"Thank you Ma'am" Tisto says with a quick bow before continuing "if my companions and I were to go looking for the oldest parts of the city where would you suggest we start?"

"Well there are rumors there are tunnels below some areas of the city.   These would be old areas that have been built over.   They say smugglers can bring goods from the wharf into the city bypassing the tax offices."

Another man at the table adds,

"The Hall of Justice is one of the oldest buildings in the city and it's cellars are deep below ground.   It's just off the Agora and is close by.   But it would be closed right now."

Tisto returns to the group "well we have two choices. We can wait until tomorrow and see if we can get into the Hall of Justice or we can return to The Titan's Draught and see what Spyro and the brothers - who I suspect are not adverse to a bit of smuggling - know about any old tunnels?"

"I would suspect that the hall of justice is more likely...but then again, the smugglers could very well have had their own passages to the temple."

"Why not both? We can try to check with Spyro and his friends tonight and then if we do not find anything, tomorrow we can try our luck in the Hall of Justice." replies Areus.

The hoplite thanks the barkeeper for the ale and starts heading outside.

So which course of action?  Back to the docks or try the Hall of Justice in the AM?

Nyklos and Soren?  You still with us?

(sorry we have had a really stressful day with our move [I don't know if I told you guys this yet]. long story short is that we had to find a new car rental place 'cause the original one told us the day before we left that they didn't have a car for us)

"I say we check the halls, then the docks." 

"The Halls wont be open till tomorrow so I agree with Areus and vote for going back and having a chat to my good friend Spyros about tunnels" Tisto says.

"you are right, I didn't think of that. docks it is"

(ooc: Nebulas has disappeared I think)

You head back outside and make your way through the empty Agora back towards the docks.  The streets are mostly empty, an occasional small group or single figure is seen but no one bothers you or tries to accost you in anyway.  Armored men walking with purpose tend to deter such things.

As you reach the the Kraken's Horn taverna you see Spyro and the two brothers just exiting the building.  Spyro is leading them in a bawdy drinking song about women and the troubles they bring.

As you approach he finishes a verse and then stops when he sees you.

"Ah, Tisto my friend!  We were just headed back to ship to sleep but I'm up for more drinking if you are!"  But he notices the men with you and they seem to have look of a mission on their faces.

"I knew it!" he declares, "I knew you needed something done.  You need something brought in or out of the city?" he asks

"Well not something as such more like a somebody. If we needed to get somebody into the cellars of the Halls of Justice - how might we go about it and how much would it cost us - well them actually? Tisto asks.

Spyro looks at you with a questioning look.  "Why not just head there in the morning and go down stairs?  Oh wait, guards and stuff.  So you need a secret way in eh?  I happen to know a few ways in to such an area.  Are you trying to break into the Justice building?   That might be interesting to see though I'm not really sure what's in there worth stealing.  And honestly those chaps with you don't look to be the stealing kind.  I suppose I could show you the way, for a fee of course."

He grins very large, 

"We're friends Tisto, but not that good of friends. I'll point you in the right direction for 10 gold pieces.  Easy work for easy money.  It's kinda a maze down there but easy enough if you know the way."

"Done!" Tisto replies. He pulls out 4GP and turns to the others "right cough-up lads. I, well Spyro, needs 2 GP from each of you?"  

"Here you you Tisto", Areus gives to the satyr his share of gold coins. The hoplite then addresses Spyro "How far is this tunnel? Is it safe down there or do you think that we will have to fight our way in?"

Soren looks amused, and rather impressed "lets break in and steal some stuff." He hands over the full 10 gp.

"The tunnels are safe enough, though you could get lost in them.  I have a contact who can guide you.  She may even be willing to aid you in whatever your quest is.  She has skills that could be put to use in breaking into the Halls of Justice if you so desire.  Come, follow me, she is up the road a bit."

You follow Spyro down a few roads, past some raucous taverns full of drunken sailors, and find a quieter alleyway.  Spyro knocks on a door and a moment later the sound of chains moving unlocking the door is heard.  A woman opens the door and looks at Spyro and nods in greeting.

"Ah,  Callaphe, good to see you.  I have an easy job for you.  These fine folks need guidance through the under city tunnels to the Halls of Justice.  Could you take care of that for me?  5 gold pieces for your trouble, in advance this time."

"Greetings" says Areus to Callaphe, "As Spyro just said, we are looking for guidance to travel the tunnels under the polis, possibly without drawing too much attention to ourselves."

Soren is unconvinced. he whispers to Areus "keep an eye on her. we are more likely to end up in a sewer with a knife in our kidney, than reach the town hall following this one"

Areus whispers back "I will, do not worry, but I doubt she will try that, we still outnumber her."

Callaphe raises an eyebrow, "Halls of Justice, what have you lot gotten yourselves into?" she asks picking up something from behind the door and slinging it over her shoulder. A quiver. A few moments later, a shortbow follows, then her bag. "I suppose the quicker you get in and out the less likely you'll get caught."