“You do?” Crystal asked.
“I have heard about how quickly you regain your magic,” Jonathan replied. “I think that along with your other gifts could make you dangerous. I think you will be able to beat Initiate Segdrick in the majority of your fights due to you possessing the better speed and power to back it up. The fight wouldn’t be easy but it should be winnable.”
“And Danica?” Crystal asked.
“You just need to figure out how to stay away from her,” Jonathan replied. “Maybe during the off season if you are around we can practice. I can try and mimic her style and you can find your best course of action. Of course I am sure she will be in training as well, so this might not work.”
“I’d like that,” Crystal replied. “Well are you ready to walk inside? Prince Xalen hates me and so does his father. I think being with me is going to make them hate you as well.”
“Two knobbers,” Jonathan said. “They already hate me because I will not go off and marry some mundane noble.”
“I haven’t gotten that yet,” Crystal replied. “They just call me a whore.”
“Well then, this will be better than I ever imagined,” Jonathan laughed. “They are scared to death of me marrying a strong commoner mage. Let’s give them something to talk about.”
Jonathan walked inside and could hear a gasp. It was Danica and she was sitting with a man Jonathan hadn’t seen before. Jonathan thought she would have invited Xalen but then thought better of it. Why would she invite him if he was coming anyway? The man was most likely some family member and Danica wanted to have him around some of the more influential mages in the Kingdom. Jonathan could see Ashley had done the same thing. A boy that looked similar to her was seated to her left, probably an older brother. Jonathan found a placard with Crystal’s name on it and pulled out a chair for her to have a seat. Crystal sat down and then Jonathan joined her.
“You and Crystal?” Prince Jordan said with a big smile. “Well done Sir!”
“We are just on a date,” Jonathan replied. “She feels bad for the way she won and this is to make it up to me. I cannot wait to go out there and lose again!”
“That display even made me blush,” Prince Jordan said. “I kept the broken wooden seat Crystal used. I want to have my own museum and I think that would be a great addition. My dagger you gave me is there as well.”
“I cannot wait to see it in a few years,” Jonathan said and then looked at Ashley. “Good showing out there. You caught a tough bracket in the tournament, facing Initiate Segdrick that early on had to be a downer.”
“He is just better than me at everything I can do,” Ashley replied. “I still had fun and I am one of the few who can say I got a win over Jonathan the Lightning.”
“That you do,” Jonathan replied. “What are your plans for this war coming up?”
“I don’t know really,” Ashley said. “I heard about the Mage Commander putting something together.”
“I wouldn’t do it,” Jonathan replied. “You are better off with the military, assuming they have someone competent. Whenever I get into the war, you are welcome to come with me.”
“You are just trying to take forces away from the Mage Commander,” Wallace said.
“Last time I checked, I didn’t need a team to put down a dragon,” Jonathan replied. “But feel free to follow the man. I have been in more battles than he has and my praises have been sung from all four corners of the kingdom from men and women who have fought in battle alongside of me. Go ahead and place your faith in someone who is not combat tested. The Dragonknights didn’t care if they were killing commoners or nobles the last time I fought them.”
“Are you going to slay any more of the beasts?” Prince Jordan asked.
“I will,” Jonathan replied. “Or I will die trying. I will probably do most of my fighting with the Army, give the common man a hero to rally around.”
“They would like that,” Prince Jordan said.
“Is this the girl?” said a boy who Jonathan thought looked like a much better version of Wallace.
“Yes and the other one is at the other end,” Wallace said looking down the table.
“I am guessing you must be Wembley,” Crystal said and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you, your brother speaks about you often.”
“He does?” Wembley asked.
“Yes,” Crystal replied. “He is also as rude a man as I have ever met. He suggested that I fight my best friend until one of us is unconscious. The winner gets the privilege of marrying him and the loser would get you. You can see why neither my friend or I took him up on such a crude offer.”
