" - That is combat magic. And acute wounds are rarely of concern, but we have several cases of chronic infection and permanent injury. Missing limbs, blindness, and the like." And he's not going to trust someone else's 'divination.'

He nods. "Those require more specialized spells, I'll need to prepare them in the morning."

"How does preparing spells work?"

"It varies by type of magic: Ertan will need to spend time studying his; I pray to Fharlanghn for mine."

" - So it isn't that you're making inscribed techniques then using those? How do you - not just know them?" His brow is faintly furrowed.

"No - a few of my spells work a bit like that when they're cast, I suppose. My spells are like discrete objects given to me by my god and lost when I cast them; Ertan's are similar but he constructs them himself."

He tilts his head, but nods. "Your 'god' is an actual force?"

"My god is an actual person; I've met him."

"Some people claim similar things." But his rapid-fire chakra flares with Mito confirm that the man isn't lying, though his list of powers did conceal some things. "There's been no proof of gods in our world."

"They're fairly hard to miss, where I'm from, but like I said, we must be very far from home. I've never seen anything like DZ before, either."

Lying, about never having seen anything like DZ.

Tobirama doesn't show that realization on his face or in his posture.

"What are your theories for how far?"

If the answer is 'another dimension, and it'll be hard to get home' they might want to lean towards keeping the strangers here, rather than risk them falling into enemy hands.

"I'd expect gods and clerics and the basics of how magic work to be familiar to an informed person anywhere on any plane of my world. And I was personally sent to accompany Ertan by the god of travel. It would be - less surprising than usual, if we're not in our world anymore."

He nods. "How long would returning take you?"

"I'm not actually very familiar with arcane spell development - " he asks Ertan. "A few weeks to a few months if it's just a targeting problem; possibly much longer if it's something more fundamental."

A while, then.

"If your healing works for us, that's enough to justify housing you for that length."

He nods. "If it's more than a few weeks I might not stay myself; clerics of Fharlanghn don't spend long in one place as a rule. But I'm sure we can work something out."

"We'll want to make sure you know the situation in our region before you leave then," he concedes. "Most places aren't exceptionally safe."

He nods. "I'm fairly used to that. I appreciate the information, of course."

Nod. "What sort of needs do you have? For nourishment, shelter, medication, rest..."

"Normal for a human; I'm used to sleeping outdoors but won't mind staying inside if you'd prefer to keep an eye on me. Ertan eats less than a human but his needs are otherwise similar." He shoots a quick question to DZ- "she doesn't eat or sleep; there's something she needs instead of food but Deskyl will be able to make it for her when she recovers, and she'll be fine until then." Another question for DZ - "Deskyl is human and should eat a normal human amount while she's recovering; she needs soft foods. I do have a spell prepared that will create more than enough food for us for the day, if that's an inconvenience."

"Food for three isn't inconvenient. We do have guest quarters. Do you need to rest now? Our potential translators should arrive shortly, if you can spend a bit on languages."

He glances at Ertan, who's still visibly uncomfortable, and then at DZ, who's settled by Deskyl, watching the unmoving woman patiently. (Desuka is next to her, holding her counterpart's hand, not seeming any more inclined to leave.) "We'd appreciate that, I think," he says, gesturing to indicate that he means himself and Ertan. "I can come back later to help you talk to DZ."

He nods. And: "I'll escort you there."

He gestures with one hand, forming a perfect replica of himself which takes his place against the wall. "Before we leave, does DZ consent to someone attempting to establish telepathic contact?"

"Can you tell me more about that? Is it just communicative, or actual mindreading, or something else?"

"There are multiple techniques. The most basic is purely communicative, and requires touch for unskilled users. Mind-reading of active thoughts is far more advanced, and reading of memories requires a special set-up."