After healing Ryan and Daniel, I sit on the log before the fire. It's just a place to be. Vincent gives a request to Lyrie before copying me. I watch as Lyrie heads back out. She is capable of surviving a strigipsx, so I really don't fear her on her own.
"If a strigipsx arrives today, you won't have the same blocks. So, what will you do?"
"William can teleport us back to the estate."
"You'll draw them there. Pick again."
I pause thinking of the options. "Why am I the draw?"
"Your magic. I was leaning on that, but Lyrie is certain. They actually went for you out of everyone. Luckily you were safe from everything. They could not pass Odin's shield."
All the more reason for William to deny me notice of the actual battle. "So... Did my ritual draw them too?"
"I can't say. But while we're hunting, it is likely we'll deal with them as well. You are a prize to anything that connects to magic."
Is that why I have a dragon's blessing on me? My magic makes a dragon notice. But that notice isn't in a bad way. Normally a human only gains the attention of a dragon if they did something wrong. I was born with a positive attachment. How? Why?
Then the comment from my mother before. That I'll become an evil dictator like character. That those who see the future see me killing. I've always been a murderer. I will protect myself and my country with any means.
I am not against murder, but I do not aim to kill. I guess I'll be a harsh king, but I shouldn't be a bad one.
"Thomas?"
"I'm happy to hear my name." I stretch. "Just thinking of things."
"Are you going to deny joining my hunt?"
"If William is with me, it should be fine. I'd refrain from hunting dragons, but the ways to counter William aren't found in a strigipsx or within Cleaver."
"No. I'd assume not. Do you know William's weakness?"
"His power is purely teleportation with a few abilities beyond that. If you stop his teleportation, he's a weak mage over all. That's the problem when you're dealing with mages who are solo types even if it's true mastery level."
Vincent nods slowly. "Makes sense. It's like battling someone who is only good at swords. He may be the best of the best with a sword, but the moment I get out of range and use a bow..." Vincent chuckles. "My one friend hated that. They were really good with a bunch of melee, but struggled with all distance options. I used them as bait because they had to get close to make any real damage."
"Are they alive?"
"Yup. Living in Attava. Wife, kid..." Vincent pauses. "I think his kid's wedding was a few months ago."
"Why didn't you go?"
Vincent shrugs. "I like working as a knight. I would draw the wrong kind at this point. I've made too many enemies. I sent them a card congratulating them. The wedding either happened recently or will happen soon." He leans back. "I will retire in the capital. Not sure what I'd do with my retirement though."
"Are you retiring soon?"
"Have to. Fifty without being a red knight? It's a danger mark. I know it's because I wasn't the best ever. I had to work twice as hard to reach the same level. And I only started the skills when I entered at fifteen. It's been a long time coming. I'm skilled, but I also lack in many ways. Past fifty, though... Health starts declining. I know they won't force me to retire, but they'll start suggesting it. Once I make one mistake, I'll be removed from title. Better I retire than lose the allowance."
Especially if that mistake would normally connect to a death. The idea given to me was to suggest general of the castle guards. He would qualify. And there's no need to expect a red knight level work. It's far too simple for most red knights to enjoy it. I'll make a comment to Father when I see him. The king requesting a knight for the position would suit better than me. And since he battled beside the queen, it would be seen as acceptable.
Vincent stands up. "Jackolopes. Watch for the antlers. Aim for the underbelly."
I stand up as the team gets into position. "Jackolopes?"
Daniel moves to my side readying a bow. "Rabbits about the size of a boar with antlers. Colors in the area are browns. You can find white, black, and grey elsewhere. If you spot a red one, it's not a jackolope."
"What it is?"
"Janolope. Nasty creatures. They're red because they can use magic. If Vincent didn't suggest there was one, we should be fine."
"Biggest threat?" I ready my bow as well.
"Teeth that can shred a human and antlers that can tear us apart. So melee can be threatened. Without a janolope, we'll be fine shooting." Daniel holds his bow ready to go.
I copy watching the direction Vincent is readying us. The harvest mission has a lot of random threats. A jackolope, huh? Would create concerns for farmers. We should have no issue even close up.
The first brown bunny with antlers appears in the edge of our camp. Then it's a rush of them. I start shooting any that do not have a melee battler on them. I watch as the arrows generally hit the beast, but do not stop them. Underbelly, Vincent said. But I can't pull that off. I keep shooting at whatever I can see and aim for. I'm glad I am proving I have archery skills, but my kill count isn't really improving. The melee battlers are picking them off. Our arrows are giving them time to handle it. We're only weakening the bunnies.
As things settle with a family of dead jackolopes in our camp, I realize Michael's comments he's trying to push forth are helped by this battle. Who cares I didn't have an arrow miss? I did not manage to kill a single one. Still, my main goal is live. I did that. I am uninjured. That was important, too since I can't heal myself. I made a difference in the vague sense. I was support. That is enough. Seeing battle and not freezing up is probably the first step for a white knight.
Does that mean... When we get back to the hall... Will we gain a second stripe? Until third we're call useless and inexperienced. How long will that take us?
I go about healing anyone who was hurt, which seemed minimal. I guess compared to Cleaver or a strigipsx, a jackolope is easy to handle. Some monsters are a bigger threat than others. Any knight should manage a jackolope or a warhog battle. Even a blue struggles against something like a strigipsx. I have a lot to learn to handle leading a country against a dangerous land.