Coronet trotted down the passage, and the hound followed close beside him. Each time he glanced down, the dog's eyes were locked on him, and it wagged its tail. Coronet had been sure he'd be going on his adventure all alone, but he was beginning to consider the value this hound might add. And the hound wouldn't have any rules for him. It simply seemed interested in following him. Perhaps it would even defend him, if need be. He glanced at his furry companion again, and assured it. "Good hound. You can stay." The tail wagged again.

The pair made their way down the passage before it broadened into another room. Coronet was quite sure he'd been walking most of the day. It was hard to keep track of time, without the sun or moon to guide him. He wondered how other adventurers managed. He flicked an ear. That was the first time he'd considered how other Coursers did things since he'd delved below the surface. Strange. As he made his way into the room, Coronet felt a strange feeling. Almost like he'd been here before. But that couldn't be possible. All day he'd slowly been descending, and he was sure he hadn't got turned around.

Up ahead in the gloom he made out a large rock. Covered with thick, lush moss. Just the the rock he'd seen right after he'd entered the caverns. Exactly like in, in fact. His heart beat a little faster as he approached, the hound trailing behind him. The dog started to whine. Coronet wasn't sure if the animal was picking up on his own anxiety, or could detect the uncanniness that awaited them.

Just like before on top of the mossy rock was a huge toad. It's eyes glinted with the sort of intelligence he was only used to seeing in other Coursers. It's gravelly voice croaked out the same question as before. "WHO ARE YOU?" It puffed on its pipe, and waited for Coronet to respond.

The Courser fixed his eyes firmly on the creature. "Coronet. Seeker, and now finder. Who are you?" His voice has a twinge of anger, brought upon of the fear that was bubbling up in him. He'd heard the the dungeons were a strange place, this was his first personal encounter with something this odd. Had the dungeons been leading him in circles all day? Or was this creature more than it seemed?

The toad blew another smoke ring, and grinned an uncomfortable grin. "CHANGER. CHARGER. DEEPER STILL." The toad tapped its pipe on the mossy rock. The embers of burning herbs floated briefly in the air before tumbling to the ground as ash. "I AM QUESTIONER." The toad looked deep into Coronet's eyes, its expression neutral.

The hound whine again, and threaded through Coronet's legs. It stood itself between the horse and the too large toad. It seemed ready to defend Coronet if needed. "Good hound. Let's go. It's just some toad." Coronet backed away from the creature, and the hound retreated with him.

Coronet was sure was had headed back towards the passage they'd just emerged from, but as he entered it, it seemed subtle different. The stone walls had swirls of different colours, and it seemed drier here. What on earth had happened? The hound whined again, and looked up at him. "It's okay. We're safe. Maybe ..." he paused, hardly believing what he was about to say. "Maybe we should go back up. Ask a few questions about things that have happened down here. I think there's a few more things we should know." The hound gave an appreciated bark, and wagged its tail. Well, that seemed to be an approved plan.