"You seem well, effendi." the merchant said cheefully as Msaka reached the table, gesturing towards the unoccupied pillows at his table. "I trust that all of your endeavours have met with success."

"Some have." Msaka replied, trying to keep his tone from sounding sharp. He sat down cross legged on one of the cushions, and stared at the man for several moments. "You want me to go north with you. Why?" he asked at last.

"Ah, it should be obvious, effendi. Your people are known for their talent with magic, especially their use of it against enemies. What better person to have working for me, protecting my goods as I travel? As with any man of my profession, of course, I prefer to keep my wares my own, not lose them to raiders as can happen to the less well prepared."

Msaka nodded slightly, keeping his eyes fixed on the man. "That sounds reasonable enough." he thought, "But there is something in his manner that I do not like."

"Now of course, this would be an extended period of travel, and you would need to learn to ride a mount, if you do not already know how. Walking over the desert sands is a rather slow and difficult process at the best of times, whereas a good saurus will be both speedy and untiring, in all but the worst of conditions. I would, of course, consent to your use of one of my sauruses during the journey, as I do not expect you have one of your own. The only other problem..." the merchant frowed, looking Msaka over.

"Yes?" Msaka asked cautiously.

"Well, effendi, I hope this doesn't offend you, but even with the right clothing, all of that fur you have would make desert travel less than enjoyable for you. Is there any way in which you can remove it?"

Msaka stared hard at the man, not particularly liking what had just been suggested. He could dispel his leopard form easily enough, but it would be difficult at best to regain it if he did. "I would prefer not to." he responded slowly, keeping his voice level.

The man chewed his lip silently for a moment, then shrugged. "Ah well, if that is how you prefer it effendi, that is your choice. You will certainly need to wear appropriate attire however, if you intend to remain alive long under the desert sun. I do still have a few pieces that would suit you left of my stock, and could sell you one at a reasonable price. I sell it to you because you will not want to be discarding it after we arrive, and I can not give away my merchandise and still return home with a profit to show."

Msaka frowned. "How much would you want for this clothing? And what would it be? Something similar to what you are wearing?" Msaka was bothered by the idea. He normally didn't wear much clothing at all, and being covered from head to toe in a bulky robe for weeks on end wasn't appealing in the least. Still, if it was the only way...

"Yes effendi, most similar." the merchant nodded, "A mere eight royals will suffice to cover the cost of it, though you will doubtless want to find something to wear on your feet as well. Standing barefoot on hot sand would be most unpleasant. For another two royals, I might be able to find a pair of sandals which you could wear."

"Ten royals?" Msaka thought, "He had better be offering very good pay for travelling with him, if this is the price." Deciding that he had better find out in advance what else he would have to pay for, he asked, "And what else will I need to buy before this journey begins? Will I need food and water as well, or will you provide those? And what will you be giving me to accompany you?"

"Ah, an excellent set of questions." the merchant smiled. "Food and water will be provided, you need not bring any with you. It will not be the finest of meals which you will receive, but that is the way of things on such long excursions. As for your pay, I believe I could arrange for you to receive perhaps sixty dinars? That would be a fair price indeed for your services. Ah yes, in case you do not know - dinars are the coin of Shapier, similar to the royals of this land. We also have centimes, which serve as commons do here."

Msaka gazed into the flame of the candle that was set on the table, considering the offer. It would get him where he needed to go, and the money might prove useful in trying to acquire the elemental once there. Paying ten royals up front, however, seemed somewhat steep. "Since I would not be needing the clothing and sandals if I were not travelling with you, I think it is only fair that you provide them to me for less than their normal price." he said at last, turning his gaze back to the man, "Six royals I will pay for them, and no more. If the coins are the same, as you say, then that will still have used up a large part of what you are offering me to travel with you."

The merchant paused, thinking it over. "Well, effendi, you would be needing them to travel there anyway, so it is not entirely fair to say that I am the cause of your expenses. However, since you are such a talented individual, I will agree to meet you halfway. Eight royals will allow me to break even on the exchange, as well as providing you with the protection you will require."

Msaka scowled briefly, but realized that he didn't have much room to argue. He might have to wait some time for another chance to go north, and the next person might not make any better an offer to him. Besides, he still had things stored in his hut which he could probably sell once he reached this land of Shapier. "Fine." he said, and fished the required coins out of his pouch, setting them down on the table. "I will expect no surprises of paying for anything else on the way, however."

"Of course not, effendi!" the man grinned, slipping the coins into his own pouch. "That would scarcely endear me to my clients were I to do such things! A merchant will not be a merchant for long if he drives all of his customers away!"

Msaka grunted an acknowledgement, then stood. "When will this caravan be leaving?" he asked.

"The day after tomorrow, at first light." the mechant said. "We will assemble outside of the city gates at that time. Make certain not to be late, effendi, for I can not afford to delay!"

"I will be there." Msaka said, then turned and walked out of the inn. He had a feeling he had just been out-bargained, but there was no way for him to be sure - he didn't know enough about the value of these things to judge it accurately. "I just hope it wasn't too bad a deal." he muttered as he stepped out of the door.