10

A deep breath and some quiet reflection later Toadapple is ready. Her booted feet sploosh into the edge of the pond and her small steps kick up all manner of mud and marshy moss. She skirts the edge of the human sized pond hunting in the mud and shallow water for the early spring sprouts of the reed she seeks. Luckily her search was fruitful and about a quarter of the way around the muck she spied her prize. She pulled a small trowel from her pack and began to dig at the base of the sprouts to dislodge the entire plant, roots and all. Up to her elbows in chilly water and muck her shovel hit something hard and hollow.