Jonathan Thunder, page 1
part #5 of Lightning Mage Series
CHAPTER 1
Herbert, you better stay away from that man. He is a commoner but he definitely isn't a pretender. Did you just see that? There were three of them and the first died so quickly I didn't even realize that he had been dealt with. You let your friends run their mouth, you stay out of it. Let them be outraged enough to stand across from that man in the Arena.
-Ivy Lowe speaking to her husband Herbert Lowe
“I want you all to listen very closely,” Jonathan said as his voice was artificially boosted by magic. Jonathan could hear the jeers, they were silent at first and were steadily gaining in volume. “There are many of you in this crowd that hate me, you hate what I represent and you want me replaced. You have not seen me in my element before, the Haffles, have not seen me in my element before. I can tell this, because the Haffles are in front of me and are so outraged by me being named Archmage that they are willing to put their entire bloodline at risk.”
“Can you just hurry this up!” Prince Jeffrey snapped.
“No, I cannot hurry this up!” Jonathan snapped back. “This is my duel and I have the right to say what I please and for how long I please to say it. If, Your Highness, you are so incensed and insulted then I challenge you to either find a champion to face me afterwards or climb in here yourself.”
“Did you just threaten me?” Prince Jeffrey said angrily.
“I just told you the rules, find your Champion or sit down,” Jonathan said. “Unless you believe that you are a King and that your will should be followed above the Queen’s laws. Say it now and say it loudly for us to hear.”
Jonathan stared down Prince Jeffrey who gave him a similar venomous look. Jonathan turned his gaze away and focused on his opponents. Jorn Haffle was a Mage of decent standing that came from good money. He had married well and from that union had one daughter and two sons. Those sons were standing next to him, a fourteen year old boy named Reginald and a sixteen year old boy named Jorn Jr. that was going to start the Tower this year. Jorn Haffle had fallen ill to the Speckled Fever and was one of the few Mages to beat the disease. Once he healed up, he was outraged about Jonathan becoming Archmage and traveled to find Jonathan to personally challenge him. Jonathan didn't even bother with the man, instead he told him to go away. Jorn responded by trying to attack Jonathan only to be slapped hard across the face. Jorn Jr. blindsided Jonathan with a strong Magebolt. Before Jonathan could get his senses together, Reginald had joined the attack which was eventually broken up by the Royal Guard. Jonathan accepted the challenge, his only condition was if all of the Haffle men were in the ring against him. Prince Jeffrey himself was overjoyed once he found out that Jonathan was beaten down and further elated when he heard about the match being a three versus one. Prince Jeffrey himself had given his permission for the duel.
“Like I was saying, anyone who has seen me fight before may hate me as a man but respects my ability,” Jonathan continued. “There is a reason that coward Kevin Wilson would rather watch me kill his weakling brother than get in here against me himself. There is a reason Walter Westcott gave up his status as Champion rather than come in here and face me. There is a reason the Dragonknights of Downey killed many of our people but ran in fear when they saw I was on the field. I am the deadliest Mage that ever existed. I am the best Mage that ever was, the best Mage that ever is, and the best Mage that ever will be. I will not spare any of the Haffles, they represent the old ways. They represent sending commoner Mages off to die while the so called nobles sit on their asses and criticize while watching from afar. They would gladly continue the trend that coward Kevin Wilson started. It is because of that, that I see wiping them from the Kingdom as a public service. Don't blink when this match starts, it will be over quickly.”
“Finally,” Prince Jeffrey said. “Could you talk any longer? Jorn, do you or your sons have anything you need to say?”
“This commoner is an idiot!” Jorn Jr. said as the crowd broke into uneasy laughter. “I already put him down once, now he thinks he can take on all three of us! He is even letting us pick our places on the field.”
“We don't have anything more to say,” Jorn said. “I don't want the mantle of Archmage, but I am willing to bear it until a more suitable Mage is found.”
Jonathan watched as Jorn finished and told his sons to spread out. Jorn wanted to be a few paces to Jonathan’s right and have Jorn Junior a few paces to Jonathan’s left. Reginald was going to be across the arena in the traditional starting position. Jonathan supposed it was a good plan, Jonathan would have to focus on one of the Haffles nearest him while the others could pound on him. Jonathan thought against anyone else that maybe it would have worked. Monica Manchin would have found it difficult to escape. Perhaps only the Golad twins stood a chance after being placed in such a predicament. Jonathan waited for the signal to begin, Prince Jeffrey would be the one giving it.
A loud sound was heard and Jonathan instantly launched a sizable bolt of lightning at Jorn Jr. that Jonathan was sure took the younger Mage by surprise. It was not a stunning blow but a killing one. Jonathan was sure under the bulky robe that Jorn Jr. had on that there was some sort of wooden armor. Crystal Ward had used the move during her final at school when Jonathan took on and lost to four students, three of them being members of the Superb Seven. Jorn Jr. looked too blocky, he probably thought that the wood would save him. Instead, Jonathan had aimed for the head. Jorn Jr. didn't get a chance to change his facial expression since he was so close and the bolt was so quick. Jonathan didn't even look at his work, instead he tossed a few shields behind him and a few in front of him and flew right at Reginald.
