Jonathan Thunder, page 15
part #5 of Lightning Mage Series
Jonathan flew away after that and hoped the entire thing would be seen as an unfortunate incident. Even if it wasn't, someone would have to prove that he was behind it. Jonathan was smart enough to discard and set fire to his clothes to get rid of the smoke smell. That happened two days ago which was still on Jonathan’s mind. His companions knew nothing about it and it was hard for him to keep up pretenses.
"Here we are," Red said as he looked out of the carriage. "Before we get in here and get all chummy, what do you know about these folks?"
"I already met Carlin Delray. His wife Grace is part of the Story family."
"That nutter who was part of that test group for mundanes a few years back when the Tower was in Magus Mazuli?"
"That Grace," Jonathan said.
"Didn't she try to have something going on with you?" Red asked.
"She always wanted a Noble. You know the Storys are always out for increasing the wealth and power of the family. Carlin has twin sisters who should have been in the Tower already."
"I think I remember hearing something about that,” Red said. “I think I also remember her offering to pay you to be her sleeping buddy.”
“She was newly married and angry that I became the Archmage soon after,” Jonathan said. “She fixed me up on a few dates. The girls were pretty, just way too bossy for me.”
“What do you know about the family itself?” Red asked.
"I know they sent one of their members to romance Grace Story. You know Xalen had to be desperate to get a noble family involved to take a Story off the market. After that, I don't know much. You know I don't read about any of this stuff."
"Well then you should be lucky that Poppy is smarter than both of us. They are not a group of people you should instantly get on the wrong side of. Apparently one of their biggest activities is searching out and finding commoner Mages before they head to the tower. They marry them up right away to any of their friends and family members that are lacking magic. Almost what the Storys try to accomplish except these people have Mages to identify who is what."
"Speaking of the Storys, what was Josephus on about?"
"Same thing as usual with them. They want to know what your plans are. They know ole Queenie gave you a few years to find a bride. They want to be at the front of the line and even have a Mage girl they want you to meet when you get back to Dyson."
"That close to the Tower?"
"Your Blondie is still going to be there," Red said. "She either wants you or she doesn't. You told her what's what, you don't think she isn't meeting people? I bet she is meeting any rich bloke they can throw at her and they are making sure it is going to be done publicly."
"True story. But I think I will take this date as a way to stick it to the Princes. I bet they are going to be scrambling to find this girl someone else."
"It is always Story this and Story that. So what they are a bunch of rich tossers, almost all of the noble class are."
"Aren't you a noble Lord Harrington?" Jonathan said as he quickly snapped a shield into place. Red's fist came crashing into the barrier as Jonathan held his hands up in submission. He knew Red hated being called a noble despite his status.
"Keep getting fancy with me, Your Luminous," Red said as Jonathan started laughing.
"I still can't believe we have made it so far," Jonathan said. "From two scared commoners to what we are now. Just look at us here riding in a carriage.”
“I wake and wonder sometimes if it will all end,” Red said. “Getting magic was the best thing that has ever happened to me. I just feel like a phony.”
“Why?”
“I should be giving back,” Red said. “I am a street rat. I should try and make it easier for the others. Those orphanages that are around often aren't a safe space. The people who are supposed to be caring for you are the worst. Maybe I can have my own filled with good people.”
“Well if you come across one that you think isn't on the up and up, let me know,” Jonathan said. “I’m a loud mouth with plenty of power to boot. I don't mind putting it to a bunch of people taking advantage of poor kids.”
The carriage stopped and Jonathan climbed out along with Red. Jonathan didn't see anyone outside and figured that he should knock on the door. Jonathan wasn't able to get even one knock when an angry looking man opened the door and gave Jonathan a nasty look. He was very small in stature, Jonathan was sure that most women were taller. There was a woman behind him who looked a little bigger and had a worried look on her face. Jonathan looked at Red as the man didn't speak but walked past them both. Red shrugged.
“We are looking for the Delray residence, is this it?” Red asked.
“Y-yes,” the woman said. “Sorry, this just isn't the best time.”
