'Plan for the worst, hope for the best.' has always been my method. And while I am honored that his Lordship deams us fit to assist in his Work...I would rather build our stability on something other than fear. Its too fickle a resource to count upon, especially should there ever be something that is more terrifying than His Lordship.

Of course, he has no difficulty bending others wills to his wishes. It is when he is elsewhere that I worry for our village. We mustn't depend only upon his tireless spirit to hold us together. That is too much to ask of anyone, even as great a man as he. We should be easing his burdens, not adding more.

Its precisely because it is difficult that healing is such a good indicator of whether a student is ready to graduate from our Academy. Perhaps they will never master it, but healing is a significantly more useful skill than water-walking and teaches the same control. Control that they will need, should they be called upon to entertain His Lordship or master their own Talents.