Msaka strolled slowly over to the trees across from the inn, gazing at the structures of the city that surrounded him as a cool night breeze blew softly past him. Now that he was taking the time to consider it, he realized that it was an interesting contrast between his home and this city. Most obvious to him was that while his village was well hidden, designed to blend into its surroundings, and shielded from view with magic in addition, this city thrust itself up above the plains, as if it were trying to dominate the area by imposing looks alone. It certainly hadn't been built with subtle appearances in mind.

"This city of stone feels so different from my village." he thought as he walked, "But it is not poorly built either, nor is it displeasing to look at." He glanced up at the two burner holding, lion headed statues that towered over the western part of the city from the heights of the upper plateau. "Well, except for those those, perhaps." he concluded with a frown, ignoring the nagging feeling that he disliked them simply so he would have something to dislike about the place.

He soon reached the wooded area, and walked a short distance into it, so that the trees blocked out most of the view of the city around him. He sat down against one of the larger trees, letting himself relax amidst the more familiar surroundings. "What to do during the next day." he wondered with a sigh, then considered his upcoming journey. "I shall have to ready myself for travelling during the times these people are normally awake." he decided, "It will do no good to be falling asleep when they want to move."

He let his thoughts wander, trying to coax himself into taking a nap. If he could doze for a while, he reasoned, he should be able to turn his waking times around. Actually falling asleep proved difficult, as he had last slept only a few hours before, and he hadn't travelled enough since waking to really tire himself out. He shifted position several times while daydreaming, trying to make himself more comfortable, but his efforts didn't seem to help.

He was brought out of his reverie by the sound of voices nearby, coming from the plateau near the trees. He could only vaguely hear them, but one of them sounded familiar. "The merchant." he realized. Curiousity overcame him, and he decided to find out just what the subject of conversation was. Standing up slowly, he crept stealthily towards the sounds of conversation, taking care to remain hidden from view behind the trees.

It was indeed the merchant, he saw, and the man he was speaking with seemed vaguely familiar as well, though Msaka couldn't place him. The stranger was clothed similarly to the merchant though, so it seemed not unlikely that they were from the same place of origin.

"...you know the troubles that have been happening recently." the man was saying forcefully, "It seems risky for you to go now."

"I am well aware of the disappearances, but I believe that I will be safe enough." the merchant replied, not seeming at all bothered by the apparent dispute. "Only some have vanished, and I have always been lucky. I am also prudent, as you know, and in case magic is involved as the rumormongers say, I have had the wisdom to hire one of the jungle tribesmen to accompany me on this trip, and I believe that he will be capable of countering any such threats."

"A jungle tribesman?" the unknown man said, sounding surprised. "That one who has been around the city over the last week or so? How did you accomplish that?"

The merchant hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "He wants to acquire an elemental." he said simply, "And for that, he will need to go to Shapier. So it works out well for both of us in that respect, though I think he will find that getting to Shapier is the easiest part of gaining one."

"If he is crazed enough to want one, I think I'd prefer he didn't get it." the man responded, sounding somewhat nervous. "His tribe is certainly not known around here for being the friendliest bunch, and I would hate to think what use they might put one to."

"Ah, well. It is all beside the point." the merchant answered nonchalantly, "I will leave when planned, and I am certain I shall reach Shapier safely. There has never been a danger of the desert that has overcome Hakhim Bin Dizhun, and there will not be now. Besides," the merchant continued, "You will run out of merchandise should I not continue on this route, so it is to your benefit as well that I do this."

"It will not be to my benefit if you and your caravan disappear." the man replied, sounding defeated, "But I know you will not be convinced otherwise, so may luck be with you."

"Of course it will. It never has not been." the merchant said, grinning widely enough that Msaka could see it from his hiding place. "If there is anything further you wish me to bring when I return, let me know before I leave." The merchant's grin turned into an expansive yawn. "I am growing more tired than I thought." he said ruefully, "I had best return to the inn. Lailtak sa'idi."

"Lailtak sa'idi." the man replied, then turned and walked away across the plateau, as the merchant in turn made his way back to the inn.

Msaka frowned as the conversation ended. He was annoyed enough at the insult the man had given his people, but was more concerned that he was apparently going to be expected to provide protection against some unknown magical danger. The sending between the liontaur and the foreign woman that he had witnessed soon after reaching the city sprang to mind, and his frown deepened. Whatever this danger was, it was obviously enough of a problem to warrant concern in several quarters, and that being the case, he certainly didn't like the idea of the responsibility for it being placed on his shoulders.

But he realized quickly that he didn't really have all that much choice in the matter. He needed to reach that land, and if this danger was real, then facing it alone instead of in a group would be foolish. Msaka sighed, and returned to his resting place inside the trees, shaking his head. "One bad situation after another, since I left." he muttered in annoyance as he sat down again, "I hope the shaman appreciates all of this."

He resumed his attempt at slumber, but the conversation he had just overheard kept him awake for a long time, as he considered the possibilities, particularly just what he might be able to do in the event of a large enough magical attack to threaten a large group. He was only one person...

Finally though, sleep did come, but it was restless and uneasy, disturbed by dark dreams.