Over the next few months our wanderer has grown extremely fond of this group and they of him. They communicate using a flute-like instrument and speak in melodies. He refers to them as the whistlers (for obvious reason). He's been learning their instrument with rather impressive results. Finding the nuanced cadences in their musical language has been enjoyable; it feels natural.Eventually our wanderer decides he needs to continue his journey, but the surrounding area is in constant shroud of flourishing sand. The whistlers have grown quite fond of our traveler and decide to share with him their biggest secret, their gift from the gods.The sand glider. Many, many more months go by as the whistlers teach our traveler the way of the glider. The sheer respect for such a vehicle is to be respected. They've gifted him his own but didn't allow him any use until being able to completely disassemble & reassemble it on his own. To survive in the desert means a lot of problem solving on the fly & the whistlers emphasize the natural reverence that exists here. Before leaving, our traveler reflects on his time spent here. The newfound knowledge has brought more questions than answers. The wind surrounds him as he continues onward.

Our main protagonist (known as the traveler, wanderer, or seeker) loses his way & ends up in the middle of a sandstorm.He finds himself in an endless view of opaque sand in each direction. From the looming dunes to the clouds of swirling tan around him; there's no hint of direction. Unsure of how much time has passed, he prepares a meal inside the tent. As he begins pouring the boiling water a huge gust of wind rips the tent canopy away exposing himself & all the supplies. Everything blows away in an instant. Aimlessly sprinting in the direction everything went, he stumbles into a downward spiral off the face of a giant dune. A thick screen of constant sand makes it impossible to see to the bottom. Gradually his rotation stops, landing him at the opening of what looks like a tunnel. He passes out from exhaustion. When sight and awareness make their way into his head he is overwhelmed with very new sounds. A choir of breathy melodies surround him. He comes to and notices his surroundings; he's back in the tent. But how? Terrified by the inorganic noises, he slowly opens the tent to reveal twenty or so "people" waiting for him. The melodies stop as they watch him cautiously. Unsure if he's been saved, he nods his head to the strangers. He takes note of how calm the wind is here.