The Archmage

by Whiskey Flowers

  “Jon?” Wilbur asked with a worried look.

  “It is time,” Jonathan said. “You need to get some sleep after you get the rest ready for our trip. The trip there is going to be uneventful unless we run into some Downians, which I doubt. I want a boisterous introduction up until I release you. I then want you to travel away as far as your horse can take you. I will worry about moving the carriage and getting back on my own.”

  “So there were dragons then?” Wilbur asked.

  “Yes and they target men on horses first,” Jonathan replied. “Our army is tired from marching hard most of the day. If they attack in the morning it may be devastating. I don’t want you anywhere around if you don’t need to be.”

  Jonathan then turned to get his robes from the tailor shop. It was obvious the man had already heard about the attack from the way he looked like he was ready to vomit. He gave Jonathan a worrying gaze and then refused to take any money for his hard work. The needleworker was the same, she had Jonathan’s banners posted proudly and had given him four instead of two. No one had spoke to Jonathan but he could see their fear and hope as they looked at him. Jonathan was given a lot of food and other things to take with him, a pair of heavy boots, a sword, someone even gave him a bouquet of flowers. The sun was on its way down by the time Jonathan left, he decided to let the messenger sleep and started the slow trip to the fight.

  Jonathan knew they had stopped sometime during the night when the tree cover was too dark to see the moon. They must have continued on at some point while he slept since loud horns now blared followed by the sounds of loud drums. Jonathan rubbed his eyes and could see the sun was not yet up despite the ever lightening sky. His crier started singing out as Jonathan conjured some water to wipe his face clean.

  “INTRODUCING. THE BANE OF THE RAELINIANS! THE SCOURGE OF THE DONALIANS! THE DEVOURER OF BARBARIANS AND THE KILLER OF DRAGONS! THE PROTECTOR OF THE LITTLE MAN AND THE CHAMPION OF KIRBY! THE ONLY MAN TO KILL A DRAGON IN SINGLE COMBAT! GET ON YOUR FEET AND CHEER THE MAN! I GIVE YOU JONATHAN, THE LIGHTNING!”

  Jonathan could hear the drums and horns start up again for a bit and then his criers start over. Loud cheers could be heard as Jonathan opened his windows and waved for everyone. Jonathan could see soldiers were leading his carriage forward and would guide him to whoever he needed to see. Every time Jonathan waved the cheering would get louder. Jonathan finally stepped out of the carriage and raised his hands, he wished he had cotton in his ears the cheering was so loud. Jonathan was in black Champion Robes and had his hair as wild as it could be. Jonathan could see Russell and Farrah approaching him as the cheer died down.

  “Do you always have to make a spectacle of yourself?” Russell asked.

  “This is where I live!” Jonathan said. “Your home is back with stuffy people who believe they are too good for others. I am around my people. I know battle Russell, far more than you do and I understand the need for heroes. I will be that hero.”

  “Jon, are you going to end your fight with the Mage Commander and join us?” Farrah asked. “We already have ten teams of ten to fight off the dragons. The Mage Commander’s group has me, Russell, Danica, Wallace, Emma in it along with four others the Mage Commander insisted were competent. If not our group then you can join with the one Gerald is leading.”

  “After all of the hatred I received from killing the last dragon?” Jonathan replied. “I am going to fight alongside the Archmage. If I die I am going to do it surrounded by friends, not snakes.”

  “Are you seriously acting this way now?” Russell replied.

  “I plan on making my legend here,” Jonathan replied. “I will be Archmage Russell, you get a front row seat to see it done. All the pain I have been through. All the misery of hearing about my parents death while others cheered has led me to this point. I was scared the first time I faced a dragon, I was a boy and was trying to survive. Now I am Jonathan the Lightning.”

  “You are a fool if you are not scared,” Russell said.

  “I am absolutely terrified,” Jonathan replied. “But no child is going to ever go through what I did. I wish you well in your dragon hunting. And of course, I am going to keep score.”

  “Jonathan Thunder!” General Goodnight bellowed. “Or should I say, Captain Thunder!”

