“She could have?” Jordan said surprised.
“That first boy is fast,” Jonathan said. “I have never faced anyone faster than I was until that day. I have seen Lord Russell cast before and I don’t think he is as fast as that. Hurt my pride a little bit to find out I am not the fastest mage in the Kingdom. After I beat him I just assumed Lady Danica here was just as fast. I was correct, she is faster than I am and she has a lot of power to throw behind her. Right now I think she will be the best fighter in that class. Only if she keeps up her training, the initiate I fought after her was tough and he seemed more methodical. That one might be the overall number one.”
“You aren’t making any sense Thunder,” Xalen said. “How can both of them be the best?”
“Simple Your Highness,” Jonathan began. “I wasn’t even the second best mage in my class and there is a case that could be made that Gerald or even yourself were more rounded. I was the best fighter though. If you need something killed, I am the lad you want on the field of battle.”
“Ashley wants to fight you,” Jordan said.
“I would be honored,” Jonathan said. “Let’s hear your game plan to beat me.”
“I, um,” Ashley said as her face blushed bright red.
“It is just Jonathan, Ashley,” Jordan said.
“I think she may be a little reluctant because the last time she saw me I was smacking people about,” Jonathan said. “Only way to gain instant respect from those who don’t want to give you any.”
“That why I like this lad,” Duke Golad said. “You keep telling it like it is Thunder.”
“Don’t encourage him,” Xalen said annoyed. “My mother does enough of that already.”
“Because she recognizes talent boy,” Duke Golad said. “Well out with it lass, how do you plan on beating Thunder?”
“Well let me tell you what wouldn’t work,” Jonathan said. “Trying to outmuscle me isn’t likely to work. I can toss up a bunch of shields and make it difficult for you to get through. If I could fight that first match I had against your classmate Wallace again, I would just keep up a few shields and start lobbing directional spells like mage rope or fireball. Right now I think only a few people can get through my shield with raw power. Emma Gillespie, Kevin Wilson, Lady Danica, the Golads and Mage Monica Manchin. Don’t know where you rate compared to their power but if you are not equal then it wouldn’t work. My shields are underrated up until you get in there with me, most people don’t think about it until it is too late. Of course Shatter and a few other spells could break through my shield but I don’t really think they are worth it.”
“I have seen your shield taken down in a fight before,” Xalen said.
“You mean when I was jumped in the Tower your Highness, and still beat back the five people who attacked me?” Jonathan asked remembering Xalen tried to have him beaten. “Of course, I took them all down and the rest of Big Four was needed to hold me back.”
“Why wouldn’t Shatter work?” Ashley said.
“I can put eight shields up when I am at my best,” Jonathan said as he took a step back and suddenly eight closely spaced shields popped into existence. “Now if you cast Shatter, it locks on one of my shields. Will it take it down, of course. I will still have others ready and you would now be at half strength. Go ahead and cast your spell, see if I am lying.”
Jonathan watched Ashley move her hands and cast shatter. One of his shields broke apart and she cast it twice more. The second casting also took down a shield but just barely. The third casting made his shield wobble a bit but he still had it up. Jonathan let his shields drop and then looked over at a shocked looking Ashley. Even Duke Golad looked surprised Jonathan thought, the man had never really seen what Jonathan’s shields could do.
“There are spells that are great for shield breaking,” Jonathan said. “Icicle and anything pointy are just a few. They take a bit to cast and you leave yourself open to mage bolts. I can be hot headed, I normally have a plan and stick with it for better or worse. Sometimes I underestimate my opponent and it comes back to bite me. I wouldn’t underestimate any of your class though. You are too quick and too strong. In terms of power I heard from a decent source that four of the ten strongest mages in the Kingdom are in that class.”
“I saw your fight with Segdrick Davies,” Ashley said. “He has talked about it nonstop and many people in my class want to fight you.”
