Jonathan left them then to get back to his own inn for a few hours to get ready for everything. The mundane girls were there as was most of their parents. Jonathan said hello and thought most of them were pleasant. They all wanted to know about his plans and Tobin’s oddly enough. Jonathan thought it was for the best that Tobin was quartered across town away from all of this. Red found Jonathan and Jonathan thought his friend looked outraged.
“You would never believe who I just ran into,” Red said as Jonathan noticed he was breathing heavily.
“You ran into Poppy,” Jonathan replied. “And she told you that Xalen broke up with her.”
“She told me that and then said I was hers!” Red said loud enough for the people around them to hear.
“I told her that I would tell you everything she said,” Jonathan replied. “She knows at the end of the day that she is still a noble and a mage girl. She is going to be in high demand no matter what her background. When her spell comes to light, I doubt she will have a shortage of suitors.”
“And she thinks they could get Frisha to leave me alone?” Red said as his anger turned to laughter. “Why would she listen to a girl like Poppy?”
“Because...,” Jonathan said and left his statement hanging.
“Because Poppy is in tight with Grace Story and Story runs the damn Tower,” Red replied.
“And Grace had the nerve to ask me to fall all over her this weekend,” Jonathan said. “I just thought Grace was an idiot who had a higher opinion of herself than others did. She is getting helped out because there were only two unattached mage girls in the Tower at time. Now she has her little hold on everything. I would be lying if I told you I am not thinking about it. Her family must be insanely rich and she could open doors that were closed to me.
“You can’t be serious,” Red said. “You were supposed to be the father of a bunch of overly strong magelings.”
“I know,” Jonathan said. “Which is why I am going to try to get away from her for a while. I know her family is about and I can be sweet talked if it means pissing off Xalen and Russell.”
“What do you know Jonathan Thunder?” Red asked.
“I am planning on facing the Donalians or the Barbarians,” Jonathan replied. “Even if I have to be under Kevin Wilson to do it.”
“Why would you do something like that?” Red asked. “He is the man who purposely sent your parents to die.”
“To get out of the Tower,” Jonathan replied. “I plan on coming back, I just think I need a break from all of this and I want to further my legacy by facing them. I can stay mad at Kevin Wilson until my dying day, but he is protected. I want to change this entire system, change this divide between the nobles and commoners. I will become Archmage like my parents used to fantasize about and I will not let hatred of one man stop me.”
“So you are going to play by their rules then?” Red asked.
“Of course not,” Jonathan replied. “Big battles I do not mind jumping in on. Everything else they can keep for themselves.”
“Jon, you know I can’t go with you,” Red said and looked down.
“I know Red,” Jonathan replied. “You have something good here. Already you have gotten further than anyone would have imagined. What is even better is that you now have others looking to you for guidance, now that they have stopped listening to Tobin.”
“Grinds his teeth it does,” Red laughed. “Did I tell you he tried me right before I left?”
“No, what happened?” Jonathan asked.
“Cornered me and raised his fist up like he was about to do something,” Red laughed. “I kicked him in the stones and blasted the pit out of his face with magebolt. He went down and wasn’t expecting me to start stomping the knobber out of him. He grabbed my leg and met the business end of the broom we have. I dared him to get his ass back up. I think the fire I set his robe alight with made him stay seated. I put it out and didn’t do much damage but my message was clear.”
“Message?” Jonathan asked.
“You rich boys, the farm boys, the mage boys,” Red began. “Y’all weren’t raised in the street like us. He knew if he came at me that I would kill him.”
“He told me that you told him to talk to me about Vashing,” Jonathan said.
“I did,” Red replied. “I told them all to stay close to us and I better not see anyone doing anything else. They are down in the slums right now at the Broken Goose. The place is a shit hole and the ale is horrible but they can relax. Also told them to avoid wearing their robes or letting anyone know they are mages. It will probably come out but I don’t want them getting robbed. We will go pick them up early in the morning and bring them over here.”
“Julian will listen,” Jonathan replied. “He knows exactly what he wants and has been in with the right people. Barney and Griffin will as well, they have had the look of a cat in a room filled with wolves since they got here.”
“Tobin will as well,” Red replied. “I let him know that Vashing aint the Tower and he could get himself killed. Told him the story about your old man and how they set you up to be legally killed. He is still going to be Tobin but I don’t think he is that much of an idiot.”
“I hope not,” Jonathan replied. “Cara’s parents are here and I thought she was supposed to be as well.”
“Probably hiding her head in shame,” Red replied. “Tobin has been after her, Frisha, Poppy, Wendy and Grace. He was still having his fun secretly with the others. I didn’t even know how much he got around until all of this came out. Frisha told me of a few others.”
“She doesn’t seem like the type to talk about things like that,” Jonathan said surprised. “All she ever does is blush and turn away.”
“Well she came out and asked me why we haven’t done much more than kiss and hold hands,” Red replied. “Of course Poppy had let it be known to everyone that me and her did a lot more than that. She wondered if I was still caught up on Poppy and let me know Tobin had been under a lot of those dresses over there.”
