“OH, ISN’T IT NICE TO be back?” The heat of the Furnace envelops them, blazing and dry and stinking of smoke and sulfur. Smokejumper strikes out onto the path in a long, smooth trot, long tail lifted into an upward arch of pure delight.

    “Is the floor open to debate?” Halftruth asks. She stands a little further back, long, maroon-rimmed ears swinging as she takes in the dungeon.

    Smokejumper wheels around to give her a look. “Absolutely not.”

    Deeming the area safe for now, Halftruth moves forward to join them. “Then yes, it’s so nice to be back.”

    “Your sarcasm will be the death of you,” Smokejumper tells her, deadpan. “Look – Brimstone is happy to be here, too.” The two coursers glance forward to look at the wolf, who sniffs happily along the warm stones of the pathway, tail high and ears perked.

    Turning back around, Smokejumper watches as the rest of the group filters out into the Furnace, various looks of dismay present on their faces. Henbane already looks like she’s starting to sweat, and Beetle fares about the same. Knots and Duskwalker both stand a little further back, Duskwalker murmuring into Knots’ ear while the smaller courser eyes a distant pool of burbling lava with a wary eye.

    “Alright,” Smokejumper says, raising their voice. Immediately, the group quiets, and one by one every ear turns to point at them. Halftruth stands a bit to their side, turned toward the younger horses with her head high, radiating pride. This is the group’s latest crop of graduating mentees, and they all show more promise than anyone could have asked for. However, graduated or not, there is still a lot for them to learn. Beetle and Henbane often go with Smokejumper and Halftruth on long journeys within the dungeon, and they know that Knots and Duskwalker have found two other coursers outside of the group to do the same with.

    “I know you four have a favorite horse to pair off with.” Immediately, she feels the tension radiating from the young horses. “But you need to be able to work with others just as efficiently.”

    “But we already do,” Knots says, flicking an ear backwards.

    “That doesn’t mean you know everything there is to navigating partnerships in the dungeon,” Halftruth says. Smokejumper nods to her.

    “That’s right. Every chance you have to work with someone else is good for developing interpersonal skills and teamwork.” Privately, Smokejumper thinks that Knots doesn’t want separated from Duskwalker, and by the look on Duskwalker’s face, they know she feels the same. It’ll be good for them to separate for a bit – in their opinion (and a few of the other older horses’ as well), the two are a bit too codependent on each other.

    “Knots,” Smokejumper says. He jumps, looking at them with white-rimmed brown eyes. “I know you and Beetle often hang out together. So I want you to go with Henbane, instead.” Knots’ shoulders sag, but he says nothing to argue this.

    “Beetle, Duskwalker. That means that you two will be working together this time.”

    “Wait,” Duskwalker says, head high. On her back her eagle, Athos, spreads his white-speckled wings in a half-flare, head bobbing. “Knots and I work great together.” She glances sideways at Beetle, who turns his ears back at her in silent reproof. “I see no reason we should split up.”

    “I see no reason you shouldn’t,” Smokejumper replies easily. They weren’t the one to teach Duskwalker, and they know that she’s slightly more defiant towards them because of this. “Suncatcher approved this, Dusk. And it’s only for a few hours.”

    Duskwalker snorts, but doesn’t say anything else.

    “Good.” Smokejumper nods. “Beetle, Dusk, there’s a fork in the path ahead. I want you to take the left one. Be back at that fork four hours from now.” With a nod, the two coursers pass by, plodding onwards. “Henbane, Knots, I want you to take the right path. Be back at that fork four hours from now, as well.”

    With a wary glance at each other, Knots and Henbane nod, drifting past Smokejumper and Halftruth.

    “And what about you and me?” Halftruth asks.

    Smokejumper thinks for a moment. “Well… we never finished off that hellhound pack from last time. And from what I know, they linger around these parts.”

    Halftruth brightens. “Lead the way. I owe them some ass-kicking after last time.”