The Archmage

by Whiskey Flowers

  “You bring women here and think I am going to let you hoard them?” the sergeant said. “If they didn’t want any attention then they never should have came here. This is the Army, not a ball.”

  “You watch yourself,” Jonathan said. “If you want to make something more of this then make your move.”

  “You don’t scare me,” the Sergeant said.

  “You mean I don’t scare you yet,” Jonathan replied. “Now run along, you have delivered your threat and I am not scared of you.”

  “I thought he would never leave,” Gertie said as she looked at the Sergeant’s retreating form.

  “Something about him I do not like,” Alicia said. “He said his name and title like I was supposed to be impressed.”

  “You watch yourselves around that Sergeant Bluebell and some of the others as well,” Elijah said. “We stay in a group, this is a lazy bunch of soldiers and I think it reflects their leadership.”

  “Sounds like a decent idea,” Jonathan said. “Didn’t get as much done as I wanted to. The area beyond the wall still is overgrown. I want one of you to set fire to the grass outside of the wall and the others use water magic to make sure the fire doesn’t travel inside. I think the dirt will provide protection but you never know. Then we can get some decent rest, we are not sleeping here today, maybe take the horses three or four hours out and find a safe place. We can return in the morning to keep working. Maybe we will stay the night tomorrow but it just depends on where we are at.”

  Jonathan sat on the ground as he watched the other mages go to work, a thick black cloud of smoke could be seen which made most of the craftsmen and mercenaries let out a cheer as they noticed what was happening. Gurtis decided not to stay in the area as well and Jonathan couldn’t imagine many would stay even with the new defense. Tomorrow they would think about it depending on what was done. Jonathan would do a bit more work and then see if he could form the others up into a team to work together for once. Jonathan began to get sleepy as he saw the fire spreading away from the defense, whoever was out there, men, animals, bugs or whatever was getting it handed to them. The watering the others were doing was soon spread to all around the defense and was partnered with wind to keep the fire burning one way and only one way. An hour after it started Jonathan thought the fire was still going strong and the thick black smoke was making it hard to see or breathe.

  “I need an inn,” Gertie said as Jonathan could see she was covered in soot.

  “More than two days away,” Jonathan replied. “But I think there is a stream nearby.”

  “Was that your plan to get me naked?” Gertie asked as Jonathan’s face went red. “You are so easy to fluster sometimes. The stream would be nice. Let’s leave now while we still have daylight.”

  “You ready to go?” Jonathan said as he looked at Coe. “You or your people know a decent spot a few hours away from here to rest?”

  “Yeah we know a place,” Coe said. “Away from the soldiers but it isn't the best spot. Don’t know how your carriage is going to fit.”

  “I can see if I can magic it in,” Jonathan replied. “But I need sleep more than anything. We also need to set up a watch, I think I have made some enemies and I don’t trust them to let things go.”

  “I’ll get Gurtis,” Coe said.

  Jonathan got the carriage ready and noticed all of the eyes on him. His group was soon on their way and left the smoky outpost behind. Jonathan had fallen asleep almost immediately inside of the carriage, it was the best way for a mage to regain their magic. Jonathan had been woken up once they reached their destination, the trees were so close together that it looked like they made a natural wall to keep people out. The area they were going for was over a thousand paces in. Jonathan walked it and could see a nice clear area close to the water and grunted to himself. He had all of the things in the carriage that could be carried taken out and the horses led through the thick underbrush surroundings the trees. Jonathan was able to use his wind magic to shakily pick the carriage up and fly it to their destination. He was ready to drop when he got there and was happy he managed to beat the others. Jonathan had quickly washed off in the stream and even managed to do something to his robe, the tough stains were still there but the funk had been washed out of it as it was hung to dry. Jonathan put on his Champion Robes that he figured would be his new sleeping garment while he was out there.

  “Looks like you hurriedly got yourself ready while we had to pick our way through the brush,” Elijah said.

