"Are you sure you're up for this?", Terrance asked Toulouse. "You're asking me to take you deeper than most horses go their first trip in. To be quite frank, I'm not very comfortable with it."

Toulouse looked Terrance up and down, slight annoyance evident in his expression. Terrance noticed it, but didn't mention such. Toulouse looked at the moss-covered cave entrance. 

"I've given you my contract. I'm sure. I'm well aware of the dangers this Dungeon holds. I simply wish to see them for myself and claim what this vast place has to offer.", he told Terrance, in a matter of fact tone.

"Fine. But don't hold me accountable if something happens to you. This place is unpredictable, and even more unforgiving. Stay close. I can't help you if you wander off. And keep your goose close.", Terrance replied.

Toulouse glanced down at Oie and agreed to his terms. They began to follow the Smoky Woad through the Dungeon's entrance. Louse would be lying if he said he wasn't a bit nervous. All of the tales he had read from past adventurers and the texts of mythology he had consumed gave him some idea of the treacherous things to expect. Nothing of that sort could compare to seeing it firsthand, and Louse knew this. They made their way through the first layer of the Dungeon, Oie waddling beside Louse. Terrance stopped occasionally to check on Louse and let him inspect the multitudes of creatures within the chambers. He laughed a bit when Oie kept honking at the faies that were trying to swat him away from their mushrooms. He had to admit Louse surprised him. He had pegged him as an impatient rich kid who wouldn't be respectful of the dungeon and of him. Terrance was pleased to see that he ensured to stay close to him. He was also incredibly impressed by Louse's knowledge of the Dungeon, especially for someone who'd never been down in it before.

"Louse? May I ask a question?", Terrance asked hesitantly.

"Sure Terrance. What is it?", he replied, intrigued as to what Terrance could possibly want to ask him. They'd barely spoken, except to discuss things they'd seen as they travelled.

"How do you know so much about the Dungeon? You've never been here before. You know things that some people who have been exploring for years are unaware of."

"My father.", Toulouse began, "He was something of the historian type. Had a lot of books, most of them were journals written by Dungeon explorers. I studied them heavily throughout my childhood. I also had an obsession with mythology, not just of the Dungeon, but our lands as a whole.", he finished.

Terrance glanced at Louse. "An intriguing individual" he thought to himself.

"So I take it you're some kind of highborn Courser?", Terrance asked him.

"Yeah, I suppose you could say that. My father was Duke Honmar.", Louse explained.

"Hmm. Duke Honmar. I've heard of him. You're not his first son though. You have a brother right? I can't remember his name...", Terrance trailed off.

"Versailles. My brother, yes. He and I... Well, we don't see eye to eye."

"So I take it that's how you wound up in Fontaine?"

"Correct. My brother claims I am shirking my family obligations and responsibilites. He's the first son, that's his job. My father, bless his soul, spoke to me endlessly about the Dungeon. He wanted me to follow my own path, regardless of the family name or the duties that came with it. Versailles sees it as abandoning the Honmar name and title. He decided to banish me until I realize my duties. I realize them, they're just not mine. I don't want to be Duke Toulouse of Honmar. I'm quite satisfied with being Lord Toulouse and answering my desire to explore this vast land."

With that, Terrance nodded in aknowledgement. They continued to travel in silence. In the distance, Louse could see what appeared to be embers and looked at Terrance questioningly. Terrance simply motioned for him to continue along. As they walked, the embers grew closer and brighter. Suddenly, they were standing in front of a bridge. Louse looked down and saw a river of lava flowing beneath it. He shuddered, as he looked back to the bridge. It was long and worn. Louse looked at the planks and saw several missing. The cables holding the bridge up weren't in much better condition. It was fraying in some sections. Louse suddenly felt a little bit in over his head. Oie honked and craned his neck to look up at him, seeming to think the same question he was.

"Terrance, are we supposed to cross this raggedy thing?"

"Indeed my travelling friend."

"How? If the wrong plank snaps, we're goners."

"You wanted to see the Dungeon. This is how we get there. I've crossed this bridge multiple times, I know the strong points. Just walk where I walk, and you'll be fine. Don't move too quickly and make it sway too much though. Be cautious and aware. Step exactly where I do."

Toulouse nodded and placed Oie onto his back. They began to follow Terrance, ensuring he placed his hooves in the exact same spot his guide did. The trio slowly made their way across the bridge, moving carefully to reduce the swaying. When they finally made it across, Louse let out a large exhale. 

"The fun continues. Stay close.", Terrance said.