If it were not for the airship sitting in a field just outside the Academy, one would think it was just a busy day at the Academy, some kind of celebration or large meeting. Obviously, the presence of the airship meant that this was a much more serious ordeal, with many of the students at the Academy out gawking at the ship sometimes, before sometimes being chastised by a Master or Weaver to continue about their business. Usually they were being told to leave by a selection of Weavers who had been specifically assigned to watch the airship itself, as the Masters of the Academy knew better than to simply trust the students, especially when it was made abundantly clear that any attempt to improperly board or 'retrieve' technology from them would be met with a single penalty: death.

While anyone else would hesitate making such declarations against an Academy, Raven Hayes had no such room for hesitation, and not because of the Airship [i]Dead Iron[/i] bristling with crossbows, cannons, and a team of mechanized warriors and typical airship crew. It was more because the gravity of the situation that he had come here to collect mages for left no room to worry about their technology being stolen. He had no such time for distractions, so a firm objective needed to bet set. 

Leaning over the railing, Commander Hayes took what seemed like the thousandth gaze over the Academy on the bright and sunny day. While his metal armor, gauntlets, and even steel mask were likely unnecessary in dealing with the mages, he kept them handy all the same. Besides, just because people were afraid of mages and them didn't mean some idiot wouldn't think a crossbow could solve all their problems. 

"Commander, everything is prepared. We go as soon as everything is accounted for." Raven Hayes turned to the mechanical troop. A man who had dedicated himself to the Prime Minister, with the armor encasing him granting him more strength and utility than most knights could only dream of. 

"Very well. See to it that only our guests get on the ship, and then we shall be on our way, as planned." Raven replied, going back to looking over the arriving mages. Specifically selected by the Prime Minister after a lengthy discussion with the Masters of this Academy. Some were taken easily, others got more than a few eyebrow raises. It even eventually got to one of the other Masters would be coming along as well. 

"See to it that they come to the deck as was instructed. I want to see each one of them and go over the plan in more detail once they are on board." Raven instructed, pulling his mask free for the moment. With a sword at his side, crossbow mounted to his arm, and standing tall at 6'4", Raven was imposing not only because of his height, but also his steely nature. He had seen more than his share of battles, and had not been chosen for this mission simply because he had gotten to this rank. 

[i]Orders or no, if the mages are late I shall leave them behind. I do not have time to wait, and frankly the rest of the land does not either. We will make due with what we have as always.[/i]

For now, Raven waited for the mages to arrive so they could get going properly, and he could get away from this Academy. While some of the individuals were interesting, he would be more than happy to be back in the sky. Being away from the Academy would be a bonus. Looking down at the ramp, then up to the sky, he hoped that these particular mages would not sleep in long.