Armory

Walking the armory is where Butch finds us. The guard who brought him to us only salutes and walks off. William eyes Butch. "Be happy you didn't join His Majesty's breakfast."

"What? Why?" Butch wouldn't know things in this field.

"He's always been one to push the limits. My father always warned me about that, but who was I to listen." William covers his face.

I say, "William will be practicing bringing siege weapons all over the country. Then he'll be bringing large parts of the army."

"Armory?" Butch asks.

"No. Army. That's how we had ten thousand troops ready to back up Hellsgate while he handled the main of the yeti problem." It really was an area not easy to reach. "That was William's father. In case you wondered how silver nobles typically reach status."

Butch's jaw is on the floor. I can't help that.

"As I said, blue three knight is the easiest and fastest method." Silver selection isn't that hard. "And given you're not trying for a new house, but to be noble enough to join Storm, you'll be quick to join the selection. Once you prove you deserve it." That's what a blue three has done. Or they wouldn't be a blue three.

"Right. Thanks for the knowledge."

"Hellsgate was a red five knight when he took on the yetis. He was given the option for silver status before that point, but wanted to truly prove his loyalty to the crown." William says.

I glance at William. "And he didn't wish to remove someone from the title. That's what my grandfather was pushing for. There was a house he had an issue with."

"Which is why many houses aim for a child of the house within three years of the crown prince." William motions to me. "I'm older, though. I was made for the heir position. My little brother is a year younger than Thomas. They knew the importance of putting a knight under Thomas's reach."

"And then we became friends." I grin at William.

He holds up a hand to me. "I'm still trying to come to terms with the siege weapon thing. Give me a moment."

I tsk at him. He looks away. My parents are constantly messing with my relationships.

"I'm trying to even comprehend what you did said." Butch eyes me instead of William. "Siege weapons... Like those things that need five oxen to pull?"

I hiss. Not all of them are like that, but that's what my father is planning. "Yeah. Those."

Butch holds his head. He may even be going cross eyed. Or maybe his brain is burning. "But-"

"Teleportation is a rare magic talent to have." William crosses his arms. "I am a lot like my father in that regard. Most who can teleport must be able to physical carry the item. I do not. I only need the magical energy and an idea where to go." William glances to me. "I don't even need to see the destination. I can have an idea and manage well enough, although it is harder."

"That's..." I blink. "You're stronger than your father?"

"I may be." William weakly chuckles. "I think our talents are slightly different. I don't think I can do his amount. But in exchange I don't need to know the exacts as to where we're going." He tugs at his sleeve. "I... I teleported a rock to the bottom of our lake."

"Without you."

"Yeah..." William sinks. "Father was clear how dangerous that ability is. It's not that I don't wish to advance as a mage, but I'm starting to fear what my limits are.... And how the king will use them."

I shiver. That's a known danger. My father isn't... Kind... "If you feel like he's going beyond what you're comfortable with, come to me." William nods. His pallor is very concerning. If he can teleport someone to the bottom of a lake... With a rock attached... He is already capable of using used for murder. I wouldn't wish that of him. "You are a carriage not a weapon."

William laughs. It's real. "Thanks, Thomas. Can you show me your horses, now?"

Having William learn the various possible resources I would need depending on my future is a good distraction. But the thoughts weigh in the back of my head. Can I protect William from becoming a weapon? I don't need to worry about him in battle. As long as he's aware, he'll manage things. Will my father request something that has William needing my assistance like that.

That may lead to me becoming king early?

"So, Butch." William turns to my knight. "Do you know Jessica Warton?" I glare at him.

"Yeah. She's pretty famous too. She hasn't been forced to pass classes like Thomas did. You can clearly see she is a quality knight, though. Word is she's aiming for head knight title." Butch glances to me. "I don't think that's her real destination though."

"Callie was telling me about her. They're best friends. Callie was planning to be Jessica's right hand for the rest of their lives, but it seems the knighthood isn't as kind to her."

"Strange." Butch rubs his chin. "I didn't notice anything unkind around Callie's treatment." Butch would get the commoner treatment. Even if Callie wouldn't receive as well as I would, she'd get better treatment than a typical commoner.

I say, "She froze during the graduation test."

Butch nods. "That would suck. She was proving skills with her sword more than any, so she would've needed to prove that in the test." He looks to me. "She really froze? I guess that was her first real battle."

"She was pure healing. She can do that well, but I was shocked after it ended that she never tried to attack."

My knight sighs. He must know others who've gained such words. "I believe the only one who could still gain true positive reactions from the knights even after failing is His Highness." He motions to me.

"I was getting pushed and pressured. I wouldn't call them kind." I huff. It sucked to be pushed forward. "And I really don't know exactly why they're using me to figure this out."

"What out?" William looks around. "Safe location?"

I think it over. "Fifth floor of the market close to Dandies."

"Really?" Butch asks.

William doesn't mind teleporting us though. He would trust my locations. He always did before.