When Odessa had come to Merlin’s camp with word of a crystal cove buried deep within a neighboring cave system, the gray had not hesitated to grab his owl and knife and follow the mare into the forest. Merlin was intimated by the dark Courser, and had an instinctual urge to impress her. 

It had become clear upon trekking through the keyholes and rocky passages that the room of crystal had been faulty information, and Merlin was worried they’d emerge empty handed. Would Odessa travel with him again if this trip flunked? He was still desperately inexperienced and lacking in friends- After their run in with the pitcher plant, Cairn had requested a break from accompanying him. 

“Maybe the crystals are rock colored?” Merlin tried feebly, ducking a low-hanging stalactite. 

“Somehow I doubt it,” Odessa sighed, face twisted in a discouraged expression. “That older Courser just seemed so confident! I don’t know why he would lie to me.” She tossed her head, clearing her eyes of her curly forelock. 

“Maybe someone got to it before us?”

“I guess.” 

They continued on in disappointed silence, the sound of their hooves on stone booming around them. Lovell dove through a cluster of moss, landing with a skid before them, hooting excitedly. 

“What is it?” Merlin asked, eyes widening as the owl took off once more, vanishing the way he’d come. 

“Follow that bird!” 

At Odessa’s instruction, Merlin broke into a trot. The path opened into a cavern, and Merlin stumbled to a halt, Odessa running into him from behind. 

“Hey! What-” Odessa’s indignation died in her throat. “Oh…” 

The cavern before them was strewn with glittering armor. Some Courser, some ancient and warped, fitted to a creature that no longer walked their earth. Light bounced from the shining surfaces, reflected from a hole far up in the ceiling, and rainbows danced along the walls. A faint scratching emanated from the pile, and Merlin’s ears twitched in discomfort. 

“It was real…” Odessa ventured into the cavern, sniffing through the abandoned piles. “This is incredible! Some of this stuff must be hundreds of years old.” 

“Be careful,” Merlin mumbled, though he had begun to explore the ruins as well. Much of the armor was simple garb, crudely made, rusted, and scarred from battles long past. “Do you think we can sell any of this?” 

“Psh- I don’t think it could even withstand the sun.” 

The scratching became louder, and Merlin snuffled deep within the pile. As he inhaled, something large and round flung itself into his nostril. He sneezed violently, eyes watering, and pawed at the intruder. It was a beetle. It looked up accusatory, as if Merlin had placed it within his own nose. 

“What did you find?” 

“Beetles,” Merlin sneezed again, his eyes watering from the intrusion. 

“My brother used to tell me that you can eat those. They are very good for you,” Odessa spoke matter-of-factly as she stepped to Merlin. 

“Really?” 

“Mhm! Try it.” 

Merlin hesitated, but thought back to his previous fears of disappointing the ambitious mare. He plucked the insect from the sheet of armor it was resting on, and crunched it between his teeth. It popped, filling his mouth with a vile liquid, legs wriggling in a desperate attempt for escape. 

Odessa looked at him expectantly, head slightly tilted. He swallowed, and she burst into laughter. “You ate it? For real?” She gasped for breath. “I would never!” 

“Did your brother actually tell you that?” 

“Of course not!” 

Merlin glared at her, the rancid taste lingering on his tongue. “What is wrong with you?” 

“Nothing,” She rolled her eyes, grinning. “Come on, let’s collect what we can to sell and get out of here.”