“Jonathan do you know a Minnie?” Sara asked.
“Yes she is a girl at the Tower.”
“She came by and told me to tell you that you can never be together and to please don't ruin this for her. Whatever that means.”
“She probably found her some noble to marry herself off to.”
“Is she someone important to you son?” Joshua said as he came into the room and sat down. “Those damn nobles are hard to compete against.”
“She is just a friend I flirt with. Father I came to the Tower at the same time as Russell Golad, does that name mean anything to you?”
“Is that Duke Golad’s son?” Sara asked. “They say he is something of a prodigy and the next Archmage. He and his sister are supposed to take the mage world by storm but you can't believe everything you hear.”
“I have been holding back a bit since I got here. I don't think the stories you have heard are exaggerations.”
“Why have you been holding back? You are a Thunder Jonathan, you come from proud stock.”
“Because I have already brought unwanted attention to myself Father. Russell Golad has more raw power than anyone I or the instructors at the Tower have ever heard of. They say he is going to be the next Archmage and he is a colossal ass wipe.”
“So he is as good as we have heard, Joshua,” Sara replied.
“He can cast three magics at the same time as well,” Jonathan said. “He and his little crew get off on torturing people. They leave me the pit alone though after I beat the bollocks off of one of them.”
“That’s my boy,” Joshua said. “You can't let those nobles push you around.”
“I threatened the future leader of the kingdom and told Russell I was going to give his sister a tumble” Jonathan said laughing. “I never saw the punch that dropped me but even after that they do not have me cowed. I am part of the Big Four.”
“The Big Four?” Sara said. “So that is what they are calling your class. Who is the fourth member?”
“Monica Manchin,” Jonathan replied.
“Manchin?” Joshua said. “Pit Sara, we should have kept John home for a year. All of the big names are in his class.”
“Any other time I think I would have been alpha wolf with little problem. Here though there are battles I would rather not have. Father before I forget, why isn't our lightning magic in any of the spell books I have come across?”
“Why would it be?” Joshua said. “Many mage families have traits or spells that only belong to them. We have lightning. I know Josef Peppers and his clan have the ability to temporarily give some of their aura to mundanes. No reason to have a trick like that in a spell book if no one else can do it. When I came through here my lightning was known by just one person who had met my father before. They wouldn't let me spar any of the teachers. But my lightning dropped many a pompous noble right on their ass. Your mother though made them far angrier than I ever could.”
“What did you do mom?”
“I refused to marry or play along with whoever they were trying to put me with after your grandmother died. Many people started calling me out to duel after that. With my large amount of aura I just outlasted everyone who fought against me then put them on their ass.”
“Monica reminds me of a slightly weaker version of you mom. Trust me when I say she is no one to play with and the Golads are above her.”
“You have a tough break Jonathan” Joshua said. “Prince Xalen being in your class along with a future Duke makes things difficult. But you will make it out of there a stronger mage. Have you been trying to court anyone yet?”
“Not really” Jonathan said. “The Golads think I am trying for their daughter.”
“Go big or go home,” Joshua said laughing. “Let’s get something to eat. You and your mother can go downstairs and save us a table and I will be along shortly.”
Jonathan smiled at his father and left with his mother downstairs and into the dining room of the inn. There were many mages here and it was hard not to notice that he and his family were the only ones with a white stripe accenting their robes. Jonathan turned and could see and empty table. Just as Jonathan started moving in that direction he heard a voice assaulting him from behind.
“You are an abomination” said a man from behind Jonathan.
“Who in the pit do you think you are?” Sara said as she turned around and moved Jonathan out of her way.
“Careful who you speak to with that anger commoner,” a brown haired man said with a sneer. Jonathan thought it sounded funny for a man not much taller than his mother to act like he was something special. He had long hair tied into a ponytail like most noble male mages and a short neat goatee. Jonathan thought the man was around fifty. He could have been younger but had lines around his eyes and mouth.
“I am talking to you idiot,” Sara snapped. “No one talks to my boy like that. And before you ask if I want a fight my answer is yes. I will paste your ass all across Vashing for the crows to feast on after I am done.”
“Just who do you think you are talking to!” the man said shaking as Sara stepped up into his face.
“I am talking to you, idiot!” Sara snapped as Jonathan reached out to grab his mother to pull her away from the man. “We can go outside and handle this right now. The Royal Family is around, they can sanction our match and I will end it quickly.”
“Not her Mage Lawrence,” said a finely dressed young man as he pulled the brown haired man back.
“She is a commoner!” Lawrence said angrily. “These people need put into their place, you have heard the rumor of how strong her son is.”
“What is the issue here?” Xalen said as he came walking up with Russell, Farrah and Monica.
“This woman has challenged Mage Lawrence to a duel with arena style rules,” the finely dressed man said.
“Gerry” Xalen said looking at the finely dressed man. “Why are you out of your robes?”
“I wanted to observe this commoner of yours using my special spell,” Gerry replied.
