I think Lal just connected a few dots about the "accursed blades"... let's see what the patient has to say.
[MENTION=20323]Quickleaf[/MENTION]: Just a reminder that while the dwarven axehead of Lal's tabar is not of particular note in this circumstance (it's "only" a +2 weapon), the shaft *might* be important, seeing how it was the staff of a Holy Man. Or not at all, it's up to you
Lastly... has Lal ever heard anything about this particular oasis? rumors of odd doing, peculiar people living there etc?
Ah, Irem, the Pillared City. She will rise from the zee and the ice like dawn. She will be garlanded with red and decked with gold. The Seven-Serpent will watch you longingly from its high pedestal. You will always arrive as a stranger, but when you leave, some part of you will always remain.
not holding back, but i'm honestly interested in the wound. Since our course will lead to fighting them, i'd just like to know how to heal it now, in a 'safe' place versus trying to figure it out mid combat.
I think he meant in character. Akilah said she doesn't know much about healing, but her skill bonus in Medicine suggests that may not be true? That could imply that Akilah is deliberately being coy with how skilled she is.
Now that I think about it though... not only do we have the question of "should we heal this 'man' or not?" But also the question of what would happen if healing magic was applied? In older editions, healing magic damaged the undead.