"Agreed, let's go as far as we can before we head back. I'd rather not leave any option unchecked before telling them what we have or haven't found."

But the trail seems to be petering off the closer they get: there are still tiny 'landmarks' of clues, but they become fewer and more far-between with each passing moment.

"What did you make of the tavernmaster, when you met him?" It may seem an odd question and out of the blue, and he's not making any accusations, but... "I couldn't sense anything, but he came across fae to me. Doubly so for how those drinks affected people. I've heard others mention the same."

The children disappearing could be a fae problem, in the end. He'd rather not deal with fae, especially not like this, but a thought is a thought, though it wouldn't be a substantial lead in any way to just speculate.