“Is that so?” Jonathan said as he looked at Bluebell.
“He is lying!” Sergeant Bluebell said.
“We will see,” Jonathan replied. “For now I am taking control of this entire legion. It reeks with ineptitude, crime and unprofessionalism. Any man who has a problem with that, step forward so I can end your life. Any nasty looks, any words under your breath will be treated as mutiny and you will be killed where you stand. I am sure I have made my point. For now Bluebell, I want you and your men working on the defenses. I want you to defy me, I am looking for a reason to kill you all and I want you to know it. There are four soldiers around here that are burned to the pit and back. Put them to work and I want all of you on the wall tonight. If you fail to do so I will kill you. I want you to know this deep in your heart. Felcher cannot save you now, no one can save you now. Get out of my face and get to work.”
Jonathan watched the soldiers scatter and walked back inside of the tent. Felcher was looking like he had seen a ghost. Jonathan figured that no one but Goodnight had really known that he was Jonathan the Lightning. Jonathan hadn’t told anyone really and just introduced himself as Jonathan Thunder. Well the cat was out of the bag now, he had used his lightning and killed three men and another man had his head torn apart by icicles. Anyone who thought about trying him were now scared to death, they had seen Jonathan kill and heard him threaten to kill again.
“You are going to carry your ass out of here and get on the wall with the rest of the men,” Jonathan replied. “If not I will drag you before the Queen and explain your crimes. You will die, noble or not, you will be killed. You Sir, attacked a female noble mage. Everyone important will be calling for your head and they will get it. You and your men will be on that wall and the first of you to run in the face of the enemy I will kill.”
“That is a death sentence!” Felcher said.
“You can die facing the army or right here with me,” Jonathan replied. “Maybe you can go with honor. If you continually survive then you will renounce your commission and leave the army. Your reason for doing so will only be known to a few to ensure you do not get back in.”
“Well then I renounce my commission right now,” Felcher said.
“You don’t get to do that,” Jonathan said. “If you are serious then I will have you sign some paperwork and have you executed soon after. Now go gather your men and get them situated. My men are not doing anymore building on anything. If you want better defenses then it looks like you will build them. You should let your men know the first of them to run I will deem deserters and kill them. Either during the battle or when it is all said and done. As of right now this is my tent, get your ass out of it.”
Jonathan watched the man walk outside and followed him. Jonathan made sure he called all of his men together, including the ones who had tried to rape Alicia and Tricia. One man started fussing about a suicide mission. Jonathan asked Elijah who had taken a blow to the shoulder if that solider was one of those who attacked. Elijah barely nodded before Jonathan blew the man’s head apart and then no one had anything to say after that. That night the enemy attacked again, Jonathan had only gotten intermittent sleep and was ready from the first sighting. The enemy had finally went around back to pour in, Jonathan started sending lightning bolt after lightning bolt into the throngs of men and then took to the sky after his men formed up in their circle.
Jonathan started again with his fire attack, it was easier since it took the Barbarians a much longer time to crawl up the wall for those that could. They were in a trench and were easy targets, those that finally got up had a fight on their hands. The soldiers knew that if they ran that Jonathan had given the mages permission to kill all who fled the walls. The soldiers fought like their lives depended on it because it did. The barbarians were not prepared for such ferocity, this time the soldiers didn’t break in the face of the enemy and were fighting to the death. Jonathan thought at least two hundred barbarians had met their end and he was only responsible for less than half of those. The Barbarians sent a surge, these men carried logs that let them crawl up the wall and bypass the trench.
The Barbarians found themselves in close quarters combat. Those who decided to jump down found themselves in a pit although this one was lined with foot long wooden spikes. Jonathan was happy the defenses were working, the Barbarians didn’t get a chance to retreat since they were cut down while trying to climb back out of the fight. Felcher and all but two of his men survived, the two had taken part in the attempted attack on Tricia and Alicia. The next morning came, Jonathan had only a skeleton crew keep watch after the attack and now that he had everyone up, he made them all along with any craftsmen, mercenaries and mages really go at fixing what he now called a fort up. The walls was where he needed them, they even were topped with jutting wooden barriers which made climbing them difficult to do.
Jonathan thought the whole feel of the place changed. Soldiers were engaged and worked with a purpose. Felcher and Bluebell had left him alone and followed orders, it was probably because each knew Jonathan wanted to kill them and only needed a reason. The Barbarian let three days go by with an attack. Jonathan had trees cut down and the craftsmen were able to build two buildings which would serve as barracks with Mage help. For the most part they were long bays with many bunkbeds, all they needed were mattresses or bed rolls. On the fourth day Senior Commander Goodnight came marching in along with a full legion. Jonathan met him at the gate.
“Captain Thunder,” Gilbert said as he looked around. “You have done a lot of work. I wasn’t even gone a week and this place looks far different. Where is Felcher?”
“We need to talk Sir,” Jonathan replied. “Somewhere private.”
“Well what about those buildings?” Gilbert asked.
