The journey to Alder’s Reach stretched on for days, the road winding through increasingly rugged terrain. Forests of towering pines gave way to rocky hillsides, where the air grew colder with each step closer to the mountains. Jace’s legs ached from the constant walking, but he kept pace with Merra, who set a relentless speed. The Heart of the Forge sat snug in his satchel, its faint hum an ever-present reminder of their purpose.

By the fifth day, they finally caught sight of Alder’s Reach. The village sprawled across a cliffside, its sturdy stone buildings clinging to the rock like barnacles. A waterfall cascaded nearby, feeding into a river that split the settlement in two. Rope bridges and wooden walkways connected the various sections, creating a network that seemed precarious but efficient.

“That’s Alder’s Reach,” Merra announced, gesturing to the village as they stood on a ridge overlooking it. “Home of scholars, miners, and more than a few oddballs.”

Jace’s gaze lingered on the waterfall. “That’s…impressive.”

Talla, standing a few paces ahead, sniffed the air. “I smell soot and metal. Must be the forges. We’ll want to avoid those areas unless you like getting ash in your face.”

“We’re here for Eryk, not sightseeing,” Merra reminded them. “Let’s keep moving.”

The village gates were flanked by two towering statues carved into the mountainside, depicting armored figures wielding massive hammers. A pair of guards stood at attention, their uniforms adorned with silver insignias that glinted in the sunlight.

“State your business,” one of the guards demanded as the group approached.

Merra stepped forward, her posture confident. “We’re here to see Eryk the Archivist. It’s a matter of urgency.”

The guards exchanged a glance. The second one, a woman with a scar across her cheek, frowned. “Eryk doesn’t usually take visitors without prior notice. What’s this about?”

Jace spoke up, pulling the Heart of the Forge from his satchel. The artifact’s glow intensified slightly as it caught the light. “We need his help with this. It’s connected to an ancient dwarven site we uncovered.”

The guards’ eyes widened at the sight of the crystal. After a moment of whispered deliberation, the woman nodded. “Follow me. I’ll take you to him.”

Eryk’s home was tucked into the cliffside, a sprawling structure half-carved from the rock and half-built with timber. The interior was a chaotic mess of books, scrolls, and strange artifacts, each surface piled high with clutter. The air smelled faintly of ink and aged paper.

The archivist himself was exactly as Merra had described: eccentric. He was a wiry man with wild, graying hair that stuck out in all directions, and he wore a patchwork robe covered in ink stains. His spectacles were slightly askew, and he squinted at the group as they entered.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“What’s this, then?” he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. “More travelers seeking forgotten knowledge? Or are you just here to sell me another trinket?”

Jace stepped forward, holding up the Heart of the Forge. “We’re here because of this. We think it’s a key to something bigger, but we can’t read the runes.”

Eryk’s eyes widened, and he practically snatched the artifact from Jace’s hands. He turned it over, his fingers tracing the patterns on its surface. “Remarkable,” he muttered. “Absolutely remarkable. This isn’t just dwarven work—it’s something more. A collaboration, perhaps?”

“Can you translate it?” Merra asked.

Eryk didn’t respond immediately. He set the artifact on a cluttered desk and began rummaging through a stack of books. “Translate? Possibly. But it’ll take time. This language is ancient, a blend of dwarven, human, and…something else. Something I’ve never seen before.”

“How long?” Jace pressed.

“Depends,” Eryk said, pulling out a thick tome and flipping through its pages. “If you want accuracy, days. Weeks, even. If you want speed, well, I’ll need compensation.”

“What kind of compensation?” Merra asked warily.

Eryk’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. “A favor, of course. There’s something I need retrieved from the old catacombs beneath this village. A simple task for capable adventurers like yourselves. Bring it to me, and I’ll prioritize your translation.”

Jace exchanged a glance with his companions. “What exactly are we retrieving?”

Eryk’s grin widened. “An artifact. A small, unassuming box made of black stone. It’s locked, so don’t bother trying to open it. Just bring it back here, and I’ll consider us even.”

The entrance to the catacombs was located near the edge of the village, hidden behind a curtain of ivy. The air inside was damp and cold, carrying the faint scent of decay. The walls were lined with ancient carvings depicting scenes of battle and mourning.

Merra led the way, her sword drawn and her eyes scanning the shadows. Talla followed closely, her bow at the ready. Jace and Darrin brought up the rear, the Heart of the Forge safely tucked away in Jace’s satchel.

“Stay sharp,” Merra said, her voice low. “Catacombs like these are usually home to more than just bones.”

As if on cue, a low growl echoed through the tunnels. The group froze, their weapons poised.

“What was that?” Jace whispered.

The growl grew louder, accompanied by the sound of claws scraping against stone. From the darkness emerged a pair of creatures—gaunt, wolf-like beasts with glowing red eyes and jagged teeth. Their movements were unnatural, almost mechanical, as if they were part machine.

“Golems,” Merra hissed. “Stay together!”

The first beast lunged at Talla, who rolled to the side and loosed an arrow. The projectile struck its mark, embedding itself in the creature’s shoulder, but the golem barely flinched. Darrin charged forward, his axe swinging in a wide arc that cleaved through the second beast’s side.

Jace held his ground, summoning the energy within him. He extended his hand, and a surge of light erupted, striking the first creature square in the chest. It let out a guttural screech before collapsing in a heap of sparking wires and shattered stone.

Merra finished off the second golem with a precise thrust of her sword, her movements fluid and practiced. She turned to the group, her expression grim. “That’s just the beginning. Stay alert.”

Deeper into the catacombs, they found the artifact Eryk had described. It rested on a pedestal in the center of a chamber, surrounded by more carvings. The box was small, no larger than a jewelry case, and its surface was smooth and featureless.

Jace approached cautiously, half-expecting another trap. When nothing happened, he picked up the box and tucked it into his satchel.

“Let’s get out of here,” Merra said. “Quickly.”

The return journey was tense but uneventful. Back in Eryk’s workshop, the archivist’s eyes lit up at the sight of the box. He took it eagerly, running his hands over its surface.

“Excellent work,” he said. “I’ll begin translating your artifact immediately.”

Jace nodded