You blink in surprise. The chilly mountain air has been replaced by dry, blistering heat that rolls off of the golden desert sand in waves. A huge sandstone spire looms over you but the sun is so high that there is no shadow. Words are engraved in the soft stone. 'The Sea of Sand.' As usual, their are lines written beneath. 

The sands ever shifting, covering all

Like the grains of time, one by one they fall

None withstands the power nature has to use

He who battles with nature will very surely lose

Sandkin

     A slight wind whips about you but it is warm and doesn't help to cool you off. You lick dry lips and turn to see a small figure rushing toward you at quite a fast pace. It stands on two legs and it's lean wolf-like body is a gray blue. In an astonishing little amount of time considering the distance it appears in front of you. Dark blue eyes regard you thoughtfully. 

    "Greetings." It's voice is deep and powerful, like thunder and lightening. "What brings you here, traveler? I am Anubis. "

    You don't move and just stare at the creature for a moment. "You're...." Your voice comes out as a harsh croak but Anubis seems to understand anyhow.

    "Anubis, the God of Life and Death." He pulls a brown flask off of his back and hand it to you. The water is warm but tastes faintly of sweetened lemonade. As if reading your mind Anubis speaks.

          "The water comes from Lemon Springs to the east of here. That's why it tastes like that." He stands silently as you drink, eyes far off, you dare not approach him to hand him his flask

      "Keep it." He says, looking to the east "Keep the water, I don't need it." And with those words he leaps away in a delicate dance that swirls like the sand in the heat of the sun. 

        You continue on, taking sips from the flask every now and then, just one sip is sufficient to quench your thirst, you decide that Lemon Springs must be magical. The springs are east but you have much water and the west has much to offer as well.