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Cass flapped her wings.

The sands blow into the bird, which screeches when the sand hits it's eyes. It retreat as the rain storm ended quickly.

''So this water sand lion can summon rainstorms..'' Cass groaned, fur still soaking wet.

Murat lowered the javelin and shook his head, spraying water drops everywhere. "Well, that would make sense. Rain and sand, guess the thunderbird doesn't like either. Thanks, Cass. Thanks...water lioness."

Hassan nodded. "That was handy. We appreciate it."

Murat frowned. "Do you think maybe there's a Thunderbird nest around here? Do they even make nests?"

''My name is Torrent.'' Scowled the water lioness from the mouth cover. ''Thunderbirds make nests high upon sand temples crafted for them by the first humans to come here. They live in solitude, and their nests holds rare Quicksand Emeralds. Emeralds that are priceless because few people have managed to snag one.'' Torrenr grumbled, twitching her wings.

Cass shook the water off, fur frizzing out and making her a fuzzball.

Hassan brightened at the mention of Quicksand Emeralds. "I haven't seen one of those in a long while. I suppose it's only natural that they would nest in tall places, particularly temples."

Murat half bowed to the water lioness. "Well, Torrent, thanks for the help."

''The Thunderbirds guard their nest closely. Thats why few brave souls have grabbed a Quicksand Emerald...'' Torrent grumbled, flinching.

Hassan sighed. "I know. It was merely an idea."

Murat shook his head. "Let's leave thunderbirds alone for now. We need a Sand Bird if we're going to figure out Torrent's problems. But I'd really rather not bring a sand bird here to Madeena. That could end very badly."

''Didn't Torrent say there was a temple for sand birds?''

Murat nodded. "You haven't come across any lately, have you Cass?"

Hassan was quiet for a moment, contemplating. "Our best bet might be to find those abandoned cities. I know there's a sand bird temple out there somewhere."

Jasafar braaaahed suddenly, making Murat jump.

Cass flinched. ''I saw an abandoned city while exploring. There was arrows everywhere, and plenty of dead bodies. Like the place had been attacked.''

"Then let's head there," Murat said. "That's probably where a sandbird was seen and fought. Can you lead us there, Cass? Do you remember where it was?"

''It's about 7 miles south of here. It's surrounded by Sand Serpents and Desert Scorpians..And theres a few blocks of sand that are scattered about.''

"Is that all?" Murat inquired. "That should take us about half a day with the camels. Even in the heat."

Hassan nodded. "Then lets head out; there's on reason to be hanging around here for too long." Indeed, the longer they waited, the sooner a Thunderbird or a Sand Bird or something worse might come along.

Cass and Torrent headed out into the desert, heading to the abandoned city. The sands were hot and dry, and occasionaly a sand lizard would skitter past in hot pursuit for a sand snake. There was occasional spots of sand that looked like it use to be a trail of sorts.

"Is that a path?" Hassan asked when they crossed a particularly more visible track in the sand. "Or just the track of a large snake?"

But he marked the location on the map he had been given from the sand lion for future reference. "You know, I wonder if these marks might not refer to Sand Bird temples or Thunderbird nests..."

''Looks to be an old path. I bet the city was well-travelled before this. Theres proof that these paths are roads. And theres an old bathroom.'' As she pointed to the outhouse in ruins.

Murat nodded. "I think the original trail that our Founder took is marked out here somewhere. I've never followed it though. Haven't had time between my Knightly duties and my personal ones."

''Well, the city used to be fsmous for its gems and trade markets. But after the attack the place became a lifeless deserted zone. No ones tried to explore it since the attack.''

Hassan brightened. "Maybe we'll find some good stuff lying around then. Providing the thunderbirds haven't taken it all."

Murat hid a grin behind his hand. "They probably have, Hassan. Or it's going to be very well guarded by thunderbird chicks."

Hassan scowled. "I hope not."

''Theres still buildings left, but just not many. I bet theres several sand critters still around.''

At the mention of sand critters, Murat and Hassan both unsheathed their swords.

"Well if they mean to attack us, they have another thing coming," said Murat.

The two men had been leading their camels rather than riding them, but now they kept a wary eye out.

"What kind of sand critter are we talking about?" Hassan asked.