Call To Serve.

Ornate rugs hang from the ceiling joists in a thoughtful display. Each rug is Intricately designed with patterns and art that must have taken many days of practice to perfect. Small slits in the roof allow soft light to peek through, highlighting the works of art. The rugs farthest from the door show signs of age and wear but are honored with their place above the great hall all the same.

Klutz rests against a beam near the entrance and studies the rugs for some time.

A blue skinned man enters the room from the back of the building, carrying a small tray of hot coals. He takes an extended look at the Guardian. His face does not surrender his feelings. Nor do his bright amber eyes. After a moment, he kneels down next to the fire pit, built up with cut logs and kindling, in the center of the hall. After emptying the tray of coals at the base of the pit, he rests on his hands and leans close to the heat. Carefully he blows on the embers and they glow bright, heating the kindling surrounding them. He blows again, but the flame fails to ignite.

"Need a hand?" the Guardian asks while crossing the hall to where the fire tender sits.

The man continues blowing on the cinders, seemingly ignoring the offer.

Klutz holds his palm upward and conjures a small flame of Solar energy in his loose grasp. "It really wouldn't be a problem. Good practice if anything."

Looking away from the weak embers for a moment, the man finally addresses the Guardian, "No need to bother yourself. I've started plenty of fires in my time. It just takes patience." He turns back to the fire pit. "Do they teach that back in the City?"

Klutz rolls his eyes slightly. "You do understand I've spent just as much time out here with y'all as I have back in the City since I was… Since I became a Guardian?"

"Apologies, Guardian. Sometimes I forget your city sent us a… Hmm, what do the Lightbearers call you?"

Somewhat annoyed with the way the conversation has turned, he answers, "…A New Light."

"Ahh, yes. A New Light, fresh out of his grave to show me how to start a fire in my own home. Marvelous," he says with a shake of his head before blowing heavily on the embers.

"Listen, Eyran. I came here to see if you needed help. That's all. But if you-"

Standing up from the fire to quickly face the Guardian, Eyran raises his voice, "We did not ask for your help! We do not need your help! This village has been perfectly fine on our own for over a hundred years! Why would we…" He stops for a moment and collects himself. "What I mean to say is, I can handle this... this fire, just fine on my own."

Klutz, surprised by the man's outburst, is taken aback for a moment. "Well… That's that I guess." He straightens his posture. "If I can't be of any help, it's probably best if I just-"

"Guardian!" The woman's voice echoes through the hall as she crashes through the creaky door. "There's something I need you to take a look at."

Quickly switching gears, the Lightbarer turns to the woman at the door with an expression of equal parts concern and surprise. "Marin? What's going on?"

She moves her gaze quickly between the two men before answering, "Got something that I think could use your set of skills."

Eyran looks worried as he wipes the ash from his hands. "His skills? Are we in danger?"

"Nah… No danger, Eyran. Just something that could use a pair of hands is all," she says with a nervous cadence.

Noticing something wrong, Eyran presses further. "Marin, I just need a moment and I will be free to help."

"Don't worry. I really just need the Guardian here. Besides, you've got a fire to tend to, right?"

"I haven't started the fire yet, as I'm sure you see. So give me a moment and we will see to whatever this problem is together."

Just as the man finishes his sentence, Klutz snaps his fingers in a brilliant display of bright sparks and heat. The flame leaps from the tips of his fingers and ignites all the kindling in the pit with dramatic effect. "You can handle the fire, right?" he asks rhetorically as he joins the woman at the door.

The sun has almost set as the pair leave the building. Darkness stretches across the land.