Where I’m from, magic doesn’t have one set language. Sometimes it’s just English spoken backwards. [ It’s hardly a trade secret. ] Most of the people claiming to have magical powers are officially charlatans. The Weather Wizard and Abra Kadabra use technology to fake sorcery skills.

[ Tim lets his grin shift into a much more natural, and slightly sheepish, smile. He’s relieved to hear that human isn’t on the menu – anyone would be. ]

Mutual survival is number one on my list. Cooperation helps, but some people are more useful than others. I think my second priority would have to be finding out exactly how much fish is in the river. Those are both easier than the third one: helping everyone get home.

[ They’re painfully obvious to him, at least 1 and 3, but Tim is trying to spread the nascent plan around the camp, so no one’s taken aback by it later. ]

It’s a work-in-progress. I haven’t been here long enough to make sense of everything. [ Or anything, but that much honesty would drive him crazy. Tim already knows the seeming extent of his ignorance. He won’t brag about it to others. ]

I’m open to suggestions and useful information. If you, by any chance, recognized the spells being used on us…?