Bert nodded. "Aye, there've been problems with that back through history. Fucking charyou tree." He spit the words, disgusted. How could people do that? Even seeing the evidence of it, he couldn't believe that any normally sane and reasonable person could think burning someone alive was a good idea.
"S'not like anyone who could use magic was shunned, guess it depended on what they did with it. I don't trust much magic, say true, but it can be useful sometimes. Too useful most of the time." But without technology, what else did they have to rely on? And Farson employed wizards and sorcerers. What choice had Gilead.
"Well, that much I'd figured out for myself," Bert said at Alessa's sudden revelation. He smiled, but it wasn't quite as bright as formerly. "There's so much magic here, it stands to reason. But that's not what you're talking about, is it?" He tilted his head as he thought. If she meant magic, she probably would have just come out and said it.
"If you mean the Touch, I've got a bit of it myself. Not like Alain - nobody ever had the Touch strong as him less they were a wizard - but enough to do me some good."
Or maybe she was just worried he'd think she was a witch. Which was just silly - she was too young and nice.