Reginald had a big Magebolt coming. The Mage bolt hit Jonathan’s shield full on and wobbled it a little. Jonathan rose quickly in the air just as Reginald threw a shield over himself. Jonathan didn't bother with casting Shatter which would have destroyed the barrier. Instead Jonathan dropped all of his shields and gave three quick pulses of his lightning magic that was the same intensity as what took Jorn Jr. in the face. The shield broke apart on the first hit. The second hit most likely killed the boy and the third hit was insurance. Jonathan turned around with his shield out and absorbed a Magebolt from Jorn Haffle who was closing distance.
Jorn Haffle used Mage Cone, it was almost like Fire Spew except the magic didn't turn into any element. Instead it was pure magic and great at soaking up spells and doing a massive amount of damage. Mage Cone was also very tiring to use, the spell hit Jonathan’s shield and almost broke through it. Jonathan flew back a few feet and hit Jorn on the foot with a weak lightning bolt. The energy coursing through Jorn was enough to break the spell and send the man stumbling back.
“Your sons are dead following you,” Jonathan said in a magically induced voice for all to hear. “They followed an idiot and a coward. Your wife will be left a widow and your daughter will no longer have a Father. You brought this on yourself, now die.”
The lightning spell Jonathan hit him with was one of the biggest he ever used. It hit Jorn at a close distance and Jonathan didn't need to see the aftermath. Jonathan had killed dragons with that spell. He had blown holes clean through dragons when he was close and got enough juice on it. Jonathan floated into the middle of the arena, most of the crowd was stunned at the spectacle that they just saw. Jonathan wanted them to be, he wanted them to sit stunned and know exactly what they were going up against.
“Ladies, I want you to look at the man next to you,” Jonathan said loudly. “I want you to stare into his eyes. If just moments ago or anytime in the past he jeered me, I want you to give him a hard stare. Know him for a coward, for if he was not, he would challenge me next. I am right here in the arena and I am willing to fight all comers to the death. He will not get the benefit of being with friends, it will be just me versus him. You just saw me kill two misguided boys whose only crime is that they were raised by a fool and a coward. See past the bravado and know your men to be cowards. Know your husbands, Fathers, uncles and brothers to be cowards. Tell them to prove their bravery by climbing in the arena. Or they can be like Kevin Wilson, a great coward who is protected by Prince Jeffrey.”
Jonathan wasn't surprised when no one made a real effort to get up. Sure there were a few men who stood up only for show. Their women pulled them back down in their seats. Jonathan spread his arms wide and looked around. Most of the men he stared at were too cowardly to meet his gaze. The men who did look at him were all either fans or friends. They gave him either a nod of encouragement or some other signal to let Jonathan know they supported him. Jonathan looked back at the Queen who had two very angry looking Princes next to her. Jonathan knew Rusty was somewhere in Dyson, as strong as he was Jonathan didn't think he was a fool. Rusty was not present in the arena, probably because he didn't want to be goaded into facing Jonathan.
“Your Majesty, I think this match is concluded,” Jonathan said. “I will use my personal account to see to it that these men are buried properly if the family doesn't object.”
“This match is concluded,” Queen Mildred said as a sobbing young woman cried out.
“Murderer!” the young girl said. Jonathan knew she was fifteen and was Jorn Haffle’s only daughter Jelinda. “Murderer!” Jelinda screamed out again as she was comforted by her mother.
“I am sorry for your loss,” Jonathan said and then paused. “I am sorry for your anguish, your Father chose his path and chose the path for his sons. It is unfortunate, but it is life.”
Jonathan floated into the sky and was going to fly away but had a sudd
“Don't you ever think I have forgotten about you,” Jonathan said. “If I hear you have even attacked one person I will be back looking for you.”
Jonathan left the arena for real after that. Jonathan had killed three people and thought he should have been broken up about it. Instead he felt nothing, he didn't even feel elation at winning. He found it odd that the Queen herself asked him to put in the stipulation that all three Haffles face him. Jonathan figured she had her reasons and didn't care to pry. Killing people, even people as misguided as Jorn Haffle's sons was not difficult. Jonathan thought it could have been due to the fact that he had killed many men in his young life and their faces all sort of blurred together. Jonathan made it back to Bissell Palace and walked into his office there.
“Any mail?” Jonathan asked Poppy who had taken a job as one of his two assistants.
“You are going to be late to your fight,” Poppy said. “Are you nervous?”
“It already happened,” Jonathan said. “I need for you to send flowers and a gift on the behalf of the Mages of Kirby honoring the three Mages killed in the arena. Now did I get any mail?”
“No you haven't,” Poppy said. “She is pretty but maybe you should stop chasing after her. She has Russell Golad looking at her and she hasn't written back or sent anything all summer. There are plenty of people who slyly try to ask for your help when we all know they want you to meet their daughters.”
“I will never give up to that fool Russell,” Jonathan said. “So what is on the agenda?”
“Well Prince Jeffrey came in here and has a very important mission for you,” Poppy said. “Something about his tone just didn't sit right with me.”
