Hana was slightly alarmed at the look of growing confusion on her shipmates face. [i]Oh, he's not joking.[/i] Even the most provincial goatherd in Elbar knew of the elemental composition of the world.  As Uban spoke, Hana felt a flash of guilt for her condescension. All in Elbar were taught to read, and learning was the highest good. The light of modern reason hadn't spread across the continent, apparently. Elbar was a longs way from here, and magic lagged behind on the continent.

He wasn't an idiot. He just... Didn't know what the aether was.

She wondered if he knew that the earth revolved around the sun. 

She felt bad for thinking that. 

If Uban could tell just what thoughts were playing out in her head, he didn't let on. His dismay had turned back into enthusiasm and he effortlessly struck the medallion with lightning. As they spoke, Hana continued to throw the medallion into the air, letting him blast the target again and again as it slowly blackened and bent under the withering abuse. They quickly fell into a rhythm, letting the conversation flow between the moments of action.

"Magic in Elbar is a very deliberate thing. Those with natural inclinations towards magic are found at a young age, and educated. Of course, natural inclination normally means cantrips, not lightning. Speaking of lightning rods, you pretty neatly described what the medallion is. Lightnings drawn to it no matter the metal it's stamped on." 

Hana stilled as Uban stepped close to her as he brushed his hand over her face. They were hot to the touch, and then gone. He stepped back from her, speaking rapidly, "Tell me, what are those marks you drew on yourself? What are they for, what do they mean?" She answered, "Just like how the medallion draws lightning, these markings protect me from lightning. It's one of the first things taught to weather mages, and we practiced it relentlessly. You can sew it into clothing, though that only protects the clothing from lightning and not the person!" She laughed, finding what she said funny. Looking again at Uban, she frowned. His easy smile was still there, and his eyes were bright. But his hands shook, and it looked like he was sore on his feet. "Look at you," she said, "you're pushing up against the edge." Extending her hand, she said, "Come on, lets take a break and catch our breath."

---

Pieter smoked his pipe and listened to Berlin. 

---

The mermaid watched the octopus lash out at it's surroundings. Her hair floated around her and her strong tail flicked playfully as she spoke, "Why are you so angry, boy?"