“He did,” Charles replied. “And he taught me a lot while in the Tower. I beat everyone while I was there and it was thanks to Jonathan. Tobin had more people scared of him but I was the best fighter.”
“That is a true statement,” Jonathan replied. “But you have gotten even better under Lord Russell. I think I have as well.”
“Well take a seat Jon,” Charles said. “I know you have to be tired from all that dancing I saw you out there doing.”
“I am tired,” Jonathan replied. “I could just drop right here. Where is Tobin by the way? I haven’t seen his wife in ages and want to catch up.”
“Tobin is probably picking a fight somewhere,” Piper said. “It is all he is good for. I don’t know what my sister sees in a man so rough.”
“Tobin is okay,” Charles said. “He just likes to fight and have either been beaten up or has beaten up a lot of the men here. He hasn’t started a fight since he had his babes. I think him and Wendy went to go play kissy face somewhere. Say what you will about Tobin, the man wants to be a better father than his was to him. Piper just hates him.”
“He hit on me the first time he saw me and got into a fight with my father,” Piper said.
“Then Tobin was in rare form,” Jonathan replied.
“He has made up for it,” Charles said. “He did introduce us and he has been a decent father.”
“He still made a horrible first impression,” Piper said.
“Speak the demon’s name and he shall appear,” Jonathan said. “And with lip covering all over his face.”
“Can't help it,” Tobin said with a big smile. “You were a fool for even entertaining Cara when everyone was trying to fix you up with my Wendy. Since she has my babes she only gets prettier everyday, even if she says she hates her body.”
“Your sweet talking is not going to work tonight,” Wendy said. “Hello Jonathan, long time.”
“I see the married life is treating you both well,” Jonathan said.
“I suppose,” Wendy said and smirked at Tobin. “It has its ups and down but I am on a big up right now.”
“Wendy at least you fixed your lip covering,” Piper said. “Just look at Tobin.”
“I wear this proudly,” Tobin said. “I have been kissing on the prettiest girl in the room.”
“No fault in that,” Jonathan replied. “How are your babes?”
“I tested them myself this morning,” Tobin said and stuck out his chest. “Many people went all judgmental saying me having two girls was karma. But I got two mage girls, I can see the potential in them myself.”
“You do?” Charles asked.
“We do,” Wendy smiled. “And I have been fighting this ox off of me ever since.”
“Duchess Golad is going to have a heart attack once she hears about this,” Charles said. “I know she tested the girls but sometimes magic takes a bit to show if both parents are not from mage families.”
“I can just hear the coin dropping into my account,” Tobin said. “I gotta teach em to fight. I hope they grow up as big as their Ma.”
“I know this is off the subject but the more I look at you, the more I think you all look like Lady Farrah,” Jonathan said.
“People have confused all three of us for sisters before,” Wendy said. “But she has magic and we do not, sort of.”
“Sort of?” Charles asked confused.
“You remember Poppy?” Wendy asked.
“Red’s wife?” Charles asked.
“You know about her spell?” Wendy asked.
“She gave you some magic?” Charles asked.
“And I have held on to it,” Wendy replied. “We wanted to see if it would help me have mage children. I refuse to get rid of the magic in my body and it has worked so far.”
“This sounds like something I am better off not knowing,” Jonathan said. “If that is the reason then I see a lot of money in my friend’s future.”
“Well it looks like the subject will be changed whether you want it or not,” Charles said. “Here comes Her Grace.”
“Jonathan I want you to follow me,” Duchess Golad said. “I have some people you should meet.”
Jonathan followed the Duchess until they arrived at her table. Seated were a man and woman who who Jonathan thought looked forty or so. Jonathan thought they looked like any other mountain folk, fair haired and fair skinned. Jonathan gave them a smile and then took a seat when Duchess Golad did. Just as Jonathan sat down he saw Farrah come walking over with Cadence and a girl Jonathan was not sure he had seen before. It was possible that he had danced with her but all of the faces had ran together. The trio sat down at the table and Duchess Golad began to speak.