“You are nothing but a bunch of...” Wallace began.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jonathan said as he cut him off. “She is on my arm and I will defend her honor to the death if need be. You haven’t even seen my best yet, am I the man you want to look across the arena at while fighting for your life?”
“Enough with these threats,” Prince Xalen said. “Crystal Ward, why would you come here with him?”
“You said it yourself Your Highness,” Crystal said with a straight face. “I am a whore, I have to take what I can get. What whore wouldn’t be happy with a man who is not only strong and handsome, but rich as well? I may never have to work again.”
“You are not like your friend there, so stop playing with me,” Prince Xalen said. “If you needed a proper date I could have found you one.”
“I only date men who can beat me in a mage duel,” Crystal replied. “If you know of someone I will gladly go on a date with him tomorrow after our match.”
“So who is the lucky guy?” Jonathan asked. “I need to make sure he is front and center when we face the Downey. I wouldn’t mind seeing him fight Crystal tomorrow.”
“My brother doesn’t know anyone that talented other than Russell and probably Gerald,” Prince Jordan said.
“Well Russell is with Monica and Gerald is uh, Gerald,” Jonathan replied. “Maybe there is a mystery suitor.”
“Being strong in magic has nothing to do with if they are suitable for you or not,” Prince Xalen said.
“It does to me,” Crystal replied. “What good is a man if he can’t even keep me in line? What happens if another man threatens my honor? Am I going to have to fight because he is too weak to?”
Jonathan saw Xalen narrow his eyes and walk away. Jonathan couldn’t hold in his laughter and laughed long and hard. Other people wanted to see what the fuss was about but no one who heard the conversation wanted to explain. When Jonathan finished he wiped a tear out of his eye and looked over at Crystal.
“That was a load of bollocks,” Jonathan said. “You don’t need no man to protect your honor and I can only name eight or nine men that could beat you in a duel. Two of them are the saltiest, angriest bastards you could ever meet and they are only interested in giving up their positions and are too old to be romancing. One is the Mage Commander and the other is Gerald Morningstar, who I can assure you is not interested. That leaves only a handful of people in the Kingdom.”
“Yeah but it chases a lot of people away,” Crystal giggled. “You should hear some of the lines I have been given.”
“This sounds like a challenge,” Jonathan replied. “I was told by Grace Story that after she married she would be open to have me warm her bed from time to time. Even offered to pay me for it.”
“Story?” Crystal said and rolled her eyes. “I have met the family before. I don’t know if it is a best line, but everyone wants to know how many partner’s I have had. They then insult me like I am no one special and expect me to jump when they say they may be interested. The sparring thing makes people walk away, at least they know they cannot take me.”
“You did flatten the Champion,” Jonathan replied. “I should be happy you are younger than me. If not I may have had serious competition for Archmage.”
“Straight in front of you, ten paces away,” Crystal whispered as Jonathan looked up to see Prince
Jeffrey.
“Thunder,” Prince Jeffrey said and then looked at Crystal. “We need to talk away from here.”
Jonathan stood up and followed the Prince out of the room. Prince Jeffrey spun on him as soon as he was out of earshot and Jonathan could see both Xalen and the Mage Commander walk up. Whatever Jeffrey was going to say was irrelevant, just by bringing this man he had made a mistake.
“What are you doing here with that girl?” Prince Jeffrey asked.
“Making my move,” Jonathan replied. “She is smart, insanely beautiful and powerful. Her father knew my parents and died alongside of them. We are kindred spirits.”
“She has no fortune,” Prince Jeffrey said. “I thought you were about the coin?”
“And I have plenty of it,” Jonathan replied.
“This war is starting up and I want you off the battlefield,” Prince Xalen said. “At first contact I do not want you anywhere around. The Mage Commander will handle things, am I clear?”
“You are Your Highness,” Jonathan said.
“And I do not want you seeing that girl again,” Prince Xalen said. “She is above your level and shows promise. If you want a suitable match I am sure one can be found.”
