Hawkes droned down the moss laden tunnel towards the sound of running water, dragging their hooves through the slightly damp soil while exhaustion claimed their features. They had said they'd make it back up to the surface fine on their own when Terrence had asked before leaving, but they had foolishly said that they would be just fine on their own. And now here they were, bone tired after one too many wrong turns and from the relentless scolding they had received upon leaving the earthen furnace. 

It had turned out that all their bravado was in fact not enough to get them through the earthen furnace unscathed.
And sure Terrence had expressed doubt when they had claimed this, but he hadn't actually stopped them so he probably was just saying that. There was that whole thing where Hawkes had lied about who they were but... well, so maybe Terrence had good reason to doubt. And maybe he had been right to doubt that they were actually well-equipped enough to get back to the surface okay after the mishaps that had taken place in the fiery pits of the hells. Their feet hurt and their joints hurt from walking on all those hard rocks and their lungs hurt from breathing in all that smoke and-

Oh thank goodness. 

Hawkes was distracted from their moping as the source of the sound they'd been following finally came into view. It was beautiful, almost just like a garden above ground, the way the plants were growing off to either side of the beautiful little spring bubbling up from the ground, flowers springing up almost like they had been planted very specifically. Almost immediately after seeing the water, Hawkes jerked their meager equipment off their back and slung it towards a fallen pillar close by before tumbling onto their knees and almost toppling into the spring. 

With all the drama and flair of a society of chickens, Hawkes ducked their head into the water and drank. They gulped and swallowed and gasped and slurped until the film of grit was finally washed down their throat, only pausing to take a breath once during the whole process. Once they were done they slumped forwards, letting the water wash over their legs and chest and splashing water up onto their face all in one big effort to rinse the ash from their hide. They grunted and sighed as they flopped about, spilling the stream out of its natural basin and sending it washing into the nearby plants and, consequently, all over their supplies. 

Not that they'd notice, at least not for a little while, as they gave in to the base instinct instilled in nearly every horse to roll.
And roll they did! The basin had wonderfully smooth stones at the bottom of it, acting like a massage against Hawkes sore being as they flailed about with all four feet in the air. They were at it for a good ten minutes before they finally stood and shook, sending a fine spray over the entire area. They stood still for a long moment, letting their coat drip-dry a considerable amount before moving to go find some food in their packs.

Hawkes was only slightly perturbed by their wet gear and merely pushed it aside as they lay down next to the pillar instead. Laying there they stared at the water while munching on some of the grass growing around them, noting that the basin the spring was in was nearly empty after their rolling all about. They let out an amused sigh as they relaxed against the old stone pillar, even managing to find a spot they could itch their shoulder just by wriggling the smallest amount. This was heaven. So so so much better than the heat and ash and stone of the earthen furnace. 

Thruming to their self, Hawkes soon found their self falling ever closer to sleep. They didn't fight it, instead inviting sleep in as they tumbled head first into a deep and dreamless sleep.