The Knight Mage

by Whiskey Flowers

  John made a large domed shield that would serve as a temporary shelter, he left a small hole for breathing near the top and dropped his personal shield. As long as nothing started pounding on it, his aura replenish rate should stay nearly full. John figured he would only need to travel maybe a day longer, his mount didn’t need breaks and he had a good speed going. From the air he could maybe go faster, he had to admit to himself that flying was fun but so far he had a nice time traveling through the country. The next day John woke up and realized he was hungry, the knight training had taught him how to hunt but he did not have any weapons. John had learned to hunt with the crossbow, the spear or even his sword when needed. He knew how to trap animals but did not plan on staying long to see if he caught anything. John went back to riding but put a shield over himself and the conjured horse he was riding. That should be more than capable of masking his scent just in case he came across anything. Three hours into his trip he caught sight of dire wolves bringing down an old stag. John took off towards the kill, he surprised the wolves for a second who jumped back at first then started to attack. John conjured a sword and hacked off a hind leg then took off, the wolves chased him for a quarter mile but soon gave up and went back to their kill. John skinned his part of the animal then cut it into pieces, the fact that he was able to do this brought a smile to his face as it was something he never would have been able to do had he stayed in the tower. John found some dry sticks along with some dry grass for tinder and went to work, it didn’t happen as fast as he would have liked but an hour later he had a good fire going and was roasting two of the cuts he had made. By the time John started back on the road he had a full belly and all the meat he intended to take cooked. His estimate of reaching the capital was still achievable as he pressed his speed.

  It was dark when he reached Dyson, the city was easy to find once he identified the Tower of Mages. John thought about stopping at the tower but decided against it, Sara had graduated and even if she didn’t, John really didn’t think too much of her. His time away had been a growing time, he reflected on why his sister would entertain someone like Rusty Golad, when the larger boy clearly beat him up. He could come up with no excuse other than his sister was an ass, she wanted to disown him from the moment it became apparent that he was not talented in magic. The thought made him laugh, John was unsure if he could take on someone in a magic duel but in an actual fight he liked his chances against all but the strongest of mages. John didn’t bother with the gate and flew straight over, his mount was black and he was wearing dark clothes, he doubted anyone would notice. The torches made Bissell shine in the darkness, its pink glow would identify any intruders. John landed and went up to the gate and was pleased to see Jalen was still guarding the front. Poor guy must have still been the newest member so he would always get the worst jobs and shifts.

  “State your business” Jalen said as he placed his hand on the pommel of his sword.

  “John Thunder” John said looking at Jalen. “It hasn’t even been two years man”.

  “John?” Jalen said shocked. “I saw you fly in here, you look so different”.

  “I cut a little baby fat” John replied.

  “A little my ass” Jalen replied. “You look like a proper soldier, all bulging with muscles”.

  “Not a soldier, at least not anymore” John replied. “They are supposed to honor me with a few others in a couple of days”.

  “You are one of those knight things?” Jalen asked. “Little John Thunder is going to be a knight?”

  “That is correct” John beamed. “Much better than being a mage, I know my father had plans for me to experience life before coming back and graduating from the Tower but I think I like this path better. I don’t have any pressure to live up to the Thunder name, I can be my own man and make my own mark”.

  “No more pitying little John Thunder” Jalen laughed. “Your name has somewhat became synonymous with failure, at least until it became knowledge of your slaughter of the barbarians”.

  “You heard about that huh?” John asked.

  “Who didn’t” Jalen replied. “We thought we were going to war, a whole legion wiped out, the same one the Archmage’s son was at. Your survival was known all over the palace, especially since we heard you killed more than your fair share”.

  “That seems like so long ago, almost a different life” John replied. “I have been out of the loop, what happened with the barbarians anyway?”

  “They were quiet soon after that attack” Jalen replied. “Good thing too since now there is a rumor that a dragon knight has been spotted on the border”.

  “Well that is not my business anymore” John smiled. “What about yourself, I see you still have the new guy shift”.

  “None of these gray beards will retire” Jalen said with a sigh. “Until one of them does I will be stuck out here on the gate. Not all bad though, being out here is how I met my wife”.

  “Your wife?” John said surprised.

  “Oh you haven’t heard, it was a scandal!” Jalen said smiling as he leaned in to tell the rest of the story. “Your favorite palace guard managed to snag himself a nice mage girl”.

  “Really?” John said surprised. “Which one?”

  “None from any family you have heard of” Jalen replied. “I know magic tends to run in bloodlines, it is the reason you people are so selective with your marrying. None of you want the common rabble like myself to be blessed. But my Matilda was one of those who came from the country, she couldn’t trace anyone in her family back to magic but we found out her great grandfather was the son of a whore so maybe that was the connection”.

  “You married Tilly James?” John asked. He remembered the girl, she was in Sara’s class most of the time and was painfully awkward. People used to pick on her, unlike the rest of them she did not grow up into what was known as polite society. She was a plain looking girl with a round face and limp brown hair but she was always nice. The fact she married a non-mage was not a surprise to John, she never really fit in with the rest of them, even more so than himself.

