Poison, and a potent one at that.

[ The exact type doesn't really matter. The second question is more difficult to answer. He looks about now, checking here and there for an antidote. He pays glances back to the woman as he does so, his brow furrowed with concern and his lips curved down into a frown, ]

I don't understand the mechanics of it myself, but... It seems to have been a trap set out by someone.

[ Something? It's hard to say, but it's a nasty trick to play on people. ]