House Boromar

The companions, led by the young halfling lady, began surveying the crashed ship. Devlin followed Mica through the wreckage, listening to her explain about the plague and the ship.

They were close to the ship's port when Rourke casually walked towards the Lyrandar Half Elf. "I suppose we better send word of the lady's safety to her father as soon as possible, Captain." the warmage whispered behind Devlin's ear.

Mica turned to the half elf and smiled. "So what do you think of this?"

"This is all very interesting My Lady," Devlin replied. "But I need to have you back in Sharn as soon as possible."

The halfling raised her eyebrows, as if she wasn't used to having someone give orders to her. Mica brushed a loose hair and gave the Lyrandar Captain a stern but calm face. "I still have work here."

"We must leave now," Devlin reiterated. "Your father is worried and wants you to come back."

Rourke realizes that the language Tsukhasti uses is in halfling: “Lady Mika, young master, I have brought the representatives of your mighty parent, who is concerned about your well-being, as we all are.”

"..concerned about her well-being...as we all are...?" Rourke thought.

The warmage would have considered that a sign of loyalty were it not for the marks around Tsukhasti's face - he was clearly succumbing to the plague. Perhaps the bodyguard was concerend more about his own well-being and of leaving the village sooner than his mistress was. Perhaps. The warmage filed a mental note.

Mika's calm nature despite the circumstances only made the warmage suspicious of the halfling. And by her family's reputation, Rourke could only guess that Mika must be reluctant to leave for some other hidden reason.

For a moment he considered inquiring about the negotiations with the miners - Mika's original purpose or so they were told -but he thought better of it. The question might tip Mika to his suspicions.

He instead let his pace gradually slow behind Rothaide and Devlin as Mika toured them around the fallen ship.

A spot of color on the ground caught Rourke's eye.

"I suppose we better send word of the lady's safety to her father as soon as possible, Captain." Rourke almost whispered behind Devlin's ear.

As Devlin turned toward Mika to discuss this, Rourke turned his head around to survey the ship. He began to walk toward the purple patch of ground -seemingly more interestd in surveying the wreckage all the while. When he thought he wasn't being noticed, he carefully retrieved a vial from his spell pouch and took a sample of the purple substance, being careful not to even touch it.

Rourke had a hunch that the purple spice was somehow connected to the plague. But he knew he'd need the aid of his spells and time to figure it out.