Right beside the barracks in Ironhold was its prison. Located in the new underground tunnels.
The walls were carved directly from bedrock, reinforced with thick iron braces driven deep into the stone. There were no runes etched into the walls, no glowing crystals, no enchantments humming quietly in the background.
The corridors were wide enough for two armored guards to walk side by side. Iron sconces held steady-burning lamps, their flames shielded by metal grates to prevent tampering. Light spilled evenly across the stone floor, leaving nowhere for shadows to gather.
Cells lined the passage in rigid symmetry. Heavy iron bars sealed each one, every hinge thick, every lock mechanical and overbuilt.
Inside, the cells were bare, with a stone floor, stone walls, and a narrow slab for rest. Nothing that could be broken. Nothing that could be used. In this area, mana did not flow properly.
