“If your parents didn’t defy our culture it would have never happened!” Prince Xalen screamed.
“And what does that have to do with me?” Jonathan asked. “Your father sent people to kill me. Should I judge you the same? It doesn’t matter, I am the Archmage. I have smashed through every barrier put in front of me and you all had a front row seat.”
“I have told you plenty of times that things could be different for you,” Prince Xalen said. “I am going to be King, I don’t apologize to some commoner. Not now or ever, that does not mean I do not realize when things could have been done better.”
“And they are going to be done better,” Jonathan replied. “Because now I am the man in charge. You both have no idea how good it feels to struggle and still make it. I did and I can tell you that it feels sweet.”
“You are bragging now,” Prince Xalen said.
“A little bit,” Jonathan admitted. “I am sure I am going to make many mistakes as Archmage, somethings will be popular, and somethings not so popular. Overall I am going to keep many things the same, other things will change immediately. I keep hearing about how commoners just don’t want to protect the kingdom. Russell remind me, how many noble mages flew up with me to meet the dragons?”
“That would have been suicide,” Russell said.
“Just like it is when weak commoners are tossed at a fight while nobles hang back,” Jonathan said. “They are being sent to die while cowards either hang back or refuse to join in. I am making sure from here on out, that an equal number of nobles will be sent with commoners. Dragons didn’t let them hang back like they wanted to, dragons went after everything.”
“Then it was like everyone had said, you could have stopped commoners being thrown at the front as Mage Commander,” Prince Xalen said.
“I can do that as the Archmage,” Jonathan replied. “You just never wanted to see me make it, but I did. The only reason you are both angry is because you know I deserve it. Now are any of you going to congratulate me or stand there being angry?”
“Leave Crystal Ward alone,” Russell said as he turned to walk away.
“So you are after that commoner,” Prince Xalen said. “Just like I got rid of Minnie, Cara and Grace Story. Your little friend has even found love, Gertie has been introduced to Aldin and they like each other. Farrah left you for Baron Nettleton and now you get to watch another girl leave you for a man more accomplished.”
“That still remains to be seen,” Jonathan replied. “And there are other women out there.”
“The other whore has already made it know that she is with Segdrick Davies,” Prince Xalen said. “Your magic cannot get you out of this one.”
“Maybe,” Jonathan replied. “But I am still Archmage. Many of the noble mages respect me. You heard the cheers I received. They were there when I pulled everyone out of the fire. Now am I going to get my congratulations or not? I am still one of your subjects and you have seen everything I have went through.”
“Congratulations Thunder,” Prince Xalen grumbled.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Jonathan beamed. “I look forward to working with you and Russell both. I say whatever happened, has happened. I am willing to toss everything into the pass and never bring it up again if you both are. If I haven’t said it before, I do not care about your reasoning, but I do appreciate that you both went to fight the Raelinians while still Initiates. I know I have told Gerald that a few times but I have never told you that.”
“Congratulations Jonathan!” Farrah said as she entered the tunnel and gave a surprised Jonathan a hug. Jonathan returned the hug which surprised her and also gave Baron Nettleton who was with her one as well. Jonathan could see Duke and Duchess Golad coming up from behind them.
“Good showing out there Jonathan,” Baron Nettleton said. “You always said you were going to reach this point and you did.”
“Thank you, Your Lordship,” Jonathan replied. “I just wish my folks were here to see it all happen. I was just thanking Lord Russell and Prince Xalen for helping me avenge them. I am not sure if many people know, but Lord Russell, Lady Farrah and Prince Xalen himself came to fight the Raelinians. I know I get most of the credit but I was far from the only Initiate in battle.”
“Well I am happy for you too,” Duke Golad said and leaned on his cane. “I haven’t been feeling too well. I think my time here is short. I know my boy really wanted to be Archmage but he has a duchy to look after. If he goes out to try to become some hero and gets killed…it is just not worth it. Too many people are relying on him. I am happy with him being Tower Mage, still a position of great importance without him putting his life in danger. You have seen him, I think he is a competent instructor.”
“I think he is as well,” Jonathan replied. “It was a little humbling practicing magic alongside of him. I am sure I was pushing him to his limit just like he pushed me to mine. I became a better mage by that little bit of training. I think the Tower is in a good place going forward.”
“I think you are lucky that Ryan wouldn’t let Russell take his rightful place as Archmage,” Duchess Golad said.
“Life is all about being in the right place at the right time, Your Grace,” Jonathan beamed. “I was n the right place at the right time. It is about time commoners have someone they can look up to. I can tell you on our end it seemed like we were only fodder to be thrown in to be killed while noble mages relaxed safely. I think it is easy to sit back and say their job is to die for their kingdom, however I don’t even remember seeing one mage in a big hurry to meet the dragons with me after the first attack.”
“You got what you wanted,” Duchess Golad said. “You still aren’t getting my Farrah.”
“And I don’t want her,” Jonathan replied. “His Lordship and I have talked about it. He is a good man and losing out to him is nothing for me to sulk about. Even if he was never a Baron or in line for anything, I still would not feel bad. Besides, I already have my eye set on another. I know she likes me but also likes another. In a fair fight, I am sure Russell would get the win. But Russell has been doing everything possible to muck things up and thinks his pedigree and power will carry the day.”
