( But if it's the only one of it's kind, how do you have it? Unless you robbed his grandmother in which case, you're an awful person and he really should have let that rider finish you off but he won't say that out loud. )

What? ( The problem isn't that Hugh doesn't understand. On the contrary, he understands perfectly well. It sounds almost like he's talking about warp or rescue staves for a moment. Hell, it even sounds like teleportation which some powerful mages have been shown to have mastery over in the past. The concept certainly sounds the same but neither is activated by simply touching, staff or no staff at all. ) You warped yourself out here on accident?

( He isn't sure if he should be impressed or judgmental. )

Yeah, that's real exciting but the fact is, we're in the middle of a battle. We can talk more about it when this is all over. You use ancient magic, don't you? ( He saw that flux tome and noticed a trend with some of those books earlier. ) We can fight together or if you need a handsome mage bodyguard, I'm your guy.

( For a price, of course. )