“The fight is starting,” Monica said. “Get ready to see some whore tears.”
The fight was signaled to start and Crystal got off two quick mage bolts. Both of them slammed into Emma and made her back up in shock. Jonathan knew the blows stung but could be shaken off, the third mage bolt Crystal cast had a little more spice on it. Emma had a look of anger in her face as she went into the hand movements for her spell. Jonathan wasn't surprised Emma was going to try to stand her ground and take the mage bolt Crystal cast. Jonathan was surprised when the bolt Crystal casts was twice as strong as the others and struck Emma right in the face and made her stumble back. Jonathan could see the blood on Emma’s nose as Crystal tossed two more mage bolts at her.
Emma was not trying to stand in one place anymore and tried dodging the mage bolts. Jonathan thought Crystal was not interested in really trying to hit her at this point. Crystal looked like she was just trying to fill the air with her mage bolts. Emma though had taken enough of the shots that she finally stood her ground and fired off a mage bolt. Crystal noticed too late that Emma had taken two bolts to the body in order to fire off her own. Crystal was barely able to get her shield up as the bolt came slamming into her. Jonathan thought Emma had been desperate and only wanted to give herself some breathing room. Crystal dropped her shield and cast two quick mage bolts and put her shield back up. Emma grunted as she was hit with them. Her nose was bleeding and the impact the bolts had on Emma’s face made the blood go everywhere from her bloody nose. Crystal could not marvel at her work as a big gust of wind hit her. Crystal was blown backward but had the sense to summon a mage shield as she was pushed back. Crystal was pushed hard against the wall.
Jonathan gasped as Crystal’s shield gave way and finally shattered from the concentrated wind spell. Crystal immediately cast another shield as Emma started getting closer and pouring on her power. As Crystal’s shield broke for the second time, Crystal cast a mage bolt which slammed into Emma’s face. Emma was taken by surprise, Crystal closed distance and slapped Emma hard across the face before kicking her in the stomach. The move made Emma back up as Crystal went into a mage bolt three times stronger than she had ever cast, the spell caught Emma full on in her torso.
Emma was blown backwards where she landed hard on her back. Crystal did not let up and cast her small mage bolts which hit Emma as the girl was trying to get up. Jonathan was about to call the match when Emma surprised him. The girl had been doing her hand motions while on the ground and flame erupted from her hand. Crystal turned her head and cast a shield. Crystal was a little too slow as her robes started going up in flames. Crystal was in a bind now Jonathan thought, even if she lost this fight Jonathan could see things that could be improved on. Crystal was fast at casting, Jonathan wondered where in the pit was this class dug up at. He thought she may be even faster than he was but not as fast as the other two initiates. In just a few months he went from the fastest to possibly a distant fourth. Crystal was faster than Emma, if Jonathan could train her for even a month she would see remarkable improvement and beat the girl during the next match. Jonathan refocused on the match and saw Crystal was on fire.
What Jonathan wasn’t expecting was for the girl to rip her robes off instead of dousing herself in water. Crystal had taken to the sky before she threw the burning mage robes down on her opponent. Jonathan admired the view and thought the girl was both bold and foolish for such an action allowing herself to be seen by this many people while only in her small clothes. If Monica was right about her former profession then maybe Crystal didn’t care as Crystal started casting her mage bolts. Crystal just flew above Emma and started hitting her with stronger and stronger mage bolts until the girl was flattened on the ground and giving no offense or defense.
“That’s how it is done!” Jonathan screamed Mage Monica called the match off.
“Don't get all angry now,” Jonathan laughed. “I think this initiate just turned this Tower upside down. It is about time another commoner blasted through this place like Tobin Mountain had done except she is doing it all with magic. Speed and strength, I want one of these stuffy nobles to try her again.”
“Danica could beat her,” Monica said as she turned towards Russell. “That whore just got lucky. Emma didn’t realize her opponent was not as pathetic as the rest of the commoners.”
“She comes from a long line of mages,” Jonathan said.
“She what?!?” Russell and Monica said simultaneously.