“Not ours,” Jonathan replied. “I built them for the soldiers first. The leadership building is going to be the last to go up after a place to put supplies and an actual kitchen. I have a tent we can go inside of.”
“Looking out for your soldiers first,” Gilbert said.
“I don’t know if you can call them my soldiers Sir,” Jonathan said. “They know their business right now. I would feel better talking inside of the tent.”
Jonathan showed Senior Commander Goodnight into the tent. Albie was there still nursing his wound but got up and left as soon as he saw Goodnight. Goodnight traveled with another Captain and two leftenants, they followed Goodnight inside and Jonathan figured they would have to know eventually. Goodnight took a seat and Jonathan gestured for the rest to take a seat as well.
“Sir this unit is filled with criminals and bad leadership,” Jonathan replied.
“The men out there look busy to me,” the Captain said.
“Only because I have killed five of them and let it be known the first person to question my command will join them, including Felcher,” Jonathan said. “The female guards I brought were attacked. I saw this with my own eyes after I told Felcher to get ahold of his men. I shouldn’t have to tell anyone here the price for trying to ravish a noble woman, which both of the guards are. Felcher burned down my tent, attacked my mages and tried to strip and ravish a noble mage woman. If the Queen hears of this, he is as good as dead and they will come for whoever was in charge of him.”
“Does he still live?” Goodnight said as he went white as a sheet.
“He does,” Jonathan said. “The official story is not too far away from the truth. You left me in charge to clean this legion up and root out criminal acts and incompetence. Felcher and his Sergeant are being made to resign or I, or rather you will personally bring them before the Queen so you can save face. Both have expressed desire to be allowed to resign rather than face the Queen’s justice. I am okay with this action as it saves the most face. Something should probably be put in their records that they are no longer welcomed in the Army. Only the people with a need to know should know about everything that happened here. I already have written down everything that has happened since you lef
t that I have done. I think this group of soldiers need to be broken up and scattered all over the Kingdom. They will just feed off of each other and give the next person in charge a tough time. They didn’t respect my rank until I started killing people. I was even attacked by three soldiers under Bluebell’s command.”
“The man should be executed,” the Captain said as he stood up.
“He should,” Jonathan admitted. “But records would have to be kept. Right now only I am strictly involved in this, do not put your names into it as well.”
“You are a smart man Thunder,” Gilbert said. “I know why my brother likes you. I will accept their resignations. How have the barbarians been?”
“A non-factor as of right now,” Jonathan replied. “Our defenses have been so good that we are killing them at a rate of thirty or forty to one. This number is only going to climb since I have been defending this place to what amounts to less than a third of a legion.”
“I planned on replacing Captain Felcher,” Gilbert admitted. “I thought newly promoted Captain Kruech would be fit for the job. His men know it is either here or looking at the Downians since there have been rumors that Dragonknights have been spotted.”
“Then I think you should give yourself and your men the best opportunity for success,” Jonathan said looking at Captain Kreuch. “I know I am not an Army guy and I didn’t come up through the ranks the way you all have. But I know what poor leadership looks like and Felcher is it. I don’t really care about anyone’s feelings concerning women in battle. But when the commander stages an attack on the troops and tries to ravish a woman then we know there was a breakdown. The men reflect this, like I said before, they are scared for their lives with me around. You can keep some here but they need to be split up. After this thing with Felcher and Bluebell is completed, let me show you around and if you have any ideas on strengthening the defenses you should come up with them now. You have mage support and every one of them will respect your authority and help you out.”
“We need Mages in the Army Senior Commander,” Kreuch said as he looked at Goodnight. “Captain Thunder seems knowledgeable and he was in a shit position and turned it around. Thirty to one casualties? Unheard of.”
“Captain Thunder I am going to use you here as a reason Mages should be in the Army,” Goodnight replied. “You took orders like any regular soldier and in the absence of orders performed to the best of your ability. It is a shame I have to let you go.”
“Not before we get this place right,” Jonathan replied. “With the extra men we can really make this place look nice and start fixing that road. If this is going to be the furthest outpost it needs more accessibility.”
“This is just the first in a group of four,” Gilbert said. “Eventually one is going to be built way out there. If you think this one is tough to defend, just wait when all of them finished. They have plans to place one way out there. Whatever legion gets that place is going to be lost, I just know it.”
CHAPTER 10
The Road Home
“This was good coin thanks to you Thunder,” Coe said as he hefted his purse. “I don’t really have to work for a long long time if I don’t want to. I am going to work, but it will be nice knowing I don’t really need the job. Gurtis you have looked out for me, only five years and I am leaving with more coin than I know what to do with. Thank you for giving me this shot, I know there are plenty of big blokes out there that could throw down better than I can.”
“It is not about the best fighter,” Gurtis said. “Everyone plays a role. Fox is scouting and planning. I handle all of our logistics and job procurement. Takeya is our skirmisher, unarmored with his knives he can really put it to you and you are our muscle. You have the right temperament. You have never tried to take over a job because you have size and you have always been content with the pay. I make it a point not to cheat my men, it keeps you all loyal. I do feel like I am cheating you though Thunder.”
