?You know how serious this is, Dyarhk. I stayed here in Huyglen when we found out I was going to have Kellie, remember? Now I'm asking you to stay.? Seiri asked in a more demanding tone than the asking one she would have liked to believe she got across.

Corea was listened to the two argue about what justified going back into Rhydin during this hot time for assassinations. She found herself in this position quite frequently like a quiet child and not wanting her parents to fight and not believing she was able to do anything about it, she may very well have been, but she would not exercise this.

?I can't let these assassination threats command my agenda and what I would do for the Rhydin people. I risked lives already bringing Gregory Finder here from Tirraru. I risked my own, and Corea risked hers. We've come too far to abandon the efforts already made towards helping these people in the Northern Rhydin mountains.? Dyarhk sat in his chair there in the living room beside the fire that he looked like he was about to get up from at any moment. It was nighttime, and Bernard said across from him listening intently.

?Listen to yourself! You endangered the life of your daughter's mother! Do you think Rhydin will want a governor that is willing to part with those so dear to him? Do you think you're fit to make decisions so big when you make ones like that??? Seiri angrily lashed out and Bernard held out a stop hand.

?Let's be civil, now. Remember the children are sleeping, as well as whose house this is.? he reminded. Seiri just looked as angry to hear this but decided to stay her tongue, at least until Dyarhk spoke again.

?Seiri... I chose to go along with Dyarhk. Any risk that was involved was my own and was risked willingly.? Corea spoke up and was looked at by Seiri and Bernard; Dyarhk had already been watching her.

Seiri had to watch what she said to Corea. She was the only person that Seiri actually took the time to think how she should be treated. ?Corea... you don't understand this now, but you will... Dyarhk's got responsibilities now, and one of those is making sure our children live the best lives that they can; part of that means making sure their mother doesn't go out and do anything dangerous.? she tried to inform.

?I'm not sure Marissa and Kellie would be able to believe me, nor myself summon the words for why their father chose not to help save the lives of so many Rhydin citizens when it was within his means to do so.? Dyarhk said up to Seiri before he placed a grip over his mouth to think, ?I have more responsibilities than just that, Seiri, such as helping people when I can... and above all else, making sure nothing happens to either of you.?

?And what about you??? she asked. Though Bernard did not show it, he agreed with Seiri's point there. ?You don't have to be governor to do what you're talking about. And after you've done it, then what? There's a lot of other jobs and responsibilities you're signing up for. How do you expect to take care of a family if you're out doing everything in the world for everyone in the world??

?If you don't understand it now, Seiri, I don't think you ever will. But I understand that I can accomplish a great deal of good in an election term, and I'm going to pursue this. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine.? the Palliator got up and took a deep breath before confronting the two varying looks from the women across from him; Corea's always searching for reason, and Seiri expecting her word to be taken as commandment and obeyed as such. ?I'll be back before noontide, I promise. I've got to setup some sort of schedule with Gregory for public appearances.? he walked through Seiri and Corea on his way to the back making sure to touch both women in some way on his own way out.

?This is not a good idea.? Seiri said to Corea and Bernard with an evil glare burning through the man's back as he left. Corea remained silent, not wanting to anger Seiri or start any argument, and Seiri would realize it in a very short amount of time. She got along very well with Corea. It was why she never lost her temper with her, and it was why Corea remained so silent around her, usually an indication of her disagreement with something she said. They had arrived at some sort of understanding.

?He'll be fine, Ladies. Remember, he has both of you on speed dial if he needs anything. Dyarhk is not powerful because who he is, but because who he knows.? Bernard said riding on a chuckle. The two women merely looked at one another curiously.


Later, In Rhydin...

?So many places to setup workshops. I don't think we'll be able to cover enough in time, but we'll certainly try.? Dyarhk said walking through the market at an unusually quick pace as he held his arm out to slip the sleeve on of fine black suit jacket. It was not long before he was placing his other arm in it and completing the playboy look with a reckless collar and unmade tie lying under it.

Gregory had agreed to meet with him not far from where he was staying near the Public Library and where their campaign bus was parked. It was where their security was posted and where plans were made for additional safety as well as the actual campaigning for governor itself. Gregory was booking, booking, and doing more booking for appointments Dyarhk would be very unsure of his attendance in; another reason he had to meet with him and set the best plan they could. His pace increased.

A crowd of diverse citizens filled the market, and some even recognized him what with all the publicity lately and all. Handshakes were given with the appropriate proximity and waves were given likewise. A smile was brought about despite the worries on his mind. A strong face for the people, that was what was needed. He headed on through the rest of the market where the citizens thinned out slightly, and then thinned out noticeably until he was walking closer to dockside and not seeing so many people around. Despite being daylight, he recalled not feeling all that safe. As it turned out, this was not without reason.

An alleyway kept a small band of knife-toting odd-job takers with watchful eyes outside. An unusual and awkward slowness of walking fell upon Dyarhk as he took notice of a few peering eyes, then the few wandering out men that they belonged to. It was not long before he and they stopped altogether and faced one another.

?Something I can help you with, gentlemen? I'm in a bit of a hurry.? Dyarhk cast a worrisome glare as a bead of sweat collected on the back of his neck. He was fairly sure what these men were here for but it never hurt to confirm.

?You look a lot like that man running for governor. That man that had just one name?? the lead thug with his dirty head of brown hair said.

