Xin's Crows are now deep in the desert and must deal with the bandits, one way or the other if they hope to make it across with their wares (and hides) intact. But to stop the elusive desert bandits, they must first find their hidden fortress. While the main caravan laboriously crosses the desert, a small group can easily make a detour in order to question local nomads and traders at a nearby oasis. Even after they get a lead, getting to the hideout will be quite hard and who knows what's lying in wait for them there?