  “Sir,” Jonathan said and snapped off a quick salute.

  “His Luminance has a decent spot for him and I to watch this entire thing,” Goodnight said. “He and I both agree the best spot for you will be right in the middle in the thickest of our people. Retreat will be difficult but we think it would allow you to line up your shot.”

  “I just need to see the ground I will be on,” Jonathan replied.

  “We also have many archers that are supposed to surround you followed by heavy shieldmen,” Goodnight said. “We were going to let today play out and summon you tomorrow but I am glad you are here.”

  “I am the strongest mage in this kingdom Thunder,” Russell said. “You aren't even number two no matter how many times you say it. Maybe once you see how beneficial it is for us to work together, you will end this foolishness of men with shields. I will be protected by mage shields and so will everyone around me.”

  “Jon are you serious that this is the road you want?” Farrah asked. “I know we don’t talk much but this will be a horrible way to say goodbye.”

  “Thunder!” Erlanger said angrily. “The next time you wake me up before it is time for me to be up I am going to beat the pit out of you with Winchell’s cane!”

  “Sorry Your Luminance,” Jonathan replied. “When you have to make an entrance, I make an entrance.”

  “I see you have already been talking,” Erlanger replied. “Field Marshall Howard is in charge of everything but the man only wants to work with the Mage Commander. I could have pushed the issue but Kevin Wilson is supposed to be in charge of Mages in battle, not me. I have been going over things with General Goodnight. You have your own Legion you are supposed to be commanding since you have led men into battle before.”

  “Well then I need my leftenants and a model of the area we are supposed to make our stand in,” Jonathan said.

  “I guess that is your answer,” Farrah replied. “Take care of yourself Jon.”

  “And you as well,” Jonathan replied.

  Jonathan was ushered into an area where a giant model of the battlefield had been constructed. Jonathan’s Legion was supposed to be not in the very front but third in the order of march. The dragons would get a little bit of the front and maybe try to strafe up the middle. Jonathan had three types of specialized soldiers. One platoon were nothing but heavy shieldmen who also carried a mace. Their job was to protect him from dragonfire at the cost of their own lives. Another platoon was filled with archers who had armor piercing arrows. They would try and get a clear hit on a dragon but were really hoping to take out the Dragonknight. The other two platoons were filled more traditional troops, pikemen who also carried small shields on their back and short swords. Before the entire plan could be explained Jonathan heard more horn blasts, not the melodic ones he came into camp with, but big forceful army horns.

  “Get your men ready!” Jonathan screamed as he started making his way to the field of battle. He couldn’t see anything yet but knew this was not a drill.

  Jonathan stayed hovering just a bit above the crowd so his men could find him. The soldiers who noticed him all cheered heartily as he took his position. His men had barely found him when Jonathan could see the dragons. It was a group of five and they all were in some kind of formation. Three were taking up the middle of their formation and two were on the left side. Jonathan thought they were planning to obliterate the left side and then sweep back around to force the right side right into the awaiting Downian army. Jonathan took a deep breath as he focused on the incoming dragons.

  The one in front looked striped. It was not as big as the dragons Jonathan had faced before and looked to be undersized compared to some of the others in the formation. The
striped one was fast, it would most likely start off the conflict followed by the slightly larger orange dragon behind it. Behind them were two huge dragons, one red who had to be the one Jonathan had heard about and one purple. The red one led the position on the left side and the purple one was behind those in the middle. A small spotted dragon brought up the rear of the left side and Jonathan couldn’t take in anymore.

  The striped dragon dipped in the sky and opened its mouth. Jonathan could see the fire coming for the men in front of him and held out his hands. The bolt was as large as he had ever done and he thought the thunderclap blew out his eardrums. The lightning caught the dragon in the head and neck and Jonathan saw the beast fall lifelessly to the ground. The men around him all cheered as Jonathan lined up another shot, the orange dragon seemed to hesitate for a moment before continuing its dive. Jonathan waited on the beast to catch up, he noticed the damage the striped dragon had caused by landing on the front line troops. Jonathan did not let the orange dragon get as close and let go of his magic.

