Jonathan Thunder, page 6
part #5 of Lightning Mage Series
“In front of Xalen and the Mage Commander? Of course Russell did, a bigger idiot has never existed no matter how handsome he is. That does explain the giant kiss I received yesterday. It was like she couldn't get enough of me. Any little nicety was greatly received, I should have known I wasn't that smooth.”
“Well now you know information about her without all of the drama the Tower Mage went through.”
“I think I should go see Russell,” Jonathan said. “I will not say anything about how I came by the information but I cannot resist rubbing his stupidity in his face.”
“Your blondie is supposed to be healing in the Merchant’s Quarter,” Poppy said. “After you see Russell, you should give her a visit.”
Jonathan gave Poppy a hug and walked out of his office. He couldn't believe Russell was so stupid that he would take something so personal and demand to hear about it in front of everyone. Jonathan silently thanked his mother for not allowing him to grow up that clueless. Jonathan made his way outside of the palace and thought he should fly. It wasn't that far away and if he pushed it, he could be there in a small amount of time. Jonathan took to the air and couldn't get the smile off of his face as he neared the Tower. Jonathan flew directly inside and then made his way up to Russell’s office.
“Hello Russell,” Jonathan said as he walked into Russell’s office. Jonathan could tell that Russell was surprised to see him. Jonathan didn't visit the Tower often unless he was called there. Now Jonathan just walked into the door like they were old friends. Jonathan kept a small smile on his face that was more of a smirk.
“What do you want, Thunder?” Russell snapped.
“Crystal Ward,” Jonathan replied. “I came over to thank you.”
“Thank me for what?”
“For being you,” Jonathan smiled. “You are taller than I am, better looking than I am. Pit Russell, you are even richer and have more power than I do. But alas, you are Russell Golad.”
“What is this about Thunder?” Russell asked.
“Imagine seeing you two together,” Farrah said as she walked in through Russell’s opened door. “What are you two on about?”
“I don't know what the minds of commoners hold,” Russell snapped. “I am not those idiots too weak to face you in the Arena Thunder. I can back up all of my talk.”
“I didn't come here for a fight Russell,” Jonathan said. “I came because I can't believe how dense you can be sometimes. If I didn't know better, I would swear that you and Xalen are on my team.”
“What are you talking about Jon?” Farrah asked. “Please tell me that it is not about that girl. She embarrassed me as a woman by throwing herself at you like that.”
“Crystal Ward is pretty and you know it,” Jonathan said.
“She is a girl and doesn't even have proper hips yet,” Farrah replied. “I don't know what you or my brother see in her. So she has a little magic and she is great at healing the sick. She doesn't have a fortune and there are at least four females stronger than she is. If Emma Gillespie was still alive it would have been five.”
“Jealous much?” Jonathan asked.
“Of a girl?” Farrah said and then waved away the question. “Russell you should be going for Monica and Jonathan, there are plenty of well established women out there.”
“I think Russell should be going for Monica,” Jonathan said and smiled at Russell. “I thought it was a long shot to woo Crystal. After a while I thought everything was in the bag, I just didn't expect Russell to hand the bag to me.”
“Your little kiss is meaningless,” Russell said. “ So what I heard you went out on some date last night. She is a girl and she is acting out. No girl in her right mind would pass up a title. You thought you had Farrah at one point and she dropped you quicker than a red hot piece of coal.”
“No need to bring up bad memories,” Farrah said quickly.
“My feelings are not hurt,” Jonathan said. “Crystal hates that coward Kevin Wilson and Lord Golad here has been tossing him into her face every moment he can.”
“The Mage Commander is trying to find a cure for the Speckled Fever,” Russell said and then rolled his eyes. “It is something you should be doing as Archmage instead of trying to romance a student.”
