99

The guards are happy to make light conversation with you. They are pleased to speak to someone willing to just politely talk to them, as opposed to having to carefully read the non-verbal cues of everybody else. Even though they know how, it gets tiring distinguishing between people who are genuinely undesirable characters and those who are simply suspicious of guards for whatever reason.

They tell you about the various attractions in the city, of a dozen or so market places where you can buy or sell almost everything imaginable; of the myriad shops offering nearly any service you can think of within their domain or trade. They tell you of the brothels and inns, run by all manner of different folk, with almost every upright two-legged species represented. What most interests you is the mention of inns that offer newcomers a night free of charge. When asked for more about that the guards explain that many innkeepers let you stay for a day or more while you search for an apprenticeship in whatever trade available. To find a master, all you have to do is repeatedly go from shop to shop, craftsman to craftsman, and do your best to sell yourself. If you’re not picky about what you’re going to end up doing, you’re bound to stumble upon somebody inclined to employ you, and failing that, if you can get people talking, you might get them to tell you if they themselves know somebody who could hire you.

It looks as though the conversation is about to end, and you’ve now got a lot of pointers as to what you should do and how, so you start preparing to thank them and bid them good luck before entering the Citadel. However, at the last minute, one of the guards gives you the name of his favourite inn: H’Rull’s. He says it’s a little outside the centre of town, on the other side of the town square, so you’ll have plenty of time to go prospecting for employment along the way. You’re to tell the innkeeper that Maurice sends you with blessings.

Turn to 235.