Kendall and Fetch looked at each other as they both heard the howls echoing about the chamber. On a ledge above them, one of the hellhounds stalked along the wall, staring hungrily down at them. Behind them, two of the creatures emerged from the lava onto the walkway the coursers stood on. 

“Hmm.” Kendall hummed thoughtfully, looking between the hellhounds surrounding them. “We shouldn’t run, right? They’ll chase us if we run.”
“They’ll chase us if we run.” Fetch repeated affirmatively, nodding. 

“Will they leave us alone if we stand still long enough, or should we be ready for a fight?”

The hellhound on the ledge leapt down on top of them, and Fetch reared up on her hind legs just in time to kick it away into the lava with her front hooves. That was the cue for the other two hounds to lunge as well. Kendall kicked them both away too, but after a moment all three of the hounds reemerged from the lava, shaking their pelts and bearing their teeth. 

“A chill in the furnace is a blessing.” Fetch said abruptly.

“...The coal from the brazier! You’re right.” Kendall began to rummage around in one of his packs as Fetch stood in front of him, keeping an eye on the hellhounds as they slunk forwards. After a moment, Kendall lifted his head, carrying in his teeth the coal of cold flame, wrapped in a scrap of fabric in the fashion of a sling. He gave it a test swing or two, before stepping in front of Fetch.
“Let me at ‘em with this!” He said confidently, swinging the coal around in a broad arc in front of him.

The coal connected with the snout of one of the hellhounds, and it gave a loud yelp, recoiling backwards. A sizzling mark was left where the blow struck, and the injured hellhound darted off to dive back into the lava, its tail between its legs. The remaining two hounds looked at one another reluctantly, and after a moment they backed off as well, following their comrade back from whence they came. 

“Hah! There they go! Good thinking, Fetch.” Kendall smiled at her. “Now, shall we keep it moving?”