Chug some dragon blood mixed with some other stuff, well it's bound to mess with anyone. Probably why they don't give it to mages.

"I've been doing this over ten years," Asher replies, because he's concentrating more on what they're doing than what he's saying. At least he's not putting his full weight into it yet because that's not fair for Sam when he's not had a lifetime of this since he doubts mages are encouraged to get up to any sort of rough and tumble activity in the Circles either. It's something new for Asher too though, the way this blade feels when it meets his axe and there might never be another like it but he can learn from it.

It might save his life. Might save the life of one of the crew. Knowledge is power even if no one would ever associate that with Asher as he turns sharply to move Sam's blade aside if he can, to see what he'll do, if he'll either press an attack or defend, if he'll reach for his magic or try to keep it physical. Plenty of options. As for the conversation… "You've never met Amalia. She'd be offended and mark her turf. By burning things. Bugger that."