The creaking door echoed throughout the hallway so any chance of a discreet entrance was thwarted. Adi slid in through the gap closely followed by her partner who closed the door before following close behind her. The Council building had been one of the first structures to be completed in Whitebane along with the necessary occupational buildings like the Doctor's clinic and the storehouse. Whitebane had split off into its own seperate town when several families had become fed up of the way those in charge of Obsida were presenting itself. Adi was born in Whitebane, she knew little of her real parents only that they were killed in a Creeper attack during one of the first nights Whitebane had been founded. A man who believed in a higher power rescued her from the shelter she had been born in and raised her as his own child. For that Adiona was truly grateful and spent every day trying to make him proud. Adi snapped free of her own thoughts as she felt a hand gently grip her own. Next to her now stood her partner Malcolm but Adi always called him Mal for short, he shot another one of his lip biting smiles at her before he let of her hand to take up his place next to her. They both stood in front of six wooden chairs on a raised platform with their arms firmly at their sides.

A door opened from the side and immediately Adi and Mal knelt on one knee with their right hand over their hearts and their free hand helping them to keep balance on the stone floor. From the room emerged an elderly man in a dark brown robe, he slowly made his way to the centre chair and sat down without so much as taking notice of the two Whitebane guards. In unison Adi and Mal both spoke as the aged man settled into the chair.

"Honour to Whitebane."

Adi and Mal both slowly returned to their feet. This was a routine they had done every day since becoming part of the Whitebane guards. Mal moved over towards the door they had entered though and stood to the side of it, Adi meanwhile stayed in front of her elder.

"May I go ahead with the evening report?"

The elderly man nodded slightly with a stern expression on his face.

"Thank you Elder Rafferty. Aracnids, Skeletons and Creepers tried and failed to breach our defenses, the southern wall took the majority of the damage. If we are subject to another attack like last night or one with increased hostiles...then I fear more than structural damage will occur."

Without so much as a warning the Council Elder slammed his withered hands down on the wooden arms of the chair and almost stood up.

"Enough with military speak! What is going to happen to Whitebane?"

An awkward silence fell over the room and even Mal who was usually cool with situations like this shuffled his feet a little while attempting to look out of the window. Adi tried to clear her throat but it came out as a squeak.

"My elder I fear that the southern wall will fall and Whitebane along with it. The wall may only take another one or two Creeper explosions before we are wide open for attack. I have nothing but faith in the Whitebane Guards but we are outnumbered, we need to increase our defenses. I...that is to say myself and Malcolm have discovered a technology that could blow everything we know out of the water."

The elder's eyes rolled which is what Adi expected from him but she was prepared to present a detailed report on what she had to say. To her surprise the Council Elder rose from his chair and started to walk off the platform.

"Thank you Adiona that is all today."

"Elder Rafferty I don't think you under..."

"I said thank you that will be all today."

The argument was pointless and deep down Adi knew that trying to get any new ideas across to a Council of men that were set in their ways was going to be difficult. The young female guard took a few steps towards her elder as he reached her level.

"Elder if you would just let me.."

"Silence! Do you realise who you are speaking to? We founded Whitebane on our own and we have found our own way to establish ourselves in this block world, I will not allow some 'technology' as you put it to undo everything we have built."

"But if you would just listen..."

"Enough!"

His raised voice echoed around the room once again and Adi took a step backwards with her head lowered. She heard a sigh from him and risked raising her eye sight to catch a glimpse of his expression. In a quieter and calmer tone he walked towards Adi.

"It is clear you are passionate in your work so...at the next Council meeting in 3 days I will grant you the floor to present your case. Myself and the other elders will make a decision after your presentation. This debriefing is over, go about your duties and prepare for tonight."