[Alucard pauses, considering the man. From what he wears, he seems better dressed for the desert than others the dhampir has seen, and he's clearly decent at looking after himself. The first part is more interesting. It speaks to an old hand.

Still. Alucard gestures behind himself first.]

There's rocky outcroppings and caves in that general direction, good if a sand storm picks up. If you head opposite, it's all open desert. Move perpendicular and you'll eventually find the oasis along the trade route, but you've already met the dangers associated with that particular area.