“Well I am never hard to find,” Jonathan said. “We can have a go whenever they want to. I used to be the mage dueling instructor, so I know my stuff when it comes to fighting.”
“When are you and Russell going to go at it?” Jordan asked. “That is the fight people want to see. Have any of the Big Four ever fought each other?”
“No,” Jonathan said. “Too many strong personalities.”
“That is a nice way of saying they would try and kill each other,” Duke Golad laughed. “I would like to see you and my boy go at as well Thunder.”
“I want to see the current class go up against the Big Four,” Earl Gillespie said.
“That would be something,” Jonathan said. “I want to see how the others keep Lady Danica off of them.”
“Danica has fought Mage Monica,” Ashley said. “I have as well.”
“You both fought Monica?” Jonathan asked.
“I lost,” Ashley said.
“But Monica asked the Tower Mage if she could start up a special class for talented first years,” Jordan said. “She picked Ashley to join it.”
“Nothing wrong with losing to Monica,” Jonathan said. “She has fought Blood Priests and Dragonknights. You all just need experience.”
“How did you get your experience?” Ashley asked.
“By being a commoner,” Jonathan laughed. “You have no idea how many people want to shut up the overhyped commoner. I have had more mage matches than anyone. Every new class wants a piece, many loud mouths that see me in my Champion robes want to have a go not to mention any mundane good with a sword.”
“Oh this ought to be good,” Duke Golad said. “Look lively lad, here comes Daisy with my youngins.”
Jonathan looked behind him and saw Duchess Golad walking up with Farrah and Russell. Jonathan drifted back into Gertie and knew she was uncomfortable. Jonathan reached back and grabbed her hand as he moved out of the way. Duchess Golad saw the move instantly and her eyes rapidly moved back and forth from Gertie to Jonathan. Farrah also noticed but Jonathan could tell she was trying her best to look like she hadn’t noticed anything. Russell put on a smile that made Jonathan want to punch him.
“Thunder,” Russell said. “I didn’t know you were invited.”
“He wasn’t,” Xalen said.
“Yes he was,” Jordan said. “Look at this Russell, Jonathan took it off a dead Barbarian and I have a sword made from royal steel and dragon teeth!”
“What?” Russell said as he took the blade and became annoyed. “These are dragon teeth, how did you get this?”
“I had it made,” Earl Gillespie said. “That weapon you have in your hand is priceless. It is made from materials rarer than rare and was designed and put together by the best smith in the Kingdom.”
“This rusty looking dagger could be a fake,” Russell said.
“Do you really believe that?” Jonathan asked. “That I would tell a lie about fighting?”
“You know he wouldn’t,” Farrah said. “Who is your date Jonathan?”
“Yes who is she and why would she want to be seen on the arm of a commoner?” Duchess Golad said.
“Enough of that!” Duke Golad snapped. “His date is none of your businesses.”
“I am just asking the boy a question,” Duchess Golad said.
“Your Grace, this is Miss Gertie Walsh,” Jonathan said. “And I may not be good enough for her, but I am happy she chose me.”
“Hello Your Grace,” Gertie said and smiled at Jonathan. “I am happy to have him around, a more perfect man doesn’t exist. Tall, dark,
handsome and the Champion of Kirby. I don’t know how I got so lucky.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Russell said. “It is about time the third amongst the Big Four found someone willing to settle.”
“And if a dragon ever assaults me, I can say I have the only man who has killed one instead of playing with it or being killed by it,” Gertie said.
“Oh feel the burn!” Duke Golad bellowed. “That is a fine lass you got there Thunder, she didn’t even take pit off my boy who thinks he is the God’s gift to women.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Jonathan said.
“You have a mouth on you,” Duchess Golad said. “What do you do for a living?”
“She works for me Your Grace,” Earl Gillespie said.
“She does, does she?” Duchess Golad said. “Girl if you ever get tired of the Gills come to the mountain and you can even bring Jonathan with you.”
“Thank you for the offer, Your Grace,” Gertie said.
