“It is what it is,” Jonathan replied. “When is Wilson supposed to be here?”
“He is already in Magus Mazuli,” Winchell said. “He could come in here whenever. A temporary office has already been set up for him along with a smaller office for his apprentice slash junior commander.”
“Apprentice?” Jonathan asked. “How does he have an apprentice?”
“Same way I do,” Winchell said.
“Who?” Jonathan asked then paused. “Me?”
“Of course you,” Winchell replied. “And Monica and Red. You may not last long because the Archmage wants his own apprentice to mentor.”
“I could see how that is,” Jonathan replied. “The respect I have for you is everlasting.”
“I know boy,” Winchell said. “Which is why I am trusting you. I have a lot of stuff that needs to be done around here and leaving is always a pain. If I had a legitimate apprentice I could leave them in charge. I am going to have to leave here soon and I am taking Lehman with me.”
“Where are you going?” Jonathan asked.
“They were fools for downplaying the Raelinian threat,” Winchell replied. “I want to go see the Donalians up close. I also want to get a feel for the barbarian tribes. Once I see that I can train these boys and girls accordingly. I have been the only Tower Mage to ever lose students to the enemy.”
“You have been the only Tower Mage to ever meet the enemy head on,” Jonathan said. “And your initiates are the only ones to fight off a dragon.”
“I am not going to lose any more of them,” Winchell said. “It is the reason many of them think I am an angry old man. I do not want to be attached to anyone I might lose, it hurts my soul to be in this position.”
“If you need me,” Jonathan said and let his words hang.
“I know you will be there boy,” Winchell said. “I like you and the Archmage likes you.”
“I will not let you down,” Jonathan replied.
CHAPTER 8
Enemies
Jonathan walked into his classroom and saw his initiates already seated. Instead of the looks of disgust and anger he had before, he now saw uncertainty and fear. Jonathan walked down the rows of chairs and noticed many people would not meet his eyes. Jonathan thought they were acting ridiculous and wanted to say something, the reason he did not is because he also wanted to savor big mouths being closed. Jonathan went back to the front of his classroom and cleared his throat.
“You all bore witness to a fight last night,” Jonathan said. “Was it everything you hoped for when you set off for this place.”
“It is not funny commoner!” Davin said in a shaky voice.
“Fail to use my title again,” Jonathan said. “I let it go when we first met but I would be in my rights to beat the pit out of you.”
“You are just full of yourself because of your star commoner pupil,” Rebecca said. “You are here to rub it in.”
“I want you to put aside your precious egos for a moment,” Jonathan said. “You have had the bravado frightened out of you. I want you to think about the price you had to pay to learn that lesson.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Davin said angrily. “What happened last night still happened.”
“Because last year my classmates learned it when they were set on fire and killed,” Jonathan replied. “Would you rather learn it on the field of battle?”
“What can be done?” Charles asked. “He took the magic that mage shot out at him and still beat him nearly to death.”
“I am not worried about Tobin,” Jonathan replied. “You should not be worried about him or any other mage either. You should be worried about what you can do now and how to get better.”
“I hear you are trying to become one of us,” Rebecca said. “You should teach us how to protect ourselves. You should fight him for us, you are taller than he is.”
“And when you are out there,” Jonathan replied. “What will you do then?”
“How can I stop such a person?” Charles asked. “We all know my power level and you know my spell instructor. I do not think it would work on him. Can he cancel out magic?”
“It would not work on him but you have other spells,” Jonathan replied. “A big well armored man would be a hard fight if you were not ready for him and did not know how to fight. I am going to teach you how to fight.”
“It is just like that brute said,” Waylon replied. “He said he had all of the instructors scared of him.”
“Tell you what,” Jonathan replied. “You all know you need practice now and I do not mind giving it to you. I already know how fast you all can cast and how strong you are. You lack technique though, it is not enough to know how to hit, you need to know where to hit and how hard. Now let’s get out there find you some confidence.”
“Are we going to spar against each other finally?” Rebecca asked.
“No,” Jonathan replied. “You would only learn a false sense of security, like what you all had before you came here. Trust the process, every class you learn things. You learned how you stack up last class, this class you will learn some decent combos.”
Jonathan brought them outside to practice and was surprised to see some of the mundane girls there. Jonathan thought about half of them came out to see the show, they must have had time off.
“Where is the big one at?” a girl Jonathan thought was named Sienna asked as she looked around. “The one that is in charge of everything.”
“He is probably beating up another mage,” another girl named Maravia replied. “He said that he does what he wants when he wants.”
“I thought he said he was going to beat up another mage tonight,” Sienna said.
“He isn’t even under my consideration,” Grace replied. “Now be silent and let me focus on the mage students so I can determine who is the strongest.”
“Big Tobin is, everyone knows that,” Sienna said. “He even said that before he leaves that he is going to slap the Queen’s Champion.”
“You should tell him to try it,” Jonathan said glaring over at the girls. “Now be silent during my class.”
“You can’t tell us…” Grace replied.
