It takes close to an hour, for the sphinx to get enough distance to take off without easily being spotted, make her survey, and return stealthily. "I could only see two creatures, in the open. The first is the patrolling guard; while he looks human, he's larger than he should be; I suspect one of the efreeti, from what we've been told. Unfortunately, the true challenge lies within the walls; a sand drake, sunning itself in the courtyard."