Like any other job, Husein treated this one as simply as possible. Go into dungeon, do what needed to be done, get what they wanted, return to the surface and collect the money. He felt no fear of going down, because The Earthen Furnace was no new place for him. The fires blazing everywhere, the lava dripping from the rocks and the hot floor squeaking under the mercenary's hooves did not make him dizzy or suddenly anxious. He knew these areas and perfectly well how to move around them. Only the stuffiness and brightness of this place made Husein simply prefer other levels of the dungeon.

But this time... this time he wasn't alone.

For some unspoken reason, the client of the commission chose another courser for this journey. The appearance of this horse automatically answered the question of why Husein could not complete the order alone. Terrence, the famous and proud courser, was one of the most known mercenaries from an equally popular and prosperous guild. Even though he had some experience, which Husein appreciated, clients liked to hire him because of his eccentric nature. Husein called such horse-pleasers - they did everything just to please someone. Flint, his black bat, also did not seem happy with the stranger's presence and flew away from him.

That was why this mission was so arduous. In his mind, time suddenly passed twice as slow and they were not moving fast enough, because Terrence had to talk this whole journey.

"What's with that cold, dead face? Is that the only expression you show?" Terrence began to ask, when Husein stopped commenting on his monologues for the umpteenth time.

"I'm trying to focus" he replied moodily, not even glancing at his companion walking next to him.

"Focus on what? Look around, there's nothing around. I know this area like my own stable." Terrence's voice was full of confidence and ease.

True, they didn't see a single living soul in the area. However, when they approached one of the marble walls, they saw a brazier blazing coldly by the wall. It was its temperature that attracted them both so much to get closer and take a proper look at this phenomenon. The stones slumbering at the bottom of the cauldron seemed not to burn out because of the fire consuming them. Was it the element that was so unusual or was it the coal?

"This is weird" was the first to comment Terrence, "I've never seen anything like this, have you?"

"Me neither."

The pair watched the brazier for a short moment with hypnotic curiosity. Its raging flames performed such a phenomenal dance that it was hard to tear their eyes away from it. However, this fact alarmed Husein, who pricked up his ears and moved away from the magical cauldron.

"We should leave it."

"What?" Terrence looked at him as if he was talking to a stupid foal. “We can’t leave something so unusual here. We can take it to the scholars or alchemists who would be happy to study it.”

Husein sighed loudly and, searching for the right words, cast one last glance at the cold brazier in front of them.

“We can’t take everything we find in the dungeon. Some items were made to stay in it. I believe this is one of them.” He turned around, intending to take a different route through The Earthen Furnace.

Flint squawked with a distinctive sound and flew after his owner, while a resigned Terrence decided to follow Husein’s order and go next to him. The two coursers set off deeper into the dungeon once more.

“We still have a job to do.”