  “So you know my wife” Jalen beamed. “Had our first babe not even a fortnight ago, a little girl. We named her Ruby after Matilda’s grandmother, she is a beautiful sight”.

  “I look forward to meeting her” John replied. “This is my first time back here since I left the tower, I want to catch up with everything”.

  “Well don’t stay out here yapping with me then” Jalen said as he opened the gate. “Go on inside and see your people, we can catch up with each other a little later”.

  John nodded and walked inside, he felt nostalgic almost immediately. The sprawling grounds with Bissell Palace sitting in the middle brought up good memories. John conjured his mount back and rode it to the side door of the palace. He greeted the guard posted who gave him a surprised look and went to find his father’s office. The Archmage was always reachable, during the times he was not in his office he always had one of his assistants available, the three of them worked on rotation every hour of every day and a big part of their job was keeping up with his schedule. John could hear his father before he saw him, he was in an argument with someone that could only be his mother. John knocked on the door harshly knowing it would anger his father. It had better be an emergency to disturb the Archmage during an argument, only a few people could be so bold.

  “Stop this yelling” John said deepening his voice as he banged on the door. “I am trying to have a tryst with one of the servant girls and you are ruining my mood”.

  “Who dares address me in-“ his father bellowed before John cut him off.

  “I dare” John said in his fake voice. “You better shut that noise down or I’m coming in there and it won’t be any talking”.

  John backed up as the door flew open and his father had a look on his face that could stop a rampaging horse cold. John smiled at the man and saw his father’s face softening, they said nothing for a few moments but just stared at each other. The Archmag
e pulled John in for a hug, John had not remembered his father being so frail before and thought it must be the fact he had changed. Tears started falling down John’s face as he hugged his father even tighter, scared if he let the man go he would disappear.

  “Well who is it then?” John’s mother Crystal said as she came to the door.

  “It’s me mother” John said as he broke his father’s embrace and hugged his mother.

  “I have been so scared for you” Crystal said as she hugged her son. “You have gotten so big, you look more like a soldier than a mage”.

  “Best decision I have ever made” John replied. “I feel good too”.

  “So you are shunning your magic then?” the Archmage asked. “When I threatened to send you to the army it was for you to embrace being a mage”.

  “And I have” John said smiling. “I may not be able to do all of that fanciness but when it comes to making barriers I have no peers”.

  “Me and your mother tried to tell you that many times” the Archmage said.

  “I was too dumb to listen” John smiled. “I was always getting ridiculed or beaten up and I let my enemies determine my happiness, not anymore, never again. I can more than hold my own in any fight, in a group of elite warriors I came in seventh out of thirty in the sword and sixth in the crossbow, the spear and the lance. As far as unarmed went I was tenth but considering I was the only person there who hadn’t trained in all of these things since birth I think I did very well”.

  “Well I am proud of you” Crystal said as she hugged her son again. “When I found out about the barbarians I nearly fainted, when some man brought all of your belongings to us I thought the worst had happened”.

  “I wrote you a note telling you what it was about” John retorted.

  “Your mother doesn’t read anything” the Archmage replied.

  “Can I ask what the argument was about?” John asked. “I could hear you both clearly behind that door”.

  “It’s your sister” the Archmage said as he took a seat. “Not only is she marrying that great buffoon, she is cutting herself short by training with Russell Golad”.

  “Russell is not a bad man” Crystal replied. “His son is a perfect ass for the way he treated our boy but his father has a pure heart”.

  “His father is a great ass that has been undermining me any chance he receives” the Archmage fumed. “First he was mad I got you, then he was angry I got the title of Archmage. Sara should be preparing herself to take over for me when I leave, she could be the next Archmage if she would only listen. She needs to be in the field fighting battles and saving lives, not stuck reading books and filling in teaching the younger students”.

  “I don’t see why that pains you so” Crystal replied.

  “Because you never let me finish” the Archmage snapped. “I was asked by the Crown Prince if I would consider taking Rusty Golad under my wing and mentoring him. The prince thought it would be a good gesture considering Sara is betrothed to that great lummox and could help bridge the gap between our two families. I would rather swallow a porcupine whole than be bothered with that idiot. Sara always talked about becoming the next Archmage but suddenly stopped to work in the tower. Sara hates books, she hates learning, she always pictured herself roasting her enemies and healing the wounded. That is where all new mages should be, suddenly she receives special treatment and gets a post many experienced mages want? Russell has told the prince he is doing it as a goodwill gesture between two of the kingdom’s strongest mages. Crystal she is being maneuvered out of contention, in ten or fifteen years there will be no way she could even be considered for Archmage, she may not even be the head of the Tower since she never would have real field experience. Assistant Tower Mage will be the best she could hope for, all because her husband doesn’t want to live in her shadow”.

  “Jonathan, Rusty is a strong mage in his own right” Crystal began. “He has more aura than anyone and the spells he can cast not even you can match. It was no guarantee that he wouldn’t become the Archmage on his own”.

