Part 5
"You did what", Jeremiah yelled and rose from his throne. "Samuel I told you to stay away from that sorcerer!"
"I thought he could help us father", Scott yelled back. "He offered to help us but all we got was riddles and more riddles."
"Wake up Scott."
Scott shook his head in confusion and looked around.
"Who said that", he asked.
"Who said what", Gregory asked.
"Nothing… The man was just a jester who gave us riddles as answers."
"Yes father", William cut in. "All he said was 'the answer you seek is right in front of you' and things like that."
"So he couldn't help us then", Jeremiah asked and sat down again.
"I'm sorry father", Scott said. "He-"
He was interrupted when the heavy doors to the throne room was pushed wide open and a man in a dark green cloak with its hood up walked into the room. His face lied in shadow, except for his mouth; his white teeth glistened in the sunlight. Behind him trailed Arthur.
"Arthur who is this", Gregory asked and Arthur just smiled and his entire being shone with joy.
"What's the matter Gregory", the man answered in a well known voice. "You don't recognize your older brother any more?" The man folded down his hood. "I'm really hurt."
"Jonathan!" Jeremiah and his three other sons exclaimed.
Jonathan walked forward and kneeled before his father.
"I've returned from my search for help father and-"
He didn't get any further before his father pulled him to his feet hand caught him in a back crushing hug.
"Jonathan", he cried and just held the young man harder, if it was even possible. "I thought I had lost you."
"And I thought all was lost father", Jonathan said. "Until little brother Arthur came along."
"Me what did I do", Arthur asked.
"I told you… Awk father you are choking me let go!"
"Oh I'm sorry son", Jeremiah let his son go. Just so Jonathan could be caught by his three other brothers.
"Where the hell have you been Jonathan", William asked and ruffled the other man's hair in love. "We've been worried!"
"I'm really sorry for that, it wasn't easy doing it to you."
"Wait you did this on purpose", Gregory asked. "Why did you do that?"
"Just to find the help we need to stop Howard", Jonathan answered and sighed and backed away from them. "It wasn't easy but now I've found it."
"You have", King Jeremiah asked.
"Yes and it was necessary for me to worry you."
"Why the hell would that be necessary Jonathan", Scott yelled angrily.
Jonathan looked at him and suddenly the big oak doors slammed shut with a bang.
"What did just happen", Arthur asked and his eyes went huge when he saw a chair and small objects start to float around in the air.
"Magic", King Jeremiah growled. "Who? Who dare to use that in here?"
"I do", Jonathan said and held out his and a small fire started to burn in the air above it. "I realized that to beat Howard we must know his weakness and to do that we need someone who knows magic. I couldn't find anyone with that kind of information. But I found my master and teacher. He taught me everything about magic and I succeeded with the last test."
"What last test?" Arthur asked.
Jonathan sighed. "The master puts a curse on you; you turn into an old man and can not return to your home for long until you are free. You can't tell anyone who you really are, it would be cheating and the higher powers will destroy you. But you are allowed to give your family clues, in what way you want, but they must think you are dead. Because the curse can not be lifted if the family has given up on you, trust is one of the strongest things in the world and love is another. And for believing in me, even when things told you different I thank you with all my heart Arthur. Now I'm a full sorcerer. There aren't many and Howard is not one of them."
"Wait he isn't a warlock then", Scott asked disbelieving.
"No, he failed this test, but he used dark magic to transform back to-"
"Hold it", William said. "You said turned into an old man."
"Yes Jonathan", Arthur said. "You also said you would tell me who the old man in the cabin was."
Jonathan said and with a wave of his hand the old man stood in front of them and then Jonathan was back.
"After what I have told you", he said. "Wouldn't it be obvious that I Scott come back now."
"What did you say", Scott asked in confusion.
"I said that Howard will have to transform into his original form. His weakness is that his magical powers will run out. His magical catapults and ballista will drain him, but we have an endless source of magic in our hands."
"You mean", William said. "That as long as you can make his rocks miss the castle and the town his powers will disappear in time?"
"Yes."
King Jeremiah looked at his sons and sighed.
"One of my sons is a sorcerer… Why Jonathan?"
"It's the only way father", Jonathan answered. "I know you've always hated sorcerers and magic but I had to do this. If I hadn't this kingdom and everyone in it would be doomed to Howard."
"But-"
There was a knock on the door and a bunch of men entered. Scott recognized one of them as the rude man Michael and the older man Charles who had lectured him.
"My lord", Charles called and ran up to Jonathan and hugged him tight. "F-forgive me sir I-I didn't-"
"Not to worry Charles old friend", Jonathan said and laughed. "I've missed you too and you", Jonathan turned towards Michael. "What is this I hear about you being rude towards my brothers and my father?"
"I'm sorry sir… but we only take orders from you… I didn't think-", Michael stuttered and Jonathan narrowed his eyes and slapped the younger man up the back of his head.
"I hope your brain is back at its right place now Michael!"
"Of course sir forgive me", Michael then turned to the other royalties. "Forgive me sirs."
"No harm done Michael", Jeremiah said softly. "Now go and prepare the city for battle!"
"Yes my liege!"
TBC Thanks for reviews. Sorry for the short chapter