“Good enough for me, you have yourself a nice day Ma’am,” Jonathan said as he turned to go. The woman shot out after the angry man and grabbed him by the arm. Jonathan didn't know what they were talking about and figured that it was none of his business. He could get into his carriage and his next stop would be in the Hinterlands and he could see his grandfather.
“That man!” the angry man said. “Can he even be called a man? That man isn't marrying any of my girls and that's that!”
“Carson, he is a very dangerous man,” the woman said. “And he is a friend of the Crown Prince. We have to at least show him some decorum until he leaves.”
“None of my business,” Jonathan said. “But do you have an unwelcome house guest throwing his weight around?”
“It is nothing to concern yourself with,” the woman said. “You are a decent sized young man but our house guest is a Mage.”
“Ten gold and I will toss him out on his ass,” Jonathan said. “I don't even need the ten gold, a nice chilled tankard of ale for me and me mates will be good enough for me.”
“That man is more than either of you could handle,” the angry man said, calming down. It was then that Jonathan realized that neither he or Red were in Mage robes. They just looked like two men.
“Show me this man, we can see what is what,” Jonathan said as he spun towards the house. “And I don't give a pit about his Royal Highness being upset.”
“We doing this?” Red asked as he rolled up his sleeve. “Okay then we are doing this. Let’s get this tosser.”
The woman seemed hesitant but led the way inside. Jonathan could hear someone yelling followed by the sound of a mage bolt striking someone. The woman took off running, Red gave Jonathan a nod and then followed close behind her. The woman threw open a set of double doors and gasped. There was a woman on the ground holding her face while a man angrily stood next to her. The man stuck out his hand to fire at whoever Jonathan assumed put the woman down. The man was blasted in the face by a Mage bolt from an unseen assailant.
“Get out of my home right now!” the woman who Jonathan was following yelled.
“Who are you to yell at me?” came a calm voice. Jonathan and Red both recognized that voice. Red took off into the room and faced the speaker.
“You can stay right there,” Red said. “You are exactly where you need to be, you tosser.”
“What are you doing here?” said the voice as Jonathan entered the room and looked at Gerald Morningstar.
“Get out,” Jonathan said as he looked at Gerald. “Say another word. Russell isn't here and neither is Xalen. It is just you, me and Red here.”
“You know that you don't scare…,” Gerald said as Red hit him in the face with a mage bolt. Gerald angrily stuck out his hand towards Red and took four continuous mage bolts to the face from Jonathan. Gerald was on the ground now as Jonathan stepped in between Red and Gerald.
“I don't care what this is about,” Jonathan said. “I was there to see your smiling face when my parents died. I don't even need to meet you in the Arena. I can do you right here and right now. You have any last words?”
Gerald didn't say anything, instead he raised his hands in the sky and slunk around the room until he reached the door. Jonathan followed the man outside where Gerald took to the sky. Red gave an angry grunt and then started laughing. Jonathan could see that his friend was having a good time and started laughing as well.
“I don't know what that tosser was doing here, but I bet that will stick to him for all time,” Red laughed.
“You were just looking for a fight,” Jonathan said.
“With that wanker?” Red asked. “Of course I want it with him. My girl has started filling me back up. He knows that I want it with him.”
“He definitely knows that I want it with him,” Jonathan said.
“Who are you two?” the once angry man said as he watched Gerald Morningstar fly off and then faced Jonathan and Red.
“Just a couple of lads that you owe a cold ale to,” Jonathan said. “When can we collect on that? A deal is a deal and everything.”
“Carson,” the lady said. “These two just ran that man out of here and threatened his life.”
“How?” Carson, the angry man said. “I have heard from many people that Gerald Morningstar is strong and sadistic.”
“No way he wanted it with me,” Jonathan said. “I would happily meet him in the Arena and anywhere else he wanted to get it on at. I have already kicked the pit out of him.”
“I bashed him good during our last fight,” Red said laughing. “He just knew that he was going to lay it down. Smashed his face up good and left him looking like a cracked egg.”
“Well to pit with him, let’s get our ale,” Jonathan said.
“Who are you two?” Carson asked.
“Red and Jon,” Jonathan said. “No one really important.”
