“What is the knife for he is trying to hide in his belt?” Xalen asked. “I can see the dagger hilt from here.”
“That is for finishing” Russell said. “If he is out of magic he is going to use that to win. If he cannot win then he can use the blade to take his own life instead of suffering.”
“Then he should just kill himself now and save Mage Lawrence the trouble,” Monica laughed.
“You all have your fun,” Jonathan said. “No matter what happens I know the majority of you are not as strong as others believe you to be. Only one of you have had the guts to challenge me and it ended with him on the ground with his face bashed in.”
“If it makes you feel better, then hold on to that memory Thunder,” Gerald laughed. “Just like I am going to hold on to this memory. Mage Lawrence is going to make your mother a widow. I understand if you want to leave afterwards to console her. I will even buy you both a drink to pour your tears into.”
“Stop it Gerald, he is going to cry,” Monica said laughing.
Jonathan ignored them as Mage Lawrence came out and stood across from Joshua. The man didn't have a mark on him despite the punch he took and Jonathan was sure it was because of all the mages around. One or a group of them probably healed him, now Mage Lawrence looked fresh and ready for battle. Lawrence looked over at Sara and gave her a wink, Jonathan saw his mother had no reaction to the gesture.
“Do you have anything you want to say commoner?” King Jeffrey said as he stood up. “You asked for this battle and these are possibly the last words you will ever speak.”
“No,” Joshua said as he looked over at Lawrence.
“What about you Lawrence?” King Jeffrey said with a little humor in his voice. “It is not every day a commoner challenges a noble to fight to the death for an insult.”
“Only that Sara Thunder is not yet forty,” Lawrence replied. “My wife died last year but my children do not have the power I do. After I kill her husband I want to give her an offer of being with a real man. We can still have at least one or two more children and she will get the chance to right the wrong of her abomination that is standing over with the rest of the students.”
“Well I think it is a marvelous idea and will heal some of the hurt that is sure to follow,” King Jeffrey said laughing.
“I think you are trying to be unnecessarily cruel” Queen Mildred said. “Now do what you came here to do instead of trying to cause an outrage among my commoners.”
“Oh calm down Mildred,” King Jeffrey said. “You have always had a soft spot in your heart for these people.”
“These people, as you put it” Queen Mildred began, “are the reason we have a kingdom. And they do most of the work in the kingdom. These people ensure you live the life you do and your duty is to them, not the other way around. Now let's hurry this thing up. I don't have all day.”
Jonathan was surprised to hear the Queen snap at her husband. Jonathan knew technically there was no King. The monarchy was through Queen Mildred. King Jeffrey was technically the King Consort. It gave him the title of King but was largely a ceremonial title. To hear the Queen snap and become angry, that was something not many were ready for as the once boisterous gathering became silent.
“Why did she have to bring him here?” Xalen said. Jonathan followed his eyes and could see next to the Queen was a little boy who looked like a miniature version of his father.
“You know your mother would never leave him at home,” Russell replied.
“Doesn't he have training or something to get to?” Xalen said annoyed. “I bet he thought it was real funny his little friend David broke through my shield. No matter how hard he trains he will still be worthless. He is the only one of us with no magic and mother humors him too much. Do you know what he told my father last night?”
“What?” Russell asked.
“He wanted to bring the title of Knight over here like they do in other kingdoms,” Xalen replied.
“What is a knight?” Monica asked.
“Mundanes who are great fighters or have done great things are given the title” Xalen said. “It is a way to give them recognition. He is just jealous of mages and always has been.”
Jonathan heard a horn sound and saw fire forming in Lawrence’s hands. Jonathan could tell the mage was trying for a big spell and was just ready to cast it when a sharp crack was heard. A flash of lightning quickly covered the distance between Joshua and Lawrence. Lawrence fell to the ground and was stunned. Jonathan could tell the man was still alive from the way he was barely moving on the ground as Joshua started covering the distance between them. People started yelling for Lawrence to get up but the man could not get his wits about him before Joshua plunged the dagger into his chest.