“Thunder why don’t you join me over by my father and let your date meet important people,” Xalen said. “I have business to discuss with you.”
“I will be okay,” Gertie said as she pulled Jonathan in and kissed him on the cheek.
“See you in a bit and I already know I owe you,” Jonathan said as he turned to follow Xalen.
Xalen walked over to his father Prince Jeffrey who was in conversation with Kevin Wilson. Just the two people Jonathan could not stand. Jonathan was thinking this conversation couldn’t get any worse when Russell appeared. Jonathan thought about his friend Red and knew he would be laughing at him right now. He would probably be the victim of countless insults but decided to use that as fuel. Everything they said to him would be used as motivation to try just that much harder. Prince Jeffrey looked up at Jonathan and then behind him. Jonathan heard the clacking sound of a cane, he knew it was probably the Tower Mage so he would at least have one ally if they didn’t send him away.
“Thunder,” Kevin Wilson said looking at him. “You couldn’t just leave well enough alone, could you?”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Jonathan said.
“He is talking about your actions with the Barbarians,” Xalen said.
“Before or after I saved a legion of men?” Jonathan asked. “They saw what a real mage could do and acted accordingly.”
“I would die before I put a mage under the authority of a mundane, even a commoner mage,” Prince Jeffrey said. “You have riled up enough feathers to have the Queen thinking about it.”
“Thunder, my mother will not be power forever,” Xalen said. “And if I were in power you could forget about ever being Archmage, Tower Mage, Mage Commander or anything else. You wouldn’t even be Champion with the levels of disrespect you have shown. You would just be some faceless mage.”
“That is fair enough,” Jonathan said. “Anything else, Your Highness?”
“What are you thinking Thunder?” Russell asked. “I know you well enough to tell when the wheels are turning.”
“Nothing at all,” Jonathan said. “His Highness is correct, he could do whatever he wanted. We both know I own any battlefield I step foot on no matter who is fighting with me. It would be simple to just make me stay at home. I don’t know how many of his citizens would get killed because of it but it wouldn’t be my problem. I know you are angry I ran off that dragon, I know you think about it often. But what if I wasn’t there? The Mage Commander and the group he led were already taken out. Instead of me coming over, you would have had a dragon coming over to help his friend. No offense to any of you, but I like the dragons to prevail. You never noticed me coming over just like you wouldn’t have noticed it until it incinerated the first mage.”
“You have skill Thunder,” Prince Jeffrey snapped.
“I already know this Your Highness,” Jonathan said. “So does the Raelinians, the Downians, the Donalians and the Barbarians.”
“Enough of this posturing,” Prince Jeffrey said. “Name your price.”
“For what?” Jonathan asked confused.
“Kevin is not going to be around forever and the Kingdom needs a leader of the Mage Corps,” Prince Jeffrey said. “This is a position we both know you would be good at. Your actions with the Army proved it. Name your price for you to take it.”
“I would be a fool to take that position Your Highness,” Jonathan said. “In another ten years I could be Archmage. I only have one real rival and I like my chances.”
“You really believe you can beat me?” Russell laughed.
“You are not my rival,” Jonathan said. “You would never turn down a Dukedom for Archmage. Gerald is my rival, he has been to almost as many battlefields as I have and handled himself well. I fully expect for the rules to be changed to allow him to compete for Archmage. Maybe one of the initiates now in the Tower will try to prove themselves but I have a real head start and the Downians have been seen on the border.”
“And what does that mean?” Xalen replied.
“We were sent to fight off Dragonknights,” Russell said. “We were a strong class and it made sense to send us. If this class is even stronger, then they would be sent as well.”
“Since many people think I am full of it, they will rush out to prove themselves and get killed,” Jonathan said. “I am sure I will be held back while those trying to seek glory will get the chance. I saw the Mage Commander fall when faced with one of those beasts. Many mages will die trying to prove me a fraud. After enough have died I will be let loose and do what I do best or die trying. If I start off in the fight then I am sure I would quickly outclass the rest since I have fought a dragon before.”
