chapter 21.2

After ensuring that all dealings with Tharvin were settled, Alcard adjusted the reins of his horse, preparing to leave the underground stronghold of the Steelhammer Clan. He paused for a moment near the main gate, speaking briefly with one of the guards to confirm that the supply of weapons and steel plates he had purchased would be sent to The Wall within three days, as agreed.

But just as he was about to spur his horse forward, something unusual happened. From various corridors leading to the gate, a group of Dwarven guards emerged in coordinated formation. They were clad in full armor, each wielding heavy axes and war hammers. Within moments, Alcard found himself surrounded from all sides. The previously calm atmosphere shifted into one thick with tension, and the Dwarves' wary gazes locked onto him with unwavering scrutiny.

Alcard tensed, his hand slowly reaching for the hilt of his sword. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, seeking a way out, but it quickly became clear that the circle of guards was tightening, leaving him with little room to maneuver. With a cold fury beginning to stir within him, he fixed a piercing glare at them.

"What is the meaning of this?" His voice thundered with restrained anger as he unsheathed his sword, ready to face whatever threat loomed before him.

The guards remained silent, but their movements made it clear—this was no misunderstanding. Alcard heightened his vigilance, his muscles coiled in anticipation of combat. Before the situation could escalate further, the heavy sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor. From behind the line of guards, a familiar figure emerged, his posture exuding both authority and calculated nonchalance—Tharvin Steelhammer.

Tharvin halted a few steps away from Alcard, arms crossed over his chest, wearing a thin smirk that conveyed a mixture of amusement and certainty. His gaze locked onto Alcard with the confidence of a man who believed he held complete control over the situation.

"That artifact is far too valuable to let it slip away so easily," he finally said, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable weight of authority. "Can you imagine what the Steelhammer Clan—no, the entire Dwarven Empire—could achieve if we possessed it and found the right wielder?"

Alcard clenched his fists, his anger beginning to boil over. He had anticipated that Tharvin would not simply let the fragment go, but hearing the Dwarf leader confirm it so openly only fueled his growing rage. "You have no idea what you're meddling with," he spat, his voice laced with warning. "That artifact is not something to be fought over, nor something to be wielded for the sake of power."

Tharvin's smirk remained, but there was a glint of mockery in his eyes. "Perhaps I don't understand everything," he admitted with an insincere shrug. "But there is one truth that always remains in this world—power brings opportunity. With that fragment, I could crush the lords who constantly test our borders. And you, Outcast, have no right to dictate what we do with it."

Alcard's fury deepened. "Your greed blinds you, Tharvin," he growled, his grip on his sword tightening. "You seek to control something beyond your comprehension. You see it only as a tool, never considering the consequences."

Seeing Alcard's growing agitation, Tharvin pressed his advantage, his voice lowering to deliver a veiled threat. "Are you sure you want to cause trouble here, in my stronghold?" he asked, his smirk deepening. "Have you forgotten what this could mean for The Wall and your fellow Outcasts? The Dwarves do not forgive betrayal—no matter how small."

Alcard gritted his teeth. He knew Tharvin wasn't bluffing. If he acted recklessly, if he turned this into a conflict, it could shatter the fragile alliance between The Wall and the Dwarven Empire. That was a risk he couldn't afford. Even as his anger burned within him, he took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay composed.

"You're a cunning one, Tharvin," he muttered, his voice now quiet but razor-sharp. "But remember this—nothing good will come from that fragment," he said, before tossing a small pouch toward Tharvin.

Tharvin caught the pouch effortlessly, his grin widening in satisfaction. "You'd do well to swallow your own words, Outcast," he mocked.

Alcard could see it in his eyes—Tharvin was unfazed by the warning. He was a man who thrived in manipulation, who believed that control was the ultimate goal. Alcard knew there was no reasoning with someone like him. The only thing that could stop Tharvin from pursuing the fragment was a force greater than his ambition.

Tharvin motioned with his hand, signaling the guards to step aside. Though they remained cautious, they created an opening for Alcard to leave. Their eyes, however, never strayed from him, filled with suspicion and the silent promise that this encounter would not be easily forgotten.

Standing in the corridor, Tharvin's expression remained amused. As Alcard passed, he spoke one last time, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Go on, Outcast. Make sure this is the last time you step foot here. We have no need for more trouble."

Alcard did not dignify him with a response. He simply sheathed his sword and mounted his horse. Without hesitation, he spurred his steed forward, galloping through the main gate and away from the Steelhammer stronghold.

Behind him, Tharvin let out a small chuckle, raising a hand in a mocking farewell. "Send my regards to Oldman," he called out, his voice echoing down the stone corridors. "Tell him the Steelhammer Clan always supports The Wall… in our own way."

Alcard never looked back. His jaw was set, his hands gripping the reins tightly as he rode through the underground roads, the weight of the confrontation still heavy on his shoulders. Anger and disappointment churned within him, knowing that any further confrontation with Tharvin would only lead to greater problems. But more than that, he knew one thing for certain—Tharvin's greed would one day bring about consequences greater than he could ever imagine.

Not just for the Dwarves.

But for all of Middle Earth.

With his thoughts now set on the greater mission ahead, Alcard urged his horse onward, knowing full well that the threats he faced were only beginning. The fragment had to be protected at all costs, and Tharvin Steelhammer was just one of the many dangers lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

As the path ahead stretched into the unknown, Alcard steeled himself for the battles yet to come.