There was a lit brazier just in front of them. It wasn't hot, and it had a blue flame - in fact it had a cooling effect, so Shield swiftly trotted over and gently pulled the foal - Spellsword from his back, and set him in front of the cool flame. He'd worried about a baby getting too hot down here, they tended to run warm instead of cold at the best of times...

Spellsword pressed up to the side of the brazier, little tail waggling happily.

"Don't touch the flame part." Shield murmured, and settled down next to the foal, who nestled into his side warmly. Spell was so willing and ready to accept him, it made Shield feel odd. Was it because he'd been an accident? Though, while Shield didn't know exactly what to do with him, they were certainly wanted now they were here. Was the itch of guilt he felt some feeling of disloyalty to Litany - despite Spellsword's very chaste creation - or the guilt of bringing the foal into being, incidentally, down here, below the earth?

He wasn't sure, and he didn't have the time to sort it out now.

---------------------

A while later, Shield got Spell up and on his legs, then leaned and collected the brazier's base in his teeth, lifting it. He'd not go without it, not with a delicate thing at his side-

"Arrrrghhh." There was a low groan, like moving stone, and Shield froze - blinking in alarm as a sturdy obsidian golem merged from the ground just near where the brazier had rested. It marched over, looking full of indignance, and snatched the brazier in one of its hands, making a series of agitated clacks up at Shield.

"Shit- sorry?" Shield nudged Spell forward, and hurried to continue on their way.

The obsidian golem followed, carrying the brazier and mumbling incoherently. Oh. Hm.

-------------------

"SHIELD!" Litany called, as he reached the encampment - bounding towards him, and smacking into his chest. "You were gone a while, is everything alright-? Did something happen-?" A low sniffing sound made both of them turn their heads.

Creature was looming over Spellsword, regarding him with deep sniffs, examining him.

"... Who is-?" Began Litany, swiftly interrupted by Shield's fearful "Creature, don't-"

It did not seem that Creature bid the foal harm, however. It licked his forehead once, and shambled off.

"... Well, Shield, who is this little man, then...?"

"I- I think he's my son, Lit." Shield's voice was a murmur.

"Oh! How did it happ-"

There was a soft thunk sound, and they turned - Creature had shambled back, and dropped a perfectly alive and intact baby fox on top of Spell.

Hm.