  “Sara could do things that idiot cant” the Archmage retorted. “He can't even cast two spells simultaneously”.

  “He was the first in his class Jonathan” Crystal replied.

  “Look me in my eyes and tell me I should train that fool and you think Sara should give up on her dream?” the Archmage replied.

  “Someone has to back up our daughter Jonathan, she is in love” Crystal pleaded.

  “Then she is an idiot and whatever she gets serves her right” John said entering the argument. “Anyone who would date someone that tormented her brother does not deserve the good things in life”.

  “John” Crystal screamed looking at her son.

  “It’s true mother” John replied. “She above all knew what I was going through and she kept her distance from the poor shield mage. My sister although I love her is not a very nice person, she deserves that idiot until she starts remembering she is a Thunder, and Thunders should never sell themselves short or condone bullies”.

  “John I know Rusty was mean to you but-“ Crystal said as John cut her off.

  “He was down right evil mother” John replied. “One of the happiest days of my life was when I finally scored a hit on that idiot. I would welcome that idiot to try some of the things he did to me not even three years ago, I may not be the best of mages but I can more than hold my own”.

  “You never answered my question, should I train that idiot?” Jonathan asked his wife.

  “If I were you I would be angry as well” Crystal said defeated. “But the Crown Prince asked you to, so what can you do?”

  “I will resign my position first” Jonathan said as he took a deep breath.

  “Jonathan you can't, you love your job” Crystal said as she moved closer to her husband.

  “I do but I have my morals” the Archmage said. “I have thought about this, Russell can have the damn position, at least it would force him to keep his current protégé. Either way Rusty would not be anywhere near the position and I can at least give Russell a parting shot. Of course they would need a new Tower mage, someone strong in magic that has a good working knowledge of the kingdom and who has combat experience”.

  “I don’t like the way this is going” Crystal said as she backed up.

  “Come on Crystal I think it would be perfect” Jonathan said as he held his wife’s hands. “You spoke about how great Rusty is, you can take him on. All I am asking you is to toss your hat into the selection process, we both know the only mages that can rival you is myself and that idiot Russell. Sure there are a few younger mages that are strong as well like Sara or that idiot Rusty but they lack the experience and wisdom”.

  “We both know if Russell becomes the next Archmage I would be guaranteed the job” Crystal said pulling away. “The Queen wanted me in that position before, she told me herself that she wants capable women holding positions of leadership”.

  “Then you should do it” Jonathan replied. “If Sara’s true calling is with the books then eventually she will end up back at the tower”.

  “What will you do if this plan of yours works?” Crystal asked.

  “We have been saving and investing our money since before our kids were born” Jonathan smiled. “I think I will go into retirement, maybe teach a few classes here and there. We have no need of money and although I will miss the job, at least I won't have to deal with that idiot Rusty”.

  “When will you tell the Queen?” Crystal asked.

  “Tomorrow” the Archmage said. “That will give her some time to find my replacement”.

  “And if they offer the position to me?” Crystal asked.

  “Then I will support you either way” the Archmage replied. “Well enough of this scheming, let's have dinner with our son”.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Are you ever going to the tower to see your sister?” Crystal asked. “You have been here for two days now and you haven’t seen each other”.
r />   “She knows where I am at” John replied as he went through his sword forms.

  “Can you please stop doing that while we are talking?” Crystal asked.

  “Mother I have to stay in shape” John replied. “It is what kept me alive during the barbarian battle”.

  “Yes but I am talking to you” Crystal said as John stopped. “That is better, now your sister is a busy woman, she may not have time to come see you”.

  “But she has time to spend with that idiot Rusty?” John retorted.

  “John I just want you two to act like family, you haven’t seen her in over a year and a half” Crystal replied. “I should be able to fly you over there if you are not too big to hold on to your mother. It will take no more than two hours and you will be back before you know it. The rest of your people will be here soon then you have the ball and ceremony to prepare for. You may not get another chance to see her for a while until the wedding, which you will be going to”.

  “Fine mother” John replied. “Let’s hurry up and get this over with”.

  “You can't go like that” Crystal replied. “You are dripping with sweat, I still have some of your old clothes, hurry up and wash off and I’ll meet you out front”.

  John sighed as he left his mother to bathe, his hair was getting longer than the knights would have preferred so he took a razor to it. Mages normally wore their hair long and in a pony tail for men and down around the shoulders for women. The knights had stricter grooming rules than the army, low cut hair and absolutely no facial hair. After John finished he went back to his old room in his parent’s suite in the castle and put on a simple blue shirt and pants. The fabric was near its tearing point it was stretched so much but John liked the look once he saw himself. John had remembered hating the men who went around with a similar look, in reality he was probably jealous from the attention they received and now he was one of them. He felt naked without a sword belt and instead tucked a small dagger in the waist of his pants near his navel. The only thing John had that still fit right were his boots which were nicer than the ones he had been training in. John went outside and found his mother who looked him up and down.