‘Sorry didn’t learn anything, boss.’

‘Same here boss sir.’

‘I heard something about there being two kids who need saving or something.’

‘Yea, I heard they need saving from the parents specifically.’ The caravan members report varying amounts of success as they file into a private room they rented from the inn they were staying at.

‘Alright alright settle down, Me and Cela already tracked down what we need to know. What we need to do now is plan how we’re going to get in front of the city lord and lady and convince them to let their children come to the academy to learn how to use their energy. The city people have already told me that if it comes to kidnapping they’ll help us but the problem is that doing things that way will lead to political dissent and likely intensify current feuds and create new ones leading to a potential revolt in the city. The people would like to avoid this considering like most other cities in our wonderful violent world of Seisma that they have enemies they can’t afford appearing weak to, and there's no better way to look weak then being unable to handle internal issues and having things like revolts or coups happen.’ Braz announces to the room as he briefs the group.

After a few minutes of watching the group bounce idea off of each other Seren asks Braz, ‘With the way their culture emphasizes family ties and letting everyone go their own way what do you think would happen if we could gather the whole town and get the lord and ladies children to ask for permission to leave with us to head to the academy to train their abilities? With the way that alley shopkeep made it sound if the Lord disallows them to go in front of the whole town like that then it could lead to almost instant revolt. I don’t think it would be good for the relationship between the Academy and CinderSands, at least not before the two of them start showing results.’

Looking at Seren, Braz responds with a question first, ‘Did your senior teach you to think like that or is that all you?’

Scratching his head sheepishly Seren answers, ‘No that's all me, senior said when I put my mind to it I can notice things and use them to my advantage pretty well but I tend to not use that trait enough according to him. I don’t really agree with him myself, I think I use my brain plenty. I just don’t usually decide to craft fancy plans first, I only do that if I can’t think of an easier way such as using telekinesis to throw someone all the way out of the pit for instance. He would call it me going for the cheap and easy option before he would tell me that power can indeed barrel through all obstacles given enough the right type and enough of it but that using power that way usually creates more and more problems, that it takes both wisdom and control tempering your power and choices to make the best decisions you can at any one time.’

Braz looks up while thinking about Serens answer before whispering to himself, ‘The Imperial path huh, he’s certainly got the potential for it.’ He shakes his head and looks back at Seren to say, ‘That could work but we would need to get the children in on it, get the people gathered and have the lord and ladies attention. I’m sure I could think of a plan but I’d like to hear what you’re thinking.

By this point the rest of the group has keyed into the conversation and is listening closely for Serens response. ‘Well with how deeply rooted the towns people are telling us these cultural rules around family and freedom are then they should include the people in the castle as well so I figure if they can help sneak one of us in then we can tell the young nobles the plan and get them in on it, I think it may even be possible to do without us going inside at all if we’re willing to trust it just the servants but that seems riskier. If we can tell them the plan and then have them actually guide the servants in what to do themselves I think we’ll get better results overall.’ Seren finishes speaking while slouching down into his seat awaiting the response as he realizes how it might be considered hearing a 9 year old, even one who is an expeniced pit fighter outlining a plan to use a people's own traditions against the city lord to their own advantage.

‘...Well sounds like a damn fine plan to me! Fairs I want you to go with him seeing as you’re the sneaky one but I want you to let the kid do most of the talking, if his senior says he hasn’t been putting his mind to enough use then I figure we can do at least a bit to rectify that. That sounds good to everyone else?’ he asks the rest of the group.

‘SIR YES SIR!’ the rest of them thunder. Turning back to Seren who is looking around in wonder at his plan not being laughed at or rejected outright he leans over to tell him. ‘Don’t worry about what any of us will think if you’ve got something to say go ahead and say it. I’m not saying that if you say something crazy or out there you won’t get some crazy looks or jokes but I’m gonna let you in on a secret. The academy never cared about how strong you were or how far you’ve come with your power. We care about you having the right kind of heart, we care about those who don’t fit in because of circumstance. You were gonna get in as soon as the teachers read your file. I mean a kid who made it out of the pit by beating a champ two hands above him, a set of advantages guaranteed to eventually make him the kind of powerhouse that can fight armies, but most of all you’re gonna get in because the teachers there will always recognize someone who has lost the only family they knew and could use a new one.’ he and the group look at him with cocky grins and laughter, ‘Welcome to the family Seren, it’s great to have you.’