“This will solve everything once and for all,” Russell said. “Earl Gillespie knows the mage vision spell commoner. Mage sight only identifies if someone is a mage or not. Mage vision identifies how much aura they have.”
“And what did you find out?” Xalen asked.
“This woman has the fourth or fifth largest amount of aura I have ever seen. It is hard to tell at the top level but she is at least as strong Monica Manchin. She is a fight Mage Lawrence is better off avoiding especially since she picked the fight.”
“I did no such thing,” Sara snapped.
“Silence woman I am an Earl,” Gerry snapped back.
“And I will not be called a liar,” Sara said. “This idiot insulted my son and ran like a coward behind his friends. He can either fight or shut his mouth.”
“You watch your tone in my presence,” Xalen said staring at Sara.
“What is going on?” Joshua said as he moved Sara behind him and stood in front of Mage Lawrence.
“Nothing father, maybe a miscommunication” Jonathan said.
“Your entire family is an abomination,” Mage Lawrence said. “You think you are something special because you are two commoners with power that made an even bigger abomination. You are nothing but dirty commoners and that is all you ever will be. I am just happy you only produced one piece of filth like yourselves instead of multiplying more.”
Jonathan was not fast enough to stop his father. The punch landed clean and sent Mage Lawrence sprawling all over the floor. Fire and ice erupted from Gerry hands. Jonathan’s shield was able to block his father as Lawrence was snoozed on the floor. The initial spells stopped as Jonathan tried to push his father away. Joshua pushed his son down and stood over Lawrence as angry as Jonathan had ever seen him.
“I dare this piece of shit to say anything else against my family,” Joshua said breathing heavily. “I am not one of these commoners scared of his own shadow. I was in the front of the initial exc
ursion into the barbarian lands. I helped build the furthest outpost inside of our new border. I am a Thunder and we don’t back down. Whenever this idiot wakes up you let him know I want my satisfaction.”
“Gerry,” Xalen screamed, as Gerry started another spell.
Jonathan popped a shield back in place as a soft glowing light briefly washed over Joshua. Gerry seemed surprised and cast the spell again. Gerry started laughing to himself, which made everyone around him tense. Xalen stared at the man in annoyance when Gerry finally started speaking.
“You speak a good game commoner,” Gerry said. “The way your wife was so bold to challenge a man she knew nothing of made me pause. I knew she had a lot of aura and could most likely back her words up. You though, are not your wife. You are only marginally stronger than most commoner mages. You must have really made an impression to land someone with her talent.”
“So you are saying he is nothing special?” Xalen asked.
“You could beat him in a duel,” Gerry said. “There is little power there.”
“And what about the son?” Xalen asked.
“Mage vision takes a lot out of me,” Gerry said. “I can cast it but it will be the last time I could do so today.”
“Save it then,” Xalen said as he looked at Joshua. “Your wife’s challenge to Mage Lawrence will not be upheld. Mage Lawrence merely spoke some words and like all commoners her answer was ignorance and violence. You however struck Mage Lawrence in the presence of an Earl, a future Duke and myself. If he wants to fight it is his right as a mage. I will sanction this fight and I am sure your King and Queen will side with me. This is the time for you to admit you have overstepped your boundaries and decline this battle and go away with the rest of the commoners doing whatever it is commoners do.”
“I will do no such thing Your Highness,” Joshua said. “Perhaps after he is dead anyone who thinks about harming my wife and son will think better of it. This dog has teeth and is better off being left alone.”
“Then it seems you will finally be put in your place, Thunder,” Xalen said looking at Jonathan. “You were bold for threatening me because while in training I am just any other student. You were bold for tossing insults at my cousin Russell and threatening to deflower his sister. All around the Tower there has been talk about how to put the commoner with the big mouth in his place. Mage Lawrence is a true noble mage. His power is greater than mine. And while he may not be on the level of the Big Four, he is more than a match for your father. Perhaps seeing him dead will be enough to bring some humility into you.”
“Even if the worst happens,” Jonathan said. “I will not cower for anyone.”
“None of us will,” Sara said.
“Enjoy what time you have left with your family Thunder,” Xalen said and turned around.
“I hate dealing with these people,” Joshua said. “It is the reason your mother and I want you to become one of their number.”
“Father that man said you are overmatched,” Jonathan said worried.
“I am overmatched in every fight I have ever been in,” Joshua said. “But I have my lightning just like you do, it is both fast and deadly. My strongest bolts may not look all thick and bright like yours does son, but it is still lightning. It is perfect for breaking through mage shields and casts so quick another one can be on the way before my opponent knows what has happened. They are enough to outright kill in some instances, trust me when I say I am not worried.”
“But I am father. I am worried.”
“Listen to your father Jonathan” Sara said placing a hand on his shoulder. “Now let's go someplace else. This place is starting to fill up with mages and once they get that man on his feet the hatred that will be seen here will be something else.”