“Doesn't matter,” Jonathan said as he faced Farrah. “Russell then tossed Xalen into Crystal’s face, a man who has insulted her Father and called her a whore to her face more than a few times. The absolute kicker is that Russell heard Crystal had a female exam and demanded to know the results of it despite her pleas. She begged him to drop it and he just couldn't do it. After he got his answer in front of His Royal Highness and the Mage Commander, he acted like it was no big deal.”
“Russell, you did not make that girl’s flower idle conversation,” Farrah asked.
“What is the problem?” Russell asked. “Everyone knows I am untouched and I know you are untouched as well.”
“Farrah was never accused of being a whore,” Jonathan said.
“It needed to be public so her reputation could be salvaged,” Russell said as Jonathan could see a little worry crept into his voice.
“Thank you Russell,” Jonathan said. “For having no idea how to deal with the opposite sex. We were in a foot race and you were given a horse before the start of it. Never would I had of dreamed that you would take that horse, run in the opposite direction for hours and then put the thing out of its misery. All I have to do at this point is not be a twat.”
“You think she would choose a commoner?” Russell laughed. “Your grandfather isn't even a business owner, at least not anymore. You don't have a way to bring in money for future generations.”
“Maybe,” Jonathan said. “But I am not talking about future generations, I am talking about the here and now. You embarrassed pretty little Crystal and have shown no remorse. While you have been in here stewing, I have been out on dates. Just think of it Russell, you get to watch two strong commoners make a go of it. I am already the greatest hero Kirby has ever known. You get to standby and watch me make three maybe ten more strong Mages with the most beautiful girl in Kirby.”
“She is not all that,” Farrah said. “If I want you, I could have you.”
“You mean that in the past tense Farrah,” Jonathan laughed. “If you wanted me, you could have had me.”
“What's the difference?” Farrah asked.
“No way I would stop my romance with Crystal,” Jonathan said. “She is tall, beautiful, powerful, smart and the best thing about her is that she has perhaps the best heart I have seen. Her and I have bonded over a tragic instance brought about by that coward you all protect. I should probably be thanking the Mage Commander as well. If he was dead, then Russell couldn't have mucked things up as much as he has.”
“Kevin Wilson is a good man and I am tired of hearing you tear him down because your parents died in service to their Kingdom,” Russell said as he stood up angrily.
“Kevin Wilson is a bully who ran into the wrong person,” Jonathan said and raised his hands up in surrender. “But this isn't about how great a man Kevin Wilson is. This is about her feelings towards the man. Russell, do you think that there is any way that I would ever see Kevin Wilson as a great hero or some great man?”
“Of course not because you are blinded by misplaced anger,” Russell snapped.
“And you would have to reconcile that Kevin came down and joined the fight himself and when he saw it wasn't winnable, he brought more Mages,” Farrah added.
“We both know that is a load but that is not the point,” Jonathan beamed. “You all know I know I hate Kevin Wilson and I am willing to back up any threats I have ever made against the man in the Arena. I would smear him right next to his little brother and the rest of idiots that have wanted to kill me. Now imagine if I wasn't able to back up my boasts? Well imagine if I wasn't sure if I fought Kevin Wilson if I would survive? How would I act?”
“You don't know if you can beat him,” Russell said.
“Russell, I can beat you,” Jonathan said. “Not meaning to cause a fight, but it is the truth. My lightning would be across any arena and into your body before you could react. You saw me take apart the meat and potatoes of the Superb Seven. An easy and painless test can be set up. Place a series of stand alone wooden walls and have me fling magic at them. Once I get the strength down so I wouldn't kill anyone, then set up behind it. Farrah can yell go and you attempt to place a shield over yourself and the planks. If my magic leaves a mark, then you know you would have lost.”
“I don't need to prove myself and neither does Farrah,” Russell said.
“I never mentioned her in this instance but I am sure I can beat her as well,” Jonathan said. “My lightning acts a little like Shatter. It is instantaneous and breaks through shields that use more magic than what I put into the spell. But we are getting off topic, imagine how angry I would be if I didn't think I could do anything to the Mage Commander. Imagine if I didn't have the memory of killing Quevin Wilson along with every other tosser out there who has had something to say. How do you think I would feel inside?”
