As they marched out of Mrs. Walton's, Cam's head was spinning, if she got this right, she could fix everything. But how? Before she could think, Crank was leaving while stating that he'd get the "'Picks'" on board, and Cog slipped away most likely to talk to the other "'Protos'", that made it simple, she'd have the "'Spares'" ready quickly enough.

Giggling to herself, Cam set off for the orphanage, thinking that if her subordinates were any more reliable she'd probably have beaten her mum's record already.

As she reached the district housing the orphanage Cam kicked the random junk and rubble that littered the area, maybe by keeping herself in Xander's good books she could persuade him to use that spider Gizmo to fix up the orphanage.

Entering the damp cavern that barely functioned as the orphanage Cam made her way quickly towards the sleeping area, reaching the mass of roots that she and the older "'Spares'" had worked tirelessly to weave into makeshift hammocks, pulling apart the roots of her hammock she reached inside and pulled out a small rusty handbell before heading to the center of the cavern.

Ringing the bell, Cam waited for everyone to gather. As the "'spares'" slowly made their way to her, Cam took the chance to look over her wards, the combination of tattered clothes and dirt covering weary faces that made up the majority made her wince, she really needed to fix that, Xander had given her the chance she needed, forcing a cocky grin to he face She addressed the crowd.

"Listen up, starting tomorrow t'ings are gonna be different, I've spoke wit' a travelling lord and got us better food and a c'ance for us to improve t'ings."

Pausing to let them take this in, Cam spotted an arm sticking up from the back of the crowd.

"What is it BB?"

"What's this chance?"

Cam sighed she'd hoped to avoid specifics. Thinking he'd asked something he shouldn't, he attempted to justify his question.

"A...all I mean is w...we can't u...use the chance if we don't know w...what it is."

Cam shook her head.

"It's fine BB, you're rig't, you need to know, come tomorrow all of us will be attending sc'ool."

Conversations broke out across the crowd and Cam waited patiently for them to calm down, from the bits and pieces she could pick up it seemed that the idea was being received better than she'd expected, as multiple hands were raised she shock her head.

"Wait till tomorrow to ask questions, we'll all be 'eading to the old gizmo rooms, no excuses. Make sure anyone not 'ere knows w'ats 'appening, right?"

There were murmurs of "yes Cam" from the crowd causing her to glare until a much more heartfelt response was given, smiling to herself Cam slipped the bell in to her pocket; Xander and Maisie could probably use it, before making her way over to her "bed" and focused on how best to capitalise on this chance.

As Cog made his way to the guilds district his mind was spinning even if he and the other "'Protos'" could only do every other day to avoid losing their apprenticeships, the things they could learn from Maisie and Xander could change everything, well that was probably an exaggeration but it would at least mean they'd actually be learning new things instead of the menial chores the apprenticeships had become.

Cog smiled bitterly, it still bugged him that the title "'Protos'" had stuck, it had been a silly comment between friends, if they weren't learning anything they were just half finished prototypes, he'd never expected Springs to spread the joke to everyone.

Entering the chef's guild's hall Cog scanned the room to find Springs, his eyes slid over the guild members tables with their lavish meals, and over to the apprentices tables where his friend was picking at the cold meat and stale bread while chuckling with the other apprentices. Slipping quietly between the tables Cog reached Springs and tapped him gently on the shoulder. Spinning round and standing from his chair in a single fluid motion Springs turned and hugged Cog.

Stolen story; please report.

"Cog, you didn't die!"

Embarrassed as always by Springs standard greetings Cog push away half-heartedly from Springs, his voice muted by the pressure on his chest, he tried to speak. Noticing his discomfort Springs released him and feigned an apologetic look before smirking at Cog.

"So what made you brave the crowds, it better be worth the three extra hours I'm covering for you tonight, I still don't think it's a good idea to be hanging with those two."

"I know, but they're good people, and what we gained today is worth way more than three hours of parts organizing."

Springs' face darkened slightly.

"This better not be like the time they persuaded you to try and steal those blueprints, is it?"

Oblivious to his Friend's tone Cog continued.

"No no, it's nothing like that. There's this human visiting; at least I think he's human, but he's opening a school."

"Huh, that must be who Mrs Belt was complaining about, apparently Lord Bevelgear told her she absolutely had to improve because a human had out done her. What do we get out of it anyway?"

"Gizmology and Runecraft lessons... oh and free food. If we take this chance we can finally make some progress."

Springs was silent for a moment before a serious expression settled on his face.

"When and where?"

"The old gizmology chambers, tomorrow morning."

"Well, we can at least give it a look."

Turning, Springs nudged the gnome next to him, and gave a carefree smile.