  “And now I am completely wiped,” Jonathan replied. “I need to get rest. I barely had any power when I finished with our defenses and bringing this thing here really did the job. I plan on sleeping until morning, the ladies can take the carriage.”

  “Well we have to bathe first,” Gertie replied. “You men may not worry about smelling like the pit but we do.”

  “Well after what you have been through today,” Jonathan began. “I don’t feel comfortable making some lewd joke. We will give you your privacy.”

  “Stay in yelling distance,” Gurtis said. “I am going to send Fox to watch the path here. I don’t know where the military leaders will be staying but I suspect it will be somewhere close by. The closest inn is too far away but I suspect that they do not want to be anywhere near where the Barbarians are likely to attack. That leaves somewhere near us. They can see our carriage tracks but you floating it over here is likely to surprise them for a bit. I think they will eventually discover us but it will not be tonight. It is going to be dark by the time they get here and going through thick brush is no one’s idea of a good time.”

  “Okay,” Jonathan replied. “Maybe I can get a good amount done tomorrow and put up that tent the Earl gave us. Right now though I am going to find me a nice spot to sleep. I am not trying to pull Mage rank or shirk my duties but I really need a lot of sleep to get my magic back. Especially if I have to get this carriage out of here tomorrow morning.”

  “I know you Mages need your rest,” Gurtis replied. “My men will take watch tonight. I am more interested in you all getting the defenses up. Today was a big first step, if you can do even half of that tomorrow then we will really get this thing going.”

  CHAPTER 8

  Do You Know Who You Are Dealing With?

  Jonathan had went to sleep almost as soon as he lifted the carriage to be back on the road. The sky was still dark when Gurtis wanted to leave, he wanted to make it to the area by early morning. Jonathan didn’t remember when the others caught up with him or when they hitched the horses. He didn’t even feel the carriage start moving but now that he was regaining consciousness he knew they had to be close.

  “Mr. Slobber and Snore decided to wake up,” Gertie teased. “You were really out of it.”

  “Earth magic just taxes my strength,” Jonathan replied. “It is rare to have any skill in it. It is slow moving and drains you like you wouldn’t believe. If I had little Ronica here with me I bet she could do a lot of good here.”

  “Well we are just about here,” Tricia said. “Time to deal with those buttholes again.”

  Jonathan felt the carriage stop and got outside. The sun wasn’t yet up but he could tell something was wrong. The men seemed jittery and happy to see him as he walked up. The Soldiers he saw let out a small cheer Jonathan surveyed the area and could see a pile of bodies, at least five Barbarians and two of the craftsmen who had been working yesterday.

  “Where is Felcher?” Jonathan said as he went up to a soldier.

  “He gets here about noon Sir,” the soldier said as he shook from fear.

  “You were in a fight last night?” Jonathan asked.

  “Every night Sir,” the soldier replied. “Normally it is ten or so of them that attack. Your barrier helped fend off the worst of it but we still need a gate.”

  “Alright, that is enough of this,” Jonathan said as he turned around. “I want all of you Mages to take to the sky to provide security and eyes. I want every man here to come gather around
me soldier. You all deserve at least one leader and if it isn't Felcher than it is going to be me. I want this done now.”

  Jonathan watched the soldier start gathering everyone up as the Mages took to the sky. When everyone was in a group, Jonathan cast a spell to make his voice carry. They would start working as a team today and compile their efforts to reach a common goal. Jonathan could tell they had gotten little sleep and wondered what it was like to need coin so bad that they were willing to risk their lives for it.

  “Alright, I know you have seen me around,” Jonathan began. “I am Jonathan the Lightning, the Champion of Kirby and Defender of our way of life. Starting right now I will be with you until this thing is built but I need you to work with me. You can listen to that fop Felcher or any of his hangers on that slept peacefully while you stayed up in fear. Now first thing is first, we need to get actual outer walls done. My dirt wall is decent but it will not stop anyone from trying to climb it. Do we have any shovels?”

