Sienna pointed at the water.
"The moat."
She took a breath, her eyes brightening as her thoughts assembled into order.
"This water is flowing, yet it remains green. That means the source, the underground lake, must be contaminated as well." She turned to them, her voice gaining strength with each word. "But ask yourselves this. Why would the spirit beasts go to the lake? There is no food there."
She paused.
Then she said the words that made both elders stare at her as if she had suddenly started speaking another language.
"They are taking a bath."
"A bath?" Harold and Mirella repeated together.
The two exchanged bewildered looks.
For one absurd moment, they wondered if the strain had finally unsettled Sienna's mind.
Mirella hurriedly said, "Young Miss, perhaps you are overthinking this."
Sienna turned toward her, eyes shining. "Grandma Mirella, hear me out."
Mirella hesitated, then nodded.
Sienna gestured toward the distant Carrion Swamp.
