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."

"And what charges are those?" Willow asked with a raised eyebrow, "Our friends did not attack your guards. They only fought to protect themselves. And they did not know that those children were thieves. They only knew that they were being chased."

"What charges are you planning to levy against them?" Irzen added.

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

-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.