“Jonathan Thunder, don't you move another step,” Grace Story said from the doorway. “Where did you come from?”
“I was just around,” Jonathan said.
“And you brought Lord Reford with you,” Grace said.
“You call me Lord Redford again, and you are going to be picking up your teeth,” Red said.
“Jonathan Thunder, as in his Luminous?” Carson asked.
“Same lad,” Jonathan said. “About that ale.”
“You will have it,” Carson said. “That man came down here. We put him up as a favor to Prince Jeffrey who personally wrote to me. My son told me that he wasn't right in the head. He wasn't even inside for an hour before he insulted both of my daughters, my daughter in law and finally my wife. My Arlene wanted me to just let it go. I couldn't stand being in the room with that man. Follow me inside so we can have a proper chat.”
Jonathan and Red followed Carson back inside of his home. Carson led them to the same room that they saw Gerald Morningstar in. It was richly decorated, Jonathan could tell that the paintings alone had to cost a small fortune. Grace and her people must have been responsible. Everything around them just seemed too expensive, even more than would be in the average Noble’s home. Jonathan and Red took a seat. Red sat where Gerald was and let out a little laugh. Jonathan was sure that his friend was reliving attacking Gerald Morningstar.
“I heard that you were going to be around here,” Grace said as the man who was hit with Gerald’s magebolt stepped up from behind her.
“I am for a few days,” Jonathan said.
“Your Luminous,” Carlin Delray said. “Thank you for running off Battlemage Morningstar and thank you for saving my life during the last Downian war. I have no idea what I was thinking, volunteering to be a part of that. A Dragon had me dead to rights before you started blowing them apart.”
“Nice to see you again, Carlin,” Jonathan said. “I would ask how things have been but you had to put up with Gerald Morningstar. Other than that twat, how have things been?”
“Your mouth young man,” Carson said.
“Sorry Sir,” Jonathan replied. “Me and Red weren't raised Noble. Neither of us are good at dealing with proper folk.”
“We are down right experts though when it comes to dealing with loudmouths who need a smack in the chops,” Red said. “I could write a book on it. Maybe even sell a few copies and such.”
“I still remember poor Tobin,” Grace said as she let out a little giggle. “He never knew what hit him.”
“He just ran up against the wrong lads,” Red said. “He knew Jon and I would both kill him. Getting at us directly wasn't something he should have tried. He should have kept being sneaky like. Despite all that, Jon and I still like the knob…the uh, the guy.”
“You do?” Grace asked.
“He stopped a lot of the foolishness that went around,” Jonathan said. “We have seen and talked to each other since then. I even got to meet his children. He is in the Mountain with Charles.”
“Well I am happy to have you,” Carson said. “You seem to know my daughter in law and my son well enough. My name is Carson and this is my wife Arlene.”
“Well met,” Jonathan said. “You know my name, with me is my assistant and best friend Red.”
“Just Red?” Carson asked.
“Red Harrington,” Red said. “I’m street trash who happened to get lucky or unlucky. I still haven't forgotten your part in all of that Grace.”
“What did you do?” Arlene asked Grace.
“I almost forgot all about that,” Grace said laughing. “His then girlfriend left him because the Prince wanted to romance her. The Prince left her high and dry and she wanted her man back. It was weird since she came to me to help him find someone so he wouldn't be heartbroken over her. Once her romance was over with, I had to go in deep to his girlfriend to get her to break up with him. His ex-girlfriend had me secure a ring for her. She then found him and popped the question right there. He wasn't going to turn down a Noble Mage girl no matter how angry he was. I figured if it didn't work out, I know my family would have taken him in.”
“Is that all you Storys think about?” Arlene asked.
“I am a Delray Mother and your family does the exact same thing,” Grace said. “It is just tolerated because you don't have the money my family does. So Jonathan, what brings you by?”
“I know what brings him by,” Arlene said. “I have two daughters that everyone has been trying to know. What makes you think that I would be happy with them being with a commoner? You are a brave man, Your Luminous but you are still a commoner.”
“Don't let me meet them then,” Jonathan said. “No harm no foul.”
