The Archmage

by Whiskey Flowers

  “Okay,” Jonathan said. “What is all this about?”

  “What is what all about?” Gertie said laughing.

  “Uh huh,” Jonathan said. “You three are up to something. Before we get into all of that though, I haven’t met two of you. I am guessing you both know who I am already.”

  “Tricia,” one of the guards said. Jonathan thought the mole she had on the side of cheek was pretty. She was fair skinned like the other guard but Jonathan thought it was a different shade from most of the people he had seen. Farrah was fair skinned but turned red at the slightest exertion. Jonathan could see the redness in her face even when she was relaxed just not as pronounced. Jonathan thought it was fairer to say Farrah was a pinkish color, the two guards were not.

  “Alicia,” the other guard said. Now that Jonathan looked at them both, they had to be sisters. He wasn’t sure who the oldest one was but thought no more than two years separated them both. Jonathan didn’t think it would tough to tell them apart, Alicia had one grey eye and one brown eye unlike her hazel eyed sister.

  “You probably have heard this a few times but humor me,” Jonathan said. “I have never seen an armed female guard before and now I have met two.”

  “You have seen one of us before,” Tricia said. “You may not realize that you have. We are normally not in plate armor with shield and sword. Normally we are in leather armor with various knives and daggers strapped to our thighs and arms.”

  “I am sure I would have remembered something like that,” Jonathan said.

  “Even if we are wearing a dress on top of it?” Tricia asked. “Especially with our chests propped up for all to see?” Tricia finished as she cupped her breastplate where her chest would be and pretended she was squeezing her breasts.

  “Well, I uh,” Jonathan said a little taken back.

  “You are embarrassing him!” Alicia said laughing. “Gertie I have no idea what you see in noble mages when commoners are a lot more fun.”

  “They are just picking on you,” Gertie said. “More than likely the female guards you have seen pose as servants instead of guests. They are not made to be noticed. These two are because there are people that need scaring off.”

  “Ha, ha, have a laugh,” Jonathan said as he crossed his arms.

  “They think commoners are more fun than noble boys,” Gertie said.

  “And why is that?” Jonathan said before the answer popped into his head. “Because noble mages wouldn’t give them any attention. They only have eyes for female mages and need to be coerced into a relationship with a rich female noble. They would ignore flirty commoners no matter how pretty.”

  “We aren’t commoners!” Tricia said. “Most female guards aren't either.”

  “You aren’t?” Jonathan asked.

  “We are expected to protect important people,” Tricia said. “No one would waste any money giving a commoner all of the training we have received.”

  “So you know what to do with those weapons?” Jonathan asked. “I never learned how to handle a sword or even fight unarmed. I have a good hands though and have been in my share of fights.”

  “A mage fighting?” Gertie said surprised.

  “Mage bolts do not get the same point across as an open hand slap,” Jonathan said. “A good punch in the face really brings it home when dealing with some knobber. Besides, my best friend said I should know my way around a good scrap. Against someone who knows what they are doing though I doubt I would last long.”

  “Humble,” Gertie said. “I heard you were an angry murderer.”

  “Me?” Jonathan asked. “Murdering people?”

  “I haven't heard that,” Alicia said. “I just heard that you were a good fighter.”

  “He is talked about poorly in some mage circles,” Gertie said. “Probably just jealousy now that I have met you. You are like any other shy boy around pretty women.”

  “And what do you mean by that?” Jonathan asked.

  “You do not act like you are too good to be here,” Gertie said. “I think it is a trait you should keep. Your friends outside do not think they are too special either even if they are a bit forward, I suppose I cannot blame them.”

  “I am not following,” Jonathan said.

  “I know all sorts of women throw themselves at you mage boys,” Gertie said. “Maybe not in the tower but definitely when you get out. Nobles girls are flirty but I am sure commoners would be willing to do more than flirt. Those of you who are not married are probably having your pick of young girls and women.”

  “Me?” Jonathan said.

  “Not him,” Alicia said. “Something about him seems too innocent but you never can tell. What did you do to become one of Earl Gillespie’s charity cases?”

  “Nothing,” Jonathan said. “I am only here as a favor. I instruct in the Tower of Magic but most of the time I deal with things the Archmage is too busy to deal with. I am not really in a position to tell the Archmage and an Earl to sod off.”

  “Well I am glad to have you here,” Gertie said. “I am sure though your girlfriend will not be pleased to find out that you are traveling with three single women.”

  “You think people are lined up to be with me?” Jonathan said laughing. “Most mage girls look at me like I am a cobra about to strike. Mundanes mostly see the same thing for the brief periods I am around them. The exceptions to that rule have their noses stuck so far in the air that they will drown if it ever rains. But I am normally very busy anyway, I have my eye on my goal and nothing is going to stop me.”

  “So you really want to be Archmage?” Gertie said.

  “Only person I think that can rival me is Gerald Morningstar if you know who that is,” Jonathan said. “He has been in every battle and war I have been in and has handled himself. Of course, he joined the Mage Corps so that eliminates him.”

