'Magic,' Damen said, the disbelief he felt clearly evident in his tone. 'I'm to believe this is simply some trick, some sleight-of-hand?'

No, that was well beyond Damen's ability. He was more likely to believe a lie from Laurent's tongue than in any sort of magic. But he found he couldn't otherwise explain his circumstances other than to assume he must be dreaming. But he'd never had a dream like this one, full of strange faces and words, items and clothing.

'If you are not from here, then where?' he asked. 'And what is this language we're speaking?'