  “We have shovels,” a nervous looking man holding an axe said. “They are for digging to put the posts up but it has been hard to.”

  “Well this is what we need,” Jonathan began. “I am going to make our dirt wall taller but it is only going to be our first line of defense. That is something they can plan for. On the other side I need another pit and another wall. Whatever you are doing is not as important as that. Two or three of you that know what they are doing can build a gate for my dirt wall. Did anything survive yesterday’s raid?”

  “Some did,” a soldier said. “This is the first time that we have been able to stick it to them. They didn’t plan on our defenses and broke off quickly once they killed a few.”

  “Well then let’s get that started,” Jonathan said. “Today is going to be a rough day but we will be able to defend this place. Gurtis I want your men watching whatever area the barbarians usually come from and our rear. That road is still wide open and I would feel better with someone having my back. I am going to call the mages back in to conserve their power for if something happens.”

  Jonathan went to work then. He was able to raise the wall another five feet and deepen the pit in front of it by another five feet. It was easier for him to work in the morning and by midmorning he had done all of the magic he planned on doing. Jonathan ended up grabbing a shovel, the men were working in shifts since there was not a shovel for everyone and Jonathan started helping dig the secondary trench and build up the other wall. Jonathan had been doing this for an hour when he heard a ruckus coming from behind him. It was Army people but Jonathan didn’t think this bunch looked like Felcher’s people.

  “Who is in charge here?” said a man wearing Senior Commander rank. Jonathan knew that meant he was two ranks above Felcher. “Where is Felcher and why are all of these civilians here?”

  “I am the man in charge,” Jonathan replied. “Jonathan the Lightning, Champion of Kirby, Jonathan said as he stuck out his hand.

  “Jonathan the Lightning?” the Senior Commander said as he hurriedly shook Jonathan’s hand. “I have heard a lot about you. I didn’t think we would get any mage support out here. Not to sound ungrateful, but you are not a soldier. Where is Captain Felcher?”

  “Doing what he does best, not a damn thing,” Jonathan said. “I am guessing this is a surprise visit?”

  “It is,” the Senior Commander said looking around. “All I get are missives about how he can't complete this job. I think he is lazy. He is the youngest of five of Baronet Daliance’s sons and entitled as they come.”

  “He hired these people here and promised them gold if this place is completed,” Jonathan replied. “He or his core group of soldiers do nothing all day while these men scramble. That wall you passed as you came in was my work. This inner wall you see being built is under my direction. I burned the area to the front of us to keep any surprises from finding us. I wasn’t here last night because I don’t trust the man and I have women with me. Felcher doesn’t get here until noon from what I hear.”

  “That lazy piece of trash,” the Senior Commander snapped. “Sorry for my rudeness, Gilbert Goodnight.”

  “As in General Goodnight?” Jonathan asked.

  “My older brother,” Gilbert said. “Wrote me all about you. He was in the hot seat concerning you and those Donalians but he made it out okay. Said that you were a damn fine mage to work with.”

  “I try,” Jonathan replied. “But these men don’t belong to me. Once Felcher hears about our conversation I am sure he will be as mad as a hornet. I suggest talking to the men here before you talk to him if you want the real story.”

  “Felcher never planned on paying these men, did he?” Gilbert asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Jonathan said. “He was given a shit job and instead of trying to accomplish it, he sits on his ass. He has promised these men a lot of gold if the job gets done. Many of them either quit or are killed trying to accomplish that. He can go about his way until the Kingdom sees that it is a lost cause and he gets sent elsewhere.”

  “It makes the rest of us look bad to have a mage do all of the heavy lifting,” Gilbert said. “He could have got that dirt wall I see built by himself with the two months he has been here.”

  “Well he has a group of soldiers that he cares for,” Jonathan replied. “These men here are the ones new to the unit and low ranking. They need a real officer and a real sergeant to lead them. This is the worst legion I have ever seen.”

