"Well, I see you two have a lot of catching up to do," Irzen turned towards the other Adventurers, "And I think we can handle a few thieves running off with a relic or two."

Lazheros raised a hand, "One moment please." He turned around to the altar and gave the ranger a scroll of the missing relic. "This should help you in locating the relic. What your looking for is a gauntlet. Platinum with the crest of Bahamut on it. To a collector its a priceless artifact purely for display only. No real value to the naked eye unless you incite the inscription from the scroll. It will glow white in the presence of someone who is pure of heart and just. Too small for anyone of human, elven, dwarven to wear. Perhaps a child or halfling or gnome might be able to wear it, if they pass the test."

"Thank you, Lazheros, I shall do my best to return this scroll to you once our mission is done," Willow reassured the Bronze Man.

The others nodded in agreement before Irzen turned towards Madeous and Alyson, "You are more than welcome to join us. But would it be safe to say that you two have other things in mind?"

"....I think I'm gonna sit this one out. Got a lot on my mind." The elementalist told Irzen, "You could stop by the tavern and ask Quake, that is if she's sobered up from last night."

"Let's not and say I did," Irzen replied without hesitation, "Quake is a drunken hot mess! I have no problem letting sleeping elementals lie. Guys, let's go!"

Alyson glanced at Serna who was rather quiet for a change. No snotty comebacks, nothing. Perhaps she felt overwhelmed by the sheer ambiance of the temple or maybe she was put in her place in the presence of a true legend of the Realm. Madeous had that affect on people especially being flanked by the dragonee. On Earth, the two dragonee appeared as two stone lions that guarded the main entrance to the mansion, or the garden. She knew they liked to move around the property from time to time. Really spooked noisy visitors from getting too curious. Good times.

"Serna, you'll do right by this important quest to the find the relic, right?" Alyson asked the Shield Maiden. "It's a test to see if you are truly worthy. Good luck."

"Of course I will do right by this quest," Serna replied honestly, "Don't I always? And thanks, good luck to you too!"

-Cocky as ever, aren't you?- The elementalist quietly telling herself while smiling at the shield maiden boasting a success prematurely.

"Before we go Lazerhos, let me ask you a question," Irzen turned towards the Bronze Man, "How do you think those two Thieves got in here and stole the gauntlet?"

"The relic was among others on display for pilgrims and visitors alike for view purposes only. My fellow clerics and I did a full investigation about the matter here within the temple and found one suspect who's being detained on the temple grounds in the guard post." His brow furrowed with contempt, "a turncoat."

"Even I questioned this individual. Shady and downright despicable that he would do such a thing by stealing the relic and trying to make some coin. Needless to say, the man in question will be doing hard penance for this crime!" Madeous grumbled with hands on his hips. "Perhaps, you and your friends may find out something that Lazheros and I did not."

"Oh, I think we can persuade him to talk," Irzen turned towards his friends, "Right guys?"

Willow, Neven and Serna grinned and nodded in response.

The Bronze Man told the adventurers where to find the guard post on the temple grounds by following the main path and taking a left to the sparing area for the knights and paladins. "If they ask, tell them I sent you."

"Consider it done!" Irzen led the others out of the temple, "Gang, we have a mystery to solve and a traitor to interrogate. Let's see what we can learn."

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

"Right. All set. Follow me please," Sergeant Talos spoke up once more and gestured for the party to join him. "Strange lot you all are but if it solves the mystery and restores the relic, I know I will rest easier."

"Well do our best," Irzen reassured Talos.

"Fortunately for you, our best is pretty good!" Serna chirped with a smile.

The sergeant lead the party down the main path and to the left as the cleric instructed. At the entrance, they were greeted by the Knight Commander. A tall human man, medium build in full plate armor, "Halt! What business do you have here?"

"We were sent here by your chief priest, Lazheros, to interrogate the prisoner," Irzen declared, "Please, bid us to enter."