“Sorry Jon,” Gertie said as she gave him a hug. “I like you but I think our paths diverge. I want a simple life at home and you do not.”
“I know Duchess Golad made sense to you,” Jonathan said. “Many others also have good jobs that they are just dying to hand me. I could not live with myself or be happy knowing I did not achieve my dream. If even one mage gets sent to the front as part of some vendetta and dies I could not forgive myself or the person who talked me out of getting my dream.”
“There is a chance that you will never make Archmage,” Gertie said.
“And if that happens then I can be content knowing I tried everything possible,” Jonathan replied. “There are not many people that could be given the title of Archmage that I wouldn't challenge immediately for the title.”
“I hope you find what you are looking for Jon,” Gertie said as she gave him a kiss. “You know I cannot wait for you.”
“I hope you find the peace you need as well,” Jonathan said as he gave her a quick kiss and then let her go.
“There she goes,” Red said as he landed beside of his friend. “Good little fling?”
“Exactly what I needed,” Jonathan said. “Ticked off a bunch of knobbers from me getting a noble mage girl. Now that she is gone, they are going to be even angrier. Where did you just come from?”
“I was going with Poppy to see her father but he surprised us by coming here,” Red began. “Saw the Golads flying like their lives depended on it and got curious.”
“What has been going down here in the last month?” Jonathan asked. “Other than the initiates trying to kill each other?”
“Nothing really,” Red said. “Only one thing that I think you would be interested in. I want you to check out this girl Alonna.”
“An initiate?” Jonathan asked.
“She used to work in a brothel,” Red replied. “Better mind than Cara, she does nothing but practice on her off time. She is not much right now, look at her in a few months.”
“A commoner?” Jonathan asked.
“A commoner,” Red replied. “Still very raw but old Winchell has taken notice of her and told me to keep an eye out. She has a bit more power than the average commoner but still doesn’t know many spells. Other than that, the only news is about the Downians.”
“The Dragonknights,” Jonathan replied. “We only fought two, can you imagine if they send fifty or a hundred?”
“No and I don’t want to,” Red replied. “Not looking forward to jumping in that sinking ship.”
“Well I know I should go to the border just to get eyes on,” Jonathan replied. “I doubt anything real will happen, I just know the Archmage would appreciate a first hand account. Not sure how long it will take me or how long I will need to be out there.”
“Well the Tower isn’t going anywhere,” Red replied. “Might make you laugh that Emma Gillespie wanted to fight me.”
“She did?” Jonathan said as he raised an eyebrow.
“Until she saw I have more potential right now than Russell,” Red replied. “Scared her right off. Monica was quick to talk about my help. I wish Xalen would have kept his fat mouth shut instead of coming clean with Russell.”
“Well at least it keeps people off you,” Jonathan replied. “You should keep as much as possible. While I am gone, the Tower Mage may need it.”
CHAPTER 14
War Is Coming
Jonathan took one last look at the border before he left. He had been on the border hanging out with Senior Commander Sideland Burns for three months now, discussing the Downians. Jonathan was sure he had seen a dragon, it was white and blended in with the clouds but was too fast moving. The dragon had flown over Kirby and Jonathan only noticed it when it was returning to Downey. Burns said it was most likely a scout but was happy his time at the border was complete. He would be replaced by another and would have the easy job of training the latest batch of officers.
“This is looking bad,” Jonathan said as he looked over. “They have a lot of people on the border, it is just a matter of time before they are sent over.”
“Maybe,” Sideland replied. “They know what happened the last time. I am sure those buggers have to had gotten it out of the Dragonknight who survived. That battle was most likely taken apart by their biggest minds.”
“All that means is that they will send more,” Jonathan replied. “And It is doubtful that I will be here to do anything about it.”
“The dumb games you mages play,” Sideland said and rolled his eyes. “Our best need to be up here but they are busy worrying about accolades instead of lives.”
“You should have your own plan if you ever get sent back up here,” Jonathan said. “That fire is nothing to play around with. If it can burn through a mage shield I don’t know what your troops can do to fight it off except to hide.”
“I will come up with something,” Sideland replied. “At least everyone we kill will stay dead unlike the Blood Priests.”
“That is a small victory,” Jonathan replied. “I wish I could stay here longer but Prince Xalen himself has called me back. Whatever it is I am sure isn’t important. I think he knows war may be close from all of my missives back to Her Majesty and His Luminance.”
“Maybe it is something more,” Sideland said. “You have told me about the young initiates at the Tower of Magic. Maybe they need your help to teach dragon fighting.”
“Maybe,” Jonathan replied. “How are you getting back to Dyson?”
“I have a carriage waiting for me,” Sideland said. “I am in no hurry. I am not in a rush to get back, I plan on taking it easy at midday and the evening. It will probably take me more than a month to get back.”
“I wish I had the luxury,” Jonathan replied. “I will fly some of the way, the shortcuts I can find will take a lot of time off instead of just following the road. Most of my belongings have already been sent ahead anyway, not that I ever take much with me. Most of my trip will be spent in various carriages or whatever but I will take a horse as well. I planned on seeing my grandfather but I think things will have to wait for a bit.”
