Maura doesn't reply, only looking frustrated; it's clear she'd considered that, but did not like that alternative.<br/><br/>The taint is unquestionably old; perhaps older than the human civilization in the Vale. Maura's assessment seems at least partially correct; it's greedy, seems to be grabbing at his tendrils of power like a child might grab at something shiny, while declaring, "Mine!" This far from the actual confines of the forest, though, it's grab is hardly more than a slight tug; the forest stopped at the gorge, and it's influence died with it.