Surely the reed bank counts as a wild place. While it gives you so much, you've never tended it, not really, not like you do with your garden. It's something like the forest, then, but much safer to search without attracting attention. So here you are.
It's fairly well written, except you forgot to put information on what directions are available and what I see in those directions. After a bit of wandering aimlessly, I gave up.
Great story- Such an original idea for something history/folklore based- Not sure many would guess what it was about from the simple beginning description! :)