Wheel went topdeck, finding Berlin and the boy. He was silent as they spoke. The curse wrapped itself around him so tightly he could barely see out of it. His throat was dry and he kept salivating. When he spat, the spittle burnt his lips. "Berlin."

---

"We gonna shoot someone?" Pieter called out, "Aye, lad. You'll be our target." Hana laughed, and answered, "I want to test an idea I have with your lightning." Pieter perched himself on a nearby barrel as he watched. He saw Hana's gaze catch on Uban's shirt before it returned to his face. Life first as a farmer and then a sailor had left Uban rather trim, and he wondered idly where Hana's thoughts led. Evidently, the tall mage was driven to professional matters. "I want to find out if we can use Uban's lightning with firearms." Gesturing as she spoke, she laid out her thinking to them, "We know it's possible for Uban to strike objects from a distance with his lightning, so long as the object is enchanted. If Uban can strike a ball shot from a pistol, we could shoot lightning." Her face fell and she chewed her lower lip as she worked through a problem that she'd agonized over, "If the ball is moving too fast, of course, something else would have to be tried. We could try electrifying the ball with touch, and then firing it. Since blackpowder can't be ignited from lightning," She left out that she'd tried that last night when everyone was asleep, "There's little danger of the pistol exploding when you try to shoot it." Her initial flush of excitement had given way to steady philosophy. She had no personal attachment to the outcomes; her only concern was accurate testing. Maybe, Pieter thought, she hoped that if she were calm outwardly, it'd become true within. 
"Any questions?"