New Knowledge

We get to join the advanced side of horse riding. That has us leaving the halls. This time we're leaving the capital. I keep a close eye on where the trainer is. I need to stay within sight so my spell doesn't set off. They go over the different riding styles and types. We can pass this without effort. We know how to ride.

Showing off a little calms me. The trainer notices our skills and lets us keep to the side. We're ahead of the curve. But we've been on horses for years now. Well... Ryan hasn't been, but we started early. We'd pass these tests at seven. Or at least that's how it feels.

"This is nice." Jessica says. We're just following directions. "I should ask to just take the horse out for a short ride another time."

"Need a blue three knight to come out here. We can travel inside the city. I can show you the various trails." I have taken all of them. Leaving the outer walls though was a denial for me.

"Good to know. We have some time before reaching that status." Jessica looks relaxed. Ryan seems less so, but much calmer than during some of the lessons.

We can skip this one and I don't think I'd want to.

"The knights are a quality force." Ryan says when he notices me looking his way. "None of the nearby countries have such high expectations for their military."

"We do have teams run by each of the houses. But the knights are national defense." Jessica adds. I nod. The guards at the castle aren't expected to manage this. There are levels there, but a knight truly surpasses all of them.

"Ryan?" I watch the trainer show off cantering. We really don't need this class.

"Yeah?"

"What monsters are likely in October?"

"For the harvest quest? Could be any of numerous. You'll guarantee goblins, though. That's part of the reason we need so many on task."

"Do you know where the goblin encampment is?"

"Normally... But..." Ryan winces. "It's complicated. Even when things get bad enough to need it cleared out, the goblins manage to get away and rebuild. Never in the same spot. We only realize their bad because things go missing."

"Easy to handle, but easy to miss." Jessica sighs. "That's why anyone can handle it."

"Yeah. If something like an orc shows, a higher knight may take over. We only need to handle the lower end stuff." Ryan watches the trainer like I have been doing. "It's a good first mission. You'll get the feel for everything. Most are told to join the Telligence harvest mission if they haven't had the chance yet."

"So you've been watching the knights every year like clockwork." Jessica grins at him.

"Watching? No. Not really. I knew about it. I was aware. I saw knights annually. But I didn't really watch. It's boring for most. The goblins wait for the knights to absentminded."

"It'll be a test for us."

"Yeah. If your section has no loss from creatures, you get increased payment." Ryan shrugs. "I didn't care much about it. It was explained well to me. Whether because I'd be called Lord Tellience or Knight Telligence didn't matter. Both need to know."

"We had lessons and training the rest of these trainees didn't." Jessica has her horse move to the trainer. "Knight Lucas?"

The trainer turns to us. He smirks. "Gonna help train? Or just skip out. I didn't even think you'd join. Ignore Raida. She can't handle what the queen is doing." Lucas is a noble. He knows horse riding backwards and forward. Like us.

"Because she refused her boyfriend's proposal because it would cause her to leave the knights." Jessica says. We did hear the story. And several are struggling with a mother taking first place in everything. Mothers are not meant to be here. But there's no reason being a mother should deny someone. I can grasp within the three months prior to pregnancy or two years after, but Xavier is five now. Mom should be fully healed.

"Yup. She still needs to. Once she is given the chance for a name, she'll agree to him. He's waiting patiently. The queen is in a different situation." Lucas stops to look at me. "Are you going to give allowances for those who probably shouldn't be here?"

I shrug. "Case by case."

"Yeah. I'd be worried if the queen could be pregnant or is aiming. Or if she was the sole parent for her children. But neither are the case. Xavier sees her as often as Thomas does." Lucas turns to another trainee. "See if you can get the horse to follow the pattern you desire. It's not easy, but they do follow instructions." He leaves us for those who need him.

A few hours a day... "Xavier probably does better without his parents around." I shake it off. "Let's switch to something else. We can't just ride right now."

"I'm going to hit up the library. You have information booth again, right?"

"Yeah." They like putting me there. It doesn't seem as cycling as it should be. But there is a different response when I am at the booth. I'm drawing interest from those who can join the exams. I'm also making sure everyone follows the rules. No one wants to get on the crown prince's radar.

Sometimes I really wish I was born someone else.

After putting the horses safely away, he glance in on the beginner class. Raida is scowling. These trainees need more time practicing and mostly seem afraid of horses. I feel sorry for her.

Once out of range of the class, we head for the library.

Before I can head for my chore, Ryan stops me. He places me at a table with a book. It doesn't take much for him to find the page on goblins. "They're sneak thieves. Kinda like a raccoon, but a subtle green instead. They are bipedal completely. Omnivores and scavengers. You can tell rank by the colors of fur and feathers on its head."

The picture is quite incredible. The headdresses get very elaborate.

Ryan pulls another book and opens it to a page. "Look at these." Similar headdress designs? "This is the Rain people." He flips between a few pages. "I think the goblins steal ideas as well as things."

He pulls out a letter and shows off a drawing made by magic. Looks like his sister's. "See the armor? That wasn't stolen."

Unless we're putting children in armor, I wouldn't think it's possible to steal them. "Ryan..."

"I knew about the headdresses. That's been always. The Rain people used to live here. You may see one in passing if you stay in Telligence long."

"What happened to them?" Jessica asks.

Ryan winces. "It's complicated."

I stare at the images. The goblins are figuring out how to copy our items. "You explained your finds to your family, right?"

"Yeah. Dad's aware." Ryan shrugs. "Goblins are a problem no matter what. Being aware helps. But it's not really something they care about."

"If goblins can learn..." I think of it. "Are they intelligent enough to join the country?" I glance to Jessica. She looks clueless.

"You'll have non humans enter as citizens?" Ryan stares at me. He blinks a few times before focusing on the images. "I... I didn't think of that."

"Why show me this?" I motion to everything.

"Because... I..." Ryan frowns. "Trying to prove my worth." He crosses his arms. "Showing off to my future king. If you read my sister's letter, she suggested that. I... I can't suggest otherwise either. I was always researching, but my direction feels more... Keyed in." Jessica holds in laughter.

I stare at Ryan. "I don't think you need to prove anything to me."

"Logically yeah... but something... Draws it out." Ryan collapses into a chair. "Is that another blessing of yours?"

"Calling it a blessing?"

"All of them are blessings. Blessings and curses are the same. Just depends on viewpoint." Ryan closes his eyes. "Am I the only one who aims to prove themself to you?"

I think of it. "No."

"That makes me feel better. I don't mind having my research follow your directions. I want to learn more. Any new knowledge is fine with me." Ryan pulls the book closer to him. "You can ask others about the intelligence of the goblins. It may help you if you ask about the blessings list again. Why don't you know everything?"

"Because it's a level of protection to not know everything. I'm being guarded." I stand up. "This is something to think about, Ryan. I wonder if we can have a diplomacy mission to the goblins. See if we can actually become allies." Ryan nods focusing on his work.

I nod to each of them. "I have the information booth. Good luck."

"Have fun. I'm probably switching back to bows. Or seeing if the arena is in use." Jessica hasn't been the type to hang out in the library. Most know Ryan can be found here if not practicing something specific.

I have to work.