why does it smell so bad?” she whined.
“I don’t know but that’s how you can tell when you’ve reached it.” Tempest replied lightly as she trotted forward, leading poor Cordy further in.
Cordelia tried her best keeping up with Tempest’s trot. Tempest always seemed to be moving, she didn’t seem to like just walking somewhere. It was always at a trot or faster. It did help Cordy grow stronger trying to keep up though, so that wasn’t too bad. Of course the air smelled horrible and was distracting. She did her best to shake it off and continue after the doe.
Tempest came to a halt suddenly and felt Cordy bump into her. She laughed and looked down at the foal, “Careful there Cordy. Anyway, here’s a good view of the bog and here’s where I’ll give Purify a try.”
Cordelia looked around at the bog. They were on a bit of solid land but even that was misleading going down towards the water. It was mucky and brown, bubbles rose and popped at the surface leaving a lingering odor that was not nice on the nose. Cordelia wrinkled her nose again. “This place is really gross.”
“That’s why it’s important to try and heal it by visiting occasionally. It’s not ideal but eventually, we’re going to finally heal this place and it’ll be more enjoyable. Now stand back and let me concentrate on my magic.”
Cordelia stepped back from Tempest, her leg bumping into a log. She looked back at it and then stepped over it. She then looked back towards Tempest and watched, taking in everything the doe did.
Tempest stilled her whole body, building up the wild energy that she held within her petite frame. It seemed to become stronger every time she used it, like a muscle that was being exercised. Which also meant that she grew to be more in control of it. She was about to grab onto it when-
“Um, Tempest…”
“Not now Cordy, I’m concentrating. Now where was I.”
Cordy looked down into the faces of two jack hops. “Tempest…..”
“Cordy, let me finish this and then you can have my undivided attention….” she sighed while keeping her eyes closed. She refocused on the magic wilding flailing about within. I’ve got you, Tempest thought as she snatched at it and held on. Today we’re improving the air here, she thought as she forced her magic up through her body and horn. Her horn let off a blue glow and the smell of atmosphere, the air cleared within their small area and the odor lessened til it was about gone. Tempest opened her eyes and smiled, she did it! She took a deep breath and let it out. Ahhh...so much better, she thought.
“Now, what did you want-” She said turning around to see Cordy standing behind a log and two jack hops sitting on the log.
“Well would you look at that Clay,” said the nearly black jack hop. “This here fine noul came and improved the air in our little patch of bog.”
“Oh yes, dear, it certainly smells much better,” the one called Clay replied. “We thank you, dear.”
“Oh...well, hello there little jack hops,” Tempest said. She looked at Cordy, “Is this what you wanted my attention for?”
Cordy grinned and nodded her head. “So these are jack hops? They’re so cute!”
“Well aren’t you adorable yourself, my dear,” said Clay. “I’m Claystone and this strapping black is Basalt. We live here in this log.” She thumped her foot against it, the sound was hollow.
“Hello! Though handsome seems a better way to describe me than cute,” Basalt replied. “Are you two just passing through?”
Tempest looked at both of them. Jack hops living in the bog, that was interesting. She tilted her head to look them over. They seemed to be doing alright. “We’re just visiting. I’m showing Cordy the bog and I wanted to use an ability of mine to purify the air.”
“And purify you did, lassie.” The black jack hop took a deep breath. “Smells so much better. Although not sure how long it’ll last.”
Tempest lifted her head. “You two ever think about leaving the bog? It’s nicer in Homewood.”
The two jack hops looked at each other before looking back at Tempest. “It’s not that we don’t want to, we were born and raised here. Traveling through the bog is a bit dicey on our own though.” Claystone replied.
“I’d honestly, would prefer to go on adventures than just moving to yet another place and not leaving,” Basalt said.
Tempest laughed, both seemed to want two different things. But she could possibly help them out. She looked over at Cordy and then back at Clay and Basalt. “We we could help you out. I don’t personally have a home, but we could help you get to Homewood safely. But if it’s adventure you want, I’d be more than happy to have you along. We kind of crash wherever and do what we want.”
The two jack hops looked at each other and started to whisper to each other. Clay turned towards Tempest, “I think we’ll take you up on that offer. I’m not huge on journey but wherever Basalt goes, I do.”
“Awesome. We’ll Cordy and I are done here now. She’s seen the bog and I’ve used Purify already. Time to leave this stinky place and go find us some grub.”
“Well if you don’t mind, I shall sit on your back lassie.” Basalt said and promptly hopped up onto Tempest’s back.
Claystone rolled her eyes. Of course her partner would prefer being with the noul that could cover more ground. She looked over at Cordy, a most adorable foal. “How about it wee dear? Care to give me a ride?”
Cordy smiled and turned sideways, “Go ahead!”
Claystone hopped up on her small back and sat carefully. “Don’t toss me please,” she replied.
“Everyone ready then?” Tempest asked. The jack hops nodded and Cordy turned towards the path they took into the bog. “Very well then,” Tempest comment.
Tempest and Cordy began their journey back to Homewood, this time with a pair of jack hops in tow. Their family was certainly growing more and more with each journey. Tempest didn’t think that she would one day have a jack hop as a friend. What was also amazing was that Cordy would get one too. This would prove helpful in their future journeys and they wouldn’t have to be alone.
WC: 1,174
Ability: Purify
