Morning in Ironhammer arrived with the rhythmic clanging of the city's wake-up bells, their resonant tones echoing through the mountain corridors. Alan had slept fitfully, his dreams filled with swirling portals and ticking clocks—manifestations of the pressure created by Marcus's revelation about the interdimensional cycle.
He dressed in the Gearsmith attire provided by Steelheart, carefully affixing the consultant's badge to his vest. The weight of the Guild communicator in his pocket provided some reassurance, though he couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that came with the knowledge that Darkblade and his team were actively searching for him within the city.
A knock at his door revealed Torbin, ready to escort him to his assigned workshop. "Good morning, Dr. Chen. I trust you slept well?" The young dwarf's formal tone couldn't quite mask his excitement at working with the "foreign consultant."
"Well enough, thank you," Alan replied, falling into the role they had constructed. "I'm eager to examine the crystal conduit systems you described yesterday."
Marcus joined them in the main room, where a simple breakfast had been laid out. "I'll be visiting the Guild library today," he informed them as they ate. "Steelheart has arranged access to some texts that might prove relevant to our... energy efficiency concerns."
The careful phrasing wasn't lost on Alan—they were establishing their cover story even in private, in case of unexpected listeners. "Excellent. Perhaps we can compare notes this evening."
After breakfast, Torbin led them through a series of corridors and lifts that descended from Steelheart's residence toward the eastern quadrant of the city. Alan tried to memorize the route, noting distinctive features at junctions and intersections, but the complexity of Ironhammer's internal geography was daunting.
"The city can be confusing to newcomers," Torbin acknowledged, seeing Alan's concentration. "Seven main levels, dozens of sub-levels, hundreds of corridors—all carved into the living mountain over centuries."
"It's remarkable engineering," Alan replied sincerely. "The integration of natural and constructed elements is seamless."
Torbin beamed with pride. "That's the Gearsmith philosophy—work with nature's patterns rather than imposing entirely artificial ones. The Academy calls it primitive; we call it harmonious."
They eventually reached a mechanical lift—a platform suspended by massive chains that were turned by a combination of steam power and what Alan now recognized as crystal-enhanced energy conduits. The lift descended smoothly, passing through several levels of the city and offering brief glimpses of workshops, residences, and bustling corridors.
At the eastern quadrant, they disembarked and followed a wide passage lined with smaller workshops. Unlike the Great Forge they had visited the previous day, this area seemed dedicated to more precise work—artisans and engineers focused on smaller components and detailed assemblies rather than large-scale metalworking.
"The precision division," Torbin explained. "Where components for our more complex mechanisms are designed and crafted. Your workshop is just ahead."
They reached a door marked with the Gearsmith Guild emblem and Steelheart's personal seal. Torbin placed his palm against a recognition plate similar to the one Marcus had used in the sanctuary tunnels, and the door unlocked with a series of mechanical clicks.
The workshop beyond was spacious and well-equipped. Workbenches lined the walls, covered with tools, measuring devices, and partially assembled mechanisms. A large table in the center held detailed diagrams of Ironhammer's energy distribution system, with particular focus on the crystal conduits that had been mentioned in Alan's cover story. Several crystal specimens of various sizes and colors were arranged on a separate table, along with instruments for analyzing their properties.
"This is Forgemaster Steelheart's secondary workshop," Torbin explained. "He uses it for experimental projects and detailed analysis work. Few have access, which makes it ideal for your... special consulting project."
Alan examined the equipment with genuine interest. Despite the medieval appearance of some tools, he recognized the principles behind many of the devices—spectrometers, resonance analyzers, and what appeared to be a sophisticated energy flow visualization system.
"This is perfect," he said, already considering how he might use these tools to better understand the physics of this world. "The equipment will allow for detailed analysis of the crystal energy patterns."
Torbin nodded enthusiastically. "The Forgemaster thought you'd appreciate the setup. Now, let me show you the specific conduit junction that's been causing efficiency problems."
