The Archmage

by Whiskey Flowers

  “I am a bit nervous about going to see the Barbarians,” Gertie admitted. “I hate fighting and I hate wars. Men die and I do not think that is anything to celebrate.”

  “Neither do I,” Gurtis said. “But me and my men are the best at our jobs. If it is either them or us, it will always be them that gets sent to the pit. You are right to be scared, those other idiots I haired acted like they were invincible until the men started dropping.”

  “I don’t run from a fight, no matter how difficult,” Jonathan replied. “My goal is to become Archmage, to do that I have to remove all doubt from everyone about who the best mage is. I will either achieve my goal or die trying. There are too many people depending on me for me to have any feelings about it. Not one person will ever go through what I went through when I become Archmage. That is a statement as real as me telling you rain makes you wet.”

  “I don’t know much about you,” Gurtis said. “Everything I have heard was in passing. Coe keeps up one that kind of stuff.”

  “You really kill Quevin Wilson?” Coe asked. “I heard he was in an unofficial rivalry with his older brother to become Archmage.”

  “I killed him,” Jonathan replied. “Don’t regret it either. I just wish Kevin Wilson was not such a coward or he would be in the pit beside him. Those two killed my Ma and Da. They didn’t give the blow but they might as well. Kevin knew after I killed his brother that I was nothing to play with, he has been running like a coward ever since.”

  “Gentlemen can we please talk about something different other than death and killing people?” Gertie asked. “A young lady just walked by with her shirt so full ill looked like two melons and none of you even snuck a peek. Even that talk I prefer to killing people or being killed.”

  “None of my men will ever look at a pretty face while we are on the job,” Gurtis said. “Great way to get distracted and killed. But we can change the subject. You pick the topic.”

  “Are any of you married?” Gertie asked.

  “No,” Gurtis said. “Too much traveling. My rules are no relationships, they take up too much time. Get with my outfit, make a small fortune and then enjoy your life. If either of us has something that can be leveraged against us, then we are poor guards. My rules are tough but it is the reason that we are the best. The men I have with me were hand-picked from a group of hundreds. There are other outfits across the Kingdom, we are the only ones who have never failed to protect our target.”

  “I am amazed you haven’t tried to get on with a noble,” Jonathan said.

  “I used to guard Queen Mildred,” Gurtis said. “I learned a lot and decided I could make more money as my own man. I could have comfortably quit this work a few years back. Not for me though. Coe plans on leaving me after this job is up to go start his life somewhere else.”

  “I am staying,” Fox replied. “Money is too good to let go and I have a lot of adventuring left in me.”

  “This is my last job,” Takeya said. “I would have quit last job but this one just pays so well. After this the only thing I am doing is joining the City Watch somewhere, either in Dyson or Jubilee.”

  “Me and Fox are looking to find our next members,” Gurtis said. “I have thought about adding a mage but almost all I find think they are too good to do the same work as everyone else or think they should be paid more than everyone.”

  “All depends,” Jonathan replied. “No offense to current company, but have you tried a commoner mage? They are not as numerous as noble ones but most do not think they are something special. If you can find one they are always looking to make some honest coin. Of course you have to pay more than the Kingdom does and the work has to be steady.”

  “You know a guy?” Gurtis said.

  “I don’t,” Jonathan admitted. “All those I know already have jobs. The ones my age and younger can marry their way into good money. You need an older person or someone who is already married to their childhood sweetie. Only way I see it happening for you to grab a mage. I work in the Tower of Magic but there are many nobles offering good coin for little work for those kinds of mages.”

  “Maybe it is just not meant to be,” Gurtis said. “But if you ever come across someone who wants good coin, you send them my way. And if you ever need help again, I am easily found for those who have the coin to afford me.”

  “I will keep that in mind,” Jonathan said.

  “So Jonathan Thunder,” Gertie said in a flirty voice. “Are you going to be a gentleman and buy a girl a drink? If I am looking at being killed by Barbarians in a few days the least can do is to show me a good time.”