“You both heard me,” Jonathan replied. “Another commoner mage family that tosser Kevin Wilson stomped out. Now cheer for the winner!”
Jonathan smiled at her and let out a loud cheer. Jonathan was happy to see the other commoners start cheering and walked over to the girl. Commoners were on their feet now, Jonathan thought the girl began to look self conscious as he stood there with her chest out and only her bottom barely covered. Jonathan did his best to maintain eye contact as he ripped of his robe and handed it to her friend who was also walking over. He was now in his small clothes but wouldn’t be for long as he flew away. Jonathan was inside of his room for only a moment before he went looking for the Tower Mage. Lehman told him the Tower Mage flew to Bissell Palace as fast as he had ever seen the man move and Jonathan could guess why. Jonathan took off towards the Bissell Palace, he was let right inside and found the Tower Mage speaking with the Archmage, Princes Jeffrey, Xalen and Jordan and Her Majesty.
“Thunder,” Prince Jeffrey said and rolled his eyes.
“Your Highness,” Jonathan replied with a bow. “I came as fast as possible.”
“I didn’t expect you here for another week,” Prince Xalen said. “Now what is so important that you had to interrupt our conversation?”
“I had information about a new initiate that I think you should all know,” Jonathan replied. “I know Her Majesty keeps track of these things and my mentors would beat me to pit and back if I didn’t come with the information as soon as possible.”
“We already know about the whore,” Prince Jeffery said.
“Her reputation aside,” Jonathan said. “I am sure you do not know about Initiate Crystal angering Monica Manchin which brought upon a duel.”
“That whore is dumb enough to challenge Monica?” Xalen said. “You commoners really are stupid with your self importance.”
“Your Highness whenever you find a mage brave enough to face me to the death, you let me know,” Jonathan said. “I even have the Mage Commander running scared but Initiate Crystal did not face Monica. She fought Emma Gillespie.”
“You are making it sound as if this battle has already happened,” Erlanger said.
“Well at least we now don’t have to hear about some commoner thinking she is better than she really is,” Prince Jeffrey replied. “Emma did us all a service by smacking that whore down.”
“You wouldn’t have came all this way to tell me some new commoner was beaten by one of the New Big Four,” Erlanger said. “Out with it boy.”
“Emma Gillespie fought as well as she could,” Jonathan replied. “The new Big Four or Big Five or whatever now has six members.”
“Stop dragging this out boy!” Winchell said as he hit Jonathan with his cane. “I am old and I hate suspense. What happened and no more fancy words.”
“Emma lost,” Jonathan said with a smile.
“She what?!?” Prince Jeffery said.
“She lost,” Jonathan repeated. “She was outclassed by a commoner.”
“What can you tell me about her boy?” Winchell asked. “What was the first thing that caught your attention?”
“That she was insanely pretty,” Jonathan said. “But I doubted you wanted to know that.”
“You would waste your time on a whore?” Prince Jeffrey said disgusted.
“I would waste my time on a beautiful commoner mage girl,” Jonathan said. “My children could be even stronger than I am right now. We could be the first related Archmages in history.”
“What?” Prince Jeff
rey said confused. “You would marry a whore instead of a noble girl?”
“According to you I am trash anyway,” Jonathan replied. “What girl would want to put herself through that Your Highness? That and I am not looking for anyone.”
“What happened to that girl you were with?” Prince Jeffrey asked. “The one you came in here flaunting?”
“He has been upset since Farrah broke his heart and now he is lowering himself to be with a whore,” Prince Xalen said.
“As you say, Your Highnesses,” Jonathan replied. “She is still pretty and powerful. Her reputation is bound to put off the cream of noble mages and let's face it, I am Jonathan the Lightning.”
“I don’t care about how she looks, idiot,” Winchell said. “I saw her myself, I already know she is pretty. I am talking about her magic.”
“Faster than I am,” Jonathan replied. “Speed was my whole game but she is faster than I am. Still slower than the other two in the Tower but I think she is faster than Russell and Farrah. Good power behind her too. Not as strong as Kevin Wilson but stronger than the majority of mages I came across. Easily she will be top ten in the Kingdom in a few months once she gets some experience.”