“Well off with you,” Sideland said. “Look me up in Dyson when I get there, maybe have an ale or something. You know I along with many others want to see Mages in the military.”
“I think it would be a good experience for some,” Jonathan began. “But I don’t know how many mages would willingly join. There are a lot of details that I think need working out. Answer those and I think you may have a chance.”
“I have been privy to some of the things you have written to General Goodnight about,” Sideland replied. “I admit I don’t have a good answer for you either.”
“Pay is the main thing,” Jonathan replied. “What rank do you give them? Do you start them off from the bottom or do they come in along the officer ranks or is there another branch for them entirely? No mage coming in will like being paid the same as a private and having to do the same work on top of being a mage. Of course they could have their own legions overseen by a Commander but pay still is an issue. Do you pay them more than a Commander that has years more experience? I think the pay has to at least be on par with whatever the Mage Corps have.”
“There is a rumor that you may be taking over the Mage Corps., even at your age,” Sideland began.
“Alot of things would have to change in order for that to ever happen,” Jonathan said. “If I do you can expect the Mages to work side by side with the military. Not how it is now, but an actual working partnership.”
“Will you integrate?” Sideland asked.
“Depends,” Jonathan replied. “I think that is a conversation that needs to be fully fleshed out by both sides. I do not see anything wrong with Mages joining the army but like I said, the pay has to be worth it. Mages could make decent money doing odd jobs for the Kingdom or various other groups. Of course I can just open the recruiting but what happens if a mage signs up to be a regular soldier? Can he be forced to use his ability? Wha
t if a female mage wants to join up with the Army? I think a lot of smart people need to be in the room for that conversation.”
“But if you get Mage Commander, you will have it?” Sideland asked.
“Of course I will,” Jonathan replied. “I do not think being a Mage makes you better than anyone else. Well I will see you back in Dyson.”
Jonathan took towards the sky for the first leg of travel, the terrain was rough near the border. The main road zigzagged to reach all of the towns instead of heading in a straight line for the capital. Jonathan thought with three hours of flight that he could shave off an entire day of travel by horse and carriage. The road got better after that and there were multiple roads, one of which was almost a straight shot to Dyson. The first day of travel went smoothly, Jonathan took advantage of the full moon to use a carriage while he slept. The rest of the trip was pretty much the same, Jonathan flew to start off his day since he could travel faster by air than a horse could ride and then settled down into a nice carriage or horse. If the moon was out he had a carriage and if it was dark he stayed at an inn. Jonathan thought he made decent time, a little over two weeks and he was back. Jonathan decided to stop at the Tower on his way back. He needed a hot bath and wanted to get into something clean.
“Is that you Johnny?” Red said as he walked into the upper bathing room.
“How did you see me?” Jonathan asked. “I flew straight through the window.”
“You need to hurry up and get dressed,” Red said. “All kinds of things have happened since you left.”
“Things like what?” Jonathan asked as he laid back in the tub.
“For one, that commoner initiate I talked to you about has situated herself as the clear number six in this class and has even beaten Initiate Wallace a few times in a mage duel.”
“Really?” Jonathan asked.
“That she has,” Red replied. “Bigger news than that though. You remember telling me about Max Ward?”
“Yeah I remember,” Jonathan replied. “He died fighting alongside of my parents.”
“Well his daughter was allowed to come to the Tower early,” Red began. “This is her first official day and she was thrown in with the junior class instead of waiting for next year. Monica pissed her off enough that she called out any of Monica’s students. She is supposed to be facing Emma Gillespie right now!”
“She is?” Jonathan said as he stood up.
“Argh!” Red screamed. “Warn me the next time before you start showing off your man bits.”
“Well you came in here,” Jonathan said as he grabbed a towel. “I will be right there.”
Jonathan quickly toweled off and went to grab a robe from his room. He always had plenty of black ones and went down to the sparring area. Initiates gave him a wide birth once they saw who it was, no one was in a hurry to get in his way. Jonathan gasped as he saw the initiate that would be fighting, she was beautiful like she invented the word. Her face was crewed up into a frown and Jonathan could tell that she was also pissed, Monica must have really ticked her off. Jonathan was about to approach her when he heard Russell and Monica.
“Another commoner about to learn their place,” Monica said.
“Her father was the other mage that died alongside my parents,” Jonathan said.
“That has nothing to do with anything,” Monica snapped.
“Do not diminish my parents sacrifice!” Jonathan snapped and turned to face her.
“Calm down Thunder,” Russell said.
“You do not tell me to calm down, Lord Russell,” Jonathan snapped. “I will not be insulted by you or this idiot. We can go next Monica and it will be the last time anyone ever has to hear your voice. If Lord Russell wants to be your protector, he join you in the ground.”
“Are you threatening me?” Russell said as he got into Jonathan’s face. “I can handle you right here.”
