The cavern floor was a dark, muted brown and the dim, warm light flickered, casting odd shadows around the two Coursers. It was hard to see too well, so they kept close, side by side with Fynrael a step behind Vraegar. Clop, clop, clop echoed through the room and even the stubborn, stalwart leader shivered. Something just didn't feel right here.

The entrance to the dungeon’s next level was clearly in sight, and yet Vraegar felt a tug towards a dark shape on the ground. As he approached, much to the sounds of distress coming from Fynrael, he could see a hole that expanded so wide, with outcroppings that looked a lot like teeth. Despite his horror, he was pulled and yanked towards it, even as his hooves dug into the ground and dirt billowed around them.

Fynrael tried to pull him away, but the bigger horse was just too strong, all he managed to do was delay what seemed to be inevitable. “Varegar!” Fyn called desperately as he struggled against him, his slime looking on in concern from Fynrael’s shoulder.

Still, Vraegar was pulled towards the mouth, his front hooves slipped over the edge. “Fyn-Fynrael,” Vraegar gasped, his voice trembling in a way the other horse had never heard before. “Just let me go, save yourself.”

“No, Vrae-”

His hooves went off, his head pitched forward and Fynrael clung tightly to him, a sad whine filling the odd silence. 

“Whoa there,” came a strange voice, deep and yet soothing, as another horse slid in next to Vraegar, shoving him back with a strong, sure push of his shoulder. Vraegar fell into Fynrael, both of them tangled up in eachother on the ground, and Fynrael’s slime oozed between their bodies to stare at the newcomer. “Sorry about the hard shove. Are you both okay?”

Vraegar was the first to his feet, snorting unhappily, embarrassed by what had happened and yet safe - whatever spell had caught his body had faded. “Fine. Who are you and what do you want?”

“Vraegar,” Fynrael chastised, putting his pet back on his shoulder and climbing to his feet. “Thank you for saving us. We really appreciate it.”

“Do not worry, I am just pleased you are both safe. I am Varith,” he said, looking towards the entrance to the next level. “Let’s get out of here and somewhere safe, shall we?”

Vraegar huffed and rolled his eyes but led the way forward anyhow, determined to show that he was the leader.