“Yes!” Jonathan screamed out as his father walked away from the now still mage. “That’s how you do it!”
“Lawrence wasn't ready!” Xalen cried out. “Your father cheated!”
“Lawrence still lost Your Highness,” Jonathan said proudly. “He lost to a man he underestimated and he paid with his life. That tosser talked big about how he wanted to comfort my mother. Now he can comfort himself in the pit!”
Jonathan watched his father walk off and stand next to his mother. There was uproar all around as people rushed to check on Lawrence. The mages all around Jonathan were wondering what the spell was that hit Lawrence and Earl Gillespie walked up to Joshua and casted his magevision again, then shook his head. Jonathan was shocked at how quick lightning magic was. There was no way to dodge it and his father had gotten the spell off quickly. It wouldn't do much against a mob of people but one on one it was devastating. Any opponent would have to be strong and quick to avoid being killed. Russell could probably beat it, but only if he had the right game plan.
Magebolt was a strong ranged spell that was easy to vary the strength of. It could stun anyone caught off guard without a shield. The stronger a magebolt the slower moving it was, so it was possible to just dodge the strong spell like one would do a thrown ball. Maybe fireball could be cast quick enough by a fast mage but fireballs could also be dodged. Jonathan wasn't sure what spell would be lightning’s equivalent. There were spells that would do far more damage to a much larger area but they would not be useful against his father. Now that Jonathan had seen it in action he felt good about himself. The only way he could be beaten would be by a mage capable of bringing their mage shield into existence quickly. His father could kill almost anyone in his class except for Farrah and Russell. Even Monica would have a hard time getting her shield up in time to block Joshua’s lightning attack.
“Your family has a spell unique to them,” Russell said. “That is why your mother married such a pitiful mage.”
“Lawrence doesn't think he's so pitiful,” Jonathan beamed. “Lawrence isn't thinking much of anything anymore.”
“Hurry this up!” King Jeffrey barked. “Clear this and get the students ready. We have had enough excitement.”
Jonathan knew the man was upset Lawrence was dead and smiled at his display of such a poor attitude. The first test was to cast a magelight. Russell went first and cast a magelight so bright even people far away from him remarked on its size and blinding brightness. Jonathan walked in front of Farrah and went next. He was sure that Russell’s magelight was brighter but it was not by much. Jonathan pumped as much magic as he could inside of the spell which caused many people to start pointing at him. He walked back and let Farrah cast her spell. Jonathan covered his eyes. He didn't know how he fared against her but knew he had surprised his classmates with his showing.
“You have been holding back!” Russell said and looked at Jonathan. “I knew you were. Things about you just didn't add up.”
“He is just trying to show off,” Xalen said. “He wants to make the rest of us look bad to boost his own status.”
Jonathan ignored them and instead focused on his parents. They were excited watching him perform and clapped for him when he cast multiple magelights and real
ly got loud when he moved the iron block off the pedestal entirely. Jonathan was impressed at himself but thought the block was somehow lighter as Farrah also moved the block off the pedestal and Monica moved it all the way to the end. During the shield test, one of the king’s own mundane guards banged on his shield and did it much harder than he did to the rest. Jonathan’s shield held though and he laughed at the guard who was trying his best to get through. After the tests were over there was supposed to be an official social gathering. It would be the time for many people to get to know the various nobles around them without having mundanes around.
“Jonathan,” Joshua said as he gave his son a hug. “There was only one person out there who could hold a candle to you.”
“I don't think either of the girls impressed as well as you did,” Sara said giving him a hug and kiss. “Only the Duke’s son is a match for you. I am not sure about the daughter but if the both of them are considered to be the future Archmage and Tower Mage, you are definitely in the running. That Monica girl is not too far behind you though, so you can't get lazy.”