"I know you head all that, pass it on."

The gnome smiled guiltily before nodding and ran off to start spreading the news.

Crank entered his home and went to the kitchen to check the daily note from his father, written on his official stationary.

"From the desk of guard captain Cutter

Crank, Due to unexpected occurrences I will not be home for a Few days, there are plenty of ration blocks in storage. If you need to inform me of anything the Instructors can contact me."

Crank shock his head, why had he thought it would be any different, at least this time he actually had something to report.

Making his way through the sparsely decorated home Crank entered his father's office and collected a blank piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal, then quickly returned to the kitchen to write out his message.

" Dear Father, this letter is to let you know that I have made an oath and will be as busy as you now, love, Crank"

As he was folding the letter up an idea came to him, deciding it would be best to gather the other "'Picks'" at morning training, he set off to get some assistance with his idea.

Arriving back at Mrs Walton's Crank went to knock on the door, but before his hand made contact there was a click from the door and another yellow flash from the signet ring as the door swung open.

The hall was pitch black save for a small strip of light from under one of the doors, moving slowly to avoid bumping into anything Crank made his way to the light. As he got closer he noticed singing coming from beyond the door, it wasn't a song he recognised but he definitely liked it.

Lost in his thoughts Crank jumped when the door opened and Mrs Walton grabbed him by the shoulder, dragged him into the kitchen, handed him a knife, and pointed to a pile of vegetables.

"If you don't mind we can talk while we work, what brought you back so soon dear? Don't you need to tell the other "'Toothpicks'" about the school?"

Without a thought Crank started chopping it the vegtables.

"Everyone just says "'Picks'" Ma'am, and how do you know about that, if it's not rude to ask?"

Having wasted no time in getting back to work Mrs Walton chuckled as she prepared small boxes full of food at a pace that amazed Crank.

"I have my ears Crank, you were right outside my front door."

There was a click and the door swung open allowing Sparks the cat to enter before closing.

Crank focused on chopping for a good while before noticing that the amount to be chopped seemingly hadn't changed at all, realising he'd be here for a while yet he decided now was the time to raise his idea.

"Mrs Walton, I was thinking with how many students will be attending the school I might need a way to keep track of them when delivering lunches, could we make some sort of uniform, with a logo of some sort..."

Realising he was rambling he trailed off as his face reddened.

"I'm sure we can think of something, a full uniform might be a bit much right now but what would you say about scarves with a crest based off of Xander and Maisie, would that work?"

Turning from the lunchboxes she was filling she looked at him with a smile.

His embarrassment was forgotten as his mind started whirling with ideas, Xander had that X crest and everyone knew Maisie's signature; almost every light in the city had it in the runes that kept them from failing, if they combined those it would be amazing, looking up at Mrs Walton he tried to sound calm.

"T...that would be p...perfect, m...may I have a piece of parchment ma'am?"

Before Mrs Walton could respond Sparks had appeared from somewhere with a wooden board with a pencil hanging from a string and a small metal clip holding the requested parchment.

"Thank you Sparks."

Taking the provided board Crank brought the pencil to the canvas and focused as much as he could, failing to notice as the ring on his finger gave of a clear glow he started drawing, the image in his head seeming to flow through his arm and on to the parchment, before he realised he had finished the intricate design, he handed the board to Mrs Walton and waited.

Looking over the design she nodded.

"Now that is a fine school crest, I'll go get that ready, given the time you should get to bed, can't have you missing anything tomorrow can we?"

With a joyous smile Crank nodded and dashed out the room calling back as he did.

"Thank you ma'am."

As he ran back home Crank thought over his last responsibility, it should only take a few moments to get the "'Picks'" to agree after all, it "would be another bolt in the crossbow" as his dad used to say, but first sleep.

Waking up to his dad's runic alarm clock Crank pulled his training clothes on and grabbed a ration block from storage to eat as he ran to the sparring chamber, half an hour later he arrived and with an hour till training stood by the entrance and waited for the others.

Once they had all arrived Crank stomped his foot loudly to get their attention.

"Listen up, I have an opportunity for us all."

There were murmurs from the assembled "'Picks'" some sounded good, others suspicious.

"All I request is follow me after we finish training today, and you'll understand, you have my word."

Crank realised what he'd said even before the chime and yellow flash came from his ring, Mrs Walton's words rung in his ear, "You'll have to keep that oath." He winced but luckily everyone was focused on the ring.

From in the group a voice called out.

"If there's stuff like that then I'm in."

Most of the gathered trainees nodded, but before Crank could say anything more Sergeant Lock arrived and herded them in to the sparring chamber.