“Then make your move,” Jonathan said looking up. “I will not have you disrespect my parents either.”
“No one is disrespecting your parents,” Russell growled.
“It sounds like it,” Jonathan growled. “I am not scared of you Russell. Everyone else around here thinks you are this great person but I know the real you. You laughed when you thought my father was going to be killed in Vashing, you laughed when he was actually killed by the Raelinians. You thought it was funny what Gerald did to Red but pulled me off of that idiot when I was about to cave his face in. You set up a fight between two girls for your own amusement.”
“You tried to trick me into marrying that mundane,” Russell said.
“You tricked yourself,” Jonathan replied. “And you are still a horrible person Russell. Whenever you want to elevate this rivalry, you let me know. I will be waiting for you in the arena and it will be to the death.”
“No one is scared of you either Thunder,” Russell said. “You are just angry that this commoner is about to be taken apart by Emma Gillespie.”
“That still remains to be seen,” Jonathan said.
“Both of you stop,” Monica said. “The initiates are starting to look this way.”
“You don’t give me orders,” Jonathan said. “None of you are anything special to me.”
“What do you expect from this commoner?” Russell said. “He is so full of himself that he expects for neither of us to have our own opinions. Your parents died, it was tragic but they did so in service to the Kingdom. It is not Monica’s or my job to make you feel better at their passing. It is not the job of anyone else’s either. That is including the Mage Commander who is human and allowed to make mistakes. Now turn and watch your commoner get the pit beaten out of her. I will pull Emma off of her if it gets too bad.”
Jonathan turned and made eye contact with Crystal Ward. The girl seemed frightened by him, Jonathan remembered he was scowling and tried fixing his face. Jonathan started walking up to her, he could tell she was nervous but her father used to brag all the time about how tough his girl was. Jonathan thought this would be the perfect time to show it. Jonathan’s coming out was killing the former Tower Mage, it was on a grand stage and had thrust him into infamy. Crystal could do the do the same. Jonathan wiped his wet hair out of his eyes before he spoke.
“Are you Crystal Ward?” Jonathan asked in a slow tone.
“Y-Y-yes sir,” Crystal was able to get out.
“I don't know you but I heard of your father,” Jonathan said. “My parents wrote me many times about your father Max and his darling daughter Crystal. Don't let this girl you are fighting intimidate you. I have slapped the piss out of or killed any noble mage dumb enough to face me. Now people talk about me out of my earshot, commoner or not, they know talent when they see it. Show this girl your talent, show her the gift your father Max always bragged about.”
Jonathan smiled inwardly when he saw the girl nod. Jonathan admired her resolve but still noticed how beautiful she was with her big green eyes. Jonathan walked back over and saw Russell eyeing him. Jonathan wondered if he had taken things too far and owed him and Monica an apology but thought better of it. Everything he accused Russell of was true, Jonathan had never received and apology for any of it and wouldn’t give Russell or Monica one either.
“What did you say to her?” Russell asked.
“I knew of her from the letters my parents used to write me,” Jonathan replied. “Her father always talked about how strong she was and one day had hopes that she would be the top in her class and gain more prestige than any commoner before her.”
“She is a whore who was found working in a brothel,” Monica said.
“Which is all the more reason to kill that coward Kevin Wilson,” Jonathan replied. “He runs scared from me, even after I killed his little brother. He knows I am a fight he cannot win so he hides behind bravado.”
“The Mage Commander tried to end your feud when he accepted you into his ranks and attempted to give you a supervisory position.” Russell said. “Our kingdom is stronger with him in it.”
<
br /> “He is still a coward,” Jonathan replied. “Initiate Crystal went from a safe place to a brothel because of that coward. It has strengthened my resolve against him even more. I hope a dragon doesn’t get to him before I can.”
“So what did you tell your favorite whore?” Monica asked. “You should have enough coin saved up for some alone time with her tomorrow or even later on tonight if you wanted.”
“I told her the truth,” Jonathan replied. “That noble mages are no one special and that I have beaten the pit out of many of them before. I can count on one hand how many noble mages I think have a chance to beat me. The majority are nothing special, and before you both start up your warbling then find me someone outside of our class that you think can beat me.”
“My student Danica could do the job and so could Initiate Segdrick,” Monica said.
“I have already beaten your girl twice,” Jonathan replied. “You should put some money on our next encounter if you are so sure.”
“Just like a commoner,” Russell said. “You are so blinded by your own greatness that you fail to see what kind of talent is in this class.”
“I know in your heart of hearts that you think you can beat me,” Jonathan said. “You know it would be a brutal affair and that you would have to be at your very best because you know I would bring my best. You have seen me fight these initiates, you are a smarter mage than I am, I am sure that brain of yours had many calculations of what you could have done better to end the fight faster. Do any of this class worry you?”
“No one worries me because I am the strongest mage who has ever lived,” Russell replied. “Only Farrah has a chance of beating me and I don’t ever plan on facing my sister.”
The Archmage Page 38