  The lightning bolt was bright and struck true, Jonathan could barely hear the thunderclap it left behind and knew his eardrums were blown. Jonathan started to feel like the world was spinning but could still see the orange dragon. The animal was struck in the chest and Jonathan could see a dark black spot on its chest as it fell. Jonathan was sure that dragon was dead and the purple one behind it veered to its right to join the red dragon.

  The red dragon was slower than the purple, it started coming right for Jonathan when Jonathan let his magic go again. The dragon took the blow full on and went stiff as it fell. Jonathan was about to cheer when the dragon righted itself and was prepared to bathe everyone in fire. Jonathan hit it again and the dragon went stiff as it lost altitude. That only lasted for a moment as the dragon righted itself. The dragon started taking mage bolts from various mages and their groups intertwined with the army. The big red dragon breathed red hot fire all over the front of the army and then pulled up. The big purple one was right behind it and ignored arrows and mage bolts as it did the same thing. The men in front of Jonathan were safe, the men to his left had been taken apart.

  The spotted dragon was last and fortunately was smaller than the other two dragons. Gerald Morningstar rose in the air and set his challenge. He went with icicles and mage bolts as the spotted dragon drew near. One of his mages, Jonathan thought it was Ariel who was a senior in the tower had gotten too close. The spotted dragon bit her practically in half. Anger welled up in Jonathan as he could see Lehman and Alissa race towards the spotted dragon. Gerald tried blinding it with mage light but the dragon was able to bathe both Alissa and Lehman in flame. Jonathan wanted to attack but mages were flying all around the thing and made it difficult to line up a shot. The big red one came back and Jonathan could see the purple one was right behind it. Jonathan had to make a choice.

  Jonathan knew some people would die but both dragons were able to shake off his lightning. Jonathan let the red one get speed behind it as it spewed its flame. Right when Jonathan thought it was going to pull up he blasted it with lightning. The red dragon crashed into the ground and Jonathan would have done the same thing to the purple one if it wasn’t for the Mage Commander and his people. Kevin Wilson hit the purple dragon head on with a massive mage bolt. It snapped the dragon’s head back and Wallace flew up to start peppering it in the eyes. Emma had gotten around it and started with her flame. It was large and Jonathan marveled at the sight. Jonathan was sure the Dragonknight had to be killed from that maneuver. The purple dragon received another big mage bolt, this one from Farrah and the dragon spun while in the air and let its big tail whip around. The tail caught Wallace flush and snapped his head violently back. The boy was dead before he the ground. Emma had managed to free herself from the first swing and poured on more fire as the others with Kevin Wilson tried to get at the hovering dragon.

  Jonathan could see they were going after the wings. The dragon opened its mouth and sent fire all around. Jonathan wasn’t sure who but knew at least three mages had died. Jonathan could spot Farrah and Russell Golad flying as fast as their magic could take them to escape the fire. Kevin Wilson was flying the other way as the ground and men underneath them burned. Emma hit the dragon with a massive mage bolt. The dragon reached out with a claw just as it was hit and swiped Emma across the chest. Jonathan knew the girl was dead from the way she fell.

  This left Jonathan in a bind. He was supposed to stay where he was and wait for the dragons to come after him. The big red dragon wasn’t killed and was now on the ground causing trouble for any who dared face him. The spotted dragon had made another pass but was now behind Jonathan and going towards the back side of the formation. The purple dragon had no rider but seemed content to hover and burn every man around it.

  “To me!” Jonathan screamed as he floated in the air and hit the purple dragon with lightning.

  The dragon dipped and fell for a bit before righting itself. Jonathan hit it again which sent the dragon to the ground. Jonathan waited for the dragon to fly before he got it again, making the beast stay grounded. The men around the dragon who were still living charged. The purple dragon tried to spew its flame and caught a few men charging in before Jonathan hit it again. The beast went still for a second and then looked around to fight. Jonathan yelled as he saw a way to beat the gigantic beast.