“I just did,” Jonathan replied. “I can have you expelled from here.”
Jonathan was happy he didn’t hear anything else as he went over the finer points of fighting. Jonathan had seen Russell use magelight last year to fight a dragon and taught his class how to use it. The bright light blinded people that were not ready for it and allowed the caster a few extra seconds to land something big. His initiates finally ate up his every word and came up with their own ideas to fight off bigger or armored foes. Jonathan thought next class he would have them hold shields or something and see if whatever their plan was would work, as long at their spells were not deadly. At the end of class Jonathan was ready to walk away but noticed Grace Story talking to initiate Rebecca. This was the first time he had ever seen any of the noble students from different groups talk amongst each other.
“You are embarrassing yourself by being here,” Rebecca said looking over at Grace. “No matter what you do, you will never be a mage.”
“Poor little girl,” Grace replied. “Are you nervous no one would look past your plain looks and tiny fortune? You can do magic but that is about all you are good for.”
“This is not the place or the time for whatever this is,” Jonathan replied. “You both hate each other, so what. You both are after the same thing, once again, so what.”
“I am not after whatever this impoverished mage is after,” Grace said.
“You both are after power,” Jonathan replied. “And you believe you are both the top in this school. You are also trying to secure a future because that is something someone told you that you should be doing. The majority of the young ladies here will be married before their second year, those that are not are either betrothed or rich and powerful.”
“Like me then,” Grace replied.
“Not unless you are a landed nob
le,” Rebecca said.
“She has power in her own right,” Jonathan replied. “All you both are doing are embarrassing yourselves.”
“I should be the bigger person,” Rebecca said. “I should be ashamed of myself for carrying on this way with a mundane.”
“I should not let someone like her anger me Mage Jonathan,” Grace replied. “Her family fortune is nothing compared to mine and she lacks all of the skills I have.”
“Whatever,” Jonathan said as he turned to walk away and saw Kevin Wilson.
Wilson had on robes that would have made Jonathan’s Champion robes seem plain. His robe was a silvery golden color and shined in the sun. Wilson carried an ornate staff and was walking with Monica and Tabitha. Jonathan walked over towards Wilson who had a sneer on his face. Jonathan thought the sneer did nothing but make him uglier since a part of his face was burned away by dragon fire. Wilson wore his hair long and over the burned side, Jonathan thought it would have done an adequate job in covering up the scars if the man wasn’t busy trying to look intimidating. Jonathan knew he would have to deal with Wilson eventually and decided to get it over with. Wilson held out his staff and his other arm for Monica and Tabitha to stop walking and took a step forward.
“Well if it isn’t the luckiest commoner in the kingdom,” Kevin said as he sneered at Jonathan.
“You are correct,” Jonathan said. “I was able to kill a dragon while lesser mages almost got themselves killed.”
“I am not scared of you commoner,” Kevin said. “You are nothing but a murderer. You killed my brother because your parents were too weak to keep themselves alive.”
“And your brother was too weak to stop me,” Jonathan said. “Unlike you, I got to see the fear in his eyes. He soiled himself before the end. I think you should be praising me for making his end quick. Maybe you could take me on as a protégé or something for recompense.”
“You…,” Kevin said as Jonathan realized he had gotten under the man’s skin. “You may be strong commoner, but not all of the people under your care are.”
“Jonathan, the Mage Commander is here recruiting,” Tabitha said. “He is looking for junior Commanders and has said he would pick fairly.”
“Even you stand a chance at such a position, Thunder,” Monica said.
“The chance to work under the great Kevin Wilson,” Jonathan said. “The man who could not do as good a job of fighting off the Raelinians as I did. I didn’t receive any mages from the Crown and he received plenty, some who ended up dying under his leadership. I think I will take a pass.”
“You had mages who voluntarily came to you and you left me with nothing,” Kevin snapped.
“It was you and two of the strongest mages Kirby has ever seen,” Jonathan replied.
“Three mages was not enough!” Kevin snapped.
“And yet you sent my parents and one other to handle Raelin,” Jonathan replied. “You are either incompetent by sending only three mages since you yourself has said that number is not enough. Or you are evil by sending commoners you did not like to their deaths. Either way you cannot say my parents were weak while you went crying to the crown for more.”
“Did you know that the three mages you sent would all die?” Monica said as she stopped walking.
“In a war, everyone dies!” Kevin snapped.
“That did not answer my question,” Monica said. “I have heard Thunder cry and moan about noble mages only caring for themselves. Until now I have never attempted to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.”
“Girl you would be an idiot to let this commoner stop you from your destiny,” Kevin said. “Both of you here are walking with me because I think you show promise. Despite your young age, both of you could walking into a position as one of my junior commanders. You have both fought dragons and the Queen has always said she wanted more women in power.”
“Until it is you sent off to die,” Jonathan replied.
“You are just upset,” Kevin said. “A company of mages are going to be stood up. I am going to rule them all for a few years until I retire. They will even be outside of the reach of that pretender Archmage.”