“Joshua Thunder,” said a voice just as Joshua started walking out of the inn. Jonathan turned around and could see a man heading towards them with a robe accented in gold stripes. Kevin Wilson looked enough like his younger brother that Jonathan thought he could had identified the Archmage even if he was in regular clothing. He walked towards them like he hadn't a care in the world. Jonathan thought he looked like a wolf who walked into a pen filled with sheep.
“Archmage,” Joshua said as he turned around to face the man. Jonathan noticed the Archmage’s eyes rove over him then his mother before finally settling back down on Joshua.
“So this is your commoner family,” the Archmage said. “I have never met your wife before and after the tale I just heard I can guess why you always took jobs on her behalf. I knew you completed things as a team so I knew she along with your son existed. What I didn't know was how capable your wife and son were. Why did you hide this?”
“Because I don't need to hear horrible things that would be said about my family” Joshua said.
“The power should have been someone else’s!” the Archmage said raising his voice.
“I know me and my wife have done more than any of your noble mages” Joshua said. “When you need things done I know I am the first one you think of because the job will be completed and done to standard. Random bandits, well digging and anything else you have need of, you call me because I can get it done. If your nobles with all of their power are just so capable, then why don't you ask one of them instead?”
“Careful how you talk to me Joshua Thunder,” the Archmage said. “I don't have to give you any jobs. I have others that would do anything for extra coin.”
“And I am already wealthy,” Joshua said. “Even without the money I and my Sara get for helping you, I can survive and do so nicely. You should be careful of how you talk to me, good help is hard to find.”
“Are you giving me an ultimatum?” The Archmage asked. “I can have you on the front lines facing the Realin or the Downey. Both borders are heating up and I would make sure you are front and center.”
“You don't scare us,” Sara said. “And you have most likely made up your mind about whatever it was that you were going to do already anyway. You will not get any groveling from me or my family.”
“You remember this day, Joshua Thunder,” the Archmage said. “When you are dying on a field of battle somewhere I want you to remember this day. I often wondered how you and your wife accomplished tasks that mages I knew were stronger than you were would find difficult. You all have a good day.”
“Why did you antagonize that man father,” Jonathan said worried. “He just wanted to push you around a bit to make himself feel better... then he would have left.”
“Fuck him,” Joshua said. “Don't bow down to these people John or they will keep pushing you around to make themselves feel better. He does let us earn a lot of money but we already have a good amount saved up. And we are only part of the reserves for less than two years before our twenty is up. We should only have to do ten like it is for the nobles, but it is what it is. If that idiot decides we are not worth it anymore then there are going to be tons of complaints from people who need mage help. We are not the only ones who work for him but your mother and I always take the most difficult jobs he has.”
CHAPTER 6
“Are you ready commoner?” Xalen said as he looked over at Jonathan. “Before we start any of our tests your father is going to meet his maker.”
“My father is no coward,” Jonathan said. “It doesn't matter how much magic he has to play with.”
“Harrington wasn't a coward either,” Gerald laughed. “We all saw where that got him.”
“At least they have all started acting correctly around their betters,” Xalen said looking over at the commoner mages. “They have stayed silent and have not tried to make a nuisance of themselves. Maybe they will be able to find someone while they are here just like Millicent Andrews did.”
“Millie saw her chance at a noble and decided dirty commoners were not worth the bother” Gerald laughed. “Oh the show is about to start.”
“Are you well Thunder?” Thurman asked. “Every mage in the city got up to watch this. Some super mage here
is going around telling people that your father has very little magic to work with. They say he has less magic than I do. I don't think that is going to be enough to win this fight.”
“I have had my friend Earl Gerry Gillespie take a look at him multiple times,” Xalen said bragging. “There are many noble mages in the tower stronger than he is. Mage Lawrence is stronger than I am and he is a regular sparring partner of my father’s Champion. The stupid commoner should have begged forgiveness to get out of this.”
“My father does not beg,” Jonathan said sounding full of pride and courage.
Jonathan knew the courage was false though, he was worried for his father and almost everyone around him was excited at the likelihood of seeing his father die. His father had done much for the kingdom and it bothered him that this is what people wanted. They wanted to see him humbled and dead. Jonathan knew why his father refused to back down from them. Maybe he was right when he said that they would continue to belittle him. Jonathan was standing with the students and looked over at the families. His mother had a nervous look on her face. Jonathan could tell she was probably hearing some of the same things he was, just worse. His father walked into the area. He was bare chested despite the cold and only wore light fitting trousers and boots. His father had cut off all of his hair. From the angle Jonathan was viewing his father could have been any soldier in the Kirby army with his current look.
“Your father thinks a makeover will help him?” Monica said laughing. “Honestly he looks like a fool with no shirt on. Does he think he is being intimidating?”
“He took off anything that could catch fire and burn,” Russell said. “His pants are tight but from here I can see that they are also wet. He cut off his hair so it would not catch fire and distract him.”
The Lightning Mage Page 7