Msaka left the city and spent the rest of the afternoon outside, among the nearby farms. He toyed with his magic to pass the time, realizing that there wasn't really anything he needed to do until the next day arrived. Between spells he wandered the pathways between the farms, looking them over. It was obvious to him that a lot of effort had gone into both creating and operating them.

"For being fools in some ways, they are at least hard workers." he mused, continuing his stroll. Then he frowned, spotting the damaged farm he'd passed by the previous day up ahead. "Too bad they don't defend it better." he concluded. "If they were not all so distrusting of magic here, perhaps they would have been able to protect that place."

Shrugging, he turned and began making his way back to the city. The croc attacks on these farms weren't really his concern, but he was still bothered by the fact that they were happening. It might spell trouble for the caravan as well, if it ran across a large band of the beasts while leaving the region. He certainly wasn't afraid of battle, in fact he was expecting it would be a necessity during the journey, he just didn't want anything to happen that soon. It would be a bad omen for the trip if it did.

He entered the city gates within an hour, as the light of day faded, and quickly made his way up to the middle plateau and across it to the inn. Gentle music wafted out of its doors, and he quickly spotted the musician responsible, who was sitting on a cushion near the back wall, masterfully playing her instrument while the patrons dined. Glancing around, he recognized only the merchant he was to leave with tomorrow among the crowd.

Msaka frowned upon spotting him. He wasn't entirely thrilled to be on this caravan, more because the merchant hadn't been up front with him about what had been happening, than due to the fact that things were. Still, it wouldn't change anything by refusing to travel with him, and it might mean a long delay before he would be able to join another group leaving for Shapier. With a sigh, Msaka approached the table, hoping to find out whether the merchant had at least found desert clothing suitable for him.

The merchant was taking a long drink from a mug, but managed to spot Msaka approaching and set it down, grinning widely. "Greetings effendi!" he called out cheerfully. "It is a good time to enjoy ourselves tonight before leaving tomorrow, is it not?"

"That will depend on whether you have found what I paid for." Msaka replied, not feeling nearly as happy as the merchant apparently did.

"But of course! I shall have them brought to your room, once you acquire one. I discovered to my dismay that you do not at present, otherwise they would be there already." the merchant said, still grinning.

"Good." Msaka said. He would have left, but the merchant was giving him an odd look.

"I do not know your people well, effendi." the merchant said, looking concerned, "But I am nonetheless of the opinion that there is something bothering you?"

Msaka stared at the merchant for a moment, considering his reply. "You did not tell me when I agreed to go with you that caravans to your land have been disappearing by magic." he said at last, his tone grim.

The merchant's eyebrows rose for a moment, then he chuckled. "You have been listening to the rumormongers too much." he said, his grin having returned. "Effendi, despite all they say, there have been only two caravans which I have been able to confirm have indeed disappeared, and of those, there is no proof that it was accomplished by magic of any sort."

"Then how did they disappear?" Msaka demanded.

"Ah, well." the merchant said, then took another long drink before continuing, "The desert is not a safe place, effendi, which is why caravans are the preferred method of travel. Unfortunately, caravans often attract brigands to raid them, and sometimes the brigands win. That is an easy enough way for one to disappear . It takes only a mild sandstorm to cover up the remains, and then what do you have? A caravan which seems to have been taken by magic, but simply lies dead and buried beneath the sands. I suspect that this is all that has happened to the other two."

Msaka considered this for a few moments, realizing that it might be a plausible reason, though not knowing much about the nature of deserts made it difficult to judge. "Is he being honest, or is he just trying to divert me?" he thought.

"I didn't tell you about the two being missing, of course, as I considered the tales to be just that - tales told by the fearful." the merchant went on after taking another drink. "It is very easy, effendi, for the loss of a couple of caravans close together to be turned by those who gossip into a crisis of vanishing trade caused by evil magic or greedy governments."

"I see." Msaka said, not at all sure that he believed the merchant's words. Still, there was probably no point in arguing about it, so he let it stand. "It is time for me to get a room." he said, "I will want those clothes tonight, so that I can be certain they fit."

"Of course, effendi." the merchant declared. "May your rest be peaceful."

Msaka turned away from the table, and scanned the room for the welcome woman. He quickly spotted her and approached, picking two royals from his pouch.

"I need a room for this night." he said to her as he reached her, holding out the coins.

She smiled and took the offered coins. "Yours shall be the fourth room on the left. I am certain you will find it comfortable."

Msaka nodded curtly and walked away, heading up the stairs to the balcony. Walking along it, he quickly reached the fourth room, and entered. It was very similar to the others, he realized immediately, even the colors of the cusions being the same.

He sat down on the bed and removed his pack, snatching a few pieces of fruit from it. He quickly devoured them, then lay down to rest, hoping the garments would be delivered promptly as the merchant had promised.

As it turned out, he didn't have long to wait. A few minutes later, he heard someone call out, "May I enter? I have clothing for you."

Sitting up, Msaka called back, "Yes." He stood as a short man dressed similarly to the merchant entered, bearing a bundle of cloth.

"The clothes for you." the man said, setting them down on the table. He then bowed and exited the room.

Msaka walked over to the bundle and unfolded it, finding a pair of sandals inside the robe itself. "Might as well try them now." he decided, and started pulling the robe on. It proved to be a bit of a struggle, as he was unused to wearing anything as bulky as it was, but after several moments of tugging, he managed to get into it properly, slipping his arms down the sleeves.

Looking down at himself, he decided that while the robe fit, wearing it also bothered him. It felt very constraining, even though it was loose-fitting and didn't really hinder his movements. He sighed, realizing he'd just have to get used to it. He set the sandals on the floor and slipped his feet into them. His toe-claws projected over the tips, but he supposed that wouldn't do any harm. As with the robe, he was uncomfortable wearing them, but at least they weren't as bulky in comparison.

Satisfied that he'd be able to wear them when he needed to, he spent a few moments pulling the things off, muttering a curse at the clumsiness of the things. Finally getting free, he retrieved his pack and stuffed them inside it, leaving it on the table.

Having nothing else that needed doing, he went and lay down again, trying to fall asleep. He was still quite awake though, not having accustomed himself to the schedule these people kept.

He found himself wondering about the magic of Shapier. It had been mentioned that it was based extensively on the elements, and he was intrigued by the possibility of studying it, at least a little bit, while he was there. At the very least, it wouldn't hurt to try, if he could find the time to do it.

He was still pondering the possibilities over an hour later when sleep finally came, bringing dreams of magical powers that he had never before seen in his waking life.