  “Hmm, maybe,” Jonathan teased as Gertie hit him with a water spell.

  “That’s what you get for leading a girl on,” Gertie said as she saw Jonathan frown at being soaked.

  “I guess we are even then,” Jonathan said. “Now you have to buy me a drink.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Trouble With Soldiers

  “This is ridiculous,” Albie said as he looked around himself. “This can’t even be called a road.”

  “It is what the Army calls a trail,” Takeya said. “It took a lot to cut through all of this brush to get even this done.”

  “But any Barbarian could attack,” Albie said. “There is nothing but a lot of cover. The carriage is barely making it through here and we are an archer’s wet dream right now. What do you think Jon? You have been in countless battles and have worked with the Army before.”

  “Couple of things,” Jonathan said. “I think I need to talk with the person in charge first. I know the military priorities of work. First is to establish security but I don’t think this can be done with what I see leading up to this place. Second is to improve your fighting positions, I don’t know what the battlefield looks like or if can even be called a battlefield this far out. If I were in charge the first thing I would do is clear the area around where this fort or outpost is supposed to be at. Next thing would be to improve this road. The Barbarians like to sneak up on people, this foliage makes it easy for them to do so.”

  “Well this sucks,” Elijah said. “I plan on fighting but I am not going to die over some outpost. If things get too hot I am out of here.”

  “I have been in enough battles,” Jonathan said. “And from what I can see, we are going to be the only four Mages around. I can do enough on my own when the fighting starts. I think there are other ways that you can be used but it depends on who is in charge.”

  “What are you thinking?” Gurtis asked.

  “If an idiot is in charge I do not plan on listening to him at all,” Jonathan said. “I don’t have to and I can tell him to go to the pit. If it is someone that I can learn from, someone that is willing to take suggestions then maybe we can work together. I am not in the Army but I have been in enough battles. I fought the Raelin when outnumbered ten to one. I fought the dragons of Downey and went to battle against the Donalians. I am not a novice, at this point I would say that I am a veteran when it comes to battle.”

  “What about us?” Gurtis said.

  “I will make it easier for you to do your job,” Jonathan. “I just need to see the field of battle before I decide what is what.”

  “What about the ladies?” Albie asked. “This doesn’t look like the type of environment for them. They will be the only females around and I don’t know if I trust all of these men around them.”

  “They are no wilting flowers,” Jonathan replied. “The Soldiers here wouldn’t dare do something, not with me around. My reputation for sorting out idiots is well known.”

  “What about their privacy?” Albie asked.

  “That is on them,” Jonathan replied. “I don’t see how they can keep privacy and security with all of this around. Everyone should just stay professional, that is not worth worrying about right now. Keeping everyone safe, as in safe from dying is my first priority. I will have a chat with whoever is in charge when I get there.”

  “Well there, is only just up the road,” Gurtis sa
id then looked at Fox. “What do you have?”

  “They are shit for rear security,” Fox said. “No one is watching the back gate. They are ripe for someone to sneak around back and come through. I still haven’t seen anyone manning the perimeter.”

  “I don’t see a gate or wall or anything,” Jonathan said.

  “They don’t have one,” Gurtis said. “So far their main focus has been to just clear cut the area and dig trenches to fight from until a gate can be raised.”

  “I see some people,” Albie said. “That is great eyesight Fox.”

  “It is my job,” Fox replied as they got closer.

  Jonathan could soon see men scrambling about trying to cut trees and digging. Jonathan thought they should have been further along than they were and saw why the Barbarians probably had easy pickings. No one even stopped them as they rode to the area, now that Jonathan could see, he noticed that it wasn’t the Army doing the work but other men.

  “Who is in charge here?” Jonathan said as he walked up to a soldier.

  “Captain Felcher,” the private said and pointed to a man who was sitting down eating.