“You are not cheating me,” Jonathan replied. “It was nice getting into it with the Barbarians, joining the Army briefly, bringing some honor back into the ranks all the while having competent men to back me.”
“Are you going to miss the Army?” Fox asked. “The person in charge had a lot of good things to say about you and wants to use you as an example of why Mages can be in the Army.”
“It was fun but I am not going to miss it,” Jonathan replied. “I still plan on being Archmage and I cannot do that in the Army. I think my path will cross with the Goodnights again, I am sure the meeting will be friendly even if I declined the offer to join permanently. Only thing I am really caring about is getting this sword and Miss Gertie where they need to be.”
“Old Sig seemed anxious to have you out of his shop,” Gurtis said. “He practically threw your things at you. I don’t know what you said or did to him but he wanted you gone. I get the feeling that he doesn’t want you back. He barely even stared at that dagger you showed him from our first night fighting.”
“He just wants my weapons out of his hands and into Prince Jordan’s,” Jonathan replied.
“What is going on between you and Miss Gertie?” Gurtis asked. “She is a noble but I have seen her giving you the eye and she seems irritated to have me and my men ruin her alone time with you.”
“Notice that, did you?” Jonathan laughed. “She is a huge flirt and a very beautiful woman. She is not one of those lusty women but has a simple cuteness about her. I am really into her and I think she is into me as well. She has just been paranoid, she has been in a lot of battles and things are taking their toll on her. It is not that she doesn’t like you, your protection makes her realize that she is still in danger.”
“Well I plan on getting her to the Gills safely,” Gurtis said. “After that her protection is on you.”
“Fighting with that group of soldiers has left a bad taste in my mouth,” Jonathan said. “But since then our travels haven't been too bad.”
“I thought staying only for the night in some towns would tick off your companions,” Gurtis said. “I trust Fox and his plans and thought we should only stop during the night. Anyone who wants to give information about us would have to be quick in doing so. I think at this pace I can have you inside of the Gills by tomorrow.”
“It gets dicey tomorrow though, doesn’t it?” Fox asked. “From what you told me, I think this mage of yours probably has people in Tahajilee. I am not too familiar with the town but rarely would someone like that leave himself wide open if he doesn’t have to. The village in close enough that if they had snatched Lady Gertie, he could see to any of her needs that arises during their battle as well as his own. Those men with him you fought had to come from somewhere. You said you handed over a Mage?”
“I did,” Jonathan replied.
“He probably had some clout as well,” Fox said. “We have mostly beat any word of us getting close to Tahajilee. My plan is stop somewhere short of the town for the night. In the morning we can push through that area you were worried about attacks and bandits or whatever.”
“Then that sounds like what we are going to do,” Jonathan said. “I am not worried and you shouldn’t be either. Before we were not sure what to expect. Now if we make it out of town we can send scouts to locate these tossers. We wouldn’t have to worry about any stray arrows or anything else. They are bold when attacking from cover, I think I have their measure though.”
“How much longer until we reach Tahajilee?” Coe asked.
“A few hours,” Fox said. “I think we as in Gurtis’s people will be able to walk into town and get any supplies we need. Well if we need any supplies. I still think the safe bet is to wait out the night and then push forward before the sun is properly up. We should be in the Gills by this time tomorrow.”
“And safe is what we are going to do,” Gurtis said.
“Jon are you going to spend all of your time out there talking to the boys?” Gertie said as she stuck her head out the carriage.
“I t
hink you are being summoned,” Gurtis said. “Well go on then. Me and the boys have everything under control here.”
Jonathan gave them a smiled and used his magic to float off his horse and over to the carriage. Gertie opened the door for him and he floated inside and shut the door behind him. Jonathan noticed Tricia and Alicia were both gone, he didn’t remember seeing the women get out of the carriage but figured they must have taken the other door. Gertie noticed him looking around and patted the seat next to her. Jonathan gave her a smile and sat down next to her.
“They went out the other door to see to their men,” Gertie said. “And to give me a bit of privacy. It seems your new buddies are always around, especially when I want to spend some time with you.”
“They are your guards Gertie,” Jonathan replied. “They take their jobs seriously.”
“Well I have seen everyone play kissy face but me,” Gertie said. “I think we are going to be late dropping off the gift.”
“We might,” Jonathan replied. “Well we are but things happen. Prince Jordan is going to be beside himself with a gift this grand.”
“I wanted to get there early and spend some time with you,” Gertie said.
“I want to spend some time with you,” Jonathan said. “But once anyone sees you with me, it is going to be game on. Are you sure you are ready to deal with it?”
“I don’t care about some jealous girl,” Gertie said. “I know whose lips yours have been kissing on. Besides, there are plenty of men who have been trying to get my attention.”
“They would be blind not to,” Jonathan replied. “You are smart and pretty. I am sure if you are ever caught in the mage quarter that many men would give their left arms for you.”
“You big flirt,” Gertie said. “They want those pure girls.”
“I doubt any man would pass on you,” Jonathan said. “I am still not sure how I managed to gain your favor.”
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