Chapter 3
Ayron trotted through the marshes, at a loss as to where to go next. He had followed the tracks to the edge of the marsh where they simply vanished. Pausing to take in the whole marsh, Ayron noticed a large triangular shape sticking out of the long grass. He also marked the old Marsh-wiggle standing outside.
"Good morning to you Master Wiggle!"
The Marsh-wiggle turned. "If it doesn't start to storm, or flood, or anything worse." came the doleful reply.
Ayron rolled his eyes and smirked. Marsh-wiggles are quite amusing at times. "Have you seen anything suspicious or unusual of late?" he queried.
"Hmmm, now that's a thing to think about. Why only a few days ago several fellows all in black rode through here with more horses than men. 'Strange,' I says to myself, 'where would a group of men be taking this many horses? No packs on them, they must be thieves."
Elated at the news, Ayron asked which way the men went. The wiggle pointed west. Before taking off Ayron spoke once more.
"Thank you," he paused. "What is your name?"
"Puddleglum." the Marsh-wiggle supplied.
"Thank you Puddleglum. You have my thanks, and those of the people living in Beruna." With that Ayron turned and made his way out of the marshes. Puddleglum watched him go.
"Decent enough fellow. Wonder what he meant though. Ah, well, I can't go traipsin' off into the wild like I used to." The wiggle shrugged to himself, then turned back to his wigwam.