Getting back to Vincent's camp the next morning isn't difficult. I was given the allowance to sleep in safety. I could wash and ready as needed. We're lords, so it's not shocking we're given such privileges. Although... I hope in the future I am not given a safe haven for sleep. What is it truly like living in a camp like they are?
Vincent looks no different after the night. It's probably not normal to have no noticeable change when living in the woods. He's used to this. Lucas suggested I should make a comment about him for general position when I get back. Use my name to boost his chances. I'll need to have truthful statements to make the support real.
"Morning." William drops on to a log set up as seating near the fire. He frowns. "This won't be comfortable enough for you, Your Highness." He teleports a fancy looking chair to sit behind him. "There you go."
I stare at him. William smirks back. There must be a reason I am being given such treatment. Is it for the enemies or for the allies? "I want to try roughing it."
"It's for more seasoned knights." William says. "Right, Vincent?"
"If it wasn't normal to send all the white knights on this mission, I would think they'd keep the prince back at the castle. How likely is it for the royalty to get their hands dirty."
"That's what the Swiftings are for." Daniel grins at me. "Or Warton. Have you seen what is listed under their expectations as heads?"
"Recent or previously?" I ask.
William holds up his hands. "It doesn't matter." Meaning it's not for chatter here. "Vincent? Haven't you thought of switching to a house?"
"Leave the knights?" Vincent scoffs watching the forest.
Lyrie drops into our area. I cannot keep track of her at all. "Goblin in sight. We're guiding them to our camp, right? I am not attacking... right?" She looks to me.
Oh. I'm lead in this. The goblins are my problem. "Yes. They are a warhog trainer. I thought they'd have some knowledge to handle Cleaver."
"That should help." Vincent motions Lyrie back into the woods. "Do they speak Common?" I hear William sigh. Our language is not common. There are many languages. But Vincent shouldn't really need any further languages and it is the federal language.
"Either they do or will have a translator. Not all goblins can speak Calliset." I offer. William smiles at me. He knows multiple languages. "I gave them the citizenship information. You'll start seeing some traveling about as citizens."
"That will be tough. Ever since we established ourselves here, goblins have been the enemy."
Because of the Rain. How did those humans get here? What type of situation did they put the goblins in? Were they fleeing from somewhere like we were? This was not a normal place for humans to be. Although we're managing well enough. "They never meant to be aggressive with us."
"Yeah. I wouldn't say goblins are aggressive." Vincent nods. "Sneaky and questionable, sure. But aggression was something like the warhogs. No hope there." He pauses watching as the Lyrie walks the goblin into the area. "Or so I thought."
The goblin freezes until it sees me sitting in my fancy chair. They move to bow deeply to me. "Your Highness." So they understand well enough the situation. "It would be an honor of mine to offer any assistance I can."
"Thank you. That would be a help."
"Without your assistance, our family would not have survived the clash. Even if I was kept alive because of my skills, I would have only heard the cries of my loved ones. I owe you a great debt."
Wow. Brok was creating a lot of trouble. But it only makes sense the warhog trainer who comes would see me as someone important. Who else would wish to give me such support. This would be called dangerous. I stand up and pull the goblin to stand. "You are a warhog trainer, right?"
"Yes. We capture the youth and raise them for our means. Then we breed them to produce less aggressive warhogs. Not that they ever really get much less aggressive." They glance about the camp. "Cleaver was one we had no way of handling. He grew up in the wilds. Once he was hit by the magic... I cannot suggest anything."
I think over it. "What do you feed the warhogs?"
"I can give you a full rundown on the creature if you want. How to ride it. How to feed it. When it's active. Etc, etc."
"Tell me." Vincent waves the goblin over.
The goblin freezes keeping right next to me. "He's... Dangerous... Am I truly safe?"
"Yeah. They won't counter my words. It won't be considered clearing monsters but murdering possible citizens."
The goblin grabs my arm. "I plan to take the test. So I can learn the different animals. I really want to learn the differences between horses and warhogs. I'm youthful yet. I can be trained."
"What's you name?"
"Ergra." They nod. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."
"Thomas is fine." I look to Vincent. "Vincent, can you sit when talking. You're a lot bigger and older than him."
"Oh." Vincent sits next to William. "Am I less scary now?"
Ergra glances to me before stepping up to Vincent. "I can answer any of your questions. Still, Cleaver is beyond my abilities."
"Knowing a creature's favorite meal can change the course of a fight." Vincent grins. "Thank you, Ergra. Any knowledge will help." Lyrie joins the conversation.
I tap William. "I don't need the chair." He nods and lets it return to my room. I pace the small camp. Sitting near a tent, I rest a little. If Vincent is relaxed, I can be. Ergra isn't a threat at all. Those scanning know what they're doing. I'm safe.
Is that how it should be? Sitting in camp during a mission... Is boredom an actual threat?