Jonathan Thunder, page 4
part #5 of Lightning Mage Series
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jonathan said.
“That’s a good boy,” Xalen said and turned to walk away.
Jonathan watched the group leave. He wanted to scream but at least that was off his plate. If Prince Xalen wanted those problems, he could have them. Jonathan was about to go back to his seat when someone else walked in. It was Walter Westcott. The man used to be the Champion of Kirby until Jonathan threatened to kill him since Jonathan couldn't get a fight with the Archmage. Looking back on it, Walter hadn't done anything to Jonathan. Jonathan was in the wrong but hadn't seen the man to apologize.
“Mr. Westcott, I did you wrong,” Jonathan said which surprised the other man. “I was an angry boy who had just lost his parents and couldn't get my revenge. You weren't a part of anything and I was ready to kill you just because I could. That was bad form, I am sorry.”
“I never expected that from you,” Walter said.
“I should have said it a long time ago. What brings you to the office of the Archmage?”
“A few things,” Walter said. “Things I can't talk about in front of others.”
“We were just leaving,” Red said. “We have to put these flowers in some water.”
“Your Luminous,” Walter said as he closed the door.
“What is this about?” Jonathan asked suspiciously.
“I was the Queen’s Champion,” Walter said. “I have just as much if not more honor than you do. I stepped down because I wasn't involving myself in a blood feud.”
“So what is it?”
“Her Majesty is going to send messages through me from now on,” Walter said. “She wants you to check with her just to make sure everything is on the up and up.”
“I don't know what you are talking about,” Jonathan said.
“Queen Mildred warned you about the assassination attempt personally,” Walter said. “I am here to tell you that she believes Kevin Wilson is also involved. I know you don't trust the man anyway, but watch yourself around him.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Jonathan said.
“My message has been given,” Walter said. “I have a reputation to uphold and I have been here long enough already.”
“Be safe,” Jonathan said as Walter turned around.
“Her Majesty also wanted me to keep an eye on the girl you want,” Walter said. “She is supposed to be fighting two nobles today, two nobles simultaneously.”
“Really?” Jonathan asked.
“The girls have been getting the best training,” Walter said. “The Queen herself wanted me involved, that part stays secret of course. Myself and Monica Manchin train and drill them in the day and in the evening, Lady Farrah Golad and Battlemage Gerald Morningstar take over. Kevin Wilson has even had a hand in their training.”
“All to take down a single student?” Jonathan asked.
“Her Majesty believes Crystal Ward is the real deal and wants to see her in action. If you can take down four first year students, then she should be able to take down two, no matter what they know.”
“And this is happening right now?” Jonathan asked.
“In an hour,” Walter said. “I’ll hold up the proceedings until you get there.”
Jonathan watched Walter leave and thought that he would have to reassess everything. Did Queen Mildred send him or is he someone just fishing for answers. He would have to talk to the Queen to find out more. He would do so as soon as he got back from the fight. For now, Jonathan wanted to retire to his small apartment inside the palace and make himself presentable. Jonathan left his office and found his apartment door wide open. Inside he could see Poppy and Red kissing each other passionately.
“Get a room,” Jonathan said.
“We are in a room,” Red said.
“Not my room,” Jonathan said. “I am going to watch an initiate fight. I need to get myself cleaned up and hurry out to the Tower.”
“My goodness,” Poppy said. “Go take a bath. My Redford and I will find you something.”
“Stop calling me Redford!” Red snapped as Jonathan went into his bathing room.
Bathing was easy for a Mage. Jonathan could summon water and he could do so at any temperature. Most Mages had to summon water and then heat it up in a tub or something. Only Mages who could cast three or more spells simultaneously could do what he was currently doing. Jonathan washed off and then dried himself. He slipped on a clean under robe and then went out in his main room and groaned. Poppy was there with a variety of things to hurt. Red stood off to the side laughing.