“Jonathan I want you to meet Jarl Frida and her husband Sven,” Duchess Golad said. “Vostik is the largest city in the duchy and Jarl Frida is its ruler.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Jonathan said as he stood up and gave a small bow. “I am no one special, you can just call me Jon.”
“Jon,” Sven said like he was tasting the name. “You are the Daragonslayer, yes?”
“Amongst other things,” Jonathan said.
“Do you plan on fighting the dragons this go around?” Sven asked.
“I sure do,” Jonathan replied. “Hopefully I am really not needed and others can get a dragon kill. I will still come out on top in the end.”
“And how much money does this dragon fighting bring in?” Sven asked.
“None really,” Jonathan replied.
“Jonathan is already semi wealthy,” Duchess Golad said. “He just likes the adventure.”
“And how will your skills protect my daughter?” Sven asked.
“Sven you have barely introduced yourself,” Jarl Frida said. “Jonathan, I hear you are single and your parents are no longer with us.”
“That is true,” Jonathan replied. “I don’t see what my parents have to do with anything.”
“If your parents were here I could use them to determine what kind of man you are,” Sven said.
“What is this all about?” Jonathan said. “I am feeling attacked. I don’t remember asking anyone for anything, especially not to be attacked.”
“I have heard you are some great warrior,” Sven said. “You do not look like much.”
“Find someone willing to face me in a fight to the death,” Jonathan said. “I will never turn down anyone who wants to test my mettle.”
“To the death?” Sven asked.
“To the death,” Jonathan replied. “I have killed more men than can fit into this room which is why I am not sure why you are insulting me. If you want to have a go, I am right here.”
“That will be enough of that!” Duchess Golad screamed. “Sven is just trying to see if you are the right sort of man for his daughter.”
“I have no idea who the young lady is,” Jonathan replied. “But I do not people bringing up my parents, Your Grace. “I really do not appreciate people questioning my bravery.”
“Sven you have insulted him,” Jarl Frida said. “This young man seems like he is everything we have heard and more.”
“Remains to be seen,” Sven said. “Why should I let you court my Aviva?”
“Don’t” Jonathan replied.
“Don’t?” Sven said surprised.
“Don’t,” Jonathan said. “I do not know who she is and you obviously either have someone you want her to be with and just know I am not the guy, so don’t.”
“Do you even know who his daughter is?” Duchess Golad asked.
“No,” Jonathan admitted. “But I am a Tower Instructor and the Champion of the Kingdom. You don’t get to be the Champion by luck. I faced down three different armies and killed a dragon, something no one in this room can boast to. I am also rich and when the time comes that I need help to find a woman, I am sure the Queen Mildred, Prince Xalen, even Prince Jeffrey and yourself will be around to help. I am not some beggar. Maybe the other mages that work for you come from little but I am definitely not one of them. One of
my accounts has almost two thousand gold in it and none of that is from the Kingdom. I have my own estate, my own servants and I stand to inherit my Grandfather’s business. I may not be Lord Russell but a young lady can do a lot worse than me.”
“Now look what you have done Sven,” Jarl Frida said. “This young man is not like the others.”
“Why would I tell you about some penniless mage?” Duchess Golad said. “This was supposed to be the official meeting between you both as Aviva’s parents and me as Jonathan’s guardian to discuss upcoming nuptials.”
“Nuptials?” Jonathan said surprised.
“All you have done is insult this boy and me,” Duchess Golad said as she then turned to look at Jonathan. “Go away!”
“Wait,” Sven said as Jonathan got up and started walking away. “I just needed to make sure he wasn’t some outsider here to use my Aviva for her money. There are many men after her, I needed to be sure he could take care of her. Come back here Boy!”
