"Yeah but if they concluded the hostages weren't creating appropriate incentives..."

I have to agree with that possibility, Fenris.

What could we do in that case then?

"Stealth seems like the most desirable trait of any infiltration plans, but difficult to arrange. We might benefit from brainstorming means to get that."

We could feed them false information on our capabilities to influence their perception of the relevant incentives.

"We could retaliate and kidnap..."

"—yeah but that's not about stealth."

Temperance nods uncomfortably.

"Not quite in the vein of what we are talking about, but I think I can use my light control to turn invisible."

"Being invisible is easy, the problem is being undetectable."

Nod. "Any idea if the local Sadde's illusion could trick the wards?"

"We could try with some of our own wards."

Another thing to test. We should push more people to get gifts, maybe try for non-health ones as well.

Lord speaks again. "I am working on something for that which won't rely as much on converting between lifeforces. It should work as it is, but it's extremely unpleasant."

"I volunteer."

Your anti-magic gift is too valuable for a first test run. No matter how talented Lord is.

"Well... I... volunteer if that turns out to be necessary."

"What is it?"

"A mix of substances designed to have a very balanced effect on the body's muscles, such as to keep the person physically exhausted in a way that should trigger the gift acquisition after less than a day. Due to the fact that I haven't been able to make it not unpleasant, it might also cause the wakefulness gift due to sheer mental exhaustion."

"Will it fail to work for people who already have a gift?"

"I don't see why not. I don't expect it would give you more gifts than the norm, but it should give you gifts that you don't already have."

"Then it sounds like a strict improvement."

When did you start working on this?

"A few minutes ago," Lord answers, "but the concepts have been in the back of my mind for a time and seeing people being tortured brought it to the forefront."

"You are a very strange man."