Aged 14, Thomas began training as a knight, serving as a squire under Jacqueline Montante. As a tutor, Jacqueline taught him to wield the polearms, great sword, and longsword. At his father's behest, Jacqueline taught Thomas the military tactics necessary for The Mantle - a rite of passage designed to test the skills of Lockwood children.

Aged 17, Thomas would undertake this trial. He was taken into the care of his uncle, who took Jacob into the wilderness on trips to hunt dangerous wildlife and provide security for merchant caravans - teaching him basic survival skills and lessons on the savage realities of the outside world.

One night, he was challenged to defeat a local pack of dire wolves devouring large quantities of livestock and thus weakening the supply destined to feed soldiers and dragons fighting in the borderlands. Realising early on he was outmatched and outnumbered by his quarry, Thomas would monitor the pack and forge a plan to outwit his opponents. Ultimately successful in his trial, Jacob resumed service in the Malakath military as a sergeant-at-arms.

Later in his career, Thomas would distinguish himself by intercepting a suspected attempt by Thagretis-sponsored mercenaries to smuggle a young moon dragon from Thanasian. After successfully liberating the dragon, it was quickly established the wyrm had received significant injuries, presumably sustained during its capture. Ferrying the dragon back to Malakath, he advised and delivered it to House Malennis, where it could be treated and its identity ascertained.

A month later, Thomas received a missive summoning him back to House Malennis. Upon his arrival, Thomas was advised that the dragon he brought had been restored to good health. However, the wounds it had sustained matched a claw and tooth rather than steel. Furthermore, they were unable to ascertain the dragon's identity and while not hostile, attempts to bond with it had similarly failed.

They had hoped Thomas might succeed where they had failed. Despite recognising the honour Thomas was hesitant. The commitment to a dragon would assuredly prevent him from pursuing his current career in the military and mean turning his back on his father's aspirations and yet refusing the attempt would be a slight not only against one of the major houses but the kingdom too.

With that in mind, Jacob decided to accept the offer, secretly hoping for a repeat of the failed attempts thus far. Fate, however, would have other plans.