“Oh great,” Jonathan said, and gave a sigh. “Here comes your friends.”
Jonathan could see the Archmage and the Tower Mage walking over towards them. Just from their body language Jonathan could tell both were angry. The Tower Mage moved his brother out of the way and took the lead. Just by the sneer on his face Jonathan knew the man was going to say something that Jonathan wouldn't like.
“You made me look like a fool in front of the King and Queen,” Quevin said looking at Jonathan. “I told them you were nothing to worry about and you tried your best to outdo both of Duke Golad’s children.”
“Not my problem they did not rise to the occasion Tower Mage,” Jonathan said.
“Joshua Thunder” the Archmage said. “You have ruined what was supposed to be a festive time. You and your wife will be activated and sent to the border. I know you have a year and something left and you will spend it looking at the Raelinian Army.”
“You are both just angry,” Jonathan said.
“Shut up when I am speaking boy,” the Archmage said in a clipped tone.
“Today I may be a boy,” Jonathan said. “But one day I will not be.”
“That makes no sense,” the Archmage said. “Now show some decency and leave.”
CHAPTER 7
Joshua and Sara Thunder
“More traitors!” Joshua screamed as a bolt of lightning ripped across the battlefield and took a mage in the head.
“Something isn't right about these people Joshua,” Sara said. “Just look at their eyes, it is like they are being controlled somehow.”
“We need to flee,” Joshua said. “I am almost out of energy, the kingdom needs to put more mages out here.”
“We can't think about that now, let’s go,” Sara said, as she tugged Joshua away from the battlefield.
Sara and Joshua had been on the front lines for two months now. For now only commoners were sent off to help augment the army. Joshua or Sara did not have to be in the front of any battle and instead did most of their damage from the sidelines. The enemy mostly attacked at night, in the daylight hours they were content to defend and wait until nightfall to attack again.
Sara had said something that made Joshua pause. The mage he just killed was named Max Ward. He had a wife and daughter he was in a hurry to get back to. Max was from one of the few commoner mage families still remaining and he used to gush over his daughter Crystal and how she would no doubt be at the top of her class thanks to some ability of her mother’s that made her aura replenish itself at a faster rate. Why would he join the other side then? Did they have something on him to force him to switch sides? That couldn't be it Joshua thought. If it was, he would have at least avoided Joshua on the field of battle instead of facing him head on. Joshua thought back to the last time he saw Max. The man was sleeping in his tent and had gotten overwhelmed from a surprise night attack from the Raelinians. Joshua thought he was dead until he saw him today, almost three days later.
“Some of these men we are fighting have on our uniforms,” Sara said. “Something about this fight isn't right.”
“Senior Commander Burns would know,” Joshua said. “The man needs to stop playing games with us or we will refuse to go out. We only have to join the front when the noble mages get here. So far we have been risking our safety for nothing.”
Sara followed Joshua to the rear of the fighting and found Senior Commander Sideland Burns sitting in his command tent at a table. The man was writing something down furiously on a big map while people around him stared intently. Sara wanted to say something but the man looked so busy, that whatever he was working on had to be important. Sara walked around to see what he was scribbling down and saw it was five different missives. Burns was asking for help from everyone he could ask. He was asking the Archmage for a lot more mages, the King for a lot more troops and various military commanders for help with how to best face the enemy.
“He knows something,” Joshua said, as he started reading the missives as well.
“What do you know Burns?” Sara asked. “The people we are fighting are too strong to be natural. They can flip our own troops to fight against us. Max Ward was not a traitor. He was a mage who bragged on about his daughter to me whenever he got the chance. I even talked with the man about his daughter and my son forming a powerful mage family. Those are not the words of a traitor and yet I just killed him on the battlefield as he was fighting for the Raelians.”
“I have put things together,” Burns said. “No one wanted to listen to me, but I don't think there is any doubt. We are fighting dead people out there.”