“Well good for them,” Jonathan replied. “Everyone thinks I am heartbroken over Cara. Kevin Wilson thinks that is the reason that I am trying to fight.”
“Let that knobber thinks what he wants,” Red replied. “I have never even seen him with a woman before.”
“I am,” Jonathan replied. “But now I have to deal with Russell and his parents who is making me have lunch with them. I am trying to talk up Charles to them.”
“I know just the way,” Red replied. “You planned on keeping Charles close to you anyway this weekend.”
“Yeah I did,” Jonathan replied.
“Some idiot will make himself known and you should have Charles challenge him,” Red replied.
“Why would I do that?” Jonathan said angrily.
“Not to the death,” Red said and rolled his eyes. “I bet a lot of idiots would take him up on it to embarrass him.”
“Charles is good, but he can be overwhelmed,” Jonathan said. “It a strictly magical duel.”
“Whenever he has the guy down you can go break it up,” Red said. “None of those idiots would dare to try you. Not even Samuel Manchin after you embarrassed him. That ass kickin you gave him hurt my feelings.”
Jonathan laughed and talked with Red a bit more before heading off to his lunch date. Duchess Golad liked attention so Jonathan was sure it was not going to be held anywhere other than the busy main room of the inn. Jonathan walked on in and could see the nobles were just sitting down. Jonathan joined them and could see Charles and his parents sitting at another table. Jonathan cleared his throat and turned to look at Duke Golad.
“Your Grace,” Jonathan began. “Do you mind if I have some friends of mine join us?”
“I am not eating with more commoners than I have to Thunder,” Duchess Golad snapped.
“They are nobles,” Jonathan replied. “One of my initiates and his parents. I do not think they have ever dined with anyone as important as a Duchess before Your Grace. It wo
uld be something for them to tell their friends about.”
“Is it the boy you want to work for me?” Duke Golad asked. “The one with poor power?”
“Same one,” Jonathan replied. “And my Da had little power, never lost a fight against another mage though.”
“And how did that serve him?” Duchess Golad said.
“I say pretty well,” Jonathan said not rising to the bait.
“You think his little magic served him well?” Duchess Golad said annoyed.
“He did marry a pretty girl who was not only rich but had enough power to be one of the top twenty mages in the kingdom,” Jonathan replied. “They had me and I killed a dragon and became Champion. I don’t think that’s bad for a commoner at all.”
“And you think this boy can do the same?” Duke Golad asked.
“I think he would me an adequate mage fighter,” Jonathan replied. “I know it has been hard to get mages to work near the mountain because of the weather. Outsiders always have to come in to run off some trouble making mage and this way you can have someone at your beckon call.”
“Why should we even consider someone that follows you around?” Duchess Golad asked.
“Because I am at least smart enough to know that the mountain takes care of their own,” Jonathan replied. “If he knew someone like yourself Your Grace, I think he could go far.”
“You were offered a chance to work for me,” Duchess Golad said and narrowed her eyes.
“I couldn’t give up the chance to work in the Tower,” Jonathan said. “Especially not when my best friend was guaranteed a job as well.”
“Invite them over,” Duke Golad said. “Daisy you have insulted Thunder enough and he has taken it like a champ. Anyone else he would have invited outside. Your little remark about his father did not go unnoticed as well. Are you through insulting him for whatever reason?”
“He was trying to ruin Farrah,” Duchess Golad said in a growl.
“He is a boy and was faced with a pretty rich girl,” Duke Golad said. “One that has a lot of power. You didn’t expect him to try and follow in his father’s footsteps? Maybe one up the man he considers a hero?”
“I am not after Lady Farrah, Your Grace,” Jonathan replied. “That ship has sailed and it is out of my system.”
“What about this other noble girl you have been trying to romance?” Duchess Golad snapped. “She should be for others of her station, not the likes of you. Or that Story girl?”
“I can assure you that I am done with noble mage girls altogether,” Jonathan said.
“You are?” Duchess Golad said calming down.
“What has it gotten me so far Your Grace?” Jonathan asked.
“Maybe you can be taught,” Duchess Golad said. “I hear you are placing yourself under Kevin Wilson’s leadership.”
“I am Your Grace,” Jonathan said.
“I am sure a man like him is already over your petty squabbles even with you murdering his brother,” Duchess Golad said. “I can talk to him and ask him to appoint you as one of his junior commanders.”
“I am not willing to give up my place in the Tower Your Grace,” Jonathan replied. “I like it there.”
“Well at least you are starting to sound like you should,” Duchess Golad said. “Invite your people over.”
Jonathan was sure the Fitzwilliams heard Duchess Golad snapping at him but they politely pretended to ignore it. Jonathan could see Duchess Golad’s face contort once she realized that they were not mages but were mundanes instead. She got over herself by focusing on Charles, Jonathan’s initiate was nervous under her glare. Duke Golad broke the silence by beginning to speak.
“You need to brush up on my laws,” Duke Golad said looking at Charles.
“Laws Your Grace?” Charles asked.