“You do not have the power to tell me who I should be dating,” Jonathan replied. “You are acting like you don’t want to see the first ultra-powerful commoner Mage Family.”
“That is an abomination,” Kevin Wilson said. “That is what got your father on my bad side. He knew better and he defied me.”
“Which is the reason I am doing so right now,” Jonathan replied. “You may be able to entice her with a better match and she may take it. But at least one girl will throw caution to the wind. But this is far into the future, I will make Archmage first.”
“Speaking of that,” Prince Jeffrey said. “This is going to be the Mage Commander’s last war. I am offering you full control of all mages sent to fight along with pay one copper less than what the Archmage is making.”
“No deal,” Jonathan replied.
“The signing bonus is five thousand gold,” Prince Jeffrey said.
“FIVE THOUSAND GOLD?!?” Jonathan said as he started choking. “Are you insane? Five thousand gold is more money than a new Archmage would make in their lifetime. No job is worth that much money. That is more than some Baronets are worth.”
“And it could be yours if you say yes,” Prince Jeffrey said.
“That is a lot of money,” Jonathan replied. “Almost bit on it but I will never be beholden to another man who could get off on sending commoners to die. But five thousand gold, that is money that my great grandchildren would still be spending. I could by a small town for that kind of money and still have most of it left over.”
“Jonathan,” Queen Mildred said as she came walking up. “The young lady you brought is attracting attention. Might you go see to her care since you are supposed to be her date?”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Jonathan said, happy that he was out of that conversation. Jonathan wasn’t about the money but five thousand gold was five thousand gold. When Jonathan walked back into the ballroom he saw Crystal had attracted admirers. Wallace’s brother Wembley was there along with the boy Ashley had brought and another man that Jonathan wasn’t sure how he was invited. Jonathan walked over and could see the newcomer was sitting in his seat.
“Excuse me Sir,” Jonathan began. “I think you are in my seat.”
The man looked back at him and then turned around to talk to Crystal. Jonathan bent real low and whispered into the man’s ear. Jonathan was sure most of the people could hear what he was about to say because the room got abnormally quiet.
“I don’t care who you are,” Jonathan began. “But I am going to ask the Queen the chance to protect my honor by meeting you in the arena. She might not grant it but Prince Jordan definitely would. You can accept and I will leave you a smear more disgusting than a fat man using a new leaf or you can back out like the coward you are. Regardless I am only going to ask you one more time before I start throwing these hands. Now get out of my seat.”
The man looked at Jonathan shocked but slowly rose up. Jonathan could tell he wanted to say something but the look Jonathan gave him practically dared him to. Ashley paled and then pulled her brother away and Wallace did likewise. They had never seen this side of Jonathan before and he was sure he may have frightened Crystal as well. Jonathan sat back down and plastered a smile on his face.
“So what did I miss?” Jonathan asked jovially.
“Uh, you uh,” Crystal began. “Thank you but I could have handled that myself. Did you know who that was?”
“No idea,” Jonathan replied. “I do know that he is not one of the Superb Seven or the Big Four. No chance on him ever beating me in the arena.”
“That was Prince Jeffrey’s nephew,” Crystal said.
“Good for him,” Jonathan replied. “I hope he doesn’t let his rank get him all spun up to do something.”
“You really have no shame, do you?” Wallace asked. “I wanted the man gone as well but he is the King’s nephew.”
“Prince Jeffrey is not the King,” Jonathan said. “And I run from no man. My path only goes forward.”
“Macho bull,” Danica said. “You are not impressing anyone at this table.”
“I impressed you during our fight,” Jonathan teased. “I am sure it is a moment you will never forget. Now can you imagine if that was for real? People talk like you are something special, I agree with them. But can you say you were truly ready to face me? Even with three other people with you?”
“You can be beaten,” Wallace said.
