Swamped

Maybe if you had Rider's way with animals, you could get these lizards to point you in the right direction. But you're probably not picking up that skill any time soon.

You briefly consider making a show of threatening the nest, perhaps even grabbing an egg. Maybe one of the lizards would run off and warn Rider or his new friend. But you also know enough about lizards to be well aware that just because they're small doesn't mean they can't be dangerous on their own. Not to mention Rider would be upset with you, and he's probably going to be mad enough that you're trying to interrupt whatever foolish plan he's trying to pull.

Unfortunately, you find you're lacking in other ideas. So you glance down at the lizards.

"Which way did the man who asked you to guard these eggs go?" you ask.

You're not expecting a response. Much to your surprise, though, the lizards start shouting back in what sounds like Common.

"Rider!"

"Going to the oasis!"

"In a hurry! In a hurry!"

"Don't let anyone touch her eggs!"

Apparently the sandy-mocker isn't the only animal out here that can repeat what it hears. That's convenient for you.

So Rider was headed for an oasis. You should be able to go back, get some directions and the wagon, and hopefully find him before the gateway opens. You'll probably have to pick up the Bogknights on the way, but...

Hang on. You don't see them up ahead. But you did just a moment ago. You go over and take a look at their footprints.

The trail stops very suddenly. In fact, it ends with the back half of one of Marshall's bootprints, you're fairly sure.

What now?