“I don't have time to baby you,” Poppy said as she slathered some oil in Jonathan’s hair. “If you insist on wearing this hair down then it needs to be trimmed and well combed.”
“But….,” Jonathan said as Poppy ran a comb through his hair. The woman didn't care about tangles. Red, despite his smirk, did Jonathan a solid. He gave him a little healing magic which let Poppy go as fast and as nasty as she wanted. Once she was done combing it out, she used the comb and a guide and cut his hair a little longer than shoulder length. Jonathan was ready to get up but was pushed back down. Poppy came at him with her sharp nails and started squeezing any blemish that he had on his face. Jonathan knew she took glee in doing so and thought that if Red wasn't there, he would be angry. Afterwards she showed him the robe she picked out. It was jet black except for the lightning bolts running up and down the arms and over the shoulders and hood. Jonathan put it on and then went outside.
Jonathan rushed over and saw that all of the students were already present. Russell was present and Jonathan decided that he would land right next to him and Monica. Jonathan could tell Russell was irritated. Crystal looked at him and Jonathan gave her a wide smile. She didn't return it and Jonathan didn't fault her for it. She was ready to take on two tossers and was probably feeling jitters. Jonathan was about to talk to Russell and saw Prince Xalen in the air. The royal landed next to him so Jonathan knew he couldn't go as hard as he wanted to.
Jonathan looked for Crystal’s opponents and spotted them. They were getting a last minute prep talk from Monica and Walter. When those two left, it was just like Walter said. Gerald and Farrah landed and talked to the girls some more. These girls weren't exactly ugly but Jonathan was sure they were a little jealous of Crystal. When that pair left, Russell gave the signal to start the match.
Crystal started off by taking to the air. Jonathan found this curious since she was faster than he was. She normally gave a Magebolt to scramble someone until she can get up on them and deliver something big. The two girls that Crystal was fighting had that move scouted, they both dove to the ground in anticipation of an attack that never came. Crystal was not where they thought she would be and started flinging her Mage bolts. Crystal only targeted the smaller of the two girls and was tearing her apart until she was smart enough to get a shield up. The other girl found it hard to hit the moving Crystal while her friend was just trying to survive.
“This looks like easy coin,” Jonathan said. “A gold one says Crystal Ward is the victor.”
“I’m not betting with you Thunder,” Russell said. “So you can run back and tell her that I bet against her.”
“Fair enough,” Jonathan said with a bit of humor in his voice.
Crystal had both of the girls on the run now. She was using her cold water spell that worked so well against the dragons. Against Mages, it was at least three times as effective as they couldn't even line up a shot while she was sneaking in Magebolts along with her downpour. The Mage girls split up. One had Crystal’s attention while the other fired off a sizable Magebolt, intending on taking Crystal in the back. Crystal saw the move and used the spell Magerope to grab the girl she was fighting and fling her into the path of the incoming attack.
The attack hit solidly and Crystal spent the next few seconds chasing down the other girl and putting her out of her misery. It was a total one sided fight from start to finish. Jonathan doubted that the others even got one hit on her. Monica looked irritated which made Jonathan want to laugh. Kevin Wilson also didn't look pleased. Walter Westcott had an angry look on his face, when Jonathan caught his eye and the man briefly looked around at the others and gave Jonathan a wink. Jonathan thought maybe Walter was one of the good ones. Jonathan flew down to congratulate the winner. She was in the middle of healing one of the girls she had just throttled.
“Good job out there,” Jonathan said as he added his magic to hers. “I am horrible at healing by the way, I am just down here to see you.”
“What did you think?” Crystal asked.
“I think I would like to have a match with you one day. Don’t worry, I will not use my lightning.”
“You want to face me?” Crystal asked.