?Uh-huh. That would be me. What can I do for you gentlemen?? Dyarhk barely got to ask when his arms were seized from behind in a surprise attack. Damn, there had been a fourth member of the group they sent in from the back. Effective.

Those knives all flipped out into a ready position and a charge initiated. Dyarhk frowned magnificently to summon the strength to swing his head back for a very powerful headbutt that released him from the thug's clutches. There was no time to make a decision, there was only action. Disarming was his primary reaction to being stabbed at, and it was not without a painful grimace that the first lunge earned the knife wielder a twisted wrist and caused him top drop his weapon.
Dyarhk was not out of shape, and it was why he was able to follow-up with throwing his arms up in guard to protect himself from a swung punch and deflect a low knife stab from the second thug. But he was not so in shape to then deflect the third thug's very dirty and street regulation kick thrust up into his gut. This let a punch sneak in during the downtime and Dyarhk was suddenly hunkered over just beneath the c*cky and angry stand of the assault team.

That was going to be a nasty black eye later.

He was a burly man, and he could stand a reasonable amount of punches and kicks. It was the knives he was looking out for. He'd gotten two of them disarmed leaving only the one with his knife and the fourth and final member of the gang with nothing but the fists he entered the fight with on his sneak attack. He was staying standing, he was staying alive, that was about it. Punches were flying in pretty freely now and his guard was slowing down considerably. The fight did not long switch from the men trying to land blows to them trading the man amongst one another to strike.

In one of the punches Dyarhk received his glinting pistol shone under his arm when his jacket blew open off the momentum of a spin from a punch. He was quickly seized to have the weapon gripped and then initiate a fight for the long-barreled pistol. Backup sent in to make sure the gun fell into the ?right hands? was surprised by a flung backfist to his face that disabled him for quite the few moments to stumble over clutching his affected nose in pain. A blood geyser easily triggered, the nose was.

But the pistol was won over and Dyarhk shoved to the ground as it was pointed at him and the Palliator's fearful eyes back up at it. The thug stared heartlessly down at him.

?Reward said dead, buddy.? were his cold words sent down to him before he pulled that trigger finally and the sound of a series of electronic systems analyzed and beeped back a rather negative sounding chime to the wielder of the weapon. The Palliator Mark V pistol was a signature gun and was designated to Dyarhk's unique palm read, and this was the first time it'd ever made use of itself.

?What the?!? he was instantly aggravated at the weapon disagreeing with him, especially when Dyarhk saw it fit to be his turn and return a little punishment. He punched the man away from him but not without recalling him by a tight grip on his shirt. Another man came up to help his ?business partner? in this business endeavor that just so happened to take place on a wanted ad. He never got there when the collective of them froze to a rung out gunshot in the air. They all looked to who it was and it would be another suited fellow with a gun out and pointed at the other gunman holding Dyarhk's pistol as it were.

It was Gregory Finder.

His deadly aim was locked as he made the approach following the gaze over his pistol sights to the group as they realized it was now or never. They bolted.

?Hey! Don't move!!? Gregory dropped his aim and ran up to Dyarhk who had the death-grip on his pistol and the man's coat, both of which he abandoned to run away from Gregory. Dyarhk watched him run off as he slipped the signature gun back into its holster and quickly wristed off the blood from his mouth corner, looking over to Gregory and expressing the utmost thanks when he ran up to him.

?Thanks.? Dyarhk said, beginning to go through the thug's coat.

?I knew you couldn't keep an appointment, but you don't run this late.? Gregory hadn't put eyes on Dyarhk yet, he was still scanning the area before holstering his own pistol into his hip holster. ?Good thing I wasn't a few galaxies away this time.? smacking Dyarhk on the shoulder.

The Palliator was a little busy to notice exactly what was being said to him. He was too busy going through the pockets of that hobo's coat. Mariah was either too busy dealing with all these amateurs trying to make a quick and easy fortune to traffic every single hitman and wannabe hitman, or she wasn't doing that good of a job, but that was unlikely. He pulled out the black book that did not take much flipping through being the four of five pages it was to find his name.

?Is that what I think it is?? Gregory asked.

?Yeah. You're not on it, though. But that doesn't mean you're not jotted down in someone's head. On that same air, that means Taneth could be a target as well. I didn't think this would have gotten out as quickly as it has, as much as it has.? Dyarhk looked around now for other potential attackers, but it was mostly just concerned and surprised market folk.

?We should be having this discussion somewhere else, Dyarhk. Come back to my apartment building. We're protected there.? Gregory placed a hand on the man's bicep to tug him his way as well as a hand on his opposite shoulder to assist in this gesture. Dyarhk was a little neglected to leave without getting to the root of this, but he did realize he couldn't make progress fighting from the bottom of the pyramid like that plan would certainly start out. He walked a brief way's with Gregory before breaking out of his hold to stop at the crossroads they were at in the market.

?I'll catch up with you. I'm going to stop by the inn for just a moment. I won't be long.? Dyarhk said.

Gregory just stood there ahead of him a few steps and narrowed his eyes. ?...Don't take too long. We've got a lot to go over.?

?I know. I just have to drop a message off. I swear, if I never seal another envelope so long as I live...? Dyarhk began, taking a single step back still facing Gregory.

?Governor might not be your ideal line of work, then.? a smile came onto the detective's face as Dyarhk took the opportunity to laugh and turn, beginning on his way to the inn.

The two men went their ways.