The guards looked between the fountain, each other, and Msaka for several moments, trying to decide how to react to what had just happened. Already, there were shouts and calls from some of the buildings around the edge of the plaza as citizens saw and heard the fountain flowing with water once again. Msaka folded his arms, waiting impatiently. He expected that his actions would still result in some trouble despite his having just saved the city, but hopefully the guards would at least cease being belligerent about it.

Eventually, the leader of the squad of guardsmen turned to face Msaka. "I must ask you to come with us. Our commander will decide how to deal with this situation," he said, now speaking calmly, if wearily. Msaka nodded once in reply. The leader issued instructions to two of his men to attend to the still dazed fountain guard on the ground, then started walking towards the exit leading back to the gate plaza. Msaka followed, the remaining guardsmen falling into position around him.

The walk to the guard post was brisk and uninterrupted. Msaka soon found himself waiting within, one of the guards standing watchfully nearby. The leader of the squad was some distance away, speaking with another guard whose decorations suggested he was of high rank. Once again Msaka grew impatient at the delay, but managed to retain a calm demeanor in spite of himself.

Not too long after that, he found himself on the receiving end of some rather intense questioning. Over two hours passed as he described various recent events, including his discovery of the caravans' cause of disappearance, the repeated attacks upon him by the recently identified sorceror. He also detailed the circumstances leading up to his recent re-acquisition of the earth elemental, and how he'd come to the conclusion that it could be used to restore the water supply. Fortunately, Msaka had grown skilled enough at answering questions to avoid implicating himself in the original theft of the water elemental, but it was only through one of the guards being sent to retrieve Aziza's letter that his claims of Jafar's treachery were believed, as the seal on the letter was unquestionably genuine.

At last the captain of the guard sat back, his steely gaze focused squarely on Msaka. He sat there silently for several moments, as Msaka stared back. Finally, he shook his head slowly. "You have put me in a most unenviable position with your actions tonight," the guard captain declared at last. "You clearly broke the law in using magic upon a guard member, as well as ignoring the prohibition on tampering with the fountain. For those actions, you should rightfully be thrown into prison. However, you have also saved the city at the same time, and it would not be fitting to throw a savior of the city into jail. So, what am I going to do with you?" The last sentence was said ponderously, as though the officer was weighing his options.

Msaka remained silent. He'd already said all that he was willing to, and it seemed unlikely the official's mind would be changed even if he did say anything more. It seemed rather likely that the appearance of considering the matter was only for show, or an attempt to elicit further information from him. Either way, he was not going to take the bait.

"Very well then, this is what I am going to do," the man finally declared, his voice taking on a brisk and businesslike tone. "For today, you are free to conclude whatever business you might still have in Raseir, so long as it is not in violation of any further laws. Tomorrow, you will leave with the caravan which is departing for Shapier. For a year after that, you will not return to this city. You may go."

Msaka sat still for a split second, then stood and strode to the door. He wasn't terribly upset by the pronouncement, all things considered - he had been wanting to leave anyway, and certainly had no intention of returning later. Still, it was irritating to have those conditions dictated to him by such a person, no matter how important they might be considered here. With a shrug, he swung open the door and stepped out into the plaza, noting by the positions of the stars that much of the night had been wasted during the interrogation.

If he was going to leave the next day, he would need to retrieve the water elemental before then. He considered doing so now, but decided to leave it until nightfall, the better to avoid the prying eyes which were certain to be watching him for at least a while, and possibly until he left.

With that in mind, he returned to his room in the inn, passing through the empty common room on the way there. He couldn't help but wonder what people would be talking about there when they arrived that day, or how his own actions would be viewed. Perhaps he would be considered a hero for having saved the city, all the more ironic since he was the one who had caused its troubles in the first place. Or perhaps they would see him as a villain for having used his magic on the guard and broken the law by tampering with the fountain. Perhaps both would be true, but then again, it was also possible that the city guard would suppress the fact that he'd been involved at all.

Closing the door behind him, he realized that the final possibility, frustrating though it would be to receive no recognition at all, might also be for the best in that no recognition would probably prevent complications later on. Besides, what did it matter how the people here viewed him? He would be gone in a day, and was unlikely to ever return.

He yawned widely, suddenly realizing how fatigued he was. Still, he wanted to work on his magic a bit before sleeping - there would probably be enough call for it in the journeys ahead. Suppressing another yawn which attempted to sneak up on him, he focused his mind and began performing the rites involved in all of his spells, running methodically through them one at a time. He skipped only those that would damage the room - he certainly didn't need to end up with more trouble resulting from a burned down inn.

Not too much time passed, but when he finished his last spell, he was feeling even more sleepy, as well as being filled with that drained sensation that accompanied a low reserve of magical power. Shaking his head to clear it, he sank down onto the bed and stretched out, allowing himself to relax more than he usually did as he waited for sleep to overtake him. There was still a lot he had to do, and at least one major danger awaiting him in the future. But for now, he was simply too tired to care.