The train continued to whir passed all sorts of life, countryside, farm animals, people, cars, roads, everything. The journey from Norfolk to London had always been one he'd loved, as a child it had allowed his imagination to run wild and to create stories of all sorts of things. Of course, it had also been a way for him to think as well, to ponder on the lessons he'd learned. Right now, those thoughts were taking him to what Sophie had said. He knew eventually Jaime and Roy would find out the truth about what was on those walls, or rather what he suspected they said. He knew that it would be a mess when the conversation came, he suspected that was one of the reasons Mia had found Connor so appealing, Connor was human, and he was not.
The journey continued, and as he shook his head, Jonathan tuned into what Jaime and Roy were talking about. "I think it's pretty cool that Sophie is studying such an advanced form of physics you know, I think that could be something that really changes how we understand the multiverse. The fact she knows about the multiverse in of itself is pretty cool." Jaime said.
"Well of course she knows about the multiverse, the whole family knows about Jonathan and the fact that his dad is Superman." Roy responded. His friend noticed him listening and asked. "Why is it that they know? I thought you said that things between your mom and your aunt weren't good?"
"They weren't for a time." Jonathan answered truthfully. "But I think that changed when they both became parents. My mum and aunt Lucy have a two-year age gap, so when aunt Lucy found out she was pregnant with Sophie she went to my mum for help and advice and so that's how they provided a united front against the general."
"Your grandad sounds like a complete arsehole." Jaime said. Jonathan grinned, he knew that to most people the general was an arsehole, but really Jonathan knew he was just very protective of his family, and considering where they were going and who their family was, he couldn't blame him. "But that doesn't answer the question, how do they know about your powers and the powers your dad has?"
Jonathan sighed, this story was one that he'd never really wanted to talk about, even his dad telling it to him had been a painful experience. "When Aunt Lucy was about sixteen, she got involved with some dude who smuggled guns and money, and when he found out she knew the general he held her hostage and tried to get a ransom out of the general. But before the message could get sent out. My dad appeared. This was before he had the suit, before he knew how to blur his face, and she saw him during the struggle. Afterwards he confessed to her. And she kept his secret alongside my mum. When I was born, it wasn't very hard for her to figure out that I'd also have those powers." A very old part of the pain came back then, Jonathan tried to fight the guilt. He knew what keeping that secret had done to his Aunt and he was not proud that he was the cause of it.
"And Sophie?" Roy asked.
"Sophie and I were playing tag when we were about four, and I was running away from her when I just disappeared. I'd super sped through the grounds and ended up in Shrewsbury. I was bloody terrified. Thankfully, Uncle Thomas and the Earl of Shrewsbury are boyhood friends and the earl dropped me back in Arundel. That was when Sophie had some of what I could do explained to her, as did I. After that, whenever I had a new power develop I wrote to her and we would talk about it." Jonathan said, remembering the days before that event had happened, he shook his head knowing that he and Sophie were good again.
"I get the impression the two of you were very close. What happened to change that?" Roy asked.
Jonathan sighed, he had a brief flash of a torn piece of cloth and an argument, he shook his head. "I'd rather not talk about that."
There was a moment of silence and then Jaime asked. "So, who are we going to visit? Why has it been so secret?"
"We're going to visit my great-grandmother, a lady who likes her privacy and someone who is quite interested to meet the two of you." Jonathan said. He kept the laughter from his voice, he knew how both of them would react when they learned the truth and the thought of that was quite amusing, still there was an element of privacy needed, especially after the reports that his great-uncle was quite ill.
"So, why is there such a need for privacy, is she some sort of top business lady? A former spy?" Jaime asked.
Jonathan laughed. "No, nothing like that. Though my great-grandfather was a spy." That was half true, his great-grandfather had served during the war, and had earned a great many commendations proving where his loyalty lay, despite the men his sisters had married.
"Oh? How come you never talk about them?" Jaime pressed.
"Well you've never asked about them." Jonathan replied. "They're just people like you and me, not some sort of spectacle to be ogled."
"But we are getting to meet them?" Roy asked.
"Yes." Jonathan replied, before anyone else could ask any more questions, the train pulled to a stop. They got their things and then walked out of the train and out onto the platform. They pushed through the crowd, and into the general mess of Euston station. Jonathan spotted the man, and walked over, shaking the man's hand. "Martin, thanks for coming."
Martin nodded. "Of course Master Jonathan." There was a pause as Jaime and Roy appeared behind him. "Please, come with me." They followed Martin to the Bentley, got in and Martin started the car and drove off through the traffic, taking the alleyways and secret streets only he knew about.
"How have you been Martin? How are the wife and children?" Jonathan asked.
"They are well thank you, Master Jonathan. Stephen has just graduated from Oxford, whilst Sophie has been promoted to senior associate." Martin said.
