[ This isn't exactly where he expected the conversation to go, but it's something that he never really brought up again with her. Learning from people smarting than her is... kind of a novel thing to say, really. Since she asks, he goes ahead with the story. ]

That's more or less how he was spreading the plague. Spores. [ He has a very spotty memory of getting infected and a wolf dragging him across a room to burn a talisman. It was a strange time. ]

I spoke to him in a tower. [ He tilts his head at her, still looking for any signs. ] I believe you did too. He gave you something, didn't he? What was it?