The Earthen Furnace was amazing.

        Rigo's green eyes couldn't grow any wider as he surveyed the massive open chambers filled with massive stone structures, fire everywhere he looked, and pools of lava. Natural and manmade bridges crisscrossed the entirely of the caverns, some at their level and others stretching high above his head. Scores of bats shrieked at their approach before darting off into other shadowed ceilings to continue their slumber or hunt, reminding him briefly of a story his ma told him about his great-grandda's first adventure. He liked to think it was a good omen, seeing as a bat had emblazoned itself on their family crest. Giddy to see more, the young colt bounced forward with a gleeful kick of his hindquarters only to pause momentarily and check and to make sure his small slime friend was still aboard. It was a small green ball that seemed to harbor some intelligence. Its charming black eyes peered up at the colt with equal wonder, either enraptured by its master's awe or just as thrilled to see the sights. With an excited smile, Rigo jogged onward, tail high and swaying. The light tap of his foal hooves upon the stone was drowned by the burning rumble of the volcanic lakes and crashing magma falls, but nothing could silence the harpy cries of his mother.

        "Rigo, don't wander too far from us." Rustica's voice called over the roars of the furnace. Her long strides made it easy to catch up with him, and she came up beside her son in no time. "You must mind us, or we won't take you down here until you're much older."

        "But moooooom! It's so cool down here!" His strides slowed, exaggerated and long to force himself to expel the pent up energy building inside of his small form.

        "Listen to your dam, son." Logue interjected as he trotted passed the two to take the lead. "I know it isn't fun to obey orders sometimes, but it's something all of us Dungeon Coursers need to learn someday."

        Rigo rolled his eyes beneath his lids to hide his disapproval. However, it was still captured by Rustica who frowned at her son and shook her head. "They're right, and you'd be best to mind them."

        How boring... Rigo ceased his dramatics and minded his steps so he didn't pass his mother's side. In the quiet that followed their passage across more natural land bridges, Rigo took a moment to study his parents. They were both fully kitted, their manes and tails braided tightly along their dorsals. They didn't wear any leather confers, but did boast bracers around their legs. Their packs were kept just behind their shoulders, the rest of the hooks and loops barren to eliminate unnecessary weight. A length of rope did hang from his mother's hips though, a full spool that probably ran some 50ft. Their leathers were more ornate, though in a practical sense. Extra straps and padding for support and compression, some tin or iron (Rigo didn't know which) embellishing on his parent Logue's pieces. The only remarkable thing about his mother's attire was a burgundy pennant that swayed with her strides. Rigo could make out the familiar curves of the Rohakas bat upon it.

        They traveled in relative silence, save for some tips or observations shared by either one of his parents along the way. He listened, but still could hardly take his eyes off the dungeon around him. Well, that was, until someone came upon them.

        "Oh, finally, friendly faces!" Said a stranger, a Courser whose packs looked hallow and whose brow was drenched in sweat. Their palomino hide was dark with sweat, and they offered a relieved sigh at the sight of the trio.

        "Are you alright?" Rustica asked, halting some lengths away from the other. Rigo did the same instinctively before he even realized it.

        "Just a little turned around with all the bridges." The other laughed, though their voice was sheepish.

        "It's okay, its my first time here too!" Rigo smiled at the stranger before continuing with his sentiments, "It's easy to get lost, but my parents seem to know their way around."

        Logue and Rustica exchanged a glance after both staring at their son a moment. There was an awkward pause, one that did not register to the still smiling child, before the wayward Courser responded. "Yeah, first time... really something."

        "If you follow the path behind us and stay to the right-most forks, you'll get back to the Overgrown Caverns in no time." Rustica offered, gesturing behind them.

        A sigh of relief. "Oh, thank you..."

        "Don't mention it," murmured Logue as the palomino scurried past them and followed the right fork. Again they exchanged a glance with Rustica, one that was caught by Rigo this time around.

        "What?"

        Logue didn't immediately respond. "Just seems to be a part of the family tradition, I suppose."