Swamped

"Did the rest of you just feel anything?"

You're a bit surprised.

"No," you say. The greblings all shake their heads as well.

"I was afraid of that. It must be ether, then. I think it's best if I drive us back."

"Now hang on a minute. What are you on about?"

"You mentioned a wizard just a moment ago. I believe that wizard is preparing a very powerful spell, powerful enough that I can feel the ether flowing into it from all the way over here. And if there are any unusual effects of that ether flow, well, I'll be better positioned to notice them early, so I'll take the reins."

"No, I'll take the reins and you'll warn me if there's anything I need to watch out for. I know your type, Long. If I give you the reins you might just go charging off with the desert-horse towards the fight to stop whatever's going on."

"I suppose that's a fair assessment from your point of view," Long concedes. "Very well, then. Let's go."

You and Long climb out to the driver's seat and start turning back towards the camp. You still don't know what the hell's going on, but you've decided to figure it out later.

"Veer right!" Long shouts suddenly.

You do, even though you don't see anything.

Until, that is, a spiked desert plant explodes into a pile of juice behind you.

"The hell was that?"

"Exactly what I was worried about," Long says. "Large masses of raw ether being drawn in towards the spell. When you get that much together without a mind actively shaping it, it tends to be very unpleasant for anything solid that gets in the way."

"Can't you do something about it? You're supposed to be a wizard, can't you shape it or whatever?"

"Not any more," Long sighs. "But I can still sense it."

"Well, that's just great."

"If you let me take the reins directly, I could react sooner, rather than having to shout at you. I assure you, I do not have an impulsive and reckless plan this time. I am only concerned with getting us safely out of the affected area."

Well. Should you take him at his word and hand him the reins, or hold on to them yourself?