I'm not tired enough to just go to sleep. I lock myself in though. Then I head for my window. I can get in and out without anyone being the wiser. It may be under watch normally, but not if I wasn't expected to be here.
Landing in the stables has me aware sneaking out is easy. Once beyond the castle proper, I head for the knights hall. I give the booth knight a nod saying, "I forgot something. I'll be right out again."
"Yes, Thomas. Please prioritize the mission."
I grin. "Always." I could've used the heartstone for this, but I didn't think wasting that was worth it. I can easily get in and out of the knights hall. I can do my normal sneak around with the castle. I don't need to bother anyone.
I head for the dorms and stop before Jessica's door. Is she even there? She could be anywhere yet. It's late, but she never just went to bed. Do I want to knock? Her roommate may not help me. It could lead to trouble even.
Grunting, I grab for the locket she offered me before. I check for mana flow, but it doesn't connect to her. Can my magic offer me what I need? 'Where is Jessica?'
A vision of her in one of the courtyards practicing archery comes to my eyes. She's training in the dark. It's safe to. Just like I don't need bow lessons, she doesn't either. Does she still attend them? Or practice when she has time.
Reaching the right area, I hear the thunk of an arrow landing bullseye. "Jessica."
She jumps spinning to see me. At first she questions who I am, but freezes. "Thomas?!"
I nod. "Ingrid removed the subpar looks curse. Now my father really can't deny me." It would be great to have breakfast with my father. Let him see me like this.
"You... Do look like him." She squeezes the bow closer to her.
"Jessica... Has Warton had any issues with goblins?"
"Goblins?" Jessica stares at me perhaps as if I lost my mind. "I... Never heard of goblin issues. Perhaps there was an issue at some point, but we handled it easily enough. Why?"
That's what I thought. I cross my arms thinking of the goblin I saw. The sorcerer goblin. As rare as they are, they do exist. "Saw one. Raida guarded me on a short walk about after the ball ended."
Jessica looks to the ground. "Did you dance?"
"With your aunt." That was the most annoying part of the ball. "Mom requires me to dance with someone. I'm gonna pick married non heads. Can't believe after all this time of-" I pause. "Never mind. It was dark and they were watching me. We were only walking about the main building, too. There is no way Warton wouldn't've seen the goblin. But it disappeared when we forced it into the light."
Jessica frowns. "So you wanted to ask if goblins were possible issue for us." She shakes her head. "No. Not as far as I know. Did Raida manage to handle it?"
"Disappeared before she could attack. I was beyond slow, although I used my magic to make it light up."
"Like glow?"
I nod. "Although closer to a lantern than the typical glow. I asked the magic to give us sight of the threat."
"Has listening to the magic lessons helped you?" Jessica nods me out of the courtyard. We walk toward the shadows of the stables. No one will bother us here.
"They did. I've had years of Odin's training too. He explained that my magic is there and will act for me, but cannot be guided as a normal mage. Even with my minor control of flow, the dam is only so usable."
"I'm glad you didn't need my magic." Jessica exhales. "Why are you here?"
"Safer. I'll stay at the castle between the balls. My friend can teleport us back before things begin."
"Your friend?" Jessica scans me. "Like a noble calls a friend or do you actually have friends beyond us?"
I grin. "Actual friend. He is a noble, too. We both trained under Odin."
"That's good." Jessica looks at her bow before locking it to her back. So she's done-done with it for now. "I'm sorry I can't give you further information about the goblin issue."
"I thought goblins weren't your problem. You have the closest house to the capital too. How could the goblins be a problem?" I rub my head. "I should get back to the castle. Before I'm noticed."
"Yeah. Good luck."
I watch as Jessica fidgets a little before me. What is going on? Best I ignore it. "When Callie gets back, you really need to have a chat. She's half planning to trick my friend into a relationship. She froze during the battle. But she wasn't slacking. She was just support. Daniel handled the swordmanship. I couldn't even get into position to flank. Callie is a strong knight. Her inexperienced made her freeze. I think the knights were a bit harsh on her."
Jessica clasps her hands behind her while looking to the ground. Something is really up with her too. "She's the daughter of a silver noble. They don't receive the same consideration that we do."
"I know that. But Lord Hellsgate literally ripped his land from the yeti. Callie should have his cockiness."
Jessica laughs. "Uncle would enjoy chatting with you over it."
I smile. I'm glad she's in a better mood. "Sorry for suggesting goblins may be creating trouble for Warton. I think they were just watching me. Definitely spells involved. Either teleportation or seeing eye."
"But you saw a body... Seeing eye shouldn't do that." Jessica frowns. "I'm sorry I wasn't capable of joining you."
I reach out to grip her shoulder. "Do not join the ball cycle. Train here. Where you are safe." I back off. "I can't say what my mother would do if you were around." I rub my head. "She's just trouble."
"Thomas?"
I focus on Jessica. She really isn't the strength I'm used to with her. I didn't think the news of goblins near her house would be this unsettling. "Yeah?"
"Stay safe." Jessica heads back for the courtyard she was practicing in. She'll need to get her arrows.
"Why is it I don't think you meant to say that?" I can't let myself be bothered. I need to get back before William thinks to look for me. He can find me anywhere. It's all a matter of whether he looks for me.