  “I heard Lord Golad wants to be Archmage,” Gertie said.

  “And if you ever met the man you would think he is right out of a bard’s tale,” Jonathan began. “He is the lad who kills the bad guy, saves the girl then gets married happily ever after.”

  “But,” Gertie said.

  “He is a total knobber when dealing with those he thinks are beneath him,” Jonathan said. “I don’t like the man and the feeling is mutual. Not even he can stop me from reaching my destiny. His father would make his sister his heir if Russell even thought about becoming Archmage. The title is mine to lose and anyone who wants it can meet me in the arena.”

  “So that is why Lord Golad has not went up against you like everyone has been asking,” Gertie said. “I have never met the man, only heard about him.”

  “Well I don’t want to tear the man down,” Jonathan said. “Anything I told you he knows I would and have said it to his face multiple times.”

  “Can I ask why his sister has never challenged you?” Gertie asked.

  “Her betrothed wants nothing to do with mage life,” Jonathan said. “She stands to marry into Baroness, she would not jeopardize that and the last member of the Big Four wants Russell. Duke Golad would never allow him to marry anyone that does not put the Duchy first.”

  “Is being Archmage important?” Alicia said. “I only know that it means that person leads the mages.”

  “It is for me,” Jonathan said. “And I laugh at all the people trying to stop me from reaching my goal, it only makes me try that much harder. All of that is why many mages around the Kingdom know who I am and hate me because they can do nothing about it.”

  “Well good luck to you,” Gertie said. “I see you have made a friend in Ronica.”

  “She is a sweet girl with a lot of upside,” Jonathan said. “That girl is going to take the Kingdom by storm if anyone lets her.”

  “What do mean by if they let her?” Gertie asked.

  “Before the Big Four there were not many women out there that had the attention of the Queen on them,” Jonathan began. “Most women just didn’t have the power and those that did were married off to st
ronger mages or people with stronger influence. They wouldn’t outshine their husband and were pushed to the back. The Archmage and the Tower Mage only care about results, with that said both hate their jobs. If Ronica goes through the Tower while both are there then she will be a big player in the game. If not then someone would try and get her to go the healer route. It is difficult magic, not many people can do it and it would make her invisible to anyone but the sick. A nice plush job working for some high noble would await her but she wouldn’t make moves in mage circles. If she goes at it the way I did I think she could make big ripples in the pond.”

  “You really like her,” Gertie said. “I have decided I like you Jonathan Thunder.”

  “Thank you,” Jonathan replied. “So how likely is it that we are going to be attacked?”

  “Almost guaranteed,” Alicia and Tricia said at the same time.

  “Have you heard about the kidnappings?” Gertie asked.

  “Found out about it last night,” Jonathan said. “You will not have to worry about it while I am around. I am known for many things, but taking shine off people is not one of them.”

  “Not even if the person attacking offers to wed you to his rich sister or something?” Gertie asked.

  “Are you serious?” Jonathan said laughing. “One of the things that ticks people off about me is that I already have money. Like a lot of money, as in if I don’t work again I will be just fine money. My grandfather is a very rich man and I am his heir. All sorts of uppity rich girls have been tossed at me. Their plan is I get married then give up my dream and fall in line, all in order to marry a rich girl. Them and their girls can sod off. Trust me, you are safe.”

  Jonathan noticed all of the women went quiet but shot each other glances. Jonathan wondered what he had said to quiet them down but thought it could have been his tone. Jonathan didn’t care, his dream came before any hypothetical foolish girl. Jonathan felt a little weird though that all the talking had ceased. Maybe this was how it was going to be for the rest of the trip, Blaine and his people were just going to be disappointed if they expected him and either one of these three women to be together.

  “We just left the Gills,” Albie said as he opened the hatch from the driver’s bench leading into the cabin of the carriage.

  “If we are going to be attacked it should be any time now,” Gertie said nervously.

  “Relax,” Jonathan said.

  “A man died the last time,” Gertie said. “He gave his life to protect me and nothing happened to my attacker. Nothing will happen to my attacker even if he is brought to justice.”

  “You do your part and I will do mine,” Jonathan said. “Why do you think we are vulnerable?”

  “Nothing but forest is going to surround us,” Alicia said as she laid her sword on her lap.

  “There are three mages outside,” Jonathan said. “Two of which have seen battle.”

  “Which makes them a target,” Tricia said as she held on to her shield.

  “I got movement,” Albie said.

  “I will return,” Jonathan said as he opened the door and flew outside.

  As soon as Jonathan got outside he was taken in the shoulder by an arrow. Jonathan dropped to the ground and had three shields up and surrounding his prone body as he screamed out attack. Jonathan looked at his shoulder, an arrow had punched right through it and it hurt like the pit. The door to the carriage had closed but the carriage itself was going nowhere. The horses were down and Jonathan could see men starting to surround them. Jonathan could feel more arrows hit his shield as he stood up. Men with swords started streaming out of forest, Jonathan climbed to his feet and stuck out his hands just as three mages stepped forward.