“I can,” Jonathan replied. “And if I am not killed I will still never back down. Good story you might have never heard. Lord Russell knocked me completely unconscious one day while we were Initiates. I probably let my mouth get away from me and deserved it, doesn’t matter what I said. Have any of you seen me back away from him? I am sure at least one of you at this table have heard him threaten me.”
“Your bravery can be mistaken for foolishness,” Danica said.
“Maybe,” Jonathan said. “But for better or worse, my attitude has led me to dine with the Queen with the most beautiful woman I have ever seen on my arm. She combines her beauty with smarts and power. Commoner or not, I am here with her and many nobles wish they were. Save your insults, I saw how they pounced once I left.”
“And I am happy you said yes,” Crystal replied. “Can we change the subject? All of this talk about fighting just makes me think about the Dragonknights. After tomorrow we have three weeks to meet up in Grottingham. It gives me a little over a week to go back home.”
“To your brothel?” Danica asked. “You have some customers you need to see?”
“What can I say, your father misses me,” Crystal said.
Jonathan laughed and spent the rest of the night enjoying Crystal’s company as people came over and secretly tried getting her attention. Jonathan thought she handled everything nicely considering she received many dirty looks. The man who Jonathan challenged was Zander Montague, he spent the night looking over angrily at Jonathan who ignored him. Apparently the man was now one of Kevin Wilson’s Battlemages and figured to be a big part of the upcoming war.
CHAPTER 24
First Contact
Jonathan had been in Jubilee now for three weeks. It was a town close enough to the border that he could be fetched if anything real big happened. The Archmage had left with him immediately after the dinner he went to at the Bissell Palace and Jonathan thought they made good time. Senior Commander Burns was supposed to be leading a group of men there eventually and General Goodnight was already on the border but he was not in charge overall. Kevin Wilson had gathered a decent amount of mages to his side, they were forming dragon hunting teams and Jonathan hoped they were successful. Jonathan took a sip of water, ale was too much and he wanted to have his wits about him.
“Champion Thunder,” the Lord Mayor said as she gesture
d to a soldier dressed in the garb of a messenger. Jonathan stood up, the man looked frightened and Jonathan could tell he had seen death.
“How many?” Jonathan said.
“Two dragons,” the soldier wearing sergeant stripes said. Jonathan thought the message could have been delivered by a private, the fact a sergeant was sent to fetch him said a lot. “No mages were with us. They burned over a Legion of cavalry, we have been in full retreat since then.”
“Full retreat?” Jonathan asked.
“The Downians are in our border,” the soldier said. “We have been ordered off of the border and away from where the Downians have their infrastructure. We have been moving since first contact this morning and do not plan to stop until the sun goes down. If the enemy cannot set up then we can get more time to prepare. We are marching hard to reach our mage support and it is believed the Downians are marching hard as well.”
“I know along the route they are supposed to be moving,” Jonathan replied. “My things have stayed packed and I will be on my way. How long did it take you to reach me?”
“I left when the sun had barely risen and the dragons just attacked,” the soldier replied. “If you leave now you should be able to make it to them before nightfall.”
“I need to grab some things first,” Jonathan replied. “I will be there before first light. I have my carriage on standby and the moon will be out tonight. I will see you before the morning sun rises. In fact you have been riding all day. Why don’t you find somewhere to take a nap? I will fetch you and you can travel back with me and give your horse a rest.”
“He can rest here,” the Lord Mayor said.
Jonathan gave the woman a smile and stood up. He showed confidence but was shaking in his boots. One of the things Jonathan had done while waiting to pass time is that he got more sets of his Champion robes made and two large banners. He had hired a group of older men to hold them and announce him with horns, drums and then shout out his accomplishments. Jonathan thought it was a bit silly but the Tower Mage had told him that people needed someone to look up to. He wanted his students to have a face that they could connect with courage. Jonathan already knew people would rally around him. Commoner mages and mundanes would be happy to have him in their number. First thing Jonathan had to do was go to the Inn and find his carriage driver.
The Archmage Page 48
