“Jonathan Thunder, as I live and breathe,” Red Harrington said, as he approached the duo.
“What are you doing here Red?” Jonathan asked, grinning and slapping his friend on the back.
“The Tower has let out for break Thunder. I am on my own time now. I knew you would need someone to pull your ass out of the fire, so here I am.”
“You have friends willing to go to war for you Thunder?” Burns asked. “This bloke doesn't look any older than you are.”
“That's because I ain't,” Red said. “But Thunder has done right by me so I am here to do right by him. I left as soon as I could to come out here. I told me Ma and Da not to expect me home.”
“Does anyone else know you are out here?” Jonathan asked.
“Bill and Thurman both do,” Red replied. “Unfortunately so does that sadistic bastard Gerald Morningstar.”
“How does he know?” Jonathan asked.
“He fancies himself as some sort of torturer now” Red said as Jonathan could see a far off look in his friend’s eyes. “He thinks he could get information from people and has openly talked about how it would be to actually kill someone with magic. He was heading over here because he figured you wouldn't care one bit what happened to the enemy and he could practice on living people.”
“I wouldn't care. Maybe that is what is wrong with me Red. I have been angry and stayed that way. Ever since my parents died I have been absolutely focused on revenge. I am starting to think maybe I am overreacting. My anger is mostly with Kevin Wilson. The Tower Mage died because his brother is a tosser. But Wilson still lives.”
“How many common people did Quevin talked down on or sabotage in as Tower Mage over the years?” Red asked. “He was a knobber and was probably a knobber before he even got the position. You should hear the nobles now. They leave us the pit alone because they know you are no one to mess with. Already Kevin Wilson has become a laughingstock. I heard he is now assistant Archmage, whatever the pit that means. Quevin Wilson died so the rest of us could live. If that knobber wasn't killed, do you think you would be out here fighting on orders from the Queen, and be in charge?”
“No,” Jonathan said.
“Well fuck whoever that Quevin guy was,” Burns said. “Never really poked my nose in mage business. But he had whatever was coming to him. Now about the Raelinians. They look like they are not going to fight, they are just standing there.”
“They are probably waiting for me,” Jonathan said.
“Well don't take to the air just yet,” Burns said. “Who knows what these people have planned.”
Thank you for taking this journey with me reader. I am not sure what made me decide to write a prequel, only that I thought Jonathan could have a decent story all his own. If this is the first book of mine you have read you may not want to read the Knight Mage. The Knight Mage and its sequel the Dragon Mage would probably ruin book two of Jonathan Thunder’s journey for you. I am aware a few of you may have gotten this book from me for free, just take it as my thanks for being a good reader. I would like to give a special thanks to both Bill Angus who proofread this entire thing and to Lisa Jett who helped me fix any story elements that I neglected or continuity errors between this and the Knight Mage. As for the rest of you I would love hearing from you, I always respond and am known for handing out freebies to unreleased works. Feel free to reach me at [email protected]
The Lightning Mage Page 11