<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/c/c9/424955_10151308184782958_110644116_n.jpg)</div>The ridge was too rocky to truly be a dune, but the southern slope presented a graceful sandy curve up to the crest.  Tracks marred the sandy slope, leading up to four oblong forms dangled off that crest, like the dark fingers of a giant gripping the edge prior to pulling himself up and over the wall beneath them.<br/><br/>That Northern slope started with a precipitous drop of redstone cliffs, down to a surface of jagged rock and scattered balls of wyndweed and greener clumps of cacti.  Four round heads broke the crestline to gaze out across the wide valley towards another set of cliffs far to the north.<br/><br/><strong>“I think the Trade route follows the riverbed down there.”</strong>Miri told her companions.  It wasn’t much of a river – from the looks of it water hadn’t filled the banks for decades, or perhaps longer.  But at one time a mighty flow of water must have cut the miles-wide gash between the two lines of cliffs.<strong>“I think that white line is the trail.”</strong>Cut by foot and hoof and wheel of countless merchants and travelers.<br/><br/><strong>“How do we get down there?”</strong>Another woman asked.<br/><br/>That was a good question.  A very good question indeed.  Miri saw no easy way down to the wide sandy valley from their lofty perch.  When no one answered, eyes cut toward the third of the four, the blonde Wastelander.<br/><br/><strong>“There are several trails down.  I think the closest might be to the east.”</strong>She gestured along the ridgeline.<strong>“Many leagues.  And away from Trade Town.”</strong>She hesitated before adding.<strong>“Raiders and bandits usually use ropes to lower themselves down, and to haul up their gain.”</strong><br/><br/>Miri remembered being hauled up one of those rope-rigs several months ago, another load of bandit booty.<strong>“We only have tent ropes and the leads for the pack beasts.”</strong>She observed needlessly.<strong>“How far West would we have to go, and is there water?”</strong><br/><br/>They were still discussing the problem when a bright flash of light flared off to the left and behind them. Whatever it was, it was bright enough to cast shadows along their right, criss-crossed with the shadows thrown straight ahead of them by the sun.  The flare was very bright, but quickly faded.  Faded, but did not fade away.  A perceptible glow still shone, just over a small rise to the southwest.<br/><br/><strong>“What is it, do you think?”</strong>The last, darkest-skinned woman asked her fellows.  None had answers.<br/><br/><strong>“It could be danger, or maybe it’s an omen.”</strong>Miri suggested.<strong>“We have to investigate.  Pitar, go back to the others and tell them we went to the light.”</strong>And then Miri and the other two slid down off the dune face and made their way toward the glow.<br/><br/>It wasn’t far, the march taking perhaps a double finger’s-breadth move of the sun before they again crested the rise and saw…<br/><br/><strong>“Is that rock burning?”</strong>Asked the Wastelander.<br/><br/><strong>“Is that a lion?”</strong>Asked Miri.<br/>