Raida seems comfortable as the Lady of the house. She's wearing knight gear still. Can't say if it's because she doesn't have a lot of options or because she'll be joining the mission. She cannot easily join missions now. Given her position, I would even deny her joining. She's the only one of Dragit. She either needs to have an heir or adopt one. The expected wedding hasn't happened yet.
Although her boyfriend is sitting beside her looking less than stellar. He probably isn't used to such considerations nor his outfit which looks noble compared to what I always saw him wear. Knowing his old job though, I'll know he'll handle the merchant expectations of head of house.
Do they need something before getting married? I should see if I can help.
Butch drops into the chair next to mine. "I'm not on your team. I am disappointed in the groups assigned."
I smile at him. "Thanks for saying that. But they must've had a reason for the grouping."
Butch grumbles. "Because I'm being taught to lead. There are a few of us in the group that will be taught how to run a mission as big as this one."
That makes sense. "The new blues?"
"Yeah. We're the expected new leads. So it's blues and high whites. There's even Sham who is a five white. I think they failed to lead on their last mission. Caused a problem."
"At least no one died."
"Because the queen got involved." Butch shivers. "If she ends up noticing the mess up, you know learning will be required."
"Better than death." I think of what my mother does. She has a lot of awareness using her magic. "Think she's doing empathy on all lead knights? Sham had a freak out, right?"
"Yeah. It was far better to have her there. Mission was saved. She proved herself again." Butch sighs. "She's been given allowance for knights. If this is how she's joining, I don't think I'd mind. Having such a support if things fall apart would help a lot."
"If we're on the same mission, assume she'll be involved if anything happens." I offer a grin. Mom has always been on top of me. "I've learned to keep settled emotions. Hiding from her empathy spell is tough."
"Think she noticed how you feel about Jessica?" Butch asks. He covers his mouth. "Oops. I shouldn't say that out loud."
"I doubt completely. She knows my location at all times and how I feel. If she's empathy-ing more people, it gets harder to pay attention to each one. If she's really worried about me, she's use High Empathy. To mark me the most important one to watch. But it wouldn't make sense given my location."
"Ah. You are aware of your mother."
"Yeah." I watch Raida again. She has chatted with the various red knights. Several white and blues know her. Many joined the mission for her sake. We don't know exactly what to expect. "I don't think she realizes to the extent I understand her."
William yawns sitting down. "Callie didn't come?"
"No. Her father is currently staying in the capital. Something about a yeti problem. So Callie is joining Jessica's mission. Better to have another knight on hand."
"One Jessica would trust." Butch explains. "It gives the queen a little more leeway and the two can act like girls if needed."
I think of that. Like how we 'dated' recently. Our last mission had us marked as a couple. We were going around as a couple. Even if we were acting as knights first. Mom must've noticed we didn't date just like I didn't have a steady emotion. Although better she felt what she did instead of love pouring out. "They'll have little leeway truly. Someone will always be on top of them. It just may not be the queen. Mom will vet whoever is protecting the princess."
"No one works her Empathy skill to the same degree as Her Majesty." William whistles. "Food looks good."
"Glad you made it then. There are always options, but the meals are actually better." I scan the room. I sat alone. Daniel and Ryan were together and I doubt they would've hated me joining, but... Ryan being on my mission is a test. But also because he knows the area well. And is trusted. Daniel has been to this territory a lot as well. As a noble, I should be less threatened. We're not unfriendly, but are they friends? Giving them allowance to my wing just says I trust them.
I wonder if I'd call them friends.
William looks over at Butch. "You'll end up on our mission if you manage the first day well. Although, do you want to deal with goblins? I think we'll need Raida. I said as much."
"You're not doing the Harvest Mission?" Butch glances between us.
William shakes his head. "Not really. We're going to join for periods, but we're here to let Thomas figure out the goblin situation. Peace talks are stable. Raida will be involved for sure. But..."
"Lady Raida Dragit." I watch her again. "She's technically Lady Dragit."
"Right, right. It was only a few weeks ago she was Knight Raida." William sighs. "I know she's higher on the scale than me now, but I can't help recalling her during our last mission here." He glances to Butch. "Willing to join my house yet? Think of the benefits."
"Maybe later." Butch looks aside.
I watch him. "Did you want your own name? It's not like you'll be keeping it. Once you hit red knight, you'll join the title and allowance to leave. Since we know where you're going and why."
"Can't I prove myself first?" Butch grumbles. "Lord Storm has already agreed I can take this path. Susan gives me letters and knowledge. It will be fine."
"But having a title now will give you a different perspective. You'll gain access to things you cannot easily acquire." William sighs. "Look, I'm trying to give Pennington house more connections. Why else did I drag Ryan and Priscilla into my house? Because then we'll have marriages with other houses." He pauses. "I actually don't know if Ryan is planning anything. I think he was refraining all options because of his grandmother being a princess. He didn't want to create strife within his house nor within the royal family line." William focuses on me. "That won't be a problem though now. What's his direction?" We all look to Ryan chatting with Daniel.
What is his direction? "Better the siblings stay together. And they really never had the treatment of commoners. It's better for them to keep the title instead of lose access."
"As long as the court approved. That's what we waited for." William shrugs. He turns back to Butch. "Agree to be my brother. My father is ready to sign. Promise."
"He doesn't know me." Butch frowns. "I..."
"Have Lord Storm's approval. Dad doesn't need to know you to agree. Is that the real problem? Do you want to spend a few weeks after this mission ends in Pennington? I haven't been home truly in a while. I can bet Dad has a reason to ask for knights, too. Want to see if things can be forced?"
"You're only proving to him what nobles do." I lean on my elbow. "Lord Pennington has reasons for knights to join for up to several weeks. That's normal when it's a new house. He has been handling a lot. But his skills with teleportation and his friendship with Odin has made it where knights weren't really needed." I turn to Butch. "It would actually be a good training and testing ground for you. For me, too. We can have the group of us go there after Harvest ends." I turn back to William. "Make sure Ryan and Priscilla join the mission as well."
"Ryan, yes. Priscilla will only be staying at the house for the time. She'll want to get to know her home before heading to Swifting." William leans back. "I'm getting lucky with my connections. Dad wasn't expecting me to succeed at finding useful siblings." I chuckle. "I'm going to be head of house in the future."
"Besides Callie?" I ask.
"You can't rush these things." William grins with a peace sign. Glad he has confidence in it. "I can see if she's interested in going too. A few easy missions about Pennington will suit our connection. She'll fall in love with the place."
"Are you sure?"
William winces. "It's a teleportation haven. With the level of unstable terrain it really was a zone only a teleportation mage can handle." Hence why his father got it. "I'll be with you for every part of that mission. You'll only be free of me at my castle."
"Is it as nice as this?" Butch motions around us.
"Better. This place needs repairs still." William says. "There was damage done even if few realize what, where, why, and how."
The repairs are not really a problem. As long is it is a requested repair, the castle will cover it. In exchange, we will manage the repair. Telligence did upgrades we didn't know about. That's one of those signs we should be concerned. If it was the only sign, I wouldn't worry. It was just one of many.