"I'm curious, Talos," Irzen asked, "Where are you from? You seem to be more of a transplant to these parts than a native of Asylum."

"Born and raised here. An orphan. No parents. Studied under the tudorship of the Bronze Man at the Temple of Bahamut but alas it was not my path. I admit devoting myself to a powerful deity is a bit much. I prefer solving crimes through a more normal approach using science and alchemy as my tools. I've been in the militia for more than ten years now. I have met people from your world and others since the location of this city is set in a juxtaposition within the cosmos." The Sergeant said as they approached the Merchant District.

"So who holds sway here?" Irzen continued, "Who are the real powers that make Asylum run? The City Guard? The Temples? The Guilds? Who are the powers that sit upon the throne and the powers behind the throne?"

Talos went on to explain that there was no one ruler in Asylum. There is a council that presides over the city comprised of all the guild leaders, a mayor elected by the common folk, the militia run by Major Zil, The Bronze Man, and lastly the embassy. "The people here don't rely on a sole ruler, they know from past experience that usually ends poorly and so are allowed to govern themselves. What I do know is that the Bronze Man has been the guardian of Asylum for at least five hundred years."

"That's pretty impressive," Irzen confessed, "First, to have a functioning government that's so complicated and so divided yet it actually works. Second, for the Bronze Man to rule for nearly half a millenium without anyone to challenge his guardianship."

"Well, Irzen, you get your answer that you seek very soon," Sergeant Talos as they walked to the Merchant District.

"If you don't mind my asking," Willow interrupted Talos and Irzen's conversation, "What is the significance of the holy relic we seek? Does it grant the possessor a special boon? Is it an item of power? Or is it just a very old and very valuable relic of Bahamut's faith?"

The sergeant smiled, "Depends really on who is truly worthy of wielding such an artifact I suppose. The Bronze Man likes to test those to see if he or she is true or false. Most folks are good people and are remembered for years to come. Those who prove corrupt and selfish meet a different side of the Bronze Man."

"Now who's being cryptic," Irzen quipped, "You neither gave Willow nor I a straight answer. If you keep this up, you might earn The Dungeon Master Award."

Talos burst out laughing, "Hahahaha! Wow! Really? Honestly I have never met Dungeon Master. Although from what I was told he speaks in riddles in the brief time he chooses to appear. I'll take that as a compliment. And to answer your question, you will have to find out for yourself. After all, I am just here to observe."

"And to help us burgle some poor merchant," Serna quipped with a knowing grin, "Am I right, Sergeant Talos?"

Sergeant Talos face palmed himself asking both Willow and Irzen, "Is she always this annoying?"

The party now entered the Merchant District. It was full of shops varying from potions to armor to weapons far down to the left side of the sea port. While produce and clothing filled up the right side entire. There were large homes of wealthy down both sides but no more than three or four. Each had a pair of guards standing to either side of the gates. Their uniforms varied from blue/gold, blue/red, yellow/green on the left. While red/yellow, purple/silver, and indigo/black to the right.

"So, which way kid? Left or right?" Talos said quietly.

"Shhh!" Neven cautioned Talos, "Let me scan the scene, then we can case it. Okay?"

Neven scanned the area not only for Guards but also for Thieves. He knew that one of them probably knew the lay of the land better than Talos did. If he could have a talk with one of them, he too would be able to understand how the Thieves could have the run of the Merchant District.

Neven could see the fence Gabe had mentioned earlier at the Gallows Pub sitting at behind a small puppet theater entertaining a bunch of children to the left. The play took about ten minutes total and when it ended the children got up and left. The Fox Man caught sight of the thief, tilting his head to the left motioning him over to check his theater. "You there! I say, won't you come over watch my little play? Encore showing for your eyes only, lad!"