"Steam, it looks like. Or something like it. Coal, maybe? Or wood? But it's hard to tell if it's in proper working condition."

The technology is a little ancient to him, but it certainly doesn't look like magic. The main issue is getting on it in an emergency and only then realizing it doesn't work, but as a last resort, it's definitely an option.

"I've got one last trick up my sleeve, if worse comes to worst." He walks as he speaks, making sure they're somewhere slightly more secluded so he can open his coat and show Licyn a glimpse of a bottle holding a miniature lifeboat. "I found it with an instruction to 'break at sea'." And by found he definitely means stole, but minor details.