“You are his apprentice, are you not?” Earl Gillespie asked.
“I am,” Jonathan replied. “I count him as a friend and one of my mentors.”
“Then you should do fine,” Earl Gillespie said. “I know this is not work benefitting the Queen’s Champion but it would put me in your debt. A favor from an Earl carries a lot of weight.”
“That it does Your Lordship,” Jonathan admitted. “And I don’t think I can afford to make many more enemies.”
“Like with the Princes or Duchess Golad?” Earl Gillespie asked.
“I see his Lordship is well informed,” Jonathan replied.
“I know about His Royal Highness’s attack on you along with his underlings,” Earl Gillespie said. “But he is just a young man and I will not judge him in the future for the actions of a child. At least you can see where getting on my bad side is not something you should do. I want you to take a few of my agents throughout the Gills and the rest of the Kingdom. You will of course be paid for your time and I will cover your expenses.”
“I think it will be fun,” Jonathan replied. “I have never done this type of work before but as long as Her Majesty doesn’t need me, I’m in.”
“I will write her a missive myself,” Earl Gillespie said. “Now that is over with, I want you to meet my wife Elizabeth. One of the agents that will be doing the travelling is one of her best friends.”
“Your Ladyship,” Jonathan said and nodded.
“So you are Jonathan the Lightning,” Elizabeth said. “Now that I have met you, I can see it.”
“See it Your Ladyship?” Jonathan said confused.
“Why you have people worried,” Elizabeth said. “You are trying but your eyes betray you. Just looking at you is frightening, those dark eyes have seen and done much.”
“They have,” Jonathan admitted. “But you don’t get to become Champion by being a pacifist or sitting out battles Your Ladyship.”
“You want to become Archmage, is that correct?” Elizabeth said.
“I will be Archmage,” Jonathan said. “There is no way anyone can stop that from happening. My biggest rivals cannot hold the position and my record and accolades speak for themselves.”
“I have heard things about you,” Elizabeth said. “Many people think you have what it takes to become Mage Commander. You try to fight in as many battles as possible, so I think it is a good fit.”
“So do I,” Earl Gillespie said. “I have also heard your reason for shunning the position. I think the irony of it is not lost.”
“Irony, Your Lordship?” Jonathan asked.
“You would be a better Mage Commander than Archmage,” Earl Gillespie began. “There are not many in the Kingdom that can say they have walked through fire and remain unburned. You know fighting, the title of Champion is perfect for you. In a perfect world you would be content to be the Queen’s Champion and could be called on when a dangerous mage is needed to break through something or someone. Our mage leadership system is flawed, we have always taken the best mages but not necessarily the better suited ones. His Luminance, Erlanger Telfarin, is a man perfectly suited to being Archmage. But he is just a stop gap since the mages who could topple him are frightened of doing so.”
“Your Lordship,” Jonathan said. “You are not much older than I am but you sound…”
“Intelligent,” Earl Gillespie said. “Because I try to operate objectively and leave my feelings at the door. I became Earl at thirteen and have been forced to grow up rather quickly.”
“Many people don’t like that Erlanger is the Archmage,” Jonathan said. “He has seen the Raelinians beaten back even when Kevin Wilson could not, gotten through fighting the Dragonknights, saw an end to the war with Donalians and regulated the barbarians to obscurity.”
“Yet I am sure he still is not happy,” Earl Gillespie said.
“Well he hates the job,” Jonathan said.
“Because he does not have his people where he wants them,” Earl Gillespie said. “Kevin Wilson is a great mage, he is strong and he maneuvers well among the nobility. But he is too prejudiced to lead mages into battle. You would be a better fit, in a few years of doing the job you would be more renown that you are now. I think you would grow into your leadership but that is where the irony starts. We need a leader of mages out on the field of battle, either that or toss some mages into the royal army which would never happen. But the position of Mage Commander is wholly dependent on the Archmage. You don’t trust whoever the Archmage will be when His current Luminance steps down to do the right thing. The Mage Commander position is written in such a way that by accepting it, that you eliminate yourself from consideration of Archmage or Tower Mage. I am sure the position was thought up with a need in mind and a person who could fill it. I do not think they even entertained the idea that you would not jump at it.”