  “You know your Army,” Gilbert said. “Nice to see a Mage willing to get his hands dirty. That was you I saw with the shovel?”

  “It was and I could really use the help of the few men you brought with you,” Jonathan replied. “You will eventually leave and these soldiers still answer to Felcher. Who knows if he will let them work or not. You made it seem like he doesn’t have the pull to pay these men even if they have contracts.”

  “Oh they will be paid,” Gilbert said. “And I am going to make sure twenty five percent of his pay is taken away as punishment until the money is repaid to the Kingdom. It is a shame that you had to come here and do all of this. It is also amazing, it would be nice to have a Mage in the ranks. That Mage Commander though would pitch a proper fit if he knew of a Mage in the Army.”

  “Yeah he would,” Jonathan replied. “I wish there was way to join the Army temporarily. That way I would have the ability to command these soldiers without having to worry about Felcher.”

  “Are you serious?” Gilbert asked.

  “Of course,” Jonathan replied. “These men should see some leadership at least once.”

  “You are the Champion of Kirby,” Gilbert said. “In extreme circumstances the Champion can command troops.”

  “Depends on whose definition of extreme we are talking about,” Jonathan said.

  “My brother and I have corresponded about this,” Gilbert said. “As a commoner you could be pressed into the Army. Once pressed into the Army, you could get a battlefield promotion.”

  “Really?” Jonathan said.

  “Depends on if you want it,” Gilbert said. “My brother would have used this loophole to better utilize you on the battlefield.”

  “Then do it,” Jonathan said. “I just cannot be of lower rank than Felcher.”

  “I am only allowed to give you rank up to Captain,” Gilbert said. “You would be equal.”

  “Good enough for me,” Jonathan said. “And I need these men here under my command. I have to go after this place is built, I have other studies but I wouldn’t mind helping out with this experiment.”

  “I need to get the paperwork drawn up right now,” Gilbert said. “My scribe is here because I planned on officially writing Felcher up. I will have the papers drawn up pressing you into the army and your battlefield promotion. I brought a few supplies with me, I wanted to give the soldiers a chance to have a fresh uniform. I will look and see if I can find you one if you are not too proud to get rid of the robe.”

  “Sounds like a plan Sir,” Jonathan said as
he stood at the position of attention.

  “You even know the courtesies,” Gilbert said. “Captain Thunder get back to work while I speak to these men about Felcher and get you into the army.”

  Jonathan went back to work, the walls were looking good. Deep holes had been dug and Jonathan thought the secondary wall was at least one foot high with a pit a foot deep between walls. Jonathan had put on his uniform and thought he looked good in it, Gertie laughed at him in it. The Mages had struggled but successfully were able to put up a big tent. Inside of it, they had a smaller tent, probably for changing Jonathan thought. The sun was at its zenith when Captain Felcher finally came with his core group. Jonathan laughed as Senior Commander Goodnight immediately tore into him and the Sergeants he had with him. Captain Felcher tried to deflect but Senior Commander Goodnight was so loud that everyone knew Captain Felcher was not successful.

  “Captain Thunder!” Gilbert screamed as Jonathan ran over. “Felcher, are you calling Captain Thunder, every man you left here to die and my own eyes a lie? Where have you been instead of working?”

  “Well it is dangerous here,” Felcher said stuttering.

  “From here on out, Captain Thunder is in charge of building this outpost,” Gilbert said. “The job of you and your men from here on out is to defend it. I am staying here for tonight to ensure that my orders are followed.”

  “What do you mean by defending it?” Felcher asked.

  “You heard me,” Gilbert asked. “You are obviously not doing anything to build this place up so you are going to defend it. Day and night you will be here and see to the defenses to this place, you and your men. If there is a battle, Captain Thunder will commit his men to help you. Now you are dismissed.”

  “Sir,” Jonathan said.

  “Yes Captain Thunder,” Gilbert asked.

  “Your men have been making my lady friends uncomfortable,” Jonathan said.