“He will be on his best behavior from now on” Gerald smiled as he took in an exaggerated breath and ran his hands from his chest down to his thighs. “It excites me to take apart a body that looks like it has had some work put into it. Your son is so big and strong, yet he will die weeping like the weakest of women”.
“You should leave here and spend whatever time you have left with your son” Russell replied. “For all your power, you can’t stop your weakling son from meeting his fate”.
“It is alright father” John said as he put a calming hand on his father. “I think we do need to spend some time together, me, you and mom and Sara as well”.
“Listen to the boy John” Gerald replied. “It will be the last time you see him as he is now. Perhaps you should skip the duel, no need to have that image burned into your mind”.
John held his father back and left the room, his mother had left earlier in tears and was probably at the Tower already. John had his plan already laid out and just needed his father and mother to help him out. John and his father found his mother in the palace courtyard, she was looking a cross between angry and sad.
“I’ll kill Morningstar I don’t care about the consequences” Crystal shouted in between bouts of tears. “John how could you agree to this?”
“Mother I need your help but I need you and father to both calm down” John replied.
“How are you going to tell us to calm down John?” Jonathan screamed.
“I need your help and I don’t have much time, are you going to give it to me or berate me?” John asked.
“I just want to understand why you would do such a thing” Crystal sobbed.
“I guess that is my answer” John replied. “I needed help and there was none here, I need to prepare myself, I’ll see you later”.
“Where are you going?” Crystal asked.
“It doesn’t matter mother, you have already given me your answer” John replied.
“We are in shock John, that is all” Jonathan replied.
“I don’t have time for it though do?” John asked.
“What do you need John?” Crystal asked.
“A sparring partner” John replied. “Someone I can fight that is both good and crafty. I also need a great healer there to fix me if something happens. I need people I can trust and will not leak out the plan I have set up for this Gerald Morningstar”.
CHAPTER 11
“Jonathan and Crystal, so nice to see you have come out to support your son” the Queen said as she patted a bench next to her. “I am sorry about all of this, it is my sons making power plays but as long as everything falls under the law I will not intervene”.
“Don’t be sorry Your Majesty” John said as the art of speaking hurt him a little. “My son is a Thunder and a Knight of Kirby, he can handle himself”.
“You seem a bit pained Jonathan” the Queen spoke.
“I was preparing my son and things got out of hand Your Majesty” Jonathan replied.
“Do you think it will matter?” the Crown Prince asked.
“I think you underestimate my son your highness” Jonathan replied. “I am better than any mage you have ever met in your life. Sure the Golads may have more raw power but not even they fancy a battle with Jonathan the Lightning. I can crush the both of them and Morningstar with no more effort than you would expend stepping on a bug”.
“You seem full of yourself” the Crown Prince mused. “But it is your son in there, not you or your wife before you talk about how good she is”.
“Do you know of any mage better than I am Your Highness?” Jonathan asked. “Please present this person to me and we could go next”.
“Your Highness I think the former Archmage is just a bit sour because of what is to come” Russell Golad replied.
“On the contrary Russell” Jonathan smiled. “Do either my wife or I look nervous to you?”
“Well here come the combatants” the Crown Prince said. “This ought to be entertaining for as long as it last”.
John decided to come into the area first, the duel would be fought on the Tower grounds. John needed to thank his commander, Steele spent time ensuring John’s armor was shined and his surcoat and cape were spotless. John walked into the area, the royal family was there as was any noble still remaining in the city. The majority of the crowd by far though were mages, most had already graduated years prior but a few last year students made up the rest. John would have to thank his mother for the healing she gave him, his sparring with his father showed John that he was not ready to fight someone like Jonathan the Lightning but it did give him experience. John was able to surprise his father a couple of times and together they had refined John’s plans to what it was now. John gave a bow to the Queen and drew his sword. He went to one side of the field when his opponent came out, the man was wearing something that looked to be a cross between a robe and a gown and wore slippers as he casually strolled out to the fighting area.
“Do you have any last words before this begins John Thunder” the Crown Prince asked.
“I do Your Highness” John replied.
“Well by all means please speak them freely, you will not be punished, at least by me” the prince said as he gave a half giggle at the last part of his statement.
“I want all the students here to know what this really is all about” John began as the mages started to jeer him. "Wesley Morningstar is an idiot, this is a known fact and his father is a sadistic coward. Your former Archmage challenged him and he ran, your former Archmage challenged Gerald Morningstar’s confidant, the current Archmage who also fled like a coward. This battle is pointless, Dragon Knights have been seen on the border. All available people should be there, but instead I am here fighting a monster. I will let you all know the next time I ask a mage for help as I am performing the Queen’s service and that person declines I will see it as aggression to the crown and will kill that person immediately, there will be no fancy duel, there will be no tough words, just this royal steel blade through their heart”. John finished but was sure most of his words were unheard as the audience for the fight jeered him loudly while he was speaking and the Crown Prince found the entire thing funny.