"That's great Martin, congratulations." Jonathan said, ignoring the fact that Martin had not mentioned his wife. They remained in silence after that, until the gates came into view and Jaime and Roy both gasped.
"Is this where I think it is?" Jaime asked.
Jonathan laughed. "And where do you think this is?"
"Well, the place that every tourist who comes to London visits at least once, even if it is just to stare at the gates." Jaime said.
The gates opened and the car entered the parking lot, Martin parked the car and then opened his door to open the boot, he helped take their things out before saying. "Please follow me." Jonathan and his friends followed Martin, Jaime and Roy staring opened mouthed at the guards that were present and some of the other things that were there. They entered through the doors, Martin led them up the stairs then stopped. "Sir Michael will see you the rest of the way, Master Jonathan."
"Thank you, Martin." Jonathan replied. Sir Martin was a man in his sixties, a former soldier, and a former spy, he was as tough as nails, Jonathan nodded to him and they followed him through doorways, down and up steps before coming to his great-grandmother's study. There was a knock and an answer, the door opened.
"Master Jonathan and his friends, Ma'am." Sir Michael said.
Jonathan stepped into the room, he smiled when he saw his great-grandmother, she stood slightly hunched, but proud nonetheless. She smiled. "Ah, Jonathan darling how good to see you."
Jonathan bowed, then kissed her cheek. "May I introduce my friends, Jaime and Roy."
Both of them bowed before kissing his great grandmother's outstretched hand. "A pleasure to meet you."
There was a moment's silence, then his great-grandmother said. "Please take a seat." They took their seats. "I trust your journey went well."
"Yes Your Majesty." Jonathan answered.
His great-grandmother smiled. "And how was Arundel?"
"It was good thank you, Aunt Lucy and Uncle Thomas and Sophie send their love." Jonathan said.
"Good, good." His great-grandmother answered. There was a moment of silence, then she said. "I believe that James and Henry are around and that they wished to show your friends around."
Jonathan looked at Roy and Jaime and grinned at the looks on their face. "Jaime, Roy?"
"Yeah we're going." Roy said, helping Jaime to stand, they both bowed then left. Once the door was closed, Jonathan turned to his great-grandmother.
"How have you been, truly Jonathan?" she asked.
Jonathan was silent for a moment and then said. "Well enough, leaving school has been quite strange, I'm not sure where I fit in now."
"You feel that now the objective has gone, and the graduation has come and gone, you feel that there is something missing, something that makes you think that perhaps you have not been put to good use, that you will waste your time doing things that might not make change to the world." His Great-Grandmother said.
"Yes." Jonathan replied. "I feel that I have these gifts and they're not being put to use, and it is frustrating. I know that there is university and that there is all that stuff, but I just feel I could be doing more for the world. I could be helping people, saving people, I just don't think going to university would be something that might do more for me."
"Have you told your parents about this?" His great-grandmother asked.
Jonathan snorted. "I've tried, but I mean I can hardly convince Superman to let me fight for the Titans, he wants me to get an education to go to school and get more done. And Mum wants me to do the same. I feel as though it's not really an option."
His great-grandmother took his hand then. "You always have options Jonathan. I know you're here with your friends now, but you could stay for some more time afterwards. You could come back from Europe and stay here for a time. Get to know your cousins and the family properly, without anyone else around. You start in October, don't you?"
"Yes." Jonathan replied fighting hard to keep the smile from breaking out on his face.
"Then stay, get to know your family, explore the world. You can come to know your grandmother a bit more." She said.
"Will you write to my parents as well; I'll speak to them but I know they'll take it more seriously from you as well." Jonathan said.
"Very well then." His great-grandmother said.
Jonathan smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
His great-grandmother smiled. "Another thing, after tomorrow, you shall by letters patent by known as the Earl of Warwick, as your grandmother and grandfather had wished."
Jonathan was completely surprised by this. "Thank…. thank you."
"Now go, there's someone who wishes to meet you."
Jonathan kissed his great-grandmother's hand, bowed then walked out, where he bumped into an old friend. Tall, blond, green eyes, muscled and with a slight bit of stubble, the man before him was truly that. "Rhodos!"
"Jonathan!" his friend replied, they embraced.
"How have you been?" Jonathan asked.
"Well enough, loving the water here. And you?" Rhodos asked.
"Good. How are you finding your role here?" Jonathan asked, he knew his friend had been ambassador to the court of St James for a year now.
"Good, Her Majesty is most kind, and your cousins are quite delightful." Rhodos added with a grin.
"Drunk either one of them under the table yet?" Jonathan asked, he knew his friend had joked about that a fair few times.
Rhodos grinned. "Once or twice, though they'll tell you otherwise." There was a brief pause, as two servants walked passed them. "Jaime and Roy are with you aren't they?"
"Yeah." Jonathan said.
"We should go out, celebrate, there's some very nice places near here. I'll take you." Rhodos said.
"I'd like that." Jonathan said.