"On the mainland, people fear what they do not understand," said Heinfroth. "We have heard accusations from your cohorts that some aboard your vessel dabbled in dark arts. Rather than play host to some mob tribunal, I have tasked Doctor Blanche with finding understanding between those women. That is what we do here. When nothing is hidden, there is nothing to fear. When the mind is fully apprehended, there remain no dark corners for irrational fears to dwell."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Danae's Perception</div><div class="spoiler_body">A field hospital was not a still and silent place. For seven women to be confined to an infirmary, two with serious wounds, should be more strongly evidenced. Instead, your trek through the cellar and the core of the asylum was in such a void of quiet that frequently you could hear murmur of conversation in adjacent rooms, patients walking out in the yard, and indeed, the hum of water in the walls. If there was an infirmary, the ladies of the first boat were not in it. Heinfroth was lying.</div></div><br/><br/>Something Danae had said struck a nerve in Heinfroth, but not<em>witchcraft, </em>no.<em>Officer. </em>She remained unblinking, straight-backed, as though there were war waging beyond the gates and Heinfroth alone must represent her discipline before an unfeeling military machine.<br/>"The brain resides in a chemical ether. When a finger is cut, the signal passes through nerve and flesh and bone into the ether of the mind, where it is absorbed and analyzed. The same is true of all our senses. And while a fine mind may recall sensations past, it is possible for the brain's ether to become polluted by signals not properly disposed- for the mind to become confused with phantom voices, impulses, and sensations all seemingly real."<br/><br/>"You must consider such illness beyond repair," said Heinfroth, "but this is not so. I surround myself with doctors expert in counsel of the psyche, so I might treat the ether of the mind with best compassion."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Faelyn's Insight</div><div class="spoiler_body">Heinfroth was a calculating woman, and there was certainly a point to her questions beyond idle conversation. Between her broad assurances and ready generosity, the intention seemed to be to put you at ease.</div></div><br/><br/>"Plainly speaking," said Heinfroth, her attentions squarely on Faelyn. "These women do not belong in a refuge for lunatics, nor do you. I will return all of you to Martira Bay, in a few days' time, rather than allow you to waste away in the wilderness here. That is my moral obligation."<br/><br/>In considering Aloisa's request, she followed the polished grain of the table, observed Zoe and Corinne's huddle.<br/>"Here there are three doctors beside myself. Captain Baykur is indisposed. Those, you could say, are my people. Do you love her, this Mlle. Sage Laporte?"