The man smiles at Manu.
"Agis of Asticles is looking for someone to find an ancient cistern that belonged to a long-dead preserver named Aravek. The cistern is rumored to house a device that can create life-giving water from the scorching winds of Athas. This missions is not to be spoke with anyone about as other factions are looking to acquire it for their own greedy desires. We also heard rumors that Urik has sent Templars to find it as well."
Manu snorts at the carelessness of the man to mention this to two complete strangers in the middle of a wine house in public. Was this guy serious? For all he new they could turn around and be spies for Urik...
Tydus' eyes narrow, "Why pick us out of this whole place?"
The man looks around a bit and then back to the two of you.
"Because I can tell your ex-slaves and your new to the city. I know you have no ties to anyone in the city yet. Agis was one of the hero's who helped kill the King and free the slaves of Tyr but this task must be kept as hush as possible due to other opposing noble factions. We will compensate you of course for your assistance."
"Give my friend and I a moment to discuss and we will let you know".
Manu tilts his head wondering if the man is doing some sorta mind reading way thing to know so much about them hours after they entered the city. He takes a mental inventory of his thoughts to make sure everything seems normal. They already knew where a new oasis nearby was this mission seemed almost like a waste but water creation was something that caught Manu's interest. He might be a little water obsessed after the harsh travel through the desert.
"Name compensation first before we discuss. And pray that your clumsy hiring attempt of us has not been overheard by dozens of ears in this place for those other houses you are so worried about. That oversight alone might make this job more trouble then its worth if this Agis fellow trusts you and you approach us thusly."
Tydus grunts as Manu starts the negotiating before they have a chance to discuss it first, Half-Giants, so direct!
"The offer is your choice of three survival days worth of goods, 150 gold or three potions which heal wounds quickly."
He looks around the bar a bit. "I'm not to concerned about this bunch as I have been watching them for a while now."
"150 gold? What do we look like a merchant house to you? I'd prefer 10 times that in ceramic pieces. But now you must go away and let me and my companion discuss your offer."
"The gold can be converted into Ceramics if you prefer. Gold is a bit easier to travel with."
He nods and moves away to a corner watching your table and those around you.
"So Tydus...what do you think? This seems odd to me but I didn't have any other plans..."
Tydus shrugs, "If we do not do this we will run out of water and coin eventually. I hate to work for a Nobleman but I think I'll like being paid by one..."
No one else in the pub appear to be interested in your little group as they are all in their own conversations and minding their own business. You see the noble man sitting at a table on the other end of the pub awaiting your answer.
[B]"Honestly I feel like theres a lot he isn't telling us that is going to screw us over in the end...but maybe I'm just being paranoid. Also who offers gold to a couple of men off the street? You can't use that anywhere. If your comfortable with this than so am I and I'd probably go for the hard coin."
Tydus shakes his head, "I am not comfortable. I think you are right Manu, this seems odd. No doubt the man will hope we are successful and upon our return he will not have to pay us. Seems like a trick a Nobleman would pull. Still with that much gold we could settle somewhere until that money runs out, if it ever runs out".
"Well lets suppose for a moment we tell him to take a walk...where are we going? We can't go back to Urik. Tyr is a decent place but if we are to stay here we'll need friends in low or high places. I'd like to explore more of Tyr before we accept this job unless this guy needs us to leave the city this very moment. Perhaps we might find other opportunities. In a 'free' city I would like to explore what choices we have for work or making friends. At least before we lock ourselves into one person's employ and make enemies we don't even know by working for him."
Tydus grins, "For a gladiator type you think an awful lot don't ya'?
Alright, that is sound enough, let's let him know we are interested but need some time to think it over, we at least want to him to come back so we don't have to search him out again right?"
"Aye see what he says to that."
The noble looks your way and approaches when it appears you have finished with your discussion.
"So shall you assist Tyr with this task before it falls into the wrong hands?"
"You make it sound as if the fate of the very city rests on our shoulders. You either have placed way too much importance on a couple of strangers you know nothing about or are trying very hard to get us to agree to this without thinking it through. I will not accept this job for you at this time, but after we have been here in Tyr a few more days and have had time to learn more I will consider accepting. If you or your nobleman friend do not like that then find someone else."
The nobleman sighs a bit.
"If that is your desire."
He bows slightly and leaves you two to your drinks and food.
The rest of the evening is pretty uneventful unless you planned on doing something other than resting and sleep for the evening.
Manu would like to explore the city some, figuring the pair of them could handle themselves. He would want to learn more about the recent history of the city and Agis. Also who might rival him and who else in the city was notable.
It's rather easy to learn the recent happenings in the city with the fall of the Sorcerer King.
