| 274 With the wide plains ahead you urge Pallenten onwards. At a gallop she races for the northern edge of the Marshes and what you hope will be a safe route to the mountains. Soon the leagues are being left behind as her strong legs pound away at the soft earth of the grasslands. It is an exhilarating ride, with no obstacles before you the great horse thunders over the trackless plain, only the thick grasses themselves any impediment to her progress. As you ride you take the time to survey the horizons knowing that you must remain alert for any dangers. The plains before you are wide and open, a vast tract of flowing green but they are not lifeless. Where the grasses do no cover the ground in their thick blanket you can see the tracks and impressions of small deer and wild pigs. These animals keep well clear of any travellers, but you know there are large numbers of them scattered about the plains. As you gallop you see ground birds and other nesting fowl scatter from your path, if you were not in such a hurry you would certainly stop to hunt some of these game birds but now is not the time. On high there are large numbers of birds milling in the sky or heading south in great flocks. You can see why when you look northwards. To the north a huge storm is brewing. You cannot be sure if it is moving towards you, however the wind that now blows from that direction will surely push it your way. With the wind rushing past your head you ride, enjoying the feeling of freedom and the smells of the plains. Soon you will reach the Marshes and your unrestricted gallop will end. The Faeron Marshes do not favour the incautious, you have travelled them before and know they can be deadly if not treated with respect.
| Turn to section 329.
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