Swamped

The first one to catch your eye is that trouble-making kid. Max Junior, was that the name? They seem to be with an older grebling, probably the Max they're named for.

You don't see anyone else familiar at a glance, so you suppose this is your easiest starting point. You walk on over.

The kid immediately recognizes you and recoils. The older grebling sighs.

"Junior, did you cause trouble for our human guests again?"

"No! I mean, I didn't! I mean..."

You decide not to let the kid squirm for too long.

"Are you Max, then?"

"Yes. I'm an herbalist. Lately, I've been at work on replicating the swamp sickness remedy as best I can with the materials we have on hand. Not much grows well in the desert, after all."

"You have my gratitude for that. Starling's as well, I'm sure."

"Starling? Oh, that's the patient's name. An unusual one."

"Yeah, well, I'm Corvus. Names are a funny thing with us Marshguards, but I'm afraid I don't have time for small talk. Or to reprimand your little one there for last night's troubles. I'm looking for Dominique."

"She tends to eat late, to avoid the crowds. Or so she says. Personally, I think she's just trying to avoid the Director."

They definitely don't seem to get on well.

"So she's still in her lab?"

"I can't say for sure, but most likely. If you wait for things to thin out, she'll turn up."

"I'm kind of in a hurry. And it'd waste time if I went to the lab and it turned out she wasn't there. Don't suppose you've got an idea of who'd know for sure? Someone she works with, say?"

"She tends to work alone. She's the only one in the camp who can work with ether effectively, after all."

"I see. Guess I'll check the lab, then. Thanks again for your help with the medicine."

You turn to go, but just as you do, Junior speaks up.

"Wait, that's the magic lady, right? I know where she is."

Max sighs.

"Please tell me you're not making up stories again."

"No! I saw her right before we came here! I swear! You just didn't notice."

"I was a little fixated on getting dinner," Max admits. "Well, if you really did see her, please tell Mr. Corvus, politely, where it was. And then we can have a talk about calling people by their proper names."

You hope Junior's not just pulling your leg. But you might as well hear the kid out.