The pale root withdraws into the black soil, revealing a narrow stair descending beneath the pines. Maerith’s symbols kindle along each buried step.
The blackened fragment in Dyanara’s palm pulses in answer, sending cold through her hand. From below comes a faint, measured scrape of metal.
Astraya Orlaith
That is no settling stone. Something below is armed, and it knows we are here.
Astraya shifts her harp behind one shoulder and draws her rapier. Caspien advances to the stairhead, falcon sword angled toward the darkness, while Arvanis watches the trees.
Caspien Ashveil
The inscription says hollow mine, but the stair is older than any working recorded in the charter. We should expect a ward.
Arvanis
I will guard the rear. The pines have gone still, and stillness rarely means safety.
Far behind them, Sir Silas remains with the dead traveler, following the last trail before joining them. Below, metal scrapes again, nearer now, and the glowing stair waits.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get past the armed ward