I collapse on the log. What value was I?
"Thomas." Vincent walks over. The blood is still there. I offer the heal spell at a better level. "Thanks for not joining my side during battle. It would've been harder on us."
"Sitting out may feel difficult at times, but if you aren't capable of handling the battle or if you don't know the team work being used, it's better to hide." Lyrie explains. "Anyone else injured?"
All I get to do is heal. And it wasn't much more than scrapes. Although in all honesty that's all I should handle with my healing abilities. Major injures should get me teleporting them to a higher quality mage.
What use am I really?
"Your goal is learn and live." Vincent pats my shoulder. "Thank you, Daniel, Ryan. The arrows scared them off. They were waiting for an opening, but didn't trust what openings we gave." Daniel and Ryan shot at the hiding wolves. Those who were waiting.
Me? I fell down when the wolf pounced an ally. I knew the wolves were there. I know what wolves do. Why did I freak out over it?
Have I been so dependent on my magic to guard me that I'm... Expecting problems? I close my eyes tightly hating the way it feels so right. My magic won't protect me just because I asked. I control it instead of it controlling me. This is for the better, but I am untrained in any real sense. Even if I have a ton of offensive spells, I don't know how to use any of them. My buff abilities are weak. My healing is minimal. I know I'll be a quality mage in the future, but right now? I suck.
Even facing creatures that are dangerous, I am worthless in melee battle as a range attacker and as a mage. Learn and live... That may be all I can manage.
"Thomas?" Vincent shakes me a little. "I'm asking you for the hunt tomorrow as bait."
"I hate the fact he agreed to be bait." William grumbles.
I glance to my friend. "But my magic sets off Cleaver."
"And the strigipsx. What happens if they come aorund? We're just teleporting to the castle, Thomas. I don't care who lives or dies here. My job and your goal is to keep the crown prince alive and safe. We can go about as you wish, but when you're taking risks, I must be next to you." William glares at me. "I can't train like this." He motions to the area. "It's like I'm in a high risk position without anything to do. You are an idiot and I need to make sure the idiot survives."
I make a face at him. He doesn't respond. Sinking, I weigh his words. We're in a dangerous situation. I want to learn better, but this is my best use of time? I'm not ready for these missions. I need to just improve myself. Learn all the weapons and practice my magic. "They pushed me to succeed at the halls, but I don't think it was beneficial. I know there are threats there, but I really need to just study."
"The threats here are simple compared to there." William sits next to me watching the fire. "I really don't hate anyone suggesting this is the best choice. Be on mission for eight plus hours in a day then rest in a safe environment for the rest."
"I need to train, though. How can I train my magic on mission?"
"That's what I'm saying." William sighs. "If I try practicing my magic in this area, I could draw those owls as well. I know they love to eat mages most. I think they have a weird fetish or superstition. Like maybe they think eating magic users will increase their magic."
"Does it?"
"Not as far as we know." William shrugs. "But they do attack mages more. Because we rarely wear armor?"
I look at myself. I'm wearing the traditional knight gear. Some upgrade it with magical support or using a stronger material than the leather traditionally used. But this leather is made from cockatrice. It offers ease of movement as well as strong guard.
"Knights are different. And it can't be just lack of armor. Or our distracted natures. Strigipsx don't attack farmers usually. They'd take the sheep before the shepherd."
"So magic draws them."
"Might have a magical sense. The dragons do. They can literally explain your magic to you..." He pauses then looks at me. "Wanna ask a dragon to train you? They will expect payment of some kind, but they do agree more often than not." He flinches. "Most agree."
"Can't believe you're allies with dragons."
"We're just different species living in the same field. Don't think for a second they'd want citizenship." William pauses. "Okay... Maybe I can suggest that. We'll need to place them under a different classification, though. Dragons will not accept 'taxes'. We must give them taxes."
That's... A lot. "Yeah. Can you talk to my parents about it? They can put in a request for Pennington." One that will give me lenience with time.
"Sure. Already in the mind. You can spend the winter months at my home. I would much prefer spending them home. I can't unless you're there."
"Yeah. Most go home for summer, but that can work. I hope I have some skills before spring."
"You will. As harsh as dragons are as trainers, they get stronger faster. They know exact when to stop pushing you."
I stare at William. "That's who trained you after you left the castle."
William smiles at the fire. "Not the only one who did, but for six months I was being trained by a dragon. You'll be shocked by the payment requests."
It's just thoughts to swirl in my head. This mission isn't really helping me. I would think hunting Cleaver would make me feel a little more useful, but it won't be in the normal sense. I am being requested to be bait. "I want to ask Odin for that spell he used before. It can block the strigipsx from hurting us. Or I can truly guard camp while everyone sleep."
"Or you can be completely safe so I can go elsewhere for a bit." William nods. "Might be a good idea to ask him for it. Since this mission is staring you down, he should agree."
It's a safety spell that can be used as back up. When things are looking for the worse, I can use it to save my life and the lives of my allies. That may make it the best default plan I have have. I'm not strong enough for much else.