I've never tried swimming before. So far, I don't think I like it.
My legs seem to be pedalling against nothing, propelling me forwards only a short distance with each stroke. I'm panting, and I feel like I'm about to sink. My head is thrust high, out of the water, whilst the rest of me is submerged and thrashing with the effort of my swimming. I begin to panic, flailing desperately, and then...ah, blessed terra firma! I heave myself out of the water and begin to pant dramatically, gobbing great hunks of water out of my throat. Nope, I can't swim very well after all. The worry is that I'm stuck here now, and the only way to get back is the same way I came. Drat. Still, I'll worry about that later.
This little island is gorgeous, and delightfully quaint. There's a fine variety of greenery, which I sniff and sample with the air of a wine expert testing a new bottle of vintage. I move closer, noting another God at the helm of the gathering - this one huge, built like a brick shithouse, as the humans used to say. I look at him in admiration, before glancing around at the others. I see Erthe, but she's with her father, so I leave her be - I can't hog all her attention and time, as much as I may want to.
I halt, feeling my wet pelt dry in the hot air. I'm soon sweating, and my soggy halter clings to me. Inwardly I feel a quiver of fear - what evil beastie will spawn from the depths of hell today? I can say one thing for these God gatherings - they're fine practice for my healing skills. As ever, I have a host of herbs tucked into my halter, but there looks to be plenty more for me to gather here. ""