“You have a good day, Mage Commander,” Jonathan said. “Right now you can tell everyone I am an angry commoner. You should hold on to it.”
Jonathan left the group and congratulated himself for not going off on Kevin Wilson. Jonathan was sure he made Kevin angrier than Kevin made him. Jonathan thought the man wanted Jonathan to attack him and was angry when the attack did not come. Jonathan walked into the barracks and was surprised to see Tobin was there. Jonathan raised his eye at the initiate but said nothing. He was not Jonathan’s problem just yet.
“You better keep those eyes to yourself,” Tobin said as he stood up off his bed. “Your little boyfriend Red ain’t here to save you.”
“You think he was in here saving me?” Jonathan said. “I think he was in here saving you. Of course you could come do something about it.”
“You want me to attack you,” Tobin said laughing. “You want me thrown out of here for attacking a teacher.”
“You are all talk,” Jonathan said.
“You came in here to have a go with me because you knew no one would be here,” Tobin laughed. “You could say whatever you wanted after I finished squashing you.”
“You have done more than I thought,” Jonathan said as he took a seat. “I thought Bradley would have sorted you out but he did not. You have a lot of those girls next door interested and I am sure despite your ugly appearance that you have made some of the noble mage girls here take a deeper look. But we both know you were just lucky.”
“I beat the pit out of that loser just like I said I would,” Tobin said. “He mewled like a stuck pig.”
“Instructor Thunder,” Charles said as he opened the door then looked scared.
“This must be your new girlfriend,” Tobin said. “I ought to squash him instead of you.”
“I don’t want any trouble,” Charles said backing away.
“And he will not give you any,” Jonathan said looking at Charles, then back at Tobin.
“You cannot be around every night,” Tobin said. “I would rather like being named the Champion. After I am done with him, I am coming after you.”
“The only thing between us right now is space and opportunity,” Jonathan replied. “I have passed stool tougher than you are. Get up and let’s have a go.”
“You would want to fight with your little back up here,” Tobin said. “But you will not be around him all the time.”
“What are you even doing out of class?” Jonathan asked.
“I go where I want, when I want,” Tobin replied. “You better take your cue from Red or you might end up hurt. Just like your little girlfriend there will be.”
Jonathan watched Tobin leave and saw the fear in Charles’s eyes as the bigger mage walked by. Tobin made a pretend lunge at Charles and laughed when the other mage flinched and brought his hands up to protect himself. Jonathan followed Tobin out to make sure the boy was really heading to the Tower. Tobin kissed his hand and then rubbed it on his backside as he walked away. Jonathan got the message and could not wait for that idiot to get what was coming to him.
“Why did you get me in trouble with him?” Charles said scared.
“That idiot?” Jonathan replied.
“He beat up a mage that had fought a dragon before,” Charles said.
“Listen, that guy is no one special,” Jonathan replied. “So what do you want? Why are you over here?”
“I wanted to talk to you about mage fighting,” Charles said. “When I fought you, that was the first time I lost in a while. I knew people here would judge me for not having any mage parents and I wanted to be ready.”
“Charles you have a unique spell that I am jealous of,” Jonathan said.
“I cannot hold it for too long,” Charles replied.
“That is true,” Jonathan said. “But your plan involves locking on to som
eone and holding their magic at bay while you cast other spells.”
“It normally works,” Charles said.
“Why did you cast the spell four times on me?” Jonathan asked.
“I could feel you trying to bring more than one spell into existence,” Charles replied. “But what does that matter when I have Big Tobin after me now?”
“It doesn’t,” Jonathan replied. “But if it eases your mind, I can teach you how to throttle an idiot like that.”
“Then why didn’t you do it when he was in here insulting you?” Charles asked.
“Have you ever been threatened by a boy much younger than you?” Jonathan asked. “Like a small and angry child?”
“Of course but what does that have to do with anything?” Charles asked.
“Why didn’t you thrash him?” Jonathan asked.
“Because it is a little boy,” Charles replied irritated.
“So what?” Jonathan said. “He threatened you just like that idiot threatened me.” Jonathan finished as he suddenly went silent and laughed.
“What is so funny?” Charles said worried.
“That idiot Russell really does believe he is above me,” Jonathan replied.
“Who is Russell?” Charles asked.
“Doesn’t matter,” Jonathan replied. “I can show you how to beat that idiot Tobin and if it fails, I will thrash that idiot myself. If you want, we can go over technique today.”
“I have to get back to class in a bit,” Charles said. “I wanted to know about my spell but now I am in trouble. You didn’t see the beating.”
“Tobin is a big one,” Jonathan replied. “The secret is keeping that lout off you. You are a mage Charles.”
“I have never fought anyone like that before,” Charles said. “He was put down then got up quick and fought long after I would have.”
“Everyone you have fought and trained against knew when to stop,” Jonathan said. “Just like you did. Bradley was too much of a gentleman to finish a knobber like him off properly. You already have the basics down, I will put it together for you.”
CHAPTER 9
The Archmage Page 9