“What do you mean by that?” Carson asked.
“Just like I said,” Jonathan replied. “Keep them hidden.”
“What are you playing at, Your Luminous?” Arlene asked. “Everyone with a little bit of money has come asking about my girls. I am just glad I kept them in their rooms while I judged what kind of character that Morningstar was.”
“I am not playing any games,” Jonathan said. “I can respect your position. You don't want your daughters with any commoners and I won't force you.”
“We do uh, have real nice young ladies in the family,” Carson said quickly. “They may not all have magic but they are good sorts and come from good families.”
“Good for them,” Jonathan said.
“You are taking this better than Morningstar did,” Arlene said.
“Taking what exactly?” Jonathan asked.
“That I would rather my girls not be with a commoner,” Arlene said. “Even one as dashing as yourself.”
“Everyone has an opinion,” Jonathan said. “And Gerald isn't a commoner.”
“It was phrased a bit differently,” Carson said. “I know the Storys wouldn't want a dowry and would even pay a hefty bride price. My girls would live in the lap of extreme luxury and have an estate twice the size of mine. They aren't my first, second, third or fourth pick. But they are in the running so I wouldn't be happy with my girls with just any old Mage, commoner or Noble.”
“I am guessing that he took that poorly,” Jonathan said. “Any man trying to romance any lady is normally on their best behavior in the beginning, especially around her parents. I don't think Gerald wants any of your daughters for any reason. It is likely that Gerald took poorly to anyone insinuating that anyone is above him.”
“And you do not?” Carson said.
“I’m already at the top,” Jonathan said. “I am the Archmage. I am the Champion. Everyone in the Kingdom has heard of me. I make the rules that others have to follow. I dine with the Queen and have a direct say in a lot of things. I’m far from Story rich but I’m not a pauper. If you don't want your daughters near me, then good for you. I don't have a problem finding a lady, Mage or otherwise. I don't have a problem finding a Noble Mage girl either. I work right next to the Tower and hate me or not, many people have tried talking up a daughter or sister or something. I am sure your girls are lovely but so are any of the young women in the Tower. The way I see it, is that there are plenty of unmarried Mage girls around. There is only one Archmage in Kirby though. There is only one Queen’s Champion. If someone doesn't want their daughters around me, then good for them. Why should I worry about it or care?”
“You sound like you believe that you are too good for my daughters,” Carson said.
“I’m not trying to be rude,” Jonathan said. “But nothing I said was a lie. There are plenty of pretty young women in the Tower right now. I am trying to romance one of them. She is a hero in her own right and is the fourth strongest woman living. She is also a beauty that many wish they could have. Why fight or get angry over some girls that I have never met, especially if their parents don't want the match. I'm not just anyone, I'm Jon Thunder.”
“Maybe,” Carson said. “My girls have had plenty of suitors since they came of age.”
“Father, many Noble girls do, regardless if they are Mages or not,” Grace said. “Now all Mage girls have no shortage of suitors. The way it normally works, at least in the Tower, is that Noble Mage girls are relentlessly pursued unless they arrive there married. There are normally something like one Mage girl for every eight or nine Mage boys, or something close to that. The Noble Mage boys will throw themselves at the Noble Mage girls in public until they realize that they are competing with Noble Mage boys in their class and the class ahead of them. The commoner Mage girls are besieged as soon as they arrive by many people who have already gone through the Tower and weren't able to find anyone. Those men don't even bother with trying to court a Noble girl going through the Tower and go right after the commoners. In fact, if a commoner Mage girl could be found before she reaches the Tower, many families, including yours, pull out their very best to get them married off. You all have sons that went through the Tower and didn't get the bride they wanted, like my sweetie here. Every man is thrown at the poor girls, they have just as many suitors as Noble Mage girls do. From what I have seen, even Noble Mage boys going through the Tower try to work out something on the sly with commoner Mage girls. I absolutely love Ruthie and Avis and I know that they have no shortage of suitors. That doesn't really mean as much as you think it does though. All Mage girls have no shortage of suitors. I even hear the strongest Mage in the Kingdom has his eye on a commoner girl if the stories are true.”
