"The only place Mom wouldn't worry is if we return to the castle or knight halls." I'm aware of that. I stare at the night sky. The sun was still up when the ball began. A quick scan has me very aware of how active the guards are. There may be none who doesn't have a long shift during the ball. With the Telligence threat and Warton's goblin situation... Yeah. The balls will be extra guarded.
"You're safe with us." William says lightheartedly. As if he didn't make it clear the level he plays at. Teleportation is not an easy skill for most. And he can handle all of my escape concerns. There is a level requirement. William is not a battler. He will make sure whatever is needed is in the exact right spot.
"Remind me to give you access to all of my weapons and artifacts later, William."
"That sounds pleasant." William grins. He knows why I would suggest it. I could gain access to any of my weapons just because he hands it my way. "We should come up with a distance chatter option."
"Mirror message will work well. There are compact mirrors I can bring around with me. They're lighter than many weapons, so I'd consider it worthwhile. And few would see a mirror as a threat."
"Unless they are aware of mirror message." William scratches his chin. "I'm not the best to send the message. Can't wait for you to be able."
I nod. But he could and I can answer. Mana flow is all that's needed to answer. And a mirror. "Can you use any reflective surface?"
"Me? I can answer any reflective surface. I would struggle to call using something like a pond."
"Mom is stronger than you then." I think of it. I could easily get the compact mirror if I ask her. She'll agree to access me whenever. "I wonder if I can answer using any. And it would be better if we get to work on that signed language. Mom just adds speaker."
"Audio projection?" William shivers.
"She's dangerous. Glad she's on our side." With her supporting the country, no one can do anything. I'm the weakness. But murdering me would make no sense. Kidnapping is the only real answer. That doesn't mean battles. It just means I shouldn't fear death. "I wonder if I have the anti death blessing." It's a one time blessing. To revive me instead of accept death.
"It would be weird if you didn't." Butch glances at me before focusing beyond me. "All noble children keep it active. You cannot gain the blessing past ten, though."
"I didn't get it." William shrugs.
"I should see if Mom can offer an auto revival spell. It would mean someone has to kill me twice in a row." If anyone has it, Mom does. The blessing is simple enough. To give the child a chance to live as an adult. Studies of the spell have us aware it cannot be used on anyone after ten. But the blessing holds until used. As far as anyone knows. An adult spell would need a lot more control.
"If someone can kill you, assume they can kill you a second time." William squeezes my shoulder. "I'm going to need to have my eyes on you always. This is supposed to be on call always not constant work."
I laugh at him. "Sorry."
"The most difficult friend." William shakes his head.
All three of us freeze upon noticing movement in a nearby bush. Butch and I reach for our sword. William casts out light. When his spell reaches the bush, nothing is there.
"I hate being on high alert." I rub my head. The guards should keep us safe. There's no way a goblin would be a problem for us. As long as we don't freeze in battle. "Goblins steal things. They don't jump into battle."
"Which makes this weird." William taps his chin. "Although based on their natural methods, I would suggest teleport is a spell class within reach for their more skilled mages."
I click my tongue. That's not a pleasant thought. They'd be even harder to deal with if they can teleport. A goblin is easy to handle. Unless we're quickly unaware. Unless there is a lot of them. We're not completely unaware nor would be struggle with a lot of them. That's the benefits of mage and training.
"That's a terrifying thought." Butch watches William. My teleporter shrugs. "I joined the Harvest Mission last year. Goblins are sneaky. One lapse of thought will have you dealing with them. We had two options: pretend to be lapse to draw them into our danger zone or to be on high alert always."
"Who taught you those methods."
Butch murmurs a moment before focusing on me. "Lord Lucas did." He is definitely a threat. I cannot say if he is a threat to the country or just in general.
I wave it off. "He has a point, though. Once the goblins realize your rest isn't really rest, they'll stop attacking your area. A few points of pretend sleep would allow you to actually sleep."
"I couldn't not be on high alert." Butch shivers. "It was my first mission."
I glance at his three stripes. He earned two in less than a year? Impressive. He's aiming for his friend's side though. "Will you join us this October?"
"I will join any mission of yours I can, Your Highness."
I sigh. "Thomas. Please just use Thomas." William snickers. This has always been a problem, though. Everyone wants me to be Crown Prince. I would wish to be just Thomas at times. "Any knight who agrees to join, can go. Telligence is willing to pay for the coverage."
"I will be at the castle during." William says. "There's no need for me to be there. If teleportation isn't needed for your missions, I will guard from the way back."
"All the more reason I should get used to the mirror messages."
"And I should practice audio addition. It's a costly spell for me. I'm not a communication mage."
I nod. "Thanks. Having you at my back makes me feel more confident stepping forward."
William grips my arm. "Do not test if you still have auto revival blessing. Do not for any reason attempt to find out that truth."
"Assume death means death." I watch his fears. "I won't threaten my life."
"Throw everyone into the fire before you, Thomas. Do not place the crown on Xavier." William shakes me.
"I won't."
William steps back. "Good."
Butch eyes me. "What was that supposed to mean?"
William sighs. "The reason I was removed from him was shortly after Xavier was born. Thomas decided he wasn't needed as crown anymore. We planned this massive escape plan. It would've worked too if we weren't caught in planning stages." He sinks. "I had no idea what exactly I was doing."
"Sorry." I shift uneasily. I knew what I was doing. "I thought you hated me for using you for my plans."
"That didn't bother me." William holds up a hand to me. I watch him. "I support you as future king. Please consider your position as crown prince for what it is. Do not give any of the houses a reason to refuse you as king. It's more than not wanting war within or anything like that, Thomas. You are a quality person. The country will thrive if you become king." He pauses. "When you become king, I know you'll make positive changes."
I sigh. That's not the first time I've heard that before. And I could guess that was William's stance when I saw him a few days ago.
"That's how I feel, too." Butch glances at me. "I knew watching you the last few weeks that you will truly become the king the country needs."
"Thanks. But I would rather you just act like friends instead of pledge yourself to me."
William shrugs. "Just stating the obvious." He glances around. "Let's return to the ball. We can stop at Butch's room afterwards to make sure he has everything."
"Then back home." I think of my room at the castle. It's a safe place. "You can stay in my wing at the castle, Butch." He nods. But first, the ball needs to actually end.