Normally, I'd say that you can travel through enormous stretches of desert without facing down anything terribly treacherous. It can be long and arduous, but it's a game of endurance more than anything else. But in this place? It's safer to assume that it will throw everything it can in our way.

[ He unbuckles one of the packs and holds out a long, hooded cloak to Mitsuru. ]

First off, try this on. We might need to cut it down a bit.

[ Mitsuru is a tall woman -- not much shorter than Claude, in fact, but he'd erred on the side of caution for length. ]

My biggest worry is the weather. During a sandstorm, it's of the utmost importance that you shield your eyes, mouth, and nose. It takes less than you'd think to go blind out there. And while the heat will be overbearing during the day, things will get cold in a hurry once night falls.

[ It's lucky for them he comes with a beast of burden; he's got cloaks, water pouches, blankets, tinder, and rations to last them until they get there, if they're lucky. ]

If we can erect a fire and a tent each night, I'll count us lucky. It's not worth it to try to push ourselves to travel past then.