Jonathan ignored the man and found himself on the dance floor. Before he could look to find a partner, Farrah appeared in front of him. Jonathan looked around her as she grabbed his hand. Jonathan was about to yank the hand away when the musicians started playing a tune. Jonathan sighed as he started dancing with Farrah, right away he could tell that she was not as fluid as most of the girls he had danced with but she wasn’t a novice.
“What do you want Farrah?” Jonathan asked.
“The Jarl’s husband is just a proud man,” Farrah said. “Don’t you want to meet his daughter? She really is a dear and was sitting next to me. You never looked over at her, if you had I know you would like her.”
“I’ll pass,” Jonathan said as he twirled Farrah around. “I don’t need any help finding a woman.”
“You bragging about that boyish acting girl Gertie?” Farrah asked. “She didn’t even have the decency to dress up for the Prince’s birthday and your hair is longer than hers is. I suppose she was sweet enough but there are many noble mages she could go for. Aviva is a much prettier girl, not drop dead gorgeous like Wendy but beautiful in her own way. You would never be able to find a woman like her away from the mountain. She is a noble that comes from money. Her brother will be the Jarl but she will be Magister.”
“Then she will not have any problems,” Jonathan said as he focused on his hand. A burst of wind shot out and pushed the musician with the lute into one that was playing a flute. They both crashed into the harp player and the music stopped suddenly.
“I saw what you did,” Farrah said. “Why would you do that?”
“To get out of dancing with you,” Jonathan said as he broke her grip. “I think I have had enough fun for tonight. Hopefully I can get out of here sooner rather than later.”
CHAPTER 18
Return of the Champion
Jonathan was happy to be getting back to the palace. It wasn’t as difficult as he thought it would be hanging around Duchess Golad but the woman was pleasant enough. She was a bit upset at Jarl Frida’s husband and especially since Jonathan refused to date the girl afterwards. Jonathan had danced with her a few times and thought she was pretty but made it known to everyone that he and Sven would likely butt heads and it wasn’t worth it. Jonathan had found out that he was worth double what they were and the man had tried to have conversations that Jonathan had shut down immediately. Dealing with Farrah was something else, it was like she wanted to be buddies. Jonathan never had a decent conversation with her and ensured he was always near Duchess Golad. Jonathan could tell the girl missed him and probably wanted to drag him off somewhere to kiss on each other. Jonathan had thwarted her and was happy to receive a missive from the Archmage telling him to return home. Jonathan found his mentor sitting in his office with door opened.
“Welcome back Jonathan,” Erlanger said. “I would have pulled you back sooner but there was no way to do so without rankling the royals. You sure took your time getting back.”
“Duchess Golad had me busy when Russell left,” Jonathan said. “I needed a few days to unwind. How did you get me back?” Jonathan asked.
“Many things all went together as one,” Erlanger said. “We believe a Downian attack is imminent. Many people want to keep you out of this war, at least the first half of it. No one is dumb enough to think you should sit out the entire war, I have been under pressure to let others get a chance at glory. I am going to keep you close, when I need you I expect for you to be there.”
“You are coming as well?” Jonathan asked.
“I am the Archmage, it is my job,” Erlanger said. “Besides, it will go a long way that you were under the hand of the Archmage. The Mage Commander will be there, he has visions of commanding all the mages in battle so I will be there to disappoint. I have found over the years that the man is incompetent when it comes to leading commoner mages and there will be enough of them there. I am not placing all mages under his control, I will give him any who want to join.”
“Sounds fair,” Jonathan said. “Anything else?”
“I have been directly instructing two of the Superb Seven,” Erlanger said. “At the behest of the Queen.”
“Who are the Superb Seven?” Jonathan asked.
“Seven of the strongest overall class to come out of the Tower,” Erlanger said.
“There are seven of them now?” Jonathan asked.
“Two of them are the former brothel girls you heard about,” Erlanger said. “That one you think is pretty turned out not to have been in that line of work, she is going to be something special. I have duels coming up with both of them. To win they are going to have to show me more than just speed and power, I am just a lot craftier than they are.”