“Yes, the laws of my duchy,” Duke Golad said. “Bunch of other things as well, you are kinda small compared to the big lads and lasses we have at the mountain. You need to start these things right away and your breaks need to be spent in the duchy.”
“Your Grace?” Charles said hesitantly.
“You already have the job,” Duke Golad said. “Daisy here was just venting on Jonathan. She invited him to our home and he left almost immediately and left her with a bit of egg on her face. My wife still hasn’t forgiven him. You just need to talk it over with your folks to see if this is what you really want. The job requires you to live in Golad and most of your vacations need to be there as well. Not too much work but when I need you, I need you.”
“That sounds like a lot of money is needed to get him settled Your Grace,” Charles Sr. said hesitantly.
“We are not paupers,” Duchess Golad snapped. “A home will be built for him along with two or so servants to work it. The same will be built for you so he can have his parents handy for support. Your mundane children can get a job working somewhere in the duchy if they can’t part with you.”
“Is this for real?” Charles said excitedly.
“It is boy,” Duke Golad said. “Same deal was given to Jonathan but he already has a bit of money. Tried to sweeten it more than what I am giving you but he turned me down.”
“You haven’t even seen what I can do Your Grace,” Charles said.
“You beat that one commoner everyone is worried about,” Duchess Golad said. “I just wish Russell was there to shut him up. All he is trying to do is emulate Thunder.”
“I did beat him,” Charles said proudly. “Mage Jonathan told me exactly how to handle one like him.”
“Good enough,” Duke Golad said. “Why don’t you and your parents spend time with me during this weekend. I can tell you more about the job.”
“Thunder,” Russell said as he sat down. “You are something else.”
“What are you talking about now Russell?” Jonathan said and let out a breath.
“I know why Cara was seeing that commoner,” Russell said. “Did you kiss Wendy?”
“None of your business,” Jonathan replied.
“Of course he did,” Duke Golad. “It’s not like you, your sister and mother handpicked her to go to the Tower. This Cara girl was probably his way of telling everyone to sod off but his true preference came through.”
“Who is going to take over your class when you leave?” Russell asked.
“Most likely Monica,” Jonathan replied.
“Where is she?” Duchess Golad asked. “I like that girl Russell, you should stop playing with her and make it official.”
“Monica was hung up getting here,” Russell said. “She will get here later on tonight.”
CHAPTER 13
Midterms
Jonathan had brought a wagon down to pick up the sleepy commoners. Jonathan could tell they have probably drank too much the night before and spent their time acting like big shots. Even Tobin wasn’t talking much during the trip to the Vashing Inn, all Jonathan heard were grunts and grumbles. As the wagon got closer to the inn Jonathan stopped it. He needed to make sure the commoners knew exactly what they were getting themselves into.
“Get up!” Jonathan yelled and was met by a chorus of groans.
“Piss off,” Tobin said grabbing his ears.
“You are going to get yourself killed idiot,” Jonathan said. “You don’t want to hear me then get off my wagon. If you die, you die.”
“Can’t you see we were in our cups last night?” Tobin groaned.
“I don’t care, now shut up,” Jonathan said as looked at the other three commoners. “Tobin you have many people waiting to take your measure. They hate me and see you as a nastier version. Cara’s parents are about and it will be no time at all before her father finds and threatens you. Lord Russell would kill you and consider it a public service. If you think fighting me or Red was something, I want you to know that the people here would kill you. You stick to me and shut your mouth. Anyone trying to start trouble you shut your mouth and let me handle it. Do not leave my side unless I tell you to go. The fights Tobin has been in has
people angry, if they cannot take it out on him then they will take it out on the rest of you.”
“I haven’t done anything to anyone,” Julian said. “Why would people hate me?”
“What have you done to the nobles in the Tower?” Jonathan asked.
“Well, nothing,” Julian said.
“And yet people hate you,” Jonathan replied. “If they were not scared of Tobin you all would be getting the pit beat out of you every night. If they were not scared of me then your fights during the mage duels would be much rougher.”
“Not anymore,” Tobin said. “I have already let those nancy boys know I can beat the pit out of all of them.”
“You are just upset that we refuse to be beaten up by you,” Griffin said. “If you come for one of us you come from all of us.”
“I’ll beat your ass right now,” Tobin said.
“Sod off,” Griffin said angrily.
“Oh that’s right,” Tobin said laughing. “Little Griffin found out that I have been seeing his girl on the late night. She was so sweet, I never said anything because I rather like seeing you kiss her. I taste good don’t I? If you like the taste then come wrap your lips around the source.”
“Enough!” Jonathan yelled. “While you are there you all better be the best of friends. Anyone and I mean anyone acting like enemies will not have my protection. This is life or death idiots, fight later.”
“Don’t we have to agree to the fights?” Tobin asked.
“You do,” Jonathan said. “And they would get one of you to agree to it.”
“Not me,” Tobin said. “Not when I can stick it to all these people, just like I stuck it to you.”
“You know there is going to be a day when I don’t give a pit about my job,” Jonathan began. “Or a day when you graduate. It will just be me and you then, just me and you and I want you to keep this same energy.”
The Archmage Page 15