Curufin nods. "I hear there are scientific instruments that can determine the age of an artifact or of a geological structure, but we obviously don't have any such instruments. We're stuck with making guesses."

He nods again. "If the glowing seashell is older than the city, then presumably there are other old artifacts on the island or in the caves under the island or sea. Maybe you're right; maybe the peoples of this world were separated eons ago and only found each other because they had these magical arts in common."

Too bad they can't ask the people of Bui or of Gyueran! Maybe later.

"Say, do you want some help organizing and securing the store supplies? I'm not going back down under the water for a bit." He smiles. "I want to finish my coffee first. We can keep talking."