Msaka climbed the stairs, heading towards the middle plateau and the inn that stood there. He had managed to creep past the old man's stall, though he suspected that was mainly because an argumentative liontaur had been blocking the old man's view and occupying his attention at the time.

Reaching the plateau, he entered the inn. There were only a few people present at the tables, leaving several seats open. Msaka walked over to a table that had only one other person at it, and sat down on a cushion, remembering that he had been told to do that for service.

The man across from him stopped eating, eyed him appraisingly, then chuckled and returned to his food. Msaka frowned but said nothing, reminding himself that he was trying to avoid confrontations - even if the man had just been rude.

The welcome woman emerged from the bead curtained doorway, and walked serenely over to Msaka's table. "Habari, bwana." she said, smiling. "How may I be of service?"

"You said that you have rooms available, and food to serve. What do you want for them?" Msaka replied.

"For a room and a meal, the cost will be three royals." the woman said. "The room may be used until noon tomorrow, once paid for."

Msaka frowned. "That is expensive." he thought. "And for the room alone?" he asked.

"The room alone will be two royals." she answered.

Msaka nodded. "Then I will take that." he said, and handed over the coins.

"Yours is the second room on the left, at the top of the stairs." she said as she accepted the money. "May you find it to your liking."

The welcome woman departed, passing back through the beaded curtain. Msaka was about to stand and head up the stairs, but the man across from him cleared his throat, catching Msaka's attention. "So effendi," the man said, his gaze penetrating. "A most unusual thing indeed, that one of your people would appear here, especially given the feelings of many of this city and region. I suppose there could be many reasons for this, but I am rather inclined to suspect you are searching for something."

Msaka stared back at the man, considering how to respond. The man couldn't possibly know what Msaka was searching for, or why, but perhaps there was some way he could be useful. He was about to reply, but the man had started speaking again.

"Now I see by your reaction, effendi, that I am correct." the man went on, "In this case, you will find no one better to help you find whatever it is you seek. I am Hakhim Bin Dizhun, merchant and traveller. I supply many of Tarna's imports from my homeland, Shapier, and farther afield still. Now, given that fact, effendi, it is very likely that I can locate whatever you might need - at a fair price, of course."

"Does that include an elemental?" Msaka snapped back. The man's manner was irritating, and it did not help that Msaka was growing tired.

The man's eyebrows rose. "What? You want an elemental? Effendi, I will not ask for what reason you want one, but such a thing is certainly not what a merchant such as myself could acquire!" The man paused for a moment. "Of course, I could tell you where you might try to find one, if you are interested..."

"And where would that be?" Msaka asked, certain he knew what was going to be said next.

"Ah, well. Such information is merchandise as well, I'm certain you understand. Perhaps a royal to help defray my expenses would cover the cost?" the man said mildly.

Msaka scowled. "Just what I expected." he thought. "And how do I know that the information you will give me will be worth that price?" he demanded.

"Ah, effendi, you will simply have to trust me in that respect." A great smile had spread across the man's face. "Know, however, that I would certainly not seek to cheat you. One does not gain the continued patronage of a customer by engaging in such practices."

Msaka's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps not," he thought, "But you don't need someone to return if you have stolen what they have already. Still, if he does not deliver, I can deal with that in other ways..."

"Very well, outlander." he responded, withdrawing a royal from his pouch. He handed it to the man, who's smile widened as he stowed it away in his robes.

The man took a deep breath. "Well then, effendi. Elementals are relatively common in my homeland of Shapier. Even so, they are still not often seen, but they are far more so than in other places. Indeed, much of the magic practiced in my land is based on the elements themselves, and as you might expect, this increases the presence of elementals further. Such as last year, when the city of Shapier itself was attacked by elementals under the control of a most evil man. He is now quite dead, of course, but I do not think you would want to have tried dealing with such as him anyway, effendi."

The main paused for air, then went on, "The many wizards who reside within the walls of Shapier could assist you in acquiring one, though you probably will have to find some way to convince them to do this. I do not expect they would help someone obtain an elemental for just any reason, as they are most dangerous things. It took a true hero to defeat those which attacked the city last year, and I do not think there are any there who would wish to see that experience repeated."

The last sentence had been spoken in a warning tone, one that was not lost on Msaka. He nodded to the man, then asked, "And how would one get to that place from here?"

"Ah well, that can be a problem on your own, effendi." the man replied, "It is quite some distance to the north of here, far more so than you would want to walk alone. Perhaps one such as yourself might have ways around that, but the best method aside from magic is to travel there with a caravan. I myself lead such caravans, and will likely be doing so sometime soon, so if you have not left by then, perhaps you might consider hiring on with me. Your skills would undoubtedly prove most useful."

"So that's it. At least part of it." Msaka thought. He stood, saying, "I will consider that. Goodbye." Without waiting for a response, he strode up the stairs, quickly making his way to the room the welcome woman had indicated. It was quite large, decorated in a fashion consistent with the rest of the city, and there was a strong breeze blowing in through the window. It was just as well that it was, since it would counter the day's heat.

However, the only thing in the room that really interested him right now was the bed. He walked over to it, where he removed his pack and set it down on the floor. He then lay down and stretched out, allowing himself to relax far more than he could safely do outdoors.

He lay awake for some time, considering what the man downstairs had said, before sleep came.