"Works for me my friend." Saya replies to Tisto, as she tries not to bring too much attention to herself. She is used to Meletis, after living there for a couple of years, but she is still in awe of Akros, The Shield of Theros, as Areus said. She wonders later if the mission would take her to Setessa, then she would have visited all the major polis.

"I do not know that inn Tisto, but it works fine for me too." says Areus to the satyr as they walk towards the inn. "Try to not drink too much Tisto as tomorrow we will leave at the first light." adds the hoplite with a smile as he already knows that the satyr will probably out drink all the patrons of the inn.

Tisto tries to follows Areus' advice but the temptation proves too much. At the end of a night of revelry in which Tisto told stories and led the patrons in several bawdy songs Tisto finds that whilst a bit wobbly he is the only one still stnading.

Soren makes a few remarks about the weak will of saytrs, but there are a couple of times where you catch him smiling and he hastily corrects himself. 

Callaphe follows the group, seeming to be lost in thought for a while. It obvious from her body language that large groups of people are something she tends to avoid. She does laugh a little while Tisto makes a fool of himself thought. "Soren, Areus, Saya," she says while they're all sitting, "perhaps we should try and rustle up a game plan of some kind. I mean... we're basically going in blind here."

Areus laughs with the group as Tisto entertains the whole tavern. As Callaphe finishes to speak, the hoplite thinks for a few moment before replying "You make a good point Callaphe, we are indeed going blind here, but I am not sure how we can avoid that since the locations of the items we are searching is unknown to most of the people in Theros." Areus pauses before continuing "Of one thing we can be sure, we are being followed or our enemies have access to the same information we have. Otherwise I do not explain how that giant could have followed us on that island." Areus as he speaks, gives a quick glance at the tavern's patrons to see if someone out of the ordinary or someone that seems to pay too much attention to the group. (Perception 17)

"I guess that we can start making a plan from the few things that we know. Our enemies may have a way to follow us and they are resourceful. The location of each item is hidden and probably, if the third item is like the others, it is probably protected by some kind of guardian and we will find our next clue there. I am open to any suggestions about how to proceed. In my opinion, sorry if I repeat myself, we should act as we are being followed. We could try to make a trap of some sort or use a diversion to send our enemies in a different location by spreading false information." 

Soren smiles and nods. He places his hands on the table, making it rattle then pronounces in a loud voice "You mean to say that the next piece of the mask is far in the east? Near the lake that shines like the the brightest star? But that is so far, how will we ever make it?" 

Tisto overhears Soren and Areus talking and turns to the crowd “let me tell you a story” he says. “Once upon a time there was a giant all covered in shells, unfortunately his face looked like it had launched a 1000 ships upon the swells. This giant was a keeper of items special to the gods, until that is a band of intrepid adventurers stole the item against all the odds. Now this giant has a brother and as one thing leads to another. So the party must now make their way afar to near the lake that shines like the brightest star?”

Tisto's antics and drinking and bawdy songs has garnered attention from those in the tavern.  It is difficult to  tell who may have the wrong intentions on overhearing your information or who is paying too much attention.  But it is clear that you are seen as heroes on a mighty quest and word will surely spread.

Callaphe covers her face, "Now he's just announced it to everyone."

"It may work Callaphe, if our enemies are following us they may take the bait." whispers Areus, "Tomorrow when we will leave Akros, let's take a different route before heading towards our destination."

"Do you have any other ideas Callaphe?"

At no stage did Tisto describe the party. As far as the patrons of the inn are concerned it could be anybody. That said at some stage during the evening he catches Areus and says "when we leave tomorrow best we do it pairs. Where should we meet?" 

"Unfortunately, and I mean it literally, I am in new territory here. I wish I knew more of the place that we are about to go." Saya declares to the group. "Do we have a rendezvous point tomorrow?" She asks after Tisto.

"I agree" nods Areus to Tisto, "We can meet just after the north-west gate, head a couple hours in the direction of the One-Eyed Pass then try to find our way back to the Pharagax Bridge." says Areus to the rest of the group "As for going in pairs, if she agrees, I will go with Saya pretending to show her around the city as we make our way towards the meeting point. You three, should be able, I think, to find a way to follow us without drawing too much attention."

"Thank you Areus. I do would like to visit your home a little more before we depart." Saya looks forward for the opportunity to learn more about Shield of Theros.

Areus nods to Saya "Then it is decided, tomorrow early morning we proceed with our plan."  The hoplite, stays silent for a while as he mentally recalls the streets and paths for the north-west gate considering the best scenic route around the Temple of Triumph and the Citadel for giving to Saya a good view of Akros.

Callaphe nods, "I agree. Bright and early."

"Then I will get ready for the night. See you tomorrow morning." Areus heads to one of the rooms that the group rented and prepares himself for the night.

Eventually the drinking and planning wind down and you head for your rooms for the night.  The following say the sun shines brightly and you make your way through the city to the gates.

Krom shows Saya the Temple of Triumph at Akros.  At the heart of the walled city is the huge stadium that hosts Theros’s greatest sporting event, the Iroan Games. A grand temple of Iroas stands beside it, serving as the venue for award ceremonies. A wide plaza connects the stadium to the city’s outer gates, offering plenty of room for celebration around the annual games.  Areus explains that when the stadium isn’t hosting the actual Iroan Games, it is still used daily for training and for lesser athletic events. Many of the buildings surrounding the stadium are dedicated to serving it: smaller training facilities, providers of athletic gear, stables, and other shops.

You also pass by the Citadel and see that the uppermost tier of the city, perched on a rocky outcropping at the southwestern corner of the Kolophon, is the great citadel. The Oromai (the “watchers” who maintain order and defend the Kolophon) are quartered within the citadel’s imposing walls, and the monarch’s palace is built atop it. Temples of Iroas, Heliod, and Keranos also adorn the top of the citadel, the latter commissioned by the late Queen Cymede, built with an open roof to give her a clear view of stormy skies.

Although Saya is a member of the Pheres band of centaurs her armament that shows her to be part of the Reverent Army and her companion being a member of an Akroan stratian allows her to pass unmolested through the streets of the Akros.  Even the satyr Tisto is left alone as he makes his way with the group.

You reach the NW gate and head north along the road towards the One-Eyed Pass which is a two day march north of Akros.  Arable land is scattered across small plateaus and valleys in Akros, meaning that the serf communities that farm the land are small and just as scattered.  

Eventually you leave the road when the area is clear and non one else seems to be in sight.  Picking you way back south you eventually reach the Pharagax Bridge.

On the western border of Akros gapes a massive chasm rumored to descend all the way to the underworld and belch forth foul creatures. The great stone bridge that spans it is the only way into Akros from this direction. Stratians consider it a high honor to be assigned to guard the bridge.

Areus explains that the Alamon are the rugged forces of wandering patrols that watch Akros’s borders, defending against invasion or attack by monsters that dwell in the mountains, foothills, and badlands around Akroan territory. They are armed and armored for speed and agility, allowing them to move stealthily and strike unexpectedly.

As you approach to cross the bridge a soldier approaches and stops your group.  He questions where you are headed and what business you attend to.

Saya will hold her lance upright, letting the bottom end rest on the ground, and remain relaxed. She will let Areus explain their situation.