“Because I would be stuck with little or no help while whoever ridicules me for not performing,” Jonathan said.
“I think that is the Kingdom’s lost,” Earl Gillespie said. “Someone is going to have to make the decision on what would they rather have. An unneutered Mage Commander or a commoner Archmage.”
“You think I have a chance?” Jonathan asked.
“Many people are hoping one of the Golads take the position of Archmage but that comes with its own problems,” Earl Gillespie said. “Russell would not, a Dukedom would be the prize he is giving up. That only leaves two challengers and things would have to be perfect. Farrah would have to be completely out of the running to be Baroness and Monica Manchin would have to be no longer considered by Russell. Both of them would somehow have to prove themselves as being more worthy than you are. Correction, Farrah would have to put herself in a position to be a better pick than you are. You wouldn’t trust Monica Manchin as Archmage to send you the mages you need to fight. The percentage of both of those happening is less than twenty percent. Then you have the current class.”
“You know about them?” Jonathan asked.
“I know that one of them has secretly fought with Farrah Golad,” Earl Gillespie said. “They have the ability, I am just not sure they have the mean streak you do or the position.”
“I have fought three of them,” Jonathan said.
“And how did it turn out?” Earl Gillespie said as he leaned forward.
“All I fought showed promise,” Jonathan said. “The girl Danica showed the most promise but she is still an initiate. She can hit fast, hit hard and I do not think there are many that could stand up to her. She loses power quickly though, anyone surviving her initial onslaught can start grinding her down and wear her out. I think she would be a good mage to have alongside of you in a war for as long as she lasts. I fought a young mage that was full of himself named Wallace. Initiate Wallace intrigues me most, very weak power but is very fast and knows what to do with it. I think in a mage duel he would be a tough fight but I cannot picture him out on the frontlines. All mages are faster than mundanes, his speed wouldn’t be anything special. Against the Donalians he would get himself killed by their heavy shields and would be unable to extract himself. I think he would be excellent to hunt down rogue mages around the kingdom. The last person I keep forgetting his name. Real big kid, about my height and reminds me of Lord Russell. He is going to be someone to watch out for, not as strong as Danica or as fast as Wallace. Above average in everything but not great in any one thing.”
“You didn’t battle my sister?” Earl Gillespie asked.
“I did not,” Jonathan replied. “I am decent at intimidating anyone who wants a commoner to ridicule. Danica and Wallace was of this group, last initiate just wanted to say he fought against Jonathan the Lightning.”
“My sister would not hesitate to put a commoner in what she believes their place should be,” Earl Gillespie said. “I doubt she knew what to make of you.”
“Emma is not stupid,” Elizabeth said. “I think she knows when she is overmatched.”
“I am sure from our fi
rst meeting that you are aware of my spell?” Earl Gillespie asked.
“I am,” Jonathan replied.
“I have used my spell on most of the strong mages in the kingdom,” Earl Gillespie said. “In terms of magical power. I can tell that easily. I have also figured out things that I previously ignored but it is still a work in progress.”
“I have not really thought about how I stack up to everyone else,” Jonathan said. “I just know whoever thinks they are better than me has to be able to prove it in the arena.”
“I have found out there is a difference between magical power and magical endurance,” Earl Gillespie said. “I am learning to tell the difference between speed in mages as well. My sister is in a three-way tie for the fifth strongest mage in the Kingdom.”
“I can guess the top four,” Jonathan said. “Well maybe. Is Danica stronger than Monica?”
“No,” Earl Gillespie said. “Monica is the fourth strongest mage ever recorded followed by Farrah, you and then Russell.”
“I have heard from different people that Farrah is stronger than I am,” Jonathan said.
“Because it would save a lot of egos,” Earl Gillespie said. “You are very close to each other, close enough it could be called a tie. But I think you edge it out, your lightning magic cannot be ignored. I saw your father kill a mage with way greater power than he had using that spell.”
“Who is in the tie?” Jonathan asked.
“Initiate Danica, Emma and Kevin Wilson,” Earl Gillespie said. “I do not think I have to tell you that power does not necessarily transfer into ability.”