He unrolled a detailed diagram on the central table, pointing to a section of the city's northeastern quadrant. "This junction connects the primary thermal vents to the upper city distribution network. We've recorded a seventeen percent decline in energy throughput over the past six months, despite no visible degradation in the physical infrastructure."
Alan studied the diagram, noting the complex arrangement of crystal arrays and mechanical regulators. "Have you replaced the primary conductor crystals?"
"Three times," Torbin confirmed. "Each replacement functions perfectly for approximately two weeks, then begins degrading at an accelerating rate. Standard maintenance procedures have been ineffective."
"Fascinating," Alan murmured, his scientific curiosity genuinely engaged. "This suggests a systemic issue rather than component failure. Perhaps a resonance misalignment in the surrounding energy field?"
Torbin looked impressed. "That's an insightful hypothesis. Few outside the Guild would consider field resonance as a factor."
"In my experience, energy systems often develop subtle harmonic imbalances that compound over time," Alan replied, drawing on his quantum physics background while translating concepts into terminology that would make sense in this world. "I'd like to examine the junction directly, if possible."
"Of course. That's part of today's scheduled activities." Torbin moved to a cabinet and retrieved what appeared to be specialized tools and measuring devices. "These are calibrated for crystal resonance analysis. The Forgemaster had them prepared for your use."
As they organized the equipment for their expedition to the junction site, Alan's mind was working on multiple levels. On the surface, he was genuinely interested in solving the engineering problem presented—it was an intriguing technical challenge that might reveal important principles about how energy functioned in this world. But beneath that, he was constantly aware of his precarious situation and the limited time window Marcus had described.
"Before we head to the junction, I'd like to understand more about the fundamental properties of these crystals," he said, moving to the table where the specimens were displayed. "How exactly do they channel and transform energy?"
Torbin joined him, picking up a clear crystal about the size of a golf ball. "At the most basic level, crystals serve as conduits for what we call 'pattern energy'—the organized flows of power that exist naturally in our world. Different crystal types have affinities for different energy patterns."
He indicated a blue crystal. "This sapphire resonator, for instance, has natural affinity for water and air energies. It can channel, store, and in some cases transform these energies based on its internal structure."
Alan picked up the crystal, feeling a subtle vibration against his palm. "And these internal structures—they're naturally occurring?"
"In raw form, yes. But Guild crafters enhance and refine them through a combination of physical shaping and energy imprinting." Torbin selected another crystal, this one with a complex, faceted cut. "This has been precisely shaped to amplify specific frequency patterns while filtering others—similar to what you might call a tuned circuit."
The parallels to quantum physics were striking. Alan was beginning to see how the "magic" of this world could be understood through scientific principles—different from Earth's physics in its fundamental constants and interactions, but still following coherent, analyzable patterns.
"And the energy itself—what's its source?" he asked, thinking about the fundamental forces of his own world.
"Multiple sources," Torbin explained. "Thermal energy from the mountain's core, ambient energy from natural processes, stellar energy channeled through specific crystal arrays... and of course, living energy generated by conscious beings."
"Living energy?" Alan prompted, suspecting this might be key to understanding the consciousness-directed nature of magic in this world.
"The energy generated by thought and intention," Torbin confirmed. "All living things produce it to some degree, but those trained in magical arts learn to concentrate and direct it deliberately. The Academy focuses almost exclusively on this type, considering the other sources crude or auxiliary."
"While the Guild integrates all energy types into its systems," Alan surmised.
"Exactly!" Torbin seemed pleased by his quick understanding. "We believe in balanced systems that draw from multiple sources for greater stability and efficiency. The Academy calls it primitive; we call it robust engineering."
Their discussion was interrupted by a chime from the Guild communicator in Alan's pocket. He retrieved it to find a message displayed on its crystal face: "Proceed with caution. Visitors in eastern quadrant. —S"