“Do you have any words Gerald?” the prince said in an amused voice.
“I do” Gerald replied. “Jonathan Morningstar is a powerful mage, but his son is a coward. John Morningstar fled the tower because things were tough. John Thunder talks tough, but in a moment you will hear him as well as the great Jonathan Thunder weeping”.
“Well then fighters get ready” the Crown Prince said as he held up a small gong.
The gong sounded and John dove to the side while encasing Gerald Morningstar in a shield. John didn’t bother with anything fancy, it was a skinny tube that was closed on top. Gerald started with concentrated air magic, John had just managed to get the shield over him before his enemy could cast first. John came up to his feet as he poured his aura into the shield, Gerald was using a combination of different magic to get through and was doing pretty well, another two minutes and he would be through, John wouldn’t give him those two minutes. John ran towards his enemy and made the shield contract, Gerald began to look worried as the shield contracted and poured more of his power into it. John could feel his shield was about to break but also knew Gerald couldn’t have that much power left as his was emptying his aura in waves. John reached Gerald and let a small hole appear in the shield near his enemy’s shoulder and plunged his sword through. Gerald screamed form the pain as John repeated the gesture on his other shoulder before running the sword through the top of Gerald’s left foot. Any magic the man was performing died out then as the pain was overwhelming and made it too hard to concentrate. John squeezed his construct shield tighter but got rid of the top part of the shield exposing Gerald’s head and top of his shoulders. John sheathed his sword then threw a left punch at Morningstar, the small man took the hit full on and John felt his head snap back as he threw another punch. John put his
weight behind the blows, his fist was incased in his personal shield so he didn’t have to worry about scraping knuckles on teeth and gave his opponent five consecutive blows which knocked the man unconscious.
“Where are you little Wesley” John screamed as he searched the crowd. “I want you to know that unless the Queen pardons you, that you are the next one to die. Your death along with your father’s will end this foolishness. I am about to take my sword and peel your father’s face like an overripe grape with it and you are next”.
“Knight Thunder” Commander Steele said as he stood up. “This is not our way, you have the man beaten already, just end it swiftly and spare the son. Whatever his transgressions were didn’t have an impact on the overall mission”.
“What do you say Prince Jordan” John asked facing the Prince after he drew his sword again.
“We are not savages, we are not bloodthirsty mages who think they are above the law” Prince Jordan replied. “While I personally detest Morningstar he was still within the confines of the law. I think you should spare him and his son, you are a Knight of Kirby John Thunder and you come from proud stock”.
“I declare myself the winner” John said as he opened his arms wide and faced the crowd. “If there is anyone, mage or otherwise who feels so strongly about my actions, let them come forward now and I will make their death a quick one. You jeered me, but who has the stones to come battle the son of Jonathan the Lightning?”
John heard silence as he sheathed his sword then floated the unconscious mage over to where he knew the healers would be and turned around to face the Queen.
“By your leave Majesty” John replied. “I still have a mission to accomplish”.
“John Thunder” the Queen said as she rose out of her seat. “You are not the son of Jonathan the Lightning, he is the father of John the Relentless, Knight of Kirby and upholder of justice. Since your father’s retirement, I name you as my new champion. You are heavy handed when you need to be yet merciful. All rise and applaud John the Relentless, we should be happy to have such a just young man on our side”.
John was stunned by the announcement, had the Queen just given him a title? John’s father was the only man he knew of that was personally named by the Queen and he received a decent lump sum of money and a small estate in the Tigerlands, a place just north of Baron Devine’s lands. Did this mean he would receive something similar? John’s father barely traveled to his estate but John certainly would travel to his if he was given one as well.
~
“I assume you are through sleeping then?” John asked as he looked over at Dawn who crossed her arms.
“I heard from your mother you started a fight with the Defiler and came to visit me while I was out” Dawn replied as she crossed her arms. “I also heard the entire story from Laurie, the woman you saved”.
“An idiot wanted a challenge, nothing more” John replied. “And I only came to make sure my instructions were kept since you were not in any shape to do anything. The reason I am still here is that I was forbidden to leave without my partner and they would not issue me a new one”.
“Did the Queen really name you?” Dawn asked as she grabbed her traveling pack.
“She did but my father and I suspect it was just to end the quarrel her two sons were having” John replied. “The Crown Prince was not Morningstar’s official sponsor but many people looked at it that way. By naming me he saves face, his mage did not lose to some boy who dropped out at the tower, instead Gerald Morningstar lost to the Queen’s new champion now that my father has retired”.
“Rusty always dreamed of being named” Dawn replied. “He secretly looks up to your father you know, the reason he primarily uses fire is because he wants to make it synonymous with his name”.
“I don’t want to talk about your cousin” John snapped. “I hate the sight of the man and his father is no better, something I found out personally”.
“Uncle Russell and Rusty are good men” Dawn replied. “No commoner is starving in their lands and they are not bad rulers”.
