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''These landmarks were carved by humans, who revered sand lions. It's the narkers of towns, this place being one.''

Hassan looked down at the map. "So then, which of these marks would, theoretically map Madeena then?"

Murat frowned as he looked at it. "That would help in giving us a starting point."

''Around the head of the lion is where this town would be located.''

Hassan nodded. "Alright then. We'll head here." He pointed to one of the other landmarks, "Which seems to be the closest one to us. Possibly we can make it two days as the hawk soars."

Murat looked at Cass and then her father. "Will you two be coming with us? Or would you prefer some time to catch up?"

''I;m afraid my time is dwindling; The sands of my youth have long since been blown from this land..'' Her father said, rubbing sand off his arm. ''My end is near, sadly.''

Concern crossed Murat's face. "Your end? But...there's so much more we need to know! We need you and your knowledge."

''Knowledge that only time knows, and that the words of the city know....'' As he soon became nothing less than a sand statue.

Cass stared a bit, her wings starting to droop.

Murat watched in surprise and then shock. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and then adjusted the burnoose, but the sand lion was now a statue.

"I'm sorry," Hassan said, clapping a hand to Murat's shoulder, and then to Cass' shoulder.

Cass buried her head into Hassan and Murat, crying with her wings folded tightly. ''My dad...He's gone...''

Murat gently wrapped his arms around Cass, stroking her head gently. "I'm sorry, Cass. But at least you got to see him again." And untainted. That was more than they could have hoped for.

Hassan nodded, though he was silent, head bowed reverently.

''He...Was so old...''

"How old was he?" Murat asked softly.

''As old as the sand lion den is.''

Murat whistled. "That old... but I guess that explains his powers too."

Hassan knelt before the sand statue and began to write into the sand before it, detailing the sand lion's age and meaning and legacy. At last he rose and dusted his hands off.

''The only lion found from my family. And now he's just a statue...What'd you write, Hassan?''

"He'll be infamous then," Hassan replied and then looked down at his inscription. "Here stands the guardian of The Sand Lion's Den, father of Cassandra. A wise and most powerful sand lion, worthy of this recognition." He paused, then asked, "Should I add anything more?"

Murat shrugged. "Um, well, we did take on that sand bird, but I don't know if that should make it in there..."

"Oh, right. He also uncovered the city." Hassan scribbled a bit more, adding: "a brave defender against sand birds and sandstorms."

''At least he told us where the city could be, before he died.''

Murat nodded. "Let's hold off on traveling for now. Is there anything we can do for you, Cassandra?"

''Just...Stay with me.'' She sniffled, face wet with tears.

"Of course. Let's go find a place in peace and quiet to rest." Said Murat, gently stroking Cass' face.