Msaka reached the door to the spellcaster's home, and looked within. A female liontaur wearing a blue headdress stood within, before the pentagram, facing the far left corner. The pentagram was lit with magical energy that shimmered from its lines to the ceiling above. The image of a woman in foreign clothing shimmered within the pentagram. "A sending ritual." Msaka thought. "Best to not interrupt it."

He remained in the doorway, as the conversation between the liontaur and woman continued, neither noticing him there. "...watching over the latest caravan with my magic," the woman said, her voice melodic, "But so far, nothing has interfered with it. I will continue to observe it regardless. Something may happen." The liontaur nodded. "If I discover anything about this here, I will tell you immediately." she said, "Though this is the first I have heard of it. There will likely be a caravan departing in several days which will be travelling to Shapier, though it will be some time before it comes close enough to you to be concerned."

"I apologize, but I must end our conversation. The Sultan has summoned me." the woman said, looking to one side, then back towards the liontaur. "Farewell, Wizard of Tarna." The image of the woman faded, and the liontaur performed a gesture of cancellation. The energy of the sending dispersed, the light from the pentagram fading away, leaving the room lit solely by candles once more.

The liontaur sighed, standing in apparent contemplation for several moments, then walked toward the shelves. She suddenly stopped, turning her head towards the door where Msaka stood. A flicker of suprise, much like most others here had shown, showed in her eyes. "Greetings, leopardman." she said, turning to face him. "I had certainly not expected this visit."

"Perhaps not, but I am here now. Though it would seem that my presence is not entirely welcomed by some." Msaka replied. "But I am here because I require your assistance, and it is my hope that you will grant it." He was forcing himself to be more polite than he cared to, but this liontaur was a skilled spellcaster, so it was justifiable. And he did need her help...

"Enter then, and tell me what it is you need." the she answered, sitting down. "It must be something unusual for you to seek me to assist with it."

Msaka hesistated. "How much to reveal?" he wondered. "If I tell her everything I'm after, she will probably figure out what is going to be done with them. I already know where to find the elemental, but it would probably not be wise to reveal both other things..."

"I am searching for several things, but I do not know where to find some of them." Msaka replied, "So I am going to ask you about one of them. I need to find a magical creature, not just one that uses magic, and obtain its heart. Where might I find such a creature?"

The liontaur sorceress pondered the question for several moments. "There are undoubtedly many beings like that, though some of them might not be suitable for particular magics. I will need to consult my library to find out what ones you might be able to use, though if you were to tell me what is to be done with the heart, it would expedite the search."

"I can not tell you that." Msaka said." "Of course," he thought, "The fact that I don't know myself what it's going to be used for has something to do with that." He continued, "I have been told to find this by the shaman, and he has sworn me to silence on its use."

"Very well." the liontaur answered, "I will do my best. I must charge a fee of five royals for this work, however, as it will take some time. If you will return in two days, I should be done by then."

Msaka frowned. "Five royals for that?" he thought. "Still, I do need to know..." Grudgingly, he retrieved the coins from his pouch, approached her, and handed them over. He turned and began to leave, then stopped and turned back to face her. "How is it," he asked, "That you can stand to live among all of these people who have no magic in them, and who forbid its use? I find it repugnant."

The liontaur blinked in surprise, and thought about the question for a moment. "Magic is forbidden within the city to protect those without it from those who have it." she replied. "And I have never found that a person's lack of magic made them any less valuable an individual."

Msaka considered the response for a moment, then shrugged and walked out. She hadn't fully answered his question, but it was clear she did not feel the same way he did. How she couldn't be bothered by it though, he just did not understand.