  “You the man in charge?” Jonathan asked.

  “Not now,” Captain Felcher said as he got up. The man had eyes as blue as Russell’s with dark blonde hair and tanned skin. Jonathan could see his teeth were impeccably white and despite the dirt they were around, his uniform looked spotless. “There are women about. Are they here to work? I would much rather talk to them instead of you.”

  “They work for me,” Jonathan said. “Not give me your attention.”

  “What do you want?” Captain Felcher said and let out a sigh.

  “To help you,” Jonathan replied. “I have heard that you are in charge of building something here and that you have continually lost men, night after night.”

  “Privates and mercenaries,” Captain Felcher said and waved Jonathan away. “I don’t stay here at night, I would be a fool.”

  “Then how do you expect to build this place?” Jonathan asked.

  “I don’t,” Captain Felcher said. “These men that are getting paid coin will. If they die, then no money has to be paid out.”

  “I will report this to Earl Gillsepie and whoever else is in charge of this thing,” Jonathan said and stepped away. “You are a poor excuse for a commander and during our entire conversation the only thing you have been worried about are the women travelling with me.”

  “Say what you want,” Captain Felcher said. “You don’t pay my bills.”

  Jonathan was going to say more but decided not to. He would just find the second highest ranking person and work with him on what needed to be done. Jonathan found a sergeant, he wasn’t sure if there was a senior sergeant around but finding any rank is better than no rank. Captain Felcher was likely a noble with a paid commission. Any Sergeants would most likely be commoners who came up through the ranks.

  “You the second man around here?” Jonathan asked a rough looking Sergeant who seemed to have a permanent frown on his face.

  “Why?” the Sergeant asked.

  “I am here to help but Captain Felcher is anything but helpful,” Jonathan replied.

  “I saw what kind of help mages give,” the Sergeant said as he looked past Jonathan, probably at Alicia, Tricia and Gertie.”

  “Well I am not them,” Jonathan asked. “What needs to be done?”

  “Why don’t you mind whatever business it is that you are supposed to be minding Mage,” the Sergeant said as Jonathan could see the man was in fact looking at the three women.

  Jonathan shook his head thinking about the unprofessionalism he was witnessing. He understood that they had been in the field but they looked like they had never seen a woman before. Jonathan looked around and thought about what needed to be done. The area had to be cleared more that what it was and some kind of walls needed to be erected. It was good that they got there at midday, Jonathan would have at least six or seven hours to work with. Jonathan walked over to Gurtis and pulled the man aside.

  “What do you got?” Gurtis asked.

  “You didn’t tell me the men in charge were tossers,” Jonathan said. “Or that the only reason they are offering big coin is because they do not think they ever have to pay it.”

  “Wasn’t important,” Gurtis replied. “So what now?”

  “This place needs to be cleared better than this,” Jonathan replied. “I am going to set the men here on clearing this place and offer them a bit of security. Keep your men near just in case something stupid happens.”

  “Will do,” Gurtis said. “These soldiers seem too interested in your lady friends.”

  “They do,” Jonathan admitted. “But there is nothing that can be done for that right now. We have bigger problems. Get your men ready and I will get the rest of my crew.”

  Jonathan walked over towards Gertie who had Captain Felcher in her face. Jonathan could tell she was uncomfortable and probably didn’t know how to get rid of the man. Felcher was handsome, Jonathan had to admit that but Gertie was probably used to rich and handsome men hitting on her all of the time. Her guards were also besieged but Albie, Elijah and Lucius was there. The sergeant Jonathan had just talked to were trying to stare them down but wasn’t successful.

  “Alright Gertie,” Jonathan said as he cut in.

  “How rude,” Captain Felcher said. “I am trying to have a conversation with the lady.”

  “Gertie I am going to need you and the others to help with security,” Jonathan said, ignoring Felcher. “It should be relatively safe, I just need you to fly high in the air and warn us if anything is coming through these tall grasses. I know the Barbarians like to strike at night but you can never be too careful. I am going to have your guards help me out on the ground.”

