Mikkish couldn't believe that a mage could not know about the cults. News had been spreading, last he heard, about the Dead God cults and the magic induced insanity theory. Perhaps, however, there were some very isolated hidden mags communities that hadn't recieved word.

"What kind of backwater hick town are you from?" Mikkish asked, while suspiciously minding Marlene's off behavior. Mikkish knew he was a handsome guy, and could tell a woman's flirtation smile from miles away, but this was no time for flirtation.