Ra's Al Ghul has been alive for a very long time. He has seen societies grow and crumble. Organizations with similar goals as his take hold and fall to their death in equal time. He knows to move carefully, because ignoring the failures of others would only cause you to fail yourself.
He knew of the Court of Owls long before Bruce Wayne came to his door. He knew of their traveling caravans of soldiers masked as performers that eventually became an actual traveling circus when they started picking up strays.
Ra's never brought up the ancient society seated under Wayne's city. For the same reason he shared very little with Wayne at all, the man refused to be his heir. He wasn't sure how, but he knew information about the Court would be important. And Ra's wasn't going to give up the bargaining chip.
Three years after Wayne left, taking up Batman when the pieces started to come together.
His daughter Talia reported that her Beloved has taken in a child. A small Romani boy from a traveling circus, whose parents fell to their deaths during the Gotham performance. She produced a paper, the cover was an article from the Gotham Gazette, 'Wayne takes in Orphan'. He skims through the article, it takes until the fourth paragraph for them to actually talk about the child.
Richard Grayson, age 8, was placed in the Gotham Foster System after his parent's death two months previous. Many remember the tragic accident that led to their demise after the line's snapped sending the family falling to their deaths. Three members of the family were pronounced dead at the scene, the fourth continues to survive on life support at Gotham General. Haley's Circus departed only a few days after the accident, leaving the remaining Graysons in Gotham. Richard has spent the last two months in the hardworking hands of the Gotham Child Services, a representative previously advised "Richard is in the best situation for a child of his condition."
Ra's looked to his daughter, "What are they not saying?" he asked, shaking the article at her.
Talia's face soured for just a second, before schooling back to something natural. "The child was placed in the Juvenile Detention Center due to his heritage. My Beloved sees himself in the child, the experience similar to his own. I do not believe he intended on taking in Richard but once he found out the living arrangements he made a choice. From what I was able to find, Richard had apparently taken to sneaking out of the facility to track down the man he believes to have killed his parents."
"It wasn't an accident?" Ra's clarified, he assumed as much but then again best not to assume.
"The child claims he saw a man arguing with the Circus owner before the show. The police disregard his statement, but Batman gives him enough credit to follow the lead. The Child seeks vengeance, and blood. My Beloved believes he can help the child down a different path, similar to his own." She admitted.
"The Detective plans on training him," Ra's observed, with a raised eyebrow.
She nodded, "He himself might not realize it yet, but yes."
"Do you believe there is potential?"
Talia hesitated for only a moment, choosing her words carefully. "The child might be of different blood, but his skill, if molded in the right hand would be an asset even to us."
"You wish to take him."
"My Beloved has already grown attached. If we take the boy, he will follow."
"You wish to take the Gray Son from Gotham."
This time Talia frowns, confused at the pharazing.
Ra's shook his head twice, sharp and quick. "You will leave that child be, his presence will only bring us war. Even the detective will not be able to keep him in the end."
Talia opened her mouth to speak, but was stopped when Ra's waved a hand. "The Gray Son will have his own destiny," Ra's starts before she could, "You are young, my daughter. Remember we are not the only society cleansing the world. There are few that have lasted as long as us, but those who have should not be crossed. If that child is destined for what I believe, we would do best to not interfere."
"Would we not earn my Beloved's trust if we protect them from this threat?"
Ra's stood from his throne, stalking down the few steps to stand before Talia, he gripped her chin, forcing her face close to his. "You will forget this child." He spat, "He is to not be taken or touched by the league."
Talia nodded in his tight grasp, Ra's gazing into her eyes looking for something. His expression shifted to something a little less angry, "You did well my daughter." He ran a hand through her hair, grip still painfully tight on her chin. "But not this child. Find another way."
He threw her back, out of his space. "Do not speak of this to the Detective." He stated, turning to sit back on his throne.
She scurried back to her kneeling position at his feet. "Of course, Father."
"Good."