Msaka returned to the city as quickly as he could manage, given the slowing effect the desert sand had on any attempt at haste. The gate guard looked Msaka over as he arrived there, but remained at his post. Msaka passed through the gate and crossed the now empty plaza to the inn, wondering as he did whether the attacker that had escaped had returned here, and if so, whether they had set any plots in motion against him. Obviously, they hadn't told the guards, or he would have been stopped by the gate guard, or more likely there would have been more guards there waiting.

"Of course, he can't very well tell them what happened," Msaka realized. "Because then the fact that he'd gone out there specifically to attack me in the first place would come out." He paused and considered whether he should inform anyone of the attack himself; if the man did have any plans for revenge, it might forestall them.

He sighed and turned around, pacing quickly back to the gate, hoping that his news wouldn't cause too much of a fuss. He really wanted to retire to his room and practice the magic the shaman had taught him, as he was going to need to become proficient with those spells before he could use them the way they were intended.

He stepped back out through the gate and approached the guard, considering what he should tell the guard, and reminding himself to speak politely, though he still found having to do so as annoying as ever.

He reached the guard, who turned his head to regard him. "Good evening," the guardsman said. "Are you venturing out again?"

"No," Msaka replied. "There is something you need to know. While I was out there, I was attacked by three men, one of whom had approached me in the city earlier, threatening revenge for certain events last year." He paused for a moment, noting that the guardsman was listening closely. "Two of them, including the one who had threatened me, now lie dead in the desert near the nest of those griffons. The other one ran away, and has probably returned here. Perhaps you will want to retrieve the bodies for whatever burial rites you have here, but the one who escaped may decide to attack me again, and I don't want that to happen."

The guardsman stared silently at Msaka for a few moments, then turned and whistled. He made a signal with one hand towards one of the towers above the gate, then turned back to Msaka. "Wait here," he said. "This story of yours will need to be investigated."

Msaka nodded, realizing that he wasn't likely to get too much work done tonight, as these people would probably take some time to question him and locate the bodies. He glanced up at the sky, noting the position of the moon, which was still rising towards the top of the sky. Hearing several people approaching, he turned and saw several more men in the uniform of the city guards nearing them.

The guardsman told Msaka to repeat what he had said to the officer in charge of the patrol, which he did. The officer listened impassively, his face not giving any hint of what he was thinking.

"Sir," the gate guard spoke up after Msaka finished. "I did witness three men exit the city not long after this one did, all three armed, and one of them was Askah bin Zoulun, who appeared to have been drinking again. Some time later, one of those three returned, obviously upset, but he said nothing."

The officer nodded slowly, then turned to face his patrol. "You four," he barked, pointing at four of the guards. "Go to the griffons' nest and bring those bodies back here." The four departed, hastening to follow instructions.

The officer turned to Msaka. "You will accompany me to our post." Msaka nodded and moved to follow as the officer and remaining members of the patrol headed back inside the city, the guardsmen flanking him as they did. It seemed that this was going to be a long night indeed, and he supressed another frown, reminding himself that keeping the third attacker from bothering him in the future was probably worth the inconvenience.

They quickly reached the guard post and he was ushered inside. The place was spartan but not uncomfortable, and Msaka was directed to sit at a table, while the officer sent one of the guards to relay what had happened to the guards' headquarters. The officer took a seat at the table as the messenger departed, looking speculatively at Msaka.

"If you would oblige me by repeating your story of what happened, it might speed this process," the officer said. "Spare no detail, as the more you can tell me, the less information I will need to discover other ways."

Msaka nodded, suddenly feeling tired, and launched into a full account of the first meeting, then the attack and battle. He recounted events with as much precision as he could, producing the daggers he had collected from the bodies when the officer asked him to, so that they could be examined. The officer took one look at the hilt of the dagger that Msaka had been struck by, and nodded.

"Askah's all right," he said. "I recognize this design on the hilt. He's been a persistant problem ever since last year, when his uncle's fortunes turned sour. Previous to that, he'd never caused any trouble. I apologize to you on behalf of the city for the harm he has caused you."

"I am more concerned that his other friend may attempt something," Msaka replied. "I do not like the idea of being attacked in a similar way again."

"I can guess who those others with him might have been," the officer said. "Once the bodies are brought here, I will send someone out to bring in those it is likely to be." The officer glanced out a nearby window, and Msaka did as well, noting that the moon had reached the top of the night sky.

"I don't think you need remain here any longer," the officer declared. "We may need to speak to you again over this matter, but not until tomorrow, at least." The officer rose from his seat, and gestured towards the door. "You are free to leave."

Msaka stood. "I could use some sleep," he said, trying to sound casual. "Thank you for your efforts."

Msaka left the guard station and returned to the inn, which proved to be fairly quiet at this time of night. He headed to his room, closing and locking the door behind him.

Though tired, he was anxious to work on the spells he had learned, and spent some time practicing with them before heading to bed, going through many summonings of his staff in the process. As his staff disappeared for the eighteenth time, he decided he had done enough for one night; while he was still far from proficient with the new magic, he was certainly better at it than when he had started.

He pulled off his robe and kicked off his sandals, then flopped down on the bed, feeling exhausted. It didn't take long for him to drift off to sleep, as the moon continued in its descent towards the horizon.