The next two days passed in a haze of forced normalcy that nearly drove Rowan insane. He attended classes, sparred with fellow students, and played the part of a gifted but unremarkable Academy knight-in-training. All while knowing that somewhere in the Thornwood, goblin scouts were preparing to slaughter innocent people.
Marcus had grown increasingly concerned about his roommate's behavior. "You're like a cat in a thunderstorm," he observed over breakfast. "All twitchy and distracted. What's eating at you?"
"Just thinking about the upcoming tournament," Rowan lied smoothly, cutting into his eggs with more force than necessary. The Tournament of Blades—originally meant to be his moment of glory before everything went to hell. Now it seemed trivial compared to the larger game being played.
"Right, because you've shown such concern about tournaments before," Marcus said dryly. "Come on, what's really going on? You've been different ever since that training session with Sir Alden."
Before Rowan could craft another deflection, a commotion near the great hall's entrance caught their attention. Prince Julian had entered with his usual entourage, but today something was different. His normally perfect composure showed cracks—a tightness around his eyes, a subtle tension in his shoulders.
[THREAT ASSESSMENT ACTIVE]Subject: Prince Julian - Agitation Level: ModeratePossible causes: Operational stress, unexpected developmentsRecommendation: Observe without engaging
"Looks like His Royal Highness didn't sleep well," Marcus observed, following Rowan's gaze.
Julian's eyes swept the hall and locked onto Rowan for a brief moment. The prince's smile was automatic, practiced, but didn't reach his eyes. Then he was moving again, heading toward the high table reserved for nobility and senior faculty.
"He's watching you," Marcus said quietly.
"I noticed."
"Any idea why?"
Rowan shrugged, but his mind was racing. Julian's agitation suggested something had disrupted the cult's plans. Possibly the increased patrols around Brookhaven, though those were supposed to be discrete. Or maybe Lady Seraphina's reconnaissance mission had been detected.
The thought sent ice through his veins. If the cult suspected they were being watched, they might accelerate their timeline or abandon the goblin raid entirely. Without that proof, convincing the Academy leadership would become infinitely harder.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]New Quest Available: The Art of PatienceMaintain cover while gathering intelligence on enemy reactionsReward: +75 EXP, Skill: Subtle ObservationFailure: Blown cover, potential elimination
Rowan accepted the quest mentally while maintaining his conversation with Marcus. The system was adapting to his needs, offering skills that would help him navigate this dangerous game of espionage.
The morning's classes passed without incident, though Rowan found it difficult to concentrate on Master Aldrich's lecture about siege warfare. The irony wasn't lost on him—he was learning about defensive strategies while knowing exactly how those same defenses would fail.
During the midday break, a discrete messenger found him in the library. The boy, no more than twelve, slipped him a small scroll before vanishing into the crowd of students.
The message was brief: Observatory. Sunset. Come alone. —S
Lady Seraphina had news.
The hours until evening dragged like years. Rowan forced himself through afternoon combat practice, accepting praise from younger students who had witnessed his morning demonstration. Their admiration felt hollow—they were looking at him like he was some kind of hero, when in reality he was just a man desperately trying to prevent his own worst memories from repeating.
"Show us the Crimson Lotus again!" called Timothy, his earnest face bright with enthusiasm.
The request hit Rowan like a physical blow. Timothy—cheerful, brave Timothy who would die with his throat torn out while defending first-year students. How could Rowan explain that every advanced technique he demonstrated was paid for in blood and loss?
"Maybe tomorrow," he deflected. "Sir Alden wants us to focus on fundamentals today."
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Rowan made his way to the Academy's observatory. The ancient tower stood apart from the main buildings, its height offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. It was also isolated enough for private conversations.
Lady Seraphina was waiting for him at the top, her robes billowing in the evening wind. Her expression was unreadable, but Rowan's enhanced Wisdom helped him detect subtle signs of tension.
"Well?" he asked without preamble.
"My agent found them exactly where you said they would be," she replied quietly. "Twelve goblins, led by a scarred veteran missing his left eye. They were observing Brookhaven from concealed positions, mapping the village layout."
Relief flooded through Rowan so powerfully that his knees nearly buckled. Proof. Finally, proof that his impossible story contained truth.
"What happened to them?"
"Nothing yet. My agent is a scout, not an assassin. We needed confirmation, not a massacre that would alert the enemy." Seraphina turned to face him fully. "You were right about the goblin activity. But that raises more questions than it answers."
Rowan waited, knowing what was coming.
"If you're truly from the future, then you know things that could save thousands of lives. The locations of cult cells, the names of traitors, the timing of attacks..." Her voice hardened. "Why aren't you telling us everything?"
The question he'd been dreading. How could he explain that knowledge without context was often useless? That revealing too much too quickly would trigger changes that might make things worse?
"Because changing the future isn't as simple as preventing individual events," he said carefully. "Every action creates ripples. Stop the goblin raid too obviously, and Julian knows someone has intelligence they shouldn't. Expose cult members without evidence, and the survivors go deeper underground. Push too hard, too fast, and you force them to accelerate their timeline in ways we can't predict."
"So you'd let those villagers die to preserve your strategy?"
The accusation stung because it held truth. In his original timeline, those deaths had served a purpose—they'd revealed the cult's involvement and galvanized the Academy's response. Now he was trying to achieve the same result through different means.
"I'm trying to save them all," he said finally. "Not just the forty-three in Brookhaven, but the thousands who will follow if we don't play this carefully."
Seraphina studied his face for a long moment. "Sir Alden has authorized discrete intervention. We'll position a rapid response team within striking distance of the village. When the goblins attack—"
"They won't."
The interruption surprised her. "What do you mean?"
"Julian's agitated today. Something's disrupted their plans, probably the increased patrols. They'll either abort the raid or change the target." Rowan moved to the observatory's edge, looking out over the darkening landscape. "We need to be ready for either possibility."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Rowan was quiet for several minutes, his enhanced Intelligence working through possibilities and consequences. Finally, he turned back to face the archmage.
"We force their hand. Make them commit to action before they're fully prepared."
"How?"
A grim smile crossed Rowan's features. "By giving them a target too tempting to ignore."
Before Seraphina could ask what he meant, voices echoed from the observatory's lower levels. Multiple people climbing the stairs—more than should have been there for a discrete meeting.
[COMBAT INSTINCT ACTIVATED]Multiple hostiles approaching - Estimated level: 8-12Retreat options: Limited due to elevationRecommendation: Prepare for combat
Rowan's hand moved instinctively to his sword as three figures emerged from the stairwell. Academy students, but their movements were wrong—too coordinated, too purposeful. Their eyes held the flat, empty look he remembered from cultists.
"Lady Seraphina," the lead student said politely. "Prince Julian requests your immediate presence in the lower courtyard."
It was a trap. Julian had somehow discovered their meeting and was moving to eliminate potential threats.
"I'm afraid I'm quite busy at the moment," Seraphina replied, magical energy already beginning to crackle around her fingers.
"I'm afraid I must insist," the student continued, his hand moving to reveal a curved dagger that definitely wasn't Academy issue.
The observatory had become a killing ground, and somewhere below, Prince Julian was waiting to finish what the cultists started.
Rowan's smile turned predatory as he drew steel. Finally, a problem he could solve the old-fashioned way.