“You all listen to me,” the Tower Mage said. “You all have Thunder over here cornered like you are really doing something. I will be long dead Your Highness when you take the throne so none of your threats bother me. I don’t care if I get fired since we all know I hate the job. I have lost students, I am the only Tower Mage to ever do so to the enemy. You all end whatever this is between you. Kevin you and Thunder have history that will never go away and you have been the perfect ass whenever you see each other. You used to care about the Tower or was that a lie and you only cared about yourself? Your Highnesses you have the Kingdom to think about. If anyone should be acting like they have sense it should be you two.”
“You know Thunder should take the Mage Commander job,” Xalen said. “And when I am King, I don’t care what he is doing. I may toss him in that position.”
“You give me a good reason why he would want it with you and Russell aligned against him?” the Tower Mage said. “Give him one good reason why he should think that any of you here are out for his best interest?”
“I am not aligned against Thunder,” Russell said. “My family has offered him coin half again as much as he is making right now to come to Golad. My mother has even offered the girl he is with a chance to come work for her.”
“And my father has offered him a job as the Captain of my guard force,” Xalen said.
“And you all think he is such an idiot that he would do either one of those?” the Tower Mage said. “Before you talk about how he could leave your employ at any time, I know as well as he does that something could happen to make him want to stay.”
“Are you his father or are you going to let him speak for himself?” Kevin Wilson asked annoyed.
“His father is dead or don’t you remember?” the Tower Mage said looking at Kevin Wilson.
“Thunder, maybe I need to make myself clear,” Prince Jeffrey said. “Name your price or whatever changes you want to see done to the position. Or you can cross me and see how things end up.”
“Is that a threat?” Jonathan asked.
“You have a good day Thunder,” Prince Jeffrey said.
Jonathan gave the Tower Mage a smile as the man yanked Jonathan away from the group. The Tower Mage said nothing, instead he led Jonathan over to Gertie who was now sitting down with Farrah, Monica and Duchess Golad. Jonath
an took a seat, rather he was tossed into it by the Tower Mage who the grabbed a drink from a passing servant.
“Don’t you put me in shit!” the Tower Mage said as he thunked Jonathan in the head with his cane. “You and Erlanger owe me. You are going to sit right here with whoever this pretty girl is you brought until it is time to leave. You even think about starting something and you will wind up in the arena alright. Except it is going to be against me and I will be kicking the pit out of you all over it! Do I make myself clear?”
“You do,” Jonathan said and gave the man a thankful look.
“I better,” the Tower Mage said. “I am too old for this Thunder, dealing with those powerhouses in the Tower is enough for me to quit. Don’t toss your problems on my load as well.”
“I think I should be leaving,” Jonathan said as he looked over at Gertie.
“Relax Thunder, we are not killing your girlfriend,” Monica said. “Just getting to know her better.”
“I was telling her if things get serious between you two that I will always have a relatively safe job for you if you want it,” Duchess Golad said. “She has spoke on hating to live in constant fear. What are your plans after tonight?”
“Teach in the Tower until the next thing comes along,” Jonathan said. “Maybe I will head out to the border to take a look at the Downians myself.”
“So brave,” Gertie said as she reached out and grabbed Jonathan’s hand. “Duchess Golad said if you came to work for her that she would buy you your own estate like she did some friends of yours.”
“She would,” Jonathan replied. “The others she has hired love their jobs working for the mountain.”
“Why wouldn’t you want to work somewhere that comes with land?” Gertie asked.
“Because I already have an estate,” Jonathan said.
“Whatever you have could not compare to what the Duchy could bring,” Duchess Golad said.
“I agree but I do not think I could deal with Lord Russell for the rest of my life and I am sure the feeling is mutual,” Jonathan said. “Besides, I could not live with myself being safe at home while others in the Kingdom are risking their lives.”
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