Despite Girgal's misgivings, the party informs Caravan Master Lamshar that the area has been made safe. He thanks you profusely.
In the morning the party sets out again, heading west on your mounts, for Lamshar has allowed you to keep the camels. You are equipped with small, portable tents and about a week's supply of food and water. Lamshar has shared a few pointers on the lay of the land, though you still have only a vague idea of how to find the pass across the western mountains.
After a few days' ride, the heat grows even worse, as you were warned to expect, for you are entering the worst part of the Sind Desert, “The Plain of Fire.” Here the temperatures are painfully hot during the day and seem only a little cooler during the night. The area is a large lava plain with many sharp rocks and blowing sand. There are no oases or wells anywhere, and only a few dried-out plants.
In the distance you notice a flying creature. It is but a small spot on the horizon, but given the distance, it must be a large creature. It resembles the wyvern but nearly blends into the blue sky - it is a blue dragon.
The dragon seem not to notice the party, as it flies past you on the north side, heading east, without ever coming close.
Despite that scare, night falls without further incident, and the party sets out again in the morning.
As you are travelling that next late afternoon, you notice that a low haze hovers above the ground ahead. An hour later, you can tell the haze is actually a large cloud. As you approach, the cloud resolves itself into a huge boiling mass of dust. Now you can begin to make out a faint sound, a sort of low rumble, that slowly rises and falls. As it grows nearer, the cloud now appears to be several miles across.
It reminds you of the time you saw the group of bandits approaching, but this is much larger. A massive army is heading this way!
It is too late to ride out of its way, but suddenly, a small cave mouth appears ahead in a small gully. Perhaps you haven't been noticed yet by the approaching army, as the army is too far away for you to make out any individual figures.
What do you do?