“Well you ignored me all summer and I am trying to get that second date,” Jonathan said. “Of course I was ready to give up until I received my own bouquet of flowers. I think you should make a choice on if you are giving me or Russell the chance. You are pretty and I do want to get to know you better but the Queen decreed that I need to be married in under three years of taking the position or she will find a bride for me. I don't have time to play around, if I am not the one you want to give a chance at courting you, let me know. Queen Mildred doesn't play around and said she would find me a bride that the nobles would all like. I don't think threats get more real than that and I don't want to end up like Monica.”
“So you are only going after me because the Queen said so?” Crystal asked.
“What? No,” Jonathan said as Crystal laughed.
“I am just teasing,” Crystal replied. “We should have this conversation tonight at dinner. My treat.”
“Your treat?”
“This would make the second date I asked you out,” Crystal said. “Oh great, here comes your friend.”
“What are you doing here Jon?” Farrah said as she helped heal Lindsey. “You are horrid at healing.”
“I am horrid,” Jonathan laughed. “But I am happy I came down here. I am thinking the Horn and Hound?”
“What does the Horn and Hound have to do with anything?” Farrah asked. “We are talking about healing, not food.”
“The Horn and Hound it is,” Crystal replied. “In three hours.”
“It’s a date,” Jonathan said as Lindsey got up.
“What is a date?” Farrah said as Crystal went over to heal the other girl who was on the ground moaning.
Jonathan took towards the sky and Farrah was right behind him. Jonathan wondered what she wanted and what he ever saw in her. Sure she was pretty, she was rich and she was strong. But she was also insanely jealous whether she knew it or not. First it was with the group of friends Poppy showed up to the Tower with when they were students. Then it was with Wendy even though Farrah herself was the one trying to fix Jonathan up. Jonathan of course couldn't forget Gertie. Farrah was barely holding it together when she met her. Crystal was just the latest girl and Jonathan knew Farrah couldn't help but hate her.
Crystal was tall just like Farrah was. They both had colored eyes and light hair. Farrah was definitely more curvier but Crystal made her thin frame work for her. Farrah was used to people going on about how strong she was. Crystal wasn't as strong but did a lot more with her power. Farrah hadn't ever gave it to the dragons and dragonknights the way Crystal did. Crystal ended up winning the tournament in the Tower, beating the rest of the Superb Seven and then was part of a team that took down Jonathan and Monica. Crystal was the total package as far as Jonathan was concerned. Jonathan knew that until he landed, Farrah would likely keep bothering him. Jonathan thought about where he could run and decided not to. He landed next to Xalen.
“I am going to start my meeting Thunder,” Prince Xalen said. “You need to find someplace to be.”
“Will do Your Highness,” Jonathan said as Xalen took to the sky. The Prince was heading right for Crystal. Jonathan didn't know what it was about.
“What was that about Thunder?” Russell asked.
“What was what about Tower Mage?” Jonathan replied.
“What did you go down there and tell her? Stop playing stupid games with me.”
“He went down there and asked her out on a date,” Farrah said. “Honestly Jon, she is just a girl. I have told you that if you want help finding someone, I would be willing to help you.”
“He is still caught up on you,” Russell said. “He doesn't want your help.”
“He doesn't need any help,” Monica said, entering the conversation. “Why are the both of you worried about Thunder and that girl? It isn't like he is bringing her into your bedrooms.”
“Two commoners trying to make a strong Mage family?” Russell asked as he looked at Monica. “There are enough commoners with magic causing havoc. Some of my students want to take the bounties Thunder has had his people put up. Just imagine what someone with Thunder’s power could do. Imagine what Thunder himself would probably do if we weren't around.”
“Still none of your business,” Jonathan said.
“You are wasting your time with her,” Russell said.
“Why is that Russell?” Jonathan replied as he let out a little smirk. Monica was around and Jonathan was sure they were together even if he hadn't said anything. “Are you trying to make a play for her as well? All you have to do is tell me. I don't think there are many men who can bring to the table what I do. You of course can bring more so losing out to you isn't some great defeat. I wouldn't lose out to just anyone though.”