  One was an older man, he had a solid grey beard and he had lost his hair long ago. Only the sides of his head contained grey hair and he wore a green and brown speckled robe. Jonathan thought he looked over fifty summers and was obviously related to one of the mages with him. Jonathan had known this mage standing next to the older one, he had seen him before. Jonathan thought he had met him once when Jonathan was a first year in the Tower. The more he looked at him he was sure he had met him in Vashing but only in passing. He wasn’t a student in the Tower so Jonathan now thought maybe he was there to find a wife. Other than his brown hair, he looked like a younger version of the older mage next to him. This mage also had on a green and brown speckled robe. It fit in nicely with the forest but Jonathan wondered why neither of them were smart enough to ditch the robes and wear pants. The last mage was dressed in all black and was not wearing a robe. Jonathan knew he was a mage by the way he held his hands out in front of him.

  “I only want the woman,” the older mage said. “You are surrounded and there is no need for any of your survivors to die.”

  Jonathan ignored them and looked out towards the men who had shot him. In front of him were three men with swords and shields, behind them Jonathan saw two men holding bows aimed at him. Jonathan dropped his shield and fired off five quick bolts of lightning. Jonathan didn’t even wait to see what damage he had done, instead he focused his attention towards the mages. The pair he thought of as father son were already in motion, they had shields up and were backing away. The other mage in black started launching spells at Lucius who was over a downed Albie. Jonathan thought the man should have been focusing on him instead of the tunnel vision he had for Albie. Jonathan pumped a quick lightning bolt his way and then when back to the first group he had hit.

  They weren't dead, the lightning strikes were just to stun them and it had worked. They were twitching on the ground but had began to snap out of it. Jonathan tossed out fireballs to give them something to think about. Jonathan took to the sky and had arrows coming at him from the other side of the wagon. Jonathan was in pain but could see his attackers and shot lightning out at them as well. Jonathan could see he was surrounded, around twenty men had attacked. Five of them were doing bad, they were covered in fire and were rolling around on the ground to put themselves out. The mage Jonathan hit was also not doing well, he was slowly trying to get up and Jonathan tossed a fireball hit way. Jonathan thought it was something about being set on fire that made people rethink their lives.

  Jonathan had received arrow fire from the other side of the carriage, only two of them could reach him and Jonathan knew the best way to send people on their way. A lightning bolt erupted from Jonathan, this was not a small one but instead was one he had the time to focus on. The bolt was a killing strike, it hit hard and before another archer could react he found himself with the same affliction. The attackers started scattering after that show, those that could anyway. Jonathan wanted to go after the mages but his primary mission was to keep Gertie safe. Jonathan could see Albie had been hit twice by arrows but they were to the sides. Albie must have had a shield up in front and was hit from arrow fire from the flanks while trying to protect himself. Lucius seemed unharmed, Jonathan couldn’t see any arrows sticking out of him and he was moving well. Jonathan couldn’t find Elijah.

  All of the horses were down, the one Elijah was riding must have been brought down by magical means. Jonathan saw Lucius help Albie to his feet, movement from the corner of Jonathan’s eyes caught his attention. The men on fire had put themselves out and were stumbling into the forest. Jonathan let them go, he wanted to ensure all of his companions were safe. Jonathan landed, the mage he had taken down he wouldn’t let go anywhere.

  “You move you die,” Jonathan said looking down at his captive. “If you think you can take me then try it. It will save me the trouble of locking you up.”

  “You don’t scare me,” the mage said as a big mage bolt slammed against his head.

  “Where is Elijah?” Jonathan said looking over at Lucius.

  “Under the carriage,” Lucius said. “Only safe place I could think about putting him.

  “Elijah!” Jonathan screamed. “Are you safe?”

  “I got hit,” Elijah said. “One of the mages.”

  “Just us
now,” Jonathan said as the carriage door opened.

  “All of the horses,” Lucius said.

  “I am going to find who did this,” Jonathan said. “Can you protect Gertie?”

  “She needs no protection,” Alicia said from behind Jonathan. “None of these men are armored.”

  “Yeah I got them,” Lucius said.

  Jonathan flew in the sky towards the way he had seen the men disappear. The horses they had were not far in the forest, they had planned on taking them easily and riding off. Unfortunately they were smarter than Jonathan gave them credit for, instead of hanging around near the animals they fled deep into the forest. Jonathan briefly thought about finding them but dismissed the idea. Unless he could keep a shield permanently on he could be surprised and killed. Jonathan untied one horse and led it back to the carriage. He would have to do that a few times until he had the animals he needed to survive. The mage he had dropped was still unconscious and Tricia had began tying his arms behind his back. Jonathan had a few things he needed to solve once he finished with the horses. He needed to see about the mage, get his shoulder and the injuries of his party seen to and come up with a better way to scout ahead to prevent future attacks.

  CHAPTER 5

  Hidden Romances