Mertul came out from the kitchen with a tray of food and noticed the commotion. She sighed setting the tray on the bar as she headed over to the crowd, "This stunt, my lords and lady, is not acceptable. The Militia are Asylum's police here. They're good at their job and do it well."

Turning to the Shield Maiden, "Young one. Do not be so hasty when charging into a situation that you don't fully understand. My tavern is neutral ground. No fighting. Certainly no magic allowed in dining area. Don't make me get Harley in here..."

"Harley?! Who's Harley?" Serna asked innocently enough.

Both guards looked at each other. One of them smirked while the other just waited to see the reaction from the kids.

"You need something, mum?" A voice spoke from behind the bar and proceeded to float over. All eight eye stalks surrounding the massive eye with a row of razor sharp teeth. This was Harley, a rare white beholder who EYED the whole group suspiciously. "As the lady said, no magic allowed."

Both the Shield Maiden and the Thief openly gasped at the sight of the White Beholder.

Harley floated closer to intimidate both Neven and Serna, "BOOOO!"

"AAAHHH!!!" Serna and Neven grabbed each other in fright as they jumped back from Harley.

Without missing a beat, Irzen deadpanned, "You ever get the feeling that you're just outgunned?"

"Like now?" Willow asked without batting an eyelash.

"Yeah, like now!" The Swordsman replied evenly before he turned towards the Guard that earlier addressed them, "You said your Major Zilc resides in the barracks at the center of town, right? Well, lead on!"

Irzen walked over to Serna while Willow took a flanking position next to Neven as the Guards ushered them out of Mertul's tavern.

The guards ushered the four adventurers out of the tavern and were joined by two more waiting outside. One of two waiting outside shook his head, "Follow us."

The four Adventurers followed the Guards with nary a word said amongst them.

************

Willow, Irzen, Serna, and Neven were lead to the barracks at the center of town. The center for the militia who kept order in the city. The barracks was also the place for bounty hunters looking for jobs and bringing wanted individuals. They ventured through the outer gates to the main building. The doors opened inviting the group in to state their business. Upon entering, sat Major Zilc. Shoulder length brown hair with matching beard and green eyes. A man of renown and great standing within Asylum's border. His reputation for being just and fair proceeded him.

Major Zilc rose from his chair walking out from behind his desk, "What are the charges or reason these folks have found themselves in my presence?"

From the moment they entered the compound both Irzen and Willow made mental notes of the number of guards, their arms, entrances, exits and possible ambush points in case a desperate escape became necessary.

One of the two guards that pursued the two street kids stepped forward, "Sir as ordered we went after the two wanted thieves and tracked them to Mertul's Tavern. We investigated and found this girl," Pointing to the shield maiden, "talking with one of them."

"Since when is it a crime to talk to a Thief?" Serna asked putting her hands on her hips.

Major Zilc was a patient man. Still this young girl had fire in her to speak so boldly. "It is a crime if you are caught in the act or seen by one of my guards, young lady."

"Serna," Irzen spoke to the Shield Maiden sternly without taking his eyes off of Major Zilc, "Let our host speak."

"The two street kids are wanted for stealing a priceless artifact. Rather a relic from the Temple of Bahumut. All to make some coin of course but the true matter is is the fact that there are certain individuals who would pay a mighty price for it. We have no quarrel with the clerics of the Dragon god, however, they do not take kindly when one of their sacred relics comes up missing. You can aid my men in tracking down the two in question. Do this and all charges in this sensitive matter will be dropped."

************

-Why? Damn Venger and his Black City. Serna was still the same. Defiant little brat. Eventually that place would of had an effect on the shield maiden. Eventually....- The elementalist told herself as she walked through the streets of Asylum. The place had a familiar ring to it somehow...

The two street kids that bolted out the Neverending Story tavern raced through the street brushed the elementalist but she caught the one trying to scalp her money bag. "Wrong answer!" She seized the ginger haired boy by the wrist and twisted his arm around behind his back hard. "Not interested in being robbed today, kid. You will have to do better than pilfering money from someone who was trained by two master thieves!"

The elementalist took the boy aside and slowly released him, "Take this silver. Twenty pieces for you and your friend, who's eyeing me from across the street there. Ten for you and ten for her. Now go."

Without saying a word the ginger haired boy and his friend vanished into the crowd. Alyson did makes sure nothing else was taken. -All items accounted for.- And continued walking down the street as if nothing happened.

Alyson kept walking through the streets trying to figure something out. Sleep seemed out of the question being plagued by the 'dark half.' She dealt with it before back on Earth but here in the Realm was an entirely different matter. Maybe she needed healing or help from a higher power. Looking about, she noticed the Temple of Bahumut on the hill and headed there.