[Quentin blinks rapidly and just. His face makes a face, eyebrows going up and his mouth curls-- it's not really a smile, but. It's not really a frown either.]

I'd have to heat the water to close to boiling? I mean, if-- if it has to stand a chance of heating the air at the market? For more than like a minute. And-- and I'd have to keep heating it, because yeah. Currents are a thing that happens? And also, because of the wind? And people?

[Not to mention, if any of the Circumstances changed while he was casting, it could change everything. Could throw people in the boiling water or make the air smell like raw sewage.

When magic misfired, it was always something spectacular.

Not to mention the power it would take to maintain, and Quentin has a vivid memory of trying to keep the whole ferry afloat. Of trying to keep the shield spell up like a bridge as people were being pulled to safety.

The hot spurts of blood gushing out of his nose and the pounding head ache.]

It's more than just gross. Have you smelled it, because I think I know where the waste water in this place goes. And it's in there. And yes. Yes, there's something in the lake. There's something in the woods, too. There's something everywhere.