“Your kids would be ridiculed,” Farrah said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation.
“Like I am?” Jonathan asked. “I would tell my kids to pummel whoever needed it. If I were with Ms. Ward, our children could take care of themselves. I have no doubt that Archmage, Tower Mage, Champion or Mage Commander would belong to a Thunder in the future. A Thunder from my line. So I am happy with that commoner, or at least pursuing her. You three are supposed to be my friends, we are the Big Four, remember? Why is it that only Monica is happy for me? You all have significant others. Farrah has Lord Nettleton and Russell and Monica, you both have each other. Gerald, are you at least happy for me? With me gone, you can spend more time out and about. I think you might be the next Mage Commander now that I am not around.”
“Don't put me into this Thunder,” Gerald said. “I have better things to do and worry about instead of you and who you want to share your bed with.”
“I don't have time for this,” Russell said.
“Why not?” Monica asked and narrowed her eyes.
“I have to meet with the Prince,” Russell replied. “And go over things that Thunder should be doing.”
“There he goes,” Jonathan said. “Big Blond, handsome and rich Russell Golad. Tower Mage and future Duke.”
“Jonathan, I want to talk about that girl,” Farrah said.
“Then go talk to her,” Jonathan said.
“Are we still on for the Horn and the Hound?” Monica asked Farrah.
“Harland is here, we are supposed to meet there,” Farrah said. “I still need to get dressed. This isn't over Jon, we need to have a talk.”
Jonathan watched Farrah fly away and then looked at Monica who gave him a sneer. Jonathan just smiled at her. Monica was a complete twat that thought she was watching her life slip away. She had grand notions of being with Russell and being Duchess whoever. She knew she couldn't compete with Crystal. Crystal was definitely prettier. Crystal had the better heart and she proved her magic was just as good as Monica’s was. Poor thing, Jonathan figured that he would put her out of her misery.
“You know I am going after her,” Jonathan said. “So why are you being a twat?”
“What did you just call me?” Monica asked angrily.
“A twat,” Jonathan said. “Substitute it with tosser, jackhole, wanker, or anything else appropriate. I’m trying to get with the girl who has a fantastic shot to take your man, sour face. You should be on my team, not snapping and yelling or whatever it is you are doing. If I were her I would take your man just because. You treat her like crap, just like you treat me like crap.”
“You watch your tone,” Monica said.
“Or what?” Jonathan asked. “Monica, your big words don't work with me. You couldn't even put down that girl, as you call her. I heard about your fight. If you didn't do so well with her, what in the pit makes you think that you could take me down?”
“You aren't all that Thunder,” Monica said.
“You better hope I am. Russell wants Crystal, I want Crystal. If she told him today that she was interested, you would be out on your ass by morning. No instructor job, no nothing. No, that's not true. They would definitely give you a job. A huge job making a lot of money that happens to be far away from this place.”
“Because you think if that girl gets Russell that you could get me?” Monica asked. “You are full of yourself if you think I would be with some commoner, no matter what title he holds.”
“You aren't no catch yourself,” Jonathan said. “But you would. You would do it in a heartbeat. The Queen, her son and husband, Farrah, Kevin Wilson and anyone else would be trying their best to find you a man. They would do it to get you away from me. But back to my point, you are either for me getting the girl, or against me. What is more important? You getting Russell or you stopping the creation of a powerful commoner Mage family?”
“You have a date with her today?”
“The Horn and the Hound,” Jonathan said.
“Bring your carriage for her and make sure you leave her a gift inside,” Monica said. “And wear that soft green outfit you have. The one you wore when I saw you out with that mannish woman.”
“The green one?” Jonathan asked.
“You didn't look totally disgusting while you were wearing it last year. And only put the back half of your hair in a pony’s tail. Let the front part frame your stupid face.”
“Will do,” Jonathan said and smirked.
“What?” Monica snapped.