“You really think they are the strongest class?” Jonathan asked.
“They are,” Erlanger said. “There is seven of them. Let me put it this way, while in the Tower, each of them would have beaten Gerald Morningstar. That includes both commoners and some of the fights wouldn’t have been close. In your class there were only four that could routinely best him. Red doesn’t count, he won that fight on trickery and if they had of immediately ran it back he would have lost.”
“How do they rank amongst the Big Four?” Jonathan asked.
“I think one of them may be able to take Monica right now,” Erlanger replied. “I don’t think she realizes it yet. I think Initiate Segdrick will be able to by the end of his second year. Most mage battles are a chess match, Segdrick has all the pieces, he just needs more practice on how to use the board. I think by the second year, Initiate Crystal will be able to as well.”
“Then I need to really get in there and practice,” Jonathan said. “How is initiate Wallace?”
“Still using his technique,” Erlanger said. “It infuriates people but Initiate Segdrick and Initiate Ashley have figured him out. They keep up a shield and then toss a fireball at him. He has to either dodge or turn to deal with the fireball which gives them an opening to get to him. Anyone with less than the ability to cast three spells simultaneously is in for a hard fight. He has been beaten by both commoners though. Initiate Crystal has a peculiar condition which causes her to regain her magic within an hour, she doesn’t need sleep to do it. She just outlasts him and has enough speed to keep him wary. Initiate Alonna combines acrobatics with mage fighting. She can slip many attacks and dish out her own. Her speed is decent for a commoner, about what Gerald Morningstar could bring. Excellent mind in battle, she is enough of a problem on her own.”
“So you think we have seen the just of Initiate Wallace’s ability?” Jonathan asked.
“I think he happened upon the right technique before he got here,” Erlanger said. “If he had a cudgel or something like your man Charles carries around I think he would be very dangerous to get into with. Winchell could tell you more but he has his hands as full as I do.”
“Are they sending this class to battle like mine had to?” Jonathan asked.
“How could we not,” Erlanger said. “I know they ar
e just kids, so were you when you went. The strongest class in history cannot sit out a battle like this. Her Majesty wants them there, the Mage Commander wants them there, most of the noble mages are going to want them there after the tournament.”
“What tournament?” Jonathan asked.
“The main reason I was able to get you here,” Erlanger said. “There is going to be a tournament, sixteen of the top initiates are going to battle it out. It is something that many people wished happened when you four were in the Tower now that they have heard about it. After the first round, we are going to be left with eight. Regardless of how the tournament ends, those eight will be broken up into two teams. Each team is going to get a crack at one of the Big Four.”
“Oh this just got real,” Jonathan said. “Initiate Danica wants to run our fight back and Initiate Wallace does as well. Initiate Ashley still wants a match and I am sure Initiates Segdrick and Emma wants a piece. Who is the other of my class who will fight?”
“Monica,” Erlanger said. “Winner of both fights then fight each other.”
“That is going to be a tough battle,” Jonathan admitted. “How will the teams be divided?”
“Tournament winner gets their choice of any three who made the round of eight,” Erlanger said. “They also get first pick of who they want to fight out of you and Monica. “I have Initiate Danica winning. She will most likely pick Initiates Segdrick and Wallace. I think for her last pick it will be Emma if she is trying to send a message or Initiate Crystal if she wants the best chance of winning. I think with Emma or Crystal that this group would be too much for Monica to handle even with her experience. I think they will be able to take you as well.”
“My lightning magic will be on display,” Jonathan replied. “People haven’t seen it often, that doesn’t mean I have given up on using it. If they beat me, they are going to have to earn it. I have went up against Xalen, Gerald, and their cronies and it took the rest of the Big Four to hold me off.”
“That is the Jon Thunder I know,” Erlanger said. “Tournament starts in two days and already the city is packed to the brim with angry people.”
The Archmage Page 43