“What does this have to do with anything?” Russell asked.
“Well, that is what Crystal is feeling,” Jonathan said. “And in return, you have thrown Kevin Wilson and your good cousin His Royal Highness all in Crystal’s face. She hates Wilson with a burning rage that surpasses mine.”
“Doesn't matter, she will get over herself,” Russell said. “For all of your nonsense, if I decided I would rather be Archmage over a Dukedom, then Farrah would be in line for a title. You go on about how great Crystal is, if Farrah wanted you, no way you would turn down a chance to be with someone you find beautiful that has money, power and can help birth you strong sons. Crystal will not turn it down either.”
“If you asked me right now, what would I rather have, a Kingdom or the chance to face Kevin Wilson in the Arena. I would pick my day with Kevin Wilson every time. My parents deserve to rest in peace, something they are not doing with that coward walking around. I would turn down a thousand Kingdoms if it meant I had to sit back and pretend to be nice to that man who was never fit to be Archmage. Crystal feels far more strongly about it all than I do. But please continue Russell. I want you to use your version of logic from here until you are an old gray man. Let me know what that gets you.”
“There is no my version of logic!” Russell snapped. “Why are you even in here?”
“Oh you have your version of logic,” Jonathan said. “Can you believe that at one point, your logic thought I would just fade away into nothing and that would be that? Your logic also thought that if you gave me a job as your boot licker that I would be okay and stop my march to greatness.”
“You wouldn't be a bootlicker and both of your friends have great careers and women who love them. It is what every man in right mind would hope to accomplish,” Farrah said.
“Does it compare to what I have now?” Jonathan asked. “At one point, Lord Russell here thought that I should take the title of Mage Commander and all thought I would be happy with that instead of being Archmage. That logic is beyond skewed. It is like if a great General makes a plan and then doesn't ever check the battlefield again for information he might have missed. We both know failing is not in my vocabulary. What do you think would be the harder task? A commoner becoming Champion and Archmage, or man marrying a woman whose life he has saved?”
“You may be in a bit of trouble Russell,” Farrah said. “No way Jon comes down here bragging like this without cause. He thinks he has the right of it. The only time I have seen him this full of himself is when…”
“When I told you that I would become Archmage,” Jonathan said finishing Farrah’s sentence.
“Russell you have Monica, why don't you just do right by her?” Farrah asked. “She has wanted you for years and has done everything a girl could to catch your eye and keep it.”
“Monica was moments away from losing a fight to Crystal,” Jonathan teased. “He would have to be comfortable with coming in second, once again. Well I have taken up enough of your time Lord Tower Mage. If you need me, I’ll be in the palace thinking about how nice life can be.”
“You stay right there Thunder!” Russell growled as he got up in Jonathan’s face.
“You are pretty tall,” Jonathan said as he had to look up. “Outrageously tall even. But you are no Jon Thunder.”
“You came in here to start trouble,” Russell said. “Leave Crystal Ward alone. She is a student of the Tower and you are no longer allowed in here unless it is on official business. If I see you here trying to get some alone time with her, I will petition the Queen.”
“Someone is worried,” Jonathan said.
“You heard me,” Russell said.
“I did,” Jonathan said and fixed his face into a grin. “You are finally worried. Monica is a twat and you both belong together. Crystal is the total package and she belongs to me. She doesn't care about your money or your power. Not when she sees being with you as disrespectful to her parents. I haven't even told her the way you thought it was funny when her Father died. I don't go that low. As for the Tower, I will not come by and show the young ladies here what a real man is supposed to look and act like. However I doubt you can keep her away from me.”
“When she gets out of the Tower she will hopefully come to her senses,” Russell said as Jonathan backed away.
“I am sure she will have a difficult decision to make once she leaves the Tower as well,” Jonathan said. “Have a great day Russell. You too Farrah and give Baron Nettleton my regards.”
