"Is that so?" His tone sits somewhere precariously between curious and derisive.

It would be simpler to tell the extent of their plans if he could judge the aether within the captives. Anything worth summoning would require a substantial amount of aether to do so. Which left the question: what could this small gathering of people practically conjure?

"I, for one, am exceedingly curious. Though not to the point of participation, I'm afraid."