  Jonathan did not let the beast fight back and kept hitting it with lightning every time it moved. It drained his magic but allowed for the soldiers to get close and start swarming it. Soon the beast was covered in men hacking, slashing and doing whatever they could to kill the beast. The armor the dragon had was strong and it was slow going. The dragon opened its mouth to breathe fire when four or five soldiers started hacking into its tongue with swords. The dragon tried to move but Jonathan was sure to keep it in place. Someone had gotten lucky and drove a pike through its eye socket. Jonathan’s lightning was getting weaker and weaker as the dragons started being able to shake off the now weak bolts. The dragon bit into the man that stuck the pike but it was still in its eye. Others started piling on and driving the pike and the dragon’s other eye was starting to be assaulted. Jonathan found it hard to stay in the air with world spinning and could see the men cheering below as the dragon started twitching. Those were death throes Jonathan thought as he looked for the red dragon. The dragon was in the air and fleeing behind the spotted dragon. The Downian army had made their charge and were now coming into contact with a rejuvenated Kirbian army.

  Jonathan was about to turn his head when he thought he saw Initiate Segdrick. The boy blasted the spotted dragon with a mage bolt and made it dip in the air a little. Mage Crystal had it by the snout with mage rope and Segdrick along with Ashley and Alonna started peppering the dragon with spells. The dragon bucked crazily and soon the Dragonknight on its back was tossed off. Alonna went right after the down man as Jonathan saw the red dragon closing in on Crystal.

  The girl turned and caught the dragon with a spell. It looked like water and made the dragon dip noticeably. Crystal kept blasting the dragon with water, Jonathan thought it was probably icy cold and the dragon was forced down and started running away. The spotted dragon left its rider and was flying away with the red dragon behind it. The Downian soldiers would have to fight this one on their own.

  Russell was easy to spot. He was just above the fighting and was pouring on the flame. Downians screamed but Jonathan didn’t see where they could run to. Farrah had joined him followed by Monica. Their flames together was easily on par with a dragon. Jonathan watched as more mages rallied to Russell and they began their attacks. Jonathan vomited on some poor troops below him and was happy he had the sense of direction to get to the rear of the army. Jonathan landed and vomited again. He touched his ears and could feel the blood leaking from them.

  A soldier grabbed him and took him down. Jonathan thought the man was a medic as he poured something on a small rag and stuffed it in Jonathan’s ears. The pain subsided but the
world still spun. Jonathan could make out another soldier come running up who gave Jonathan a rag and told him to open his mouth. Jonathan bit down on the rag but could taste it was laced with something. Jonathan could see the soldier’s lips move but couldn’t make anything out. Jonathan sucked on the foul tasting rag and didn’t remember falling asleep.

  CHAPTER 25

  PAYBACK

  Jonathan jumped awake and felt much better. The sun was just falling out of the sky and Jonathan knew he had slept for a while. Jonathan could hear again, he reached up to touch his ears and didn’t feel any bandages. Someone had also changed him, he was in sleeping clothes and sitting on a cot. Jonathan stood up and could hear talking from outside of the tent he was in. Jonathan opened up the tent flap and walked outside.

  “You finished sleeping?” Erlanger snapped.

  “Yes,” Jonathan replied.

  “Good,” Erlanger said. “I know your magic isn't back where it needs to be. You had an uneasy sleep brought on with drugs. Doesn’t refill as good as an old fashioned night's sleep. You are still going to bring your ass out and scout for me. I don’t care about offending anyone or what my role is. I am going to take all of the strongest mages with me and most of the weaker ones on a night time raid when those damn dragons are resting. We are going after Dragonknights and supplies and in that order.”

  “Not dragons?” Jonathan asked.

  “You were the only one with a kill,” Erlanger said. “Initiates Emma and Wallace were able to bring down a Dragonknight but they were both killed. Initiate Crystal is the only other person who could say she faced not one but two dragons down in close quarters and not only lived to tell the tale, but sent them both running. She is coming with us.”