In the middle of the lake, Croxy did not change its posture, but it seethed as it observed the stupidity of its minions. The overlord of the forest and the overlord of the lake had a clear understanding of their respective territories. For centuries, they had maintained a respectful coexistence. Croxy would never leave the lake to attack within the forest, and the same was true of the forest's overlord. Both would be at a disadvantage outside their dominant environments.
Their minions also upheld this power structure. Should any of them step foot onto another's turf, they would be attacked and eaten. The Murks knew they would be assaulted if they entered the forest. That was why, when they reached the forest's edge and found nothing resembling what their master had described, they chose to turn back and search along the way.