“Find out what you can about this girl,” Queen Mildred said looking at Winchell. “I want her at breakfast with me tomorrow. Maybe I need to search more brothels for talent, two commoner mage girls with shady pasts are some of the best mages in the kingdom.”
“They are whores mother,” Prince Xalen said, irritated.
“Your Highness,” Jonathan said as he looked at Prince Xalen.
“What do you want Thunder?” Prince Xalen said irritated.
“Permission to speak freely,” Jonathan asked.
“Just say what you have to say!” Prince Xalen snapped.
“Are you some kind of fucking idiot?” Jonathan asked.
“What did you just call me?!?” Prince Xalen snapped.
“A fucking idiot,” Jonathan repeated. “It wasn’t long ago that I was just some commoner who had a bit of luck. Could you imagine where we would be if you treated me differently in the Tower instead of blowing me off? My parents would still be here and I would probably be married off to some girl of your choosing and under Kevin Wilson’s thumb. Maybe I would still reach Champion, but I doubt I would be chomping at the bit to become the next Archmage and all would be happy in your world. Instead you antagonized me and now have to deal with me slapping tradition in the face as hard as I can. You don’t even have a mage strong enough to stop me from reaching my goal. Russell and Farrah both have other obligations and even if they didn’t, you have no guarantee they could survive my lightning. Now you have two pretty commoner mage girls and you want to dismiss them and insult them. Can you imagine what would happen if I married either one of them? Farrah’s children could be weak mages because Baron Nettleton is a poor mage. Even if Russell and Monica end up together, whose to say their kids could beat mine?”
“Wise counsel if I have ever heard it,” Queen Mildred said. “Now why are you dismissing a nice noble girl Jonathan? I really wish I could have met and chatted with the girl you brought to Jordan’s birthday. I heard she was charming and you made a smart couple.”
“Mostly just to rile up people Your Majesty,” Jonathan replied. “I have lost count of how many angry noble mages have insulted me and then let me know that they have a mundane family member. The mundane nobles are nice though. I have been invited to a few lunches and things.”
“Then why don’t you go?” Prince Jeffrey said irritated.
“Because I am an idiot,” Jonathan laughed. “The Tower Mage was correct when he called me that. I would fall for some pretty face with a decent attitude and that would be that. Better to not get involved to start out with. My scowl and black clothes helps out with that tremendously.”
“Jonathan,” Queen Mildred said. “I have been receiving missives from both mundane and mage about you becoming the next Mage Commander. I think you would be a good fit as well as the person leading my mages into battle.”
“I have to decline Your Majesty,” Jonathan replied.
“I already know your reasons and they are sound,” Queen Mildred said. “What change could be made to the position that would make you take it?”
“I don’t want to answer to the Archmage, ever,” Jonathan began. “I want both our rank and pay to be equal for all time. If the Archmage gets a raise, then I do as well.”
“Money?” Prince Xalen said. “All it takes is money.”
“Not Quite Your Majesty,” Jonathan said. “I want to be in charge of all things military, when it comes to protecting our Kingdom, I make the rules, not the Archmage. This includes who gets sent to fight and how many Mages I can press into action. The circumstances surrounding my parents death will never be repeated.”
“You just want to throw noble mages at the teeth of every battle,” Prince Jeffrey said.
“Not my style,” Jonathan replied. “But those are the things I would need to happen before I would entertain such a title.”
“You would take all of the power away from the Archmage,” Erlanger said.
“No Your Luminance,” Jonathan said. “Mage laws and other things will still be handled by the Archmage. Getting angry and sending people to their deaths will not.”
“You will never get such a position!” Prince Jeffrey said.
“Doesn’t matter to me,” Jonathan shrugged. “I don’t want to be the Mage Commander anyway Your Highness. When I am Archmage, I will get the power anyway. The Downians want to go to war, I will kill more than my share of dragons and make the choice easy.”
