Bassai, in the main room of the Three Thieves' Inn, encounters a rival Naga archaeologist, Nena. He surreptitiously sends Tekki to check on the room, but when he goes back to check on Tekki, it is apparent someone has make a rough job of searching the room … and clobbering the Savanite slave. Bassai summons help, and gets a Temple acolyte who tends to Tekki's wounds