Ade gave a quick bow before trying to shuffle off. He didn’t want to make a big deal of his accomplishment, but it seemed Elder Gomer had his own thoughts in mind. Raising his hand for attention, he quickly silenced the small group that had gathered. “Quiet. I do not want to hear any of you talking about this until we have had a chance to go over the evidence closely. Time is of the essence, but we have enough time to do it right. Elders, if you will join me over there? Healer Elan, If you could join us?” Any chance of people arguing was cut off as Gomer turned his back on the rest of the audience and began to walk towards the point he had designated.

Ade sighed. As much as he just wanted to fade into the background and let others handle things, he knew that wasn’t possible. The barest information he had shared was enough to get people moving, but he was sure the elders would want a more detailed report and the ability to ask him questions as they figured out the best course for their tribe. Not burdened by age or distracted by a flask, Ade was the first to arrive at the meeting point. A quick detour allowed him to intercept a foresightful teenager who was approaching with a windblock. A large sheet of canvas stretched out like a sail, Ade positioned it to block out as much wind-carried sand as he could, and then angled it forwards to provide a small amount of protection from the sun. By the time he had it anchored in position everyone else had arrived and the discussion began in earnest.

Healer Elan was the first to speak. "The water you brought back does have a touch of magic in it, but nothing harmful. I’m not a wizard to know what effect it does have though. Anything else you can tell us that might narrow it down?”

“There were a lot of animals drinking by wading in the water, but it wasn’t muddy or disturbed at all. The water was far clearer than it should have been just sitting out in the open where sand could blow into it at any moment.”

The old healer thought for a moment. “Probably a cleansing or purification effect of some sort. Doesn’t feel like any spell I’ve seen a shaman or water mage cast, but then again you didn’t see any people there to do the casting.”

Elder Shan spoke up. “You’re positive you didn’t see anyone else there? No one who might take offense to us showing up? Think carefully. This is the sort of treasure that some would kill for.“ His eyes made their way towards where the rest of the tribe had started to gather, overly innocent looks on their faces even as the few details they knew were slowly shared around.

Ade didn’t answer right away. He did his best to go over what he had seen, what it implied. “No one else was there when I was, and I don’t think anyone was there before me. There weren’t any signs of people setting up camp, and the animals were curious about me. I was an unknown to them, not a threat. I think if other people had started to settle in they would have killed a few animals for food, and it would have changed the beasts’ response to future humans. I wish I could give you a solid yes or no answer.” Helpless he shrugged his shoulders.

“So someone could have scouted it like you did before going to get a larger party, or someone could have arrived after you left. Still, if we show up any time in the next couple of days they can hardly have built enough defenses to firmly claim it as theirs. We would at least be able to negotiate for refilling our water supplies if that was the case. Not a terrible outcome all things considered.” Elder Mu took on the role of stormseer, doing his best to guess at the worst outcome, even if he was somewhat distracted by his own excitement.

“Of course, there aren’t many people who would be in a position to stumble over such a place. Adventures are either travelling deeper to hunt down monsters, or heading back to their city to claim bounties; traders almost always travel from one city to another, with a rare few having the ability and inclination to seek out new locations to trade and most explorers secure a steady source of water early on and search for other treasures afterwards. It could be that another tribe might stumble across this oasis, but I don’t see any difficulty in joining forces if that happens. Any opposition to changing course immediately?”

“Just a small one.” Ade’s grandfather rumbled, before turning his full focus towards Ade. “Child, do you think you can guide the tribe there? I will do what I can to help you, but the heaviest load will still fall on your shoulders. You have come far in your training, but this is still a hard task to accomplish. If needed, you can guide me there and back and I can guide the tribe.”

“I can do it.” Ade responded almost immediately. Making an extra trip to the oasis and back would take far too long. His grandfather was not a young man, and while he was able to maintain the slow pace that the migratory caravan as a whole used, Ade didn’t think he’d be able to go much faster, even if he was able to ride a camel. On top of that Ade didn’t feel comfortable taking the deeper route with someone that old and vulnerable, and even more time would be required. And while they were gone the rest of the tribe would be stuck in one location, steadily working through their water supplies, without anyone truly capable of leading them to safety if something went wrong.

A note of concern appeared in Grandfather’s eyes, but he didn’t refute Ade’s claim. “Right then. We have a course and the beginnings of a plan. I’ll take Ade to the front and get him settled in while you lot figure out what else needs to be done and who should be doing it.” With a smile he turned and began guiding Ade away with a weathered hand. “Probably should figure out what to tell the rest of the tribe while you’re at it.”

It seemed the gathered crowd took their leaving as a sign that the meeting was over, and swarmed towards the gathered elders. More than a few changed paths to try and intercept the pair of Pathfinders, but with a certainty of purpose Ade’s grandfather ignored them and kept moving. They got the message easily enough and turned their attention towards getting what information they could out of their leaders.

Soon Ade reached the front of the caravan, where the two Navigators were waiting and holding position. Amy and Kane gave him nods of greeting which he returned, and then the pair turned their attention to his grandfather.

“Ade found an Oasis; He’ll be leading us there while we do what we can to support him.” A set of incredulous looks made Ade squirm a little, but his grandfather continued before they could begin to question him. “Questions can wait for later, right now our task is to get everyone moving.”

Kane grabbed the horn hanging by his side and let out a lingering note. With practiced ease the tribe fell back into position, picking up packs and goading animals to walk as the tribe began to move. It had only been a few minutes but already Ade could feel an excited energy in the air as everyone figured out what was happening. It might take them a couple days of travel, but they were on their way to the most wondrous place in a desert. An Oasis was waiting for them.