“I agree,” Jonathan said.
“So Jon,” Blaine said. “What did you think of Ronica’s golem?”
“He liked it!” Ronica said.
“Surprised me,” Jonathan said. “I never had much use for golems but hers was a sight to see. I would have loved to let that thing loose in a crowd of enemies and see how it would react.”
“It has promise?” Earl Gillespie asked surprised.
“Once I hit it with my lightning it gained a lot of energy,” Jonathan said. “Multiple strikes would give it too much power for her to control. But one good strike and she could send that thing on a rampage. How do the rest of you beat it?”
“It is easy if you go after the mage who made it,” Blaine said. “Ronica has to give me her full attention and when she does the golem falls apart. I have only tried fighting with the golem once and it seemed not worth the effort to take it apart when I could just go after the mage that made it.”
“Maybe not the best spell for dueling another mage,” Jonathan said as Ronica’s face fell. “But that spell would be perfect for fighting in a war, especially if she has mage support. I would like to study it a bit more, to see how a mundane would stack up against it or a group of mundanes fighting it.”
“We can try it,” Ronica said.
“We can even put mages against it,” Jonathan replied. “If you or your sister are ever at the tower, let me know. I can get some of the initiates out there to go up against it.”
“Maybe after you finish your work for my brother,” Blaine said. “So when does he leave?”
“Today,” Earl Gillespie said. “My agents will be ready to go today.”
“Is stealth part of the mission?” Jonathan asked. “Is Jonathan Thunder going or is Jonathan the Lightning?”
“What is the difference?” Earl Gillespie asked.
“Jonathan the Lighting is the Queen’s Champion,” Elizabeth said. “He is the man in front of you trying to be on his best behavior. He is representing Her Majesty as well as the Archmage. Jonathan Thunder, is the man torn by anger and sadness. It is he who fought Quevin Wilson in the arena.”
“Good explanation, Your Ladyship,” Jonathan said.
“Jonathan Thunder,” Earl Gillesepie said after some thought. “Jonathan the Lightning is a persona then? He is as fake as Earl Gillespie in the presence of Prince Jeffrey. Davney is who I normally am, I want the real you on these missions. Jonathan Thunder is the man who killed the dragon, that is the man I need.”
“Is this going to be dangerous?” Jonathan asked.
“In a fashion,” Elizabeth said as she glanced at the Earl.
The rest of the meal went easily, Jonathan was about to stand up when four mages walked into the room along with two mundanes. Jonathan recognized two of the mages, he could see Lucius had auburn colored hair instead of brown and it was still all over his head the way Jonathan wore his. Lucius looked a lot better than when Jonathan last saw him, he was dry and looked happy. Lucius was older than Jonathan thought, he had Jonathan by a few years. Elijah was a little younger, his brown hair wasn’t long at all and Jonathan noticed he barely had enough hair for a pony’s tail. With them was a thin woman with big brown eyes and hair shorter than he had ever seen a mage woman wear hers. She had a bright smile on her face and Jonathan had to admit she was pretty. This had to be Gertie, she was beautiful without trying too hard to be so. Jonathan thought it was hard to describe, he had seen sultry and sexy women before. This woman wasn’t that, she seemed easy going and Jonathan hoped whenever she opened her mouth her mystique didn’t end. The last mage had to be this Albie that Blaine had talked about. He was maybe a year or two older than Jonathan and Jonathan quickly noticed his hands were scarred. Jonathan had seen that type of scarring before, those were burns. Jonathan wondered how he got them but would bet he received them at the Tower. Jonathan had small burns all over his head and his best friend Red had them all over his trunk. Albie was darker than the rest, Jonathan thought he looked more like the tanned Donalians than a Kirbian. The two mundanes were obviously guards but they were female. Jonathan thought he had never seen armored female warriors but figured there was a first time for everything.
“Jonathan Thunder, I want you to meet Gertie Walsh,” Earl Gillespie said. “She is my wife’s best friend and is my voice, she speaks on my behalf and accomplishes tasks that my schedule does not allow me to.”