“You and Russell are both going after Monica?” Duke Golad asked surprised.
“Of course not,” Jonathan replied. “It would be horrible for me to try and romance a woman that Russell had his eye set on since I was in the Tower. I am talking about Crystal Ward.”
“Why would you lower yourself to be with a commoner whore?” Duchess Golad asked as she rounded on Russell.
“She is one of the strongest women in the Kingdom,” Russell said. “My children would benefit from her magic and she has a good heart.”
“Someone to temper you like I do my Daisy,” Duke Golad said. “Good on you then lad. Jonathan seems to think he has a good chance at her.”
“Why would either of you want to be with that girl?” Farrah asked. “She is nothing special, it took three other classmates for her to put Monica down.”
“You were there when she took on those dragons,” Jonathan said. “In fact, I think an argument could be made that she did a better job than either of you did with the dragons.”
“Thunder is dreaming if he thinks a girl like that would choose him over Russell,” Prince Xalen said.
“I am used to people not believing in me,” Jonathan said. “Just like everyone said I would never make Archmage. We shall see who has the last laugh.”
EPILOUGE
“There you are, Your Luminance,” Red said in a mocking tone as he took a bow.
“Laugh it up,” Jonathan said as he looked down at his robes. “Just look at me Red, I made it. I really made it.”
“Yeah you did,” Red replied. “I bet those knobbers are still crying their eyes out. It is music to my ears. I am just waiting for Russell to toss me out of the Tower in retaliation.”
“I do not have any assistants and I am supposed to get three,” Jonathan replied. “If that happens,
you know that you and Poppy have a place over here with me.”
“That would really cook his goose,” Red replied. “I wonder how the Initiates are going to react when they come back next year. New Tower Mage and new Archmage, this ought to be good.”
“The remaining members of the Superb Seven are going to have to fight off challengers, how do you think that is going to go?” Red asked.
“Horrible,” Jonathan said. “They lost two members to dragons, they are not in a good place. Now imagine some lad saying they are overblown is how they lost members. Do you see Danica sparing any of them?”
“Good point,” Red said. “So how are you liking the robes?”
“Archmage robes fit me well,” Jonathan admitted. “I like them.”
“I am talking about your noble robes,” Red replied. “I mean the robes you mandated for everyone to wear. Do you miss the stripe? It was hard for me to get used to wearing a robe without it.”
“I don’t own a pair yet,” Jonathan said.
“Jon I have been approached by more people than you can imagine,” Red said. “It has been made common knowledge that you are supposed to find a wife within three years or Her Majesty will pick out one for you. People been butting into your business on the sly and want me to make introductions. Poppy has been bombarded as well.”
“I have my own problems,” Jonathan said. “A girl I met when I was back at the mountain recently wrote me. I find it suspicious since Duchess Golad ensured I would leave her alone.”
“Well you are in demand,” Red replied. “I heard from three people with the last name Story. If that happens I want to be around to see these stuffy folks go insane.”
“Jonathan Thunder,” Monica said as she appeared at the door.
“Never heard of him,” Jonathan snapped. “Use my title or schedule an appointment with my assistant. How did you even get into the palace?”
“Because I said I was going to see you!” Monica snapped.
“And why would I want to spend time with a sour mouth?” Jonathan asked. “I am the Archmage, I don’t have time for just any old mage who wants to stop by.”
“Jon,” Monica said.
“Oh she called you Jon,” Red said. “This must be good.”
“What do you know about Russell and that whore in the Tower?” Monica asked.
“I plan on making a play for her,” Jonathan said. “So does he. I feel bad telling his business but not really. He knows you would leave him today if the chance to be a landed noble came up. He thinks Crystal may be a better fit so he wants to pursue her but keep his options open.”
“I knew that whore was trouble,” Monica said. “I have a deal for you Thunder.”
“My name is not Thunder, it is Your Luminance,” Jonathan said.
“I have a deal for you then, Your Luminance,” Monica replied.
“Okay, she is scaring me Jon,” Red said.
“She is scaring me too,” Jonathan replied. “You aren’t even making this fun. What do you need?”
“I am going to help you land this whore you like so much,” Monica replied. “I am going to put you in every position I think could help your cause. All you have to do is follow my lead. Russell can be an ass but he is the best pick in the Kingdom other than Prince Xalen. That whore would be crazy to choose you over him so that means you need help.”
“And why would you help out Jon?” Red asked.
“Because I belong with Russell,” Monica said. “Jon can have his super mage commoner family if that means I get my man. That blonde whore is the only thing between me and my goal.”
“You don’t think you can win,” Jonathan said with a bit of humor.
“She is prettier, can cast multiple projectiles and she looks almost like a mountain woman,” Monica said. “Russell’s children with her are guaranteed to grow up strong. She is the only real competitor I have, her probem is that she doesn’t know that I play to win.”
Thank you for joining Jonathan Thunder on his quest to become Archmage. It has been a decent ride and there is still plenty of story left for Jonathan if I can only get around to telling it. This book is a bit bigger than my usual stuff. I thought about releasing two separate books but in the end I decided against it. You should have gotten this for under three bucks and in some cases free. It should have also been on kindle unlimited. If you pirated this book then good on you! Of course you could have just emailed me and I would have given it to you for free. As always, I love to hear from my fans so please drop me a line whenever [email protected]
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