He recently held a grand gladiator match in the zigarat where some ex-slaves, noble and even a Templar plotted against him and were able to kill him.
Rikus a Mull Slave, Agis a Human Nobleman, Neeva a Human Slave, Tithian a Human Templar, and Sadira a Human Slave were able to trick and overcome Kalak ending his life. Tithian has taken over roll as King of the city and utilizes the counsel which the other heroes are part of to govern the city. Slavery has been completely abolished.
"A Templar is now King? I doubt very much that slavery shall be abolished forever. Perhaps we should seek an audience with these freed slaves if they are real advisors to the new King?"
"Why? We are not that important to ask for an audience, more likely they will send us away. Plus there is still much of the city we have yet to explore."
Manu keeps exploring the city looking to see where the work is and what other places there are to explore.
There is a lot of trade in the city. You can tell there are no slaves but that does not mean there is no poverty in the less fortunate areas of the city and those former slaves mostly find themselves there for work usually only comes in the homes where they were slaves before.
There are all kinds of humanoids in the city, even a few halflings running about. You don't see your old friend though.
Tydus follows Manu but continues to make his case, "Two of these so called leaders are slaves just like us. Perhaps from them we can learn whether the Nobleman who seeks to hire us is as untrustworthy as we think he is.
Or, we can find ways to become useful to them and make a life for ourselves in this city that is not one of working for Nobles which is what I bet most of the former slaves will have to do anyway.
Your sword and strength and my powers make us an attractive team..."
"Very well. Who should we try to approach then?"
Tydus grins, "The Mul of course. Perhaps he will see me a kindred spirit!"
Tydus begins asking around about this "Rikus" and how to get in contact with him.
Manu decides to back Tydus's play on this and feel out how feasible this is. Secretly however he doubts that such a man would trust two strange ex-slaves from Urik after this 'rebellion'. Still it would be nice if they could meet him...
After asking around for Rikus a while you draw the attention of the city guard. A group of 6 humans in chittin armor with long spears and swords approaches the two of you.
One steps forward appears to be in charge "Now why would 2 ex-slaves from Urik be looking for Rikus? Spies here to kill him?"
The rest of the guards appear to be on edge.
Tydus grins, "You must have placed our accents to know this yes?
If we were spies would we not sneak in and find him and try to kill him? Do you see how silly your claim is? We are seeking him out because we are kindred spirits who have come upon information regarding a Nobleman in the city, this is information we wish to share with him.
If this is a free city are we not free to meet with its leaders?"
The guard eyes Tydus cautiously.
"If you wish to meet with the counsel you can wait in line like the rest during the hearings every 3rd day at high sun (noon)."
"At this council we can request an audience with Rikus? What we have to say are for his ears only".
The guard shrugs. "You can ask, he may or may not be there they aren't all always there."
Tydus grimaces, "Two more days eh? Alright, thanks for the information. Say, how did you get jobs as guards. We are looking for some work and are both good in a fight, in our own ways".
The guard's all chuckle at that looking at Tydus.
"You can go see the captain and put in an application. Don't be asking for the counsel members anymore, you know how to get should of them."
With that the guards start to move away and the crowd starts to disperse.
"Wise ass guards. Do you really want to talk to their captain and join up? Apparently everyone in the city knows our faces now. We could just wait the two days but this waiting for an audience thing hardly seems private or useful for meeting one of the 'heroes' of Tyr. I'm going to see if there are any merchants in the city with access to 'unusal' wares. It might be nice to have a pack that can carry more things if we have to leave the city and travel some."
You find out the Elven market is probably the best place to find "unusual" items. Also probably the best place to get mugged or robbed!
Finding the market is not hard. but it is starting to get late as the sun is starting to set. Do you want to check it out following day or go at night?
Manu will come back the next day. He isn't suicidal or stupid enough to go into elven market at night and not be an elf.
Tydus grins at Manu, "I have no intention of being some flunky to protect the rich. I just said that to throw them off.
Let's get some rest and head to the market tomorrow. Then the day after we can see if we can get an audience with this Rikus. If not, then I suppose we will have to decide if we wish to work for this Noblemen or find something else to do..."
Manu looks for an inn to stay the night.
Finding an inn is not a problem. In face the place you had your drink and that feller approached you for a mission has plenty of rooms for you to stay at. A few coins and you have a room you can share or a few extra for separate rooms.
The evening is uneventful and you get a full nights sleep for the first time in a long time!
The next day Manu would like to go to the market is search of unusual items, perhaps one that would let him carry many things when traveling.
The sun rises and the heat is intense but the city is busy. You make your way to the elven market and there are all kinds of characters here of all different races. You see people selling their goods and gouging with the prices. Some small fights break out. You do notice there aren't many city guards here and they seem to usually look the other way when trouble brews.