Jonathan wanted to say he was full of it. Blaine could accomplish whatever the Earl wanted and have a lot more respect doing it. Blaine gave him a sly wink and Jonathan wondered if the Earl thought he was stupid. Jonathan was sure that whatever the tasks were, were important. Jonathan was also sure that they could have been done without him here. Jonathan thought about that harder and then shook his head to make it go away. If he was the bride nabbing type, then he was sure Gertie would be on his list. Maybe the Earl was trying to kill two birds with one stone.”
“The Queen’s Champion?” Gertie asked.
“Same lad,” Jonathan said. “I am supposed to be your protection during whatever trips you have.”
“Four mages and two guards,” Gertie said. “I think I am going to be the second most protected person in the Kingdom.”
“Second?” Jonathan asked.
“Her Majesty has many more guards,” Gertie said.
“Quality over quantity,” Jonathan said. “They didn’t just give me the title of Champion because I have the best hair. There may be stronger mages but there are no better fighters.”
“Well then I should be perfectly safe,” Gertie said with a smile. “I am ready to leave whenever you need me to Your Lordship.”
“You can leave now,” Earl Gillespie said. “I have an itinerary prepared for you. There is some down time but there is also a lot of travel time. The first mission is that I am sending you with something rather gruesome. I have a number of actual dragon teeth, they are priceless here in Kirby. I want you to deliver the teeth to a special blacksmith in the city of Vichey in the Raley duchy, clear on the other side of the kingdom. Sig Hunnel is the best blacksmith in the kingdom and he knows it. I want the teeth to be made into a sword hilt as cross guard and pommel. I have enough for two swords and the rest could be made as a simple dagger. The swords are gifts, one for Prince Jordan for his birthday. That one is going to made from royal steel which means nothing to you but it is also priceless. I will not e
ven tell Her Majesty how I came across a chunk big enough to make a sword. To mundanes this is priceless, if anyone knows what you are transporting you will come under fire immediately. You can bring the finished items to Bissell palace, in all it is a three-week turnaround. While you are waiting for the weapons I want you to travel to the barbarian front. The army is making or has made an outpost in the barbarian lands that is supposed to get fully staffed. I know the man responsible for standing it up and I owe him a favor. Mage help would benefit him greatly in building the outpost or providing security while he builds. If you get there and everything is done then please go out and have some fun while you are waiting on the weapons. Once you get the weapons then I need you to bring them to Bissell Palace in time for Prince Jordan’s birthday.”
“This is all written down,” Elizabeth said as Jonathan noticed she gave Gertie an odd look.
“You all ride before?” Jonathan asked the other commoner mages.
“Of course we have,” Lucius said. “First thing most of us bought with our money was a horse. We always saw fancy types riding around on them. Second thing we all bought was a carriage just like I am sure you did. My carriage doesn’t get much use, but it is mine.”
“Good,” Jonathan said. “We can ride together.
“One of you needs to be in the carriage at all times,” Earl Gillespie said looking at the mages. “The other can drive the wagon and only two of you can go on horseback if you so wish. You will need to take my horses however.”
“Even better Your Lordship since I don’t have a horse,” Jonathan said smiling.
“Can you take me to the Tower when you get back Jon?” Ronica asked.
“Of course I can,” Jonathan replied. “We can get your sister and her husband to come with us.”
CHAPTER 4
VICHEY
Jonathan had taken the third shift in the carriage. He didn’t mind driving the carriage since he grew up around horses and driving took him back to a simpler time. The mages he was riding with were all good people and they traded sordid stories of tavern girls and loves lost just out of the earshot of the ladies. Jonathan didn’t have much to share, he kissed on a future Baroness but wouldn’t say her name. His new friends thought he was God, especially when he mentioned he had kissed a Story before. They apparently knew the name and were in the running at one time to marry a Story but the family declined after learning about their pasts. Jonathan could have stayed trading those stories, Tower stories and war stories. But he was inside of the carriage now looking at three women. Jonathan never really found himself in this position before, most women he was around all thought they were better than he was. These three shot him sly glances and then giggled amongst each other. Jonathan could feel himself turning red and then chastised himself, if he could face down a dragon then he could face down giggling women.
The Archmage Page 24