“Where are you going now?” Farrah asked.
“I am in the lead but the race is far from over,” Jonathan said. “To properly woo a woman, you can't let up just because you have her favor. I have to keep her favor by letting her know that I am not and will never take her for granted. I hear she is supposed to be healing people down in the Merchants’ Quarter. I am going to see if we can have lunch together.”
“She is supposed to be having lunch with Xalen and I,” Russell said.
“Further proof that you just don't get it,” Jonathan said. “You probably think that she should be happy to dine with a Prince. You both have a good day.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Farrah said as they both left Russell’s office
“What do I owe the pleasure?” Jonathan asked.
“You aren't avoiding me anymore?” Farrah asked.
“No need to,” Jonathan replied. “How have you and His Lordship been?”
“I know your plan,” Farrah said. “You refuse to have a conversation with me without bringing Harland up. You do that so you will not pine over me.”
“I do that because you are someone else’s woman and I don't want any conversation with you to be taken as anything but a conversation.”
“That girl really has you wrapped around her narrow little finger, doesn't she?”
“You have seen her, Farrah. Crystal Ward turns heads everywhere she goes. I don't think there is a man around that hasn't given her the once over. Your noblemen try to downplay her beauty by being nasty to her. I am going to be happy that I got a chance to woo her. To me it is either her or doom.”
“Doom?” Farrah asked. “Aren't you being dramatic Jon?”
“Her Majesty gave me three years to find a bride or she was going to find one for me. You have seen those horrid trolls. I am sure a woman who looks like she has eaten the most lemons at once will be thrown at me. Not only that, someone would think I should be happy to be with whoever it is.”
“There are a lot of nice girls out there Jon,” Farrah said. “Just because they are noble doesn't mean they are horrid. You didn't think I was horrid or that boyish girl you were all hugged up on.”
“Gertie is beautiful and you know it,” Jonathan said. “She was funny, smart and knew how to hold a conversation.”
“Then why didn't you end up with her if she was all that?”
“Because she never wanted to be married to the Archmage,” Jonathan replied. “I hear she is doing okay. She met your cousin Aldin who is a great guy. Everyone ended up with what they wanted.”
“You know that if you would allow me, I could find you someone that is not a girl,” Farrah said. “I could find you an actual woman. You would have loved Wendy. Instead you let Tobin woo her.”
“Wendy was pretty but I was angry and refused to be maneuvered,” Jonathan said. “And I owe it to my family to find a Mage girl.”
“So you just want her because she has a little bit of power?”
“No. Any children that I have will have lightning magic. They wouldn't need some strong Mage Mother to have that. It is a definite bonus though that Crystal is strong.”
“You are not even going to consider a pretty girl with no magic?” Farrah asked.
“You seem shocked. Of course I am not even going to entertain the idea. I am the Archmage Farrah, His Luminous in the flesh. Russell would never entertain the idea of being with a woman with no magic and neither am I.”
“You could let a good woman pass you by,” Farrah said.
“And wouldn't care about it at all,” Jonathan said. “If things do not work out with Crystal, something I doubt. And if for some reason Russell is able to woo her away, which I think is currently impossible. I would still be with a Mage girl. There is nothing you or anyone else can say that will change my mind. Just like no one outside of Crystal herself can say anything that would make me pursue another. I know you like playing the little game where you talk to me and throw in a little flirting for your own amusement. It doesn't work anymore, Farrah. I’m marrying that girl if she would have me.”
“You really have it for this girl,” Farrah said and shook her head. “It's like you don't care about your future.”
“I am the Archmage, something everyone thought was impossible,” Jonathan said. “The future everyone saw for me, how could it have been better than me being Archmage?”
“I hope it works out for you Jon,” Farrah said. “I am not your enemy.”
“No, I guess you are not,” Jonathan replied. “I need to go to the Merchants’ Quarter to buy a gift. I plan on having a lunch date. Have a good morning Farrah.”
