All things considered, Prefect Chelbun was not having a good day. First, the Guard's Collecive had tried to pass the Adventurer's Initiative for the fifth time that month, then the Adventurer's Guild placed a formal request for more systrite; systrite that couldn't be mined until the miners came off of strike. Chelbun would've screamed if this had happened a year ago. Now, this was just another Twosday. That Twosday was almost over, however, which meant it was time for the best part of his day.

"Lillydew! I'm home dear!"

"Daddy!"

Chelbun opened his arms wide to catch the bundle of energy hutling into his chest. Even as he pulled Ilixa into a tight hug, he could feel her wriggle about inside.

"I missed you, Dad."

"I missed you too, sweetie."

Ilixa wriggled enough to look up at her father.

"Can I have a friend over tomorrow?"

Chalbun let out a light chuckle as he brushed some purple and black hairs from his daugter's expectant face.

"If you get your room cleaned, you might even have two."

Ilixa's eyes sparkled at the thought of something so luxurious. Sliding out of her father's grip, she dashed up the doorway stairs. With another chuckle, Chelbun shrugged of his work jacket to hang in the closet. Everyone had been skeptical when he commissioned the earth {Systros} to rebuild every building in Tarnsbed, but no one was complaining about the sturdier coat racks. Rembering those first years of running the city had Chelbun feeling nostalgic, so he moved out of the enterance towards his shelf.

"Now where did I keep that scroll..."

Chelbun fingered through scroll after scroll, each one bringing back fond memories of his early years.

"Second from the left, middle shelf."

"Ah, yes, now I remember. I believe it was put there so it could stay out of your reach."

The snort from behind him was all the confirmation Chelbun needed for his suspisions. With scroll in hand, he turned to face his guest.

"How have you been, Tip?"

The Dwarf rubbed his chin in mock concentration. Tip was probably the only Dwarf in existence who actively shaved, but that didn't stop heavy stubble from growing in by midday. Seemingly satisfied with his decision, Tip looked back up at his old friend.

"I'd say I'm in tip-top shape, all things considered."

Now it was Chelbun's turn to snort. "You should really consider getting some new material. Care to reminice with me?" He replied, motioning to the scroll in his hand.

"As much as I'd love to, I'm afraid we have more pressing matters to discuss."

Chelbun did his best to stifle a groan while he settled into a chair next to Tip's.

"Well, then, what can I do for the head of the Dwarven Union?"

Tip looked reluctant to speak at first, but soon steeled his resolve.

"Solaris is on the move again."

Chelbun sucked in a breath. "But they've only been retired for two years. Is Doen certain?"

"Certain enough to throw a wall at me." Tip shook his head wryly. "Always a handfull, those Humans."

Chelbun nodded slowly, contemplating his next move. He couldn't stop adventurers from traveling, or the people would uproar. He could issue them a quest for something within the city once they re-instated themselves, but that would only delay their rampage. Chelbun started to rub his temples. He doubted the /Solaris Company would ever understand just how much of a headache they were. Well, Solomon might, but he was not going to be made privy to the truth of the matter until he was willing to join a station at Doenvale.

Wait a moment! Join a station...

"Tip?"

"Yeah?"

"What has Levin been up to lately?"

"Levin?" Tip replied harshly, "What in mercy's name do we need with him?"

Chalbun frowned. Sometimes it was easy to forget why Tip only had one joke.

"Levin's a Solaris, isn't he?"

"Yeah?"

"And he's been accepted into the Guard's Collective, hasn't he?"

"He has..."

"Well, then, I assume it would be possible to-"

"Uncle Tip!"

Ilixa came barreling down the steps, wearing the widest grin her lithe features could muster. Before Tip had a chance to respond, his chair fell over from the force of the impact. Chelbun started to chuckle. Tip leaned up to glare at him, but the girl clining to his neck only made Chelbun laugh harder.

"So much for a professional meeting." Tip grumbled.

Ilixa started to look distraught. "Don't tell me you're going to leave?"

Tip snorted as he pulled his seat back upright. "These muscles aren't for show, kiddo. I've got plenty of heads to knock around when I...I..."

Tip tried to continue, but the words caught in his mouth when he saw Ilixa's face. If Chalbun didn't know his daughter so well, he would have sworn she was using illusion systrem to make her eyes larger. After a few moments of stammering, Tip relented.

"I... suppose I could stay for dinner..."

Chalbun clapped his hands together. "You heard the man, Ilixa! Go prepare our guest some dinner while we finish our conversation."

"Yes Father!" Ilixa rushed over to the opposite wall and moved straight through. Chelbun didn't need to look back at Tip to tell how incredulous he was.

"That one seems less secure than the others." Tip remarked.

Chelbun let out a sigh. "The wall is supposed to be protected by sygil, but Ilixa always forgets to close up after herself."

"I suppose that makes sense." Tip nodded to himself. "She's only 15 after all."

Chelbun rubbed his temples to stop the headache this conversation was giving him. The last thing he needed right now was to derail this conversation with small-talk about home security.

"In any case, we should probably get back to buisness."

"Right!" Tip turned back toward Chelbun with a serious expression. "What were we going to do with Levin and the Guards?"

"As I was saying, if we could convince the presiding General to instate Levin as Captain, he would be honorbound to continue serving for at least a year."

Chelbun knew that this wasn't a permanent fix, but he had spent long enough dealing with Levin to know it would buy him the time he needed. Tip ,however, still had apparent reservations about the plan.

"Couldn't the /Solaris Company just find a new {Twinblade}?"

"Perhaps, but they won't."

"Okay... then what about the guard? do you really think you could convince them to go along with this?"

"General Nevel has been down my neck about his 'Adventurer's Initiative'. I give him what he wants, and he'll give me what I want."

Tip took a moment to pull himself out of his chair. "Well then, I suppose there's only one thing left to do."

"And what would that be?"

Tip jabbed a thumb toward the wall, where a plume of smoke was materializing.

"Go save my neice from her heritage."

Celbun did his best not to scowl as he stood from his chair.

"Honestly, Tip, it's the same three jokes every time..."