“Dead people?” Joshua asked.
“How do you know this?” Sara asked.
“During the last raid a few men of mine saw their squad-mates killed,” Burns began. “They fought off the enemy, but were sure their friend was dead on the field. A surge by the enemy made them fall back. A few moments ago our man who was killed was brought before me. He was re-killed by being bashed in the head while fighting against us. I think the same thing happened to your friend, he was killed and somehow was brought back.”
“I have noticed the people we have been fighting have slowly been withdrawing” Sara said. “More and more we are fighting our own people instead of the enemy. They do not seem to be trying to win battles. They have tried to inflict as many casualties in a short of time as possible and flee.”
“They just want to slowly bleed us,” Burns said. “I have noticed this as well. They have some kind of magic to reanimate the bodies, I just don't know how they're doing it.”
“I have not seen any of their mages on the battlefield,” Joshua said. “But I have heard they have some people they call the Blood Priests.”
“I have heard the rumors as well, and at this point I think it is safe to assume we know more than most in the kingdom do,” Burns said. “I do not think these people commune with the dead and sleep with evil spirits or any other lies we have heard. I think they control our dead. But until we capture one of them we can only guess.”
“We know they are going to attack tonight” Sara said. “They march at night and harass our troops so we won't be able to get to sleep.”
“I am asking the Archmage and General Kylar to petition the Royal Couple to declare war” Burns said. “My immediate commanders are facing the Downey, and are trying to get all the resources over there. They think this battle is nothing but a skirmish and that the Downey are the real issue. Maybe they are right, there is no reason to put someone with a rank as low as mine in charge of an entire battlefront. My five legions are not enough to hold back an entire army, even if they are just toying with us presently.”
“I think I and my husband are the only two mages you have left here,” Sara said, and shook her head.
“And I hate to lean on you even more,” Burns said. “But my main mission from here on out has to be to find then kill or capture one of the bl
ood priests or whatever weapon the enemy has that is reanimating our dead.”
“We will try to find one,” Joshua said.
“I hope so,” Burns replied. “We started off with fifteen hundred men and now I am down to nine hundred. It is all I can do to hold off these people. I hope the new weapons I have coming in will help us out. I may not know how to battle a Blood Priest, but I know how to kill their enthralled undead.”
“I have burned them and still they come,” Sara said. “I have set them on fire and they do not yell or scream. They just continue trying to kill me.”
“You have to go for the head,” Burns said. “I think that is the only way to cut them down. That is the reason I am equipping all of my men with blunt weapons. Heavy damage to the head or beheading stops them.”
“Senior Commander Burns you must flee!” said a soldier running into the tent. “The Realinians are throwing everything at us this time!”
CHAPTER 8
“Still worried?” Thurman asked Jonathan as they both sat outside.
“They have attacked Thurman,” Jonathan said. “My parents are out there and no one believes this is a simple engagement.”
“They will be fine Jonathan,” Bill said. “I have seen your father fight and he does not look like a man that will go down easily. Come have lunch with the rest of us.”
“My father is good for one on one battles,” Jonathan said. “But he has only a small amount of aura to use. It is just not fair.”
“No it isn't,” Bill said. “But it is what it is. You still have your own job to do here.”
“You are going to have to take over for us Jonathan,” Thurman said. “There are going to be eight of you. But you are the leader. It is solely because of you that the nobles have left us alone altogether.”
“No they haven't,” Jonathan said. “Russell Golad has made it known to me that he will go through our entire class if I am ever seen talking to his sister. Prince Xalen has told me that he expects for me to end up with a daughter of one of the more powerful mage families, probably that of one of his friends. Monica Manchin has been trying to pick fights with me. She wants to prove that she is not the fourth member of the Big Four. Worse than all of that, I get to hear Gerald Morningstar talk about how my parents are going to die. They probably leave you alone, but they definitely do not leave me alone.”
The Lightning Mage Page 8