  “What do you plan on doing?” Gertie asked.

  “Who cares what he plans on doing?” Captain Felcher said. “He is only a commoner with a bit of magic. We were having a conversation.”

  “I am going to use my earth magic,” Jonathan said. “I think it could work as a beginning, we can get a lot done today and more done tomorrow. Come.”

  “Wait a moment!” Captain Felcher said and grabbed Gertie’s sleeve.

  “You better draw back that hand,” Jonathan said as he faced the man.

  “Where are you going?” Captain Felcher said as he let her go.

  “You just watch those hands,” Jonathan replied. “Come on Gertie.”

  Jonathan walked over to the other mages who had quite a following now. Many soldiers had gathered to stare at the sisters, they were cute Jonathan supposed but here they were like food to a starving man. Jonathan walked through the small crowd until he was face to face with an angry looking Elijah and a nervous looking Albie.

  “So here is the plan,” Jonathan began. “I am going to place you three in the air outside of Barbarian range as security. If you see something, say something. I am going to try and get a lot more of the clearing done and give this place at least a chance to defend itself when it is attacked.”

  “I don’t like this,” Elijah said gesturing to the crowd of soldiers.

  “We have a job to do,” Jonathan replied. “Ignore them. The women can take care of themselves. Alicia and Tricia you are with me.”

  Jonathan led them through the crowd towards where he thought the side of the would be defense would be facing the enemy. Jonathan started pointing to spots in the sky, the Mages took off and hovered there. Jonathan then looked at the field of high grasses in front of him and started with his earth magic. It was slow going, earth magic was slow moving but Jonathan thought it got results. Where he thought a wall should be based on the other small forts he had been inside of.

  A wall of dirt slowly started rising, on the outside of it was a trench forming from all of the removed dirt. Jonathan doubted he had the magic to make a twenty feet tall wall like he wanted but thought he could get a decent five foot wall all the way around. This would be a lot better than not
hing for defending and Jonathan thought it would take the barbarians a long time to destroy it, definitely longer than one night. Jonathan could feel the magic leaving him, he was annoyed at all of the dumb questions that Tricia and Alicia were getting from the men as they stood next to him. It was hard to ignore it especially while he was straining.

  “Go away,” Jonathan said as he turned around and looked at a group of soldiers. “We are working and this isn't a tavern. Go find something to do instead of over here by me.”

  “You aren't in charge of me,” a man said as a strong magebolt ripped from Jonathan’s hands and smashed him right across the face sending him down and skidding.

  “Anyone else has shit to say?” Jonathan asked. “I came here to help out but I will never turn down the chance to sort out an idiot.”

  Jonathan saw them look at him a little wearily and start to walk away. Jonathan turned back to what he was doing, the mages he had up in the sky had to land to take a little break. Jonathan continued working and thought just having more people around would make everyone back off him. Once Gurtis saw what was happening he sent his men to start cutting down and trampling the tall grasses. Jonathan thought the man was smart and wanted more room to work with if the enemy got inside. Jonathan thought it took him almost two hours and he was a bit tapped for magic. He had around ten percent remaining and thought he would call it quits for the day when the Sergeant from earlier came storming over.

  “You hit one of my men?” the sergeant asked.

  “I did,” Jonathan replied. “I told him to go away while I was working and he all but dared me to make him.”

  “You don’t put hands on my men,” the Sergeant said.

  “Then keep your men away from me,” Jonathan replied.

  “They werent over hear talking to you,” the sergeant said angrily.

  “Do any of you want to talk to any soldiers?” Jonathan said looking at Tricia, Alicia and Gertie.”

  “Pit no,” Alicia said. “It is like they don’t take a hint.”

  “There you have it,” Jonathan replied. “Keep them away from me and mine and I will stay away from them. Unlike you, I have actually done something for this place.”