Swamped

Long tried to look like a wizard, but the man standing with Rider makes his efforts look downright amateurish. His robes are longer and more worn than Long's cloak, his staff more ornate, and of course there's the hat. He's a bit young for the role - at a glance you'd guess you have five or so years on him - but he seems to already be working on growing a suitable beard.

"Who in the hells is this?" you ask, when you finally find your voice.

"I go by Ember," he says. "Apprentice to the Oracle of the Sands. Not that I imagine you have any idea what that means."

"Okay. Fine. Nice to meet you. Rider, where in the hells have you been, Long and Marshall have vanished."

"They've what?"

He actually seems surprised, and a bit angry. You've never seen him like this before.

"Calm down," Ember says. "It's not the Master's work. Remember, he's stopped opening gateways."

"That's not the point. Long is my student, and I am responsible for Marshall's involvement."

"Sorry, that isn't what I meant. I meant, if it's not the Master, I should be able to follow the trail."

And with that, Rider suddenly seems more focused.

"Hold on, hold on, I think I missed something here. Who's this Master, and what's this Ember guy even doing here?"

Ember lets out a sigh.

"Get on your desert-horse and guide us to where they vanished. I'll explain as best as I can along the way."

"Give me a moment. We have a stop to make along the way," Rider says, bending down and pulling out a knife from his belt. He starts slicing up the muckdiver. "Another obligation for me, but there's something I want you to have a look at there, too."

As Rider continues cutting off the safe meat, something strikes you about what Ember said. You decide to ask him about it.

"Wait, how'd you know I saw where they..."

"Because I have a spell that lets me know everything you're willing to tell me without needing to ask. It saves a good deal of time, even with someone as defensive as you. Naturally, it's only fair that I answer your questions as best as I can in exchange."

You're starting to dislike this guy a little. But, on the other hand, you do have plenty of questions about this whole thing.

Where should you even start?