Quite a bit of magic all at once, too. Maybe someone who was taken tried to get out.

[ Bartimaeus wanders off a little, his hands clasped lightly behind his back, the image of a classic detective. It really does almost feel like he's back on Earth again, tasked with hunting down some nefarious customers. He's almost disappointed he missed the fight. ]

Euch. [ This as he comes upon a nest, tucked away behind an outcropping of rocks and containing sand scorpions. Long dead, hence his lack of concern. ] Do you know much about this desert? How common are attacks from animals like this?