“What am I doing?” Jonathan asked.
“You are traveling to Farnswood,” Poppy said. “Meeting with a Lord Rearton.”
“I have never heard of a Lord Rearton or someplace called Farnswood. Where is it?”
“Near the Donalian border,” Poppy said.
“I can do that,” Jonathan said. “Where is that man of yours?”
“He snuck out to see the fight,” Poppy laughed. “He is going to be ticked, he left a little before you came in.”
“Good on him,” Jonathan replied. “I have never met this Rearton, you know anything about him?”
“I know he doesn't have magic,” Poppy said. “I also heard something about the Speckled Fever. He either had it and beat it, or found a way to beat it. You are supposed to go there to see if there is any way you can be of service.”
“Does that man of yours know?” Jonathan asked. “He hates long carriage rides.”
“You are supposed to go alone,” Poppy said. “Like I said Jon, something just didn't seem right. Prince Jeffrey said he expects Red and I to be here in case something comes up that demands the attention of the Archmage and you need to be reached quickly.”
“Oh he is at it again,” Jonathan said. “I just told him off.”
“You did?” Poppy said, surprised.
“He was mad I called Kevin Wilson a coward again,” Jonathan said. “I know people think I should just let go of it but what kind of man would I be if I did anything like that? I even called out the crowd, of course no one came down after what I did to the Haffles. When am I supposed to leave?”
“I was told immediately after your fight if you survived,” Poppy said. “What took Red so long to leave is that he was made to pack your bags. Wilbur has already brought your carriage around.”
“Then it looks like I am out of here,” Jonathan said. “How is your friend Lauryn? Still pretending to be a Mage?”
“Well they all still have the power I gave them,,” Poppy said and then started whispering. “Jon, I think I stumbled across something big.”
“Big like what?”
“Big like I will get in a lot of trouble if it ever got out,” Poppy said.
“Alright, out with it? Does Red know?”
“Not so loud,” Poppy whispered.
“Anyone looking to have trouble with you is going to have trouble with me,” Jonathan said.
“Jon this is a secret,” Poppy whispered. “Swear to me that you will keep it a secret.”
“You have my word as a friend,” Jonathan said.
“Jon, I thought I was lucky with Wendy and Tobin. I gave Wendy some magic and made her promise never to use it. They have had nothing but Mage children. I tried to attribute it to Tobin being gifted but that isn't true. Everyone I gave power to that kept it, they had all Mage girls.”
“It could be true,” Jonathan said as he shut the door to his office.
“Jon, Chloe got herself knocked up and had to get a quick marriage to the son of a smith. Her babies are already here Jon and Chloe cast the spell herself. She could see that her daughters have the gift. No one in Chloe’s family has magic. What is even worse, you have to remember her sister Cassidy.”
“The angry one,” Jonathan laughed.
“You remember that old man that I wanted none of?”
“The one with a bit of money that your folks were trying to put you with?”
“The same one,” Poppy said. “Cassidy landed him almost as soon as they got home. He has tried smacking her around a bit but she still has my magic. Her husband was at a loss of what to do with her. Cassidy blasted him a few times with Magebolt when he hit her and now he didn't have anyone he could bully. He was angry but still slept with her. Her twin baby girls both have magic Jon.”
“Are you telling me that your spell can allow mundanes to have magical babies?” Jon asked.
“Yes,” Poppy replied.
“Xalen is a tosser and so is his Father,” Jonathan said. “Someone would take it upon themselves to spread the news. I doubt your friends would but someone you help out in the future might. The Royals would do something. This is a lot of money you are sitting on right now. Let me talk to some people, you are definitely not living up to what you could be here with me. You and Red could be some of the richest people in the Kingdom.”
“I know but I am a bit scared,” Poppy said. “Red thinks by trying to sell it that we are just going to get ourselves into trouble.”
“Maybe,” Jonathan said. “I wouldn't give anyone anything and make sure your friends keep their mouth shut. Tobin told me already but that is because we share a bond.”
“To answer your original question, Lauryn did ask about you,” Poppy said. “She knew she stepped into it a bit when she let the Tower Mage romance her.”
“Russell is big, strong, handsome and rich,” Jonathan replied. “I can't fault her for that but yeah, she did kind of step in it as far as her and I are concerned. I guess it is for the best, I plan on marrying a Mage girl anyway.”
“You do?”
“Well at first it really didn't matter but now it does. Everyone has made it their business to stick me with some mundane noble girl but not just any mundane noble girl. She has to be a poorer noble with no influence. I don't think they would be too broken up if I married a mundane commoner. I plan on marrying a Mage girl just to spite everyone. If for some reason Russell does manage to get Crystal, then I know Monica Machin, the horrible twat that she is, would come running to me. She would want to be with me out of spite despite the throngs of men many people would throw at her.”
“Monica Machin? Are you serious?”
“It sickens me to even think about it but I am sure she would try and make it work. She would be married to the Archmage and I would wholly give up my title as Champion so she could claim it.”
“And you don't think Russell would go after the title?”
