@Force and Fury and others, I think
Zeke paid little attention to the Crimson Marauder; one glance told him his comrades had it under control. Instead, he continued to study the soil, taking measurements and recording observations in his sketchbook, such as color, texture, apparent composition, and the like. He found a little glass vial from his bag and gently pressed a pinch of dirt into it with his little finger, sealing the container with a nub of clay.
He wished he could have brought more sophisticated measuring tools, but they were too inconvenient for a trip like this. No, not just that - some of the most basic tools were ones he had to go without, such as a scale and mass. That was something he'd have to construct himself, but if he didn't do it right, Zeke was bound to have skewed data. He was a researcher, not a carpenter, but he didn't trust anyone in this party enough to ask to make one for him. For now, he had to stick with what he'd brought.
Zeke pulled out his pocket telescope to examine the soil further when a yell broke his focus. He looked up to witness quite a scene: Esailia charged and yelled obscenities as Rintor defended the stranger, the changeling all the while behaving somewhat inappropriately for the situation.
What is going on? he wondered, though only raised an eyebrow. He said nothing, sitting silently in the dirt, much preferring to watch than become involved. It was rather amusing.
Suddenly, Victor - that was his name? - Victor's appearance changed, and he spoke in a different voice. Zeke turned his head in curiosity, pointing an ear toward the man so as to better hear him. He'd not heard of the Crimson Marauder before, though of course, he'd not heard of anyone before. Zeke was as ignorant as ignorance could get in regards to people and current events; they were not things he cared much for. But now, he was regretting a little his lack of knowledge, though he'd certainly pick up the pieces.
Now Victor pronounced himself to be Argor the Destroyer, and spoke of Victor in third person, and of himself in the plural. He also mentioned a demon... and the grass changing colors. Zeke looked to the ground to see if it was so. He saw nothing. He bit his lip in frustration; these colors were like a sixth sense, something that he never knew. He wished that he could see what everyone else saw, that he could understand this visual clue everyone else took for granted.
Nonetheless, Argor appeared to be correct, at least by the others' reactions. Rintor commanded attention, and advised the group to make toward the mountains. To Zeke, that was the only logical option, and so he briefly voiced his agreement. He wanted to add that it could be a taint of the land, only indicated by the living creatures upon it. If that was the case, and it was dangerous, they might not find safety in the mountains, or anywhere. But he had no evidence to corroborate, and so refrained from mentioning it. If it was true that they were unsafe regardless of their location, there was no point.
Zeke stood up, though had a thought. He quickly pulled out another glass vial and stuffed a bit of dirt in it, in case there might be something there that he could measure. He didn't know whether this phenomenon was natural or magical, whether it was present only in the plants or in the soil as well, and so tried to gather what he could now. He sealed this vial, though made a notch in the clay so he could tell his two specimens apart, and gently pulled up a few blades of grass. He placed them discreetly in his pockets, knowing that he might very well be carrying a hazard with him, and went to stand by Rintor to show that he was ready to leave.
"I know this might not be the right time to ask," he began quietly, hoping the older man wouldn't mind,
"but might you tell me whether the flowers and trees have changed as well? And perhaps the speed with which they change? I'm colorblind," he explained, studying Rintor's face and emotions. He seemed wise and thoughtful, though a bit judgemental. Surely he would understand Zeke's request.