Raiding the Arc Hive

Sivvi gestured at the barren chunk of land before them. “That’s it? The fabled Arc Hive island? Doesn’t look like much.” Erdin glanced at her and gripped his staff more tightly. “The hive has most likely taken over and expanded the island’s mineshaft system. They’ll be deep within the caves, except for maybe a few soldiers.” He motioned at the mooring peg of their boat, and it floated out and impaled the gravelly sand, securing the boat to the gray beach. Krizdax hopped out and said, “I don’t care how many deadly machines we have to fight, as long as I get what I came for.” Sivvi looked at him quizzically and asked, “What’s that?”

Krizdax snickered in derision. “Don’t tell me you haven’t heard the stories!? There’s supposed to be a chest filled with Argentium deep in the hive. That kind of metal is priceless to tinkers like me and my kin.” Sivvi shrugged and said, “Suit yourself. I’m just here for the fighting.” She climbed out of the boat and strode up the beach. Krizdax and Erdin followed.

The strange trio slowly ascended to the main of the island. A barren plateau lay before them, pocked and pitted with what looked like small burrows--or entrances to subterranean tunnels.