“Follow me Thunder,” Prince Xalen said. “We need to talk outside of the ears of my mother and father.”
Jonathan followed Prince Xalen to a wing of the palace he had never been in, his personal wing. Xalen led him to a small room that only held a simple wooden table and four wooden chairs. Xalen took off his robe, he was wearing a thin cotton outfit under it adorned with purple stripes and the royal symbol. Xalen took a seat, he gestured for Jonathan to do the same. Jonathan took a seat and wondered where Prince Xalen was going with this, they weren't friends and had barely had an intimate conversation.
“Thunder you know when my mother dies, Archmage or not, I will strip the title from you,” Xalen began. “I will find some legal loophole, but it will be done.”
“It sounds like you are accepting the fact that I will become Archmage Your Highness,” Jonathan replied.
“My mother likes you and you are irritatingly competent,” Prince Xalen said. “The commoners all like you and even the army is on your side. You have shunned Mage Commander as well.”
“If I get what I want,” Jonathan said. “Then you would never have to worry about me ever taking the position of Archmage. Mage Commander doesn’t have the same ring to it.”
“My nobles would be angry to have a commoner pressing them into battle,” Prince Xalen said.
“And yet it will happen anyway,” Jonathan replied. “Archmage is so close I can smell it. Whoever takes the position after Erlanger Telfarin will not hold the title long. There are not many worthy of my respect, I would challenge and kill them out of spite.”
“Kevin Wilson handled things wrong,” Prince Xalen said. “But no one can change the past. If you keep down this road Thunder, you will have me for an enemy.”
“All due respect,” Jonathan began. “Having your father send literal assassins after me and you having your mages jump me in the Tower means you are already my enemy.”
“Done and over with,” Prince Xalen said. “I want you to know that I have bought your grandfather’s business for over market value. He was not in a position to refuse me and was required to never go into the horse business again as part of the agreement. Well he couldn’t go in it for twenty years but the man will probably be dead or too old to work the business when that time comes. While he is insanely rich right now, your children’s children will start having a hard
time to live all fancy like I know you will be. I didn’t this to ensure your family has no renewable resources.”
“Her Majesty would never allow to do such a thing,” Jonathan replied.
“I bought it for double the market value and added in a small estate near the one my mother gave you in the Hinterlands,” Xalen replied. “The Kingdom needs good horses for her soldiers and your grandfather has some of the best. I am letting him stay on as the Master Stablemaster, my mother thought it was a good idea.”
“Makes my decision even that much easier Your Highness,” Jonathan said.
“I wouldn’t mind giving it back for free and letting you keep the money if you agree to become Mage Commander,” Xalen said. “I abhor commoner mages, such power should never be in the hand of a commoner. It pains me to even think about giving you the Mage Commander position but there is no one better for the job.”
“You can keep the business and the position Your Highness,” Jonathan replied. “I am not interested.”
“Well I am expect for you to stay the night here and then report to the Tower the first thing in the morning to collect your things,” Prince Xalen said. “As the Champion, more people should know you across the Kingdom instead of just the Army and people here in Dyson.”
“Where are you sending me?” Jonathan asked.
“To the Mountain to meet the people of Golad,” Prince Xalen said. “There are already other mages in Golad that I know you are familiar with. You can hang out with them for a few months and meet the mountain people. The weather is harsh and nasty, just perfect for you.”
“As you say, Your Highness,” Jonathan replied.
CHAPTER 15
Stone Keep
Jonathan took a deep breath as he was at the keep, he would have to deal with Duchess Golad whether he wanted to or not. He was certain that Farrah would be kept far away from him, not that he minded. Being around her was like a drug, the more he took it, the more he was on the hook. Jonathan wondered what would happen if Russell was dumb enough to give up being a Duke? Would Farrah run to him or would she stay with Harland Nettleton. Jonathan decided it didn’t matter, Harland was a good man and he was done with Farrah anyway. Jonathan stepped out of his carriage and was greeted by two large mountain men dressed in furs and holding axes.
The Archmage Page 39