“Doesn’t change my mind whatsoever” John replied. “Now can we leave and get this over with”.
“You let me fall out of the sky” Dawn snapped.
“I didn’t have time to stroke your ego when people were dying” John replied. “You made it down okay and did good work”.
“Careful John Thunder" Dawn teased. “That almost sounded like a compliment".
“It was not a compliment” John began. “It was a statement. Are you ready to leave finally?”
“So did part of your duty include rifling through my hair?” Dawn asked and John lost his composure for a moment.
“If you have something to say then say it" John snapped. “You are the last person I want to play any teasing games with".
“So you don’t deny it then?” Dawn asked and was met by silence. “And now you are pouting because you were caught”.
“Are you finished with whatever this is?” John asked. “We are already behind time and you are making us even later".
“I am ready" Dawn replied. “Were you scared at all in your battle?”
“I was scared to death but my enemy didn’t need to know that” John replied as he conjured two seats.
“I can't ride on that thing, where is the horse?” Dawn asked.
“Well then fly yourself” John replied. “I am not a carriage service".
“Where is the unicorn at?” Dawn asked. “We have to leave on the unicorn, it gives the right impression".
“I don’t care about any impressions anymore" John replied. “The fact I had to fight and it was sanctioned was stupid. Now are you coming or not?"
"You really can't stand me can you?" Dawn asked.
Your heart is in the right place when it comes to helping out people who really need it" John replied. "But you are a shitty person with an even worse attitude. We have history that I will never forget so I find it hard even being cordial with you. After your actions with Laurie I will admit you are not the worst partner I could have been placed with. That is the only complement you will get from me".
"Then why did you make sure everyone knew I helped heal that peasant?" Dawn asked.
"His name is Howard" John replied. "Reasons like this is why I do not want to be partnered up with any mage".
"If you were not partnered with me then that man would have died" Dawn replied. "Is that more important than me not caring about what his name is?"
"I don’t have time for this" John said as he conjured a chair. "You know where I will be". John flew off and left Dawn looking foolish, her attempts at being cute fell on deaf ears as he soared in the sky. John wanted to make sure no one thought they were together, he figured Dawn wanted the unicorn so she could look like some beautiful maiden off with her dashing knight. She looked foolish now as she was struggling to catch up with him while holding her bags.
CHAPTER 12
"Take off your robes" John said as he looked at Dawn.
"I will do no such thing" Dawn said as her face reddened. "You said you couldn’t stand me now you want me naked?"
"What are you talking about?" John asked. "I want you out of those robes so no one will think you are a mage. You should dress as a peasant and be my back up in case I need any. People look differently at mages and potential enemies won't be dumb enough to show themselves".
"Oh" Dawn said embarrassed. "Why do you need me as back up? I thought you were this big strong knight".
"I don't need you as back up and if you don't want to do it then say so" John snapped. "I am not getting into word games with you".
"Why are you so angry all the time" Dawn asked. "It must be difficult to hold in all that anger all the time. If you want me to say I'm sorry for whatever it is I am supposed to be sorry for then I'll say it. I am sorry, now can you stop snapping at me all the time?"
"Whatever" John said as he turned around. "Do whatever you want, I'll be in the next town. Get there on your own".<
br />
John walked outside the small inn they were staying in and commandeered a horse. He was near the Downey border and military leaders used the small town as a base of operations, getting a mount was easy once he flashed his medallion or showed his papers. He did not plan on flying into the next town and did not want them to think he was anything other than an angry man with a big sword. The trip would take about five hours by horseback if John hurried, eight or nine if he relaxed. John decided to take things easy as he rode the horse, he was in no hurry and still had to piece together his plan.
Gambling wasn't something he would get into too much, he knew it was against the law but would be hard to prove. Anyone trading with the enemy he would capture and send to the army or the rock quarries. Anyone he found forcing women into prostitution would receive a life sentence to the quarries. Once he found out how the other men the Queen had sent wound up dead he would kill the masterminds. They would get no mercy and he would leave the bodies to decorate the small town. John figured the best route would be to walk up to the local tavern and announce who he was and what he was there to do. That should be enough to gain the notice of anyone breaking the law. John was traveling for an hour before he heard the sound of a rider coming up from behind him, it was Dawn and she was in her mage robes looking angry. John ignored her until the woman got right alongside of him.
"I am tired of you leaving me" Dawn growled.
"And I am tired of you talking down on me" John replied. "Looks like we both have a reason to be angry".
"I don't talk down on you" Dawn snapped. "I have been nothing but friendly with you and you have been an ass".
"My job is being a knight of Kirby, not your servant" John replied. "As your transportation when I tell you I am ready to go, you should just be grateful you have a ride. I am not your personal driver and I should not have to take you into account. I am also tired of hearing about how great your family is and how much money you have. I don't care for any of it. I think we should just avoid talking to each other until our time together is finished unless absolutely necessary".
The Knight Mage Page 11
