Merlin stared into the dancing heat of the eternal fire. The brazier stood carved from ebony basalt, intricately decorated with storybook scenes of monstrous beasts of legend. Dragons, griffins, unicorns, and pegasi clashed together in everlasting combat, their eyes glittering specs of gold and their details so fine they seem to come alive with every flicker of the flame. 

The basin of the brazier was wide and deep, inlaid with labyrinthine filigree work, vanishing into the cluster of coal held at the heart of the cask. The fire itself burned a vibrant teal, licking the ceiling with sparkling embers. 

The image of the brazier had come to him late one night, and had haunted his dreams ever since, casting an eternal blue light behind his eyes through wake and sleep. He knew not what the fire wanted with him, but he didn’t care. After questioning the most prolific researchers he could find, they alerted him of its importance, of the beckoning call it sent out to chosen adventurers. They warned him of the risk involved, and he had shrugged it aside. With Lovell as his eyes in the dark, Merlin feared no monster, no trap, no volcano. 

“What do you want with me?” His voice boomed in the chamber, Lovell startling atop his shoulders. “Why do you call to me at night? Why must you haunt me?” 

The flames remained silent. 

Merlin pawed the rock floor impatiently, tail swishing with irritation. He cared not for prophetic riddles. 

“Leave me ALONE!” Surging forward, the gray Courser snarled into the fire. Despite his proximity, the blaze cast no heat. “Oh… Interesting.” 

Lovell erupted from his withers, soaring through the narrow cavern before alighting atop a stone outcropping to Merlin’s left. The bird cooed uncomfortably, shifting his weight back and forth. 

Merlin tilted his head, nose extending toward the flames. “Is that what you want?” The Courser murmured, eyes closing as he pushed his head within reach of the blaze. He expected pain, expected to feel his coat melting, skin peeling away, muscle bubbling and dripping from his body. Instead, nothing happened. 

The teal fire was comfortable, tickling beneath his chin like a playful companion. His eyes opened. 

Merlin no longer stood before the brazier. The stone cavern replaced with a gargantuan cove of black obsidian, the blue fire reflecting off every inch. In the center stood the non corporeal form of a Courser made entirely of cerulean mist. 

“Merlin…” 

The beast’s voice rumbled through Merlin’s soul, rattling the obsidian walls. 

“You are destined for greatness… but first, you must find the Knight made of Ice.” With a swish of its misty tail, the visage of an ivory Courser appeared before them. Her teeth bared in a snarl, tail abnormally long and lashing, thick hackles rising along her spine. “Find this one… turn her heart away from hatred.” 

“... What?!” Merlin scoffed. “This is ridiculous. What is that? That is the weirdest looking Courser I’ve ever seen!” 

“It is not my job to guide you.” 

The gargantuan blue horse exploded into blinding light and Merlin staggered back from the brazier, gasping for air. He stood once more in the volcanic chamber, images of the white unicorn dancing in his mind. 

“Come on, Lovell, we have someone to find.”