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."

One of two guards that were present back at the tavern pointed out, "Protect themselves? More like interfering with the justice system! They were being chased because they stole something that doesn't belong to them! Let us do our job and don't interfere or I will be more than happy to throw the whole lot of you in jail!"

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

"In other words, you are saying that they are guilty by association?" Major Zilc raised his hand condoning his subordinate, "That is enough, Sergeant." Turning back to the swordsman and the ranger, "They can make amends by retrieving the relic and returning it back to the temple."

He then turned to Serna and studied her for a moment, "And you, young lady, don't strike me as the type to have much insight on how things are run in the rest of Realm. But your type, I am afraid, I know all too well. A sheltered life breeds restlessness. You meet new friends and decide to travel with them, learning to the best of your abilities as you go. Instead of watching and observing, you jump to conclusions and get into trouble. So, my advice to you is learn from your mistakes or they will haunt you to rest of your days."

"And I know your type too, Major Zilc," Serna shot back, "You're used to being in charge. You're used to being in control. And when something slips out of your control or doesn't go the way you want, you point the finger at others and blame them for what has happened. And when you try to solve the problem you look to others to solve the problem for you."

"If you wanted us to solve your problem, sir, all you had to do was ask," Neven added simply.

"The lads right," Irzen nodded in agreement, "We're Dungeon Master's problem solvers! You're good at what you do and we're good at what we do. All you have to do is ask."

"Just ask nicely," Willow concluded honestly.

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

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.

Reaching the top of the hill, Alyson took in the enormity of the Temple itself. -Okay.- She entered the massive twenty foot high archway and gazed upon the spender of the temple. She compared it to one of the many cathedrals back on Earth admiring the intricate details of the various statues and colors, all metallic that lined the walls. At the center of the chamber sat the dais. Large enough for an adult metallic dragon to sit upon and ahead of stood an altar surrounded by candles on either side. One of clerics wearing all bronze robes turned about and greeted the elementalist, "Welcome to the Temple of Bahumut, Alyson Khyng."