To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles) (20 page)

The new and improved Wager began to take shape. About half a mark into the process, Daniel tinted the entire boat topaz blue and added silver trimming on the railings, hatches, air ports, arrow slits, and windows. He stretched the crescendo part of the CAPU from the helm to the stern, reinforced the superstructure to withstand the force of the CAPU, and then strengthened the entire vessel. He and Simon once had a long discussion on how the natural world works and the laws of motion. The Battencayan-born Accomplished had made the wooden hull of the Javelin stronger, denser, so it could handle stresses that would break apart any other boat. Daniel’s spells melded the mud and wood of the Wager into a substance harder than steel and then added a finger-width sheet of what appeared to be topaz, but was actually the same as the rest of the ship, except clear as glass. With the second CAPU added to the front and the Benhannon family emblem on the forecastle, the project was complete.

“That is a fine looking r
iverboat,” his father declared.

“It is more than fine,” Tim said and ran up the gangplank.

Gina followed her husband and Daniel motioned for his parents to go ahead of him. They walked the weather deck and then went into the forecastle where the galley, sleeping, and bathing quarters were located. The largest cabin belonged to the newlyweds and had a suitably large bed.

“I like the CAFs in the galley and bathing room and the fact you did not completely forget the needs of married people. I didn’t know you had spells to freshen the river water,” Gina said while testing the bed for comfort. “This appears to be firmly attached. We aren’t going to be sliding across the cabin.”

Daniel nodded his head. “All of the furniture is formed out of the floor and yes, I did think of the need for clean water.”

Tim sat on the end of the bed. “Any rearranging will require an Accomplished.”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “You are free to add whatever amenities suit you, but these items stay where they are.”

“And you placed them well enough,” his mother stated and then glanced at the open door. “What I want to see now is the helm.”

Gina’s eyes widened. “Is the wager ready to get underway?”

“Once we get it into the water,” Ronn answered and focused on his son.

Daniel nodded. “Go to the bridge, I will meet you all there, and stand well away from the steering wheel.”

They wasted
little time leaving the sleeping quarters and making for the helm. Daniel exited the Wager and took the knife from the sheath attached to his sword belt. He summoned potential, focused it through the level four crescendo, and levitated the wager into the air. The boat floated over to the river and he gently lowered it into the water. Immediately it began to drift downstream in the current. He cast, Conveyance, pictured the steering wheel, and him standing in front of it. Moments later he arrived and took hold of the wheel.

His parents, along with Tim and Gina surrounded him in an instant. A gold stand to the right of the wheel had three gemstones set within. “The emerald gives you forward speed, the amber reverse, and the sapphire contains the spell, Spout a Leak, to empty the bilge water,” he instructed and then touched the emerald.

The Wager began to move slowly forward and Daniel steered toward the middle. He gradually increased the amount of potential flowing into the CAPU and the bow of the Wager was soon slicing through the waves and picking up speed. He turned the broad white wheel to port and then starboard, steering the vessel back into the middle of the river. He let go of the emerald and touched the amber, quickly bringing the vessel to a stop and then removed his hands from the controls. “Who’s next?”

There was a great rush toward the helm as all four of them clearly wanted to pilot the Wager. “Modifying the Wager was Tim’s idea,” Daniel reminded everyone.

The drummer smiled and took his place at the helm. It took him awhile to get use to steering the Wager and some persuading to step aside and let Gina have a go. She caught the hang of it fairly quick and set a southerly course. “I think we can handle our chores from here. The Tannakonna River is not far and we can turn and follow it up to Konna Springs where we can purchase supplies, from there it is only a few spans up the mountain to Bashierwood.”

Tim nodded his approval and then fixed a stare. “Daniel, this does not mean you can keep or give away Tremor or Snowflake, we want our horses back.”

“Understood, I’ll get them to you, but there is something I want to do before you and Gina go about your chores,” Daniel replied. “Bring the Wager to the bank and step out, I’m not sure what would happen if I work the spell I have in mind while people are actually in the vessel.”

They made the
ir way off the boat and stood looking at the blue marvel having no oars, sails, or any other visible means of propulsion. The Wager turned out so well he decided it should serve as a template. He touched the side of the vessel, cast, Change It, and formed an identical boat from the mud of the bank. “Mom, what name do you want on the bow?”

His mother and father stared at the new boat and were speechless for several moments, before she finally said, “RiverDancer.”

Daniel cast the potential and focused at the bow. The name, RiverDancer, formed in gold lettering on both sides. “This gives you speed and mobility to go wherever you need be independently of me, if you so choose.” Not that he wanted them to go.

His father smiled. “We appreciate the use of this boat and we also intend to continue training your muster.”

“I am glad you will,” Daniel quickly responded. “I not only want you to train recruits, I want you both around to help me on projects like this.”

“That we will,” his mother promised.

Tim and Gina boarded the Wager and set a course for the Tannakonna River. Daniel motioned for his parents to proceed into the RiverDancer. They reached the helm and there the lecture began. “You need to be more cautious,” his mother stated while his father took hold of the wheel and touched the emerald.

The boat moved forward, following the Wager, which would head up the Tannakonna River at the merger, while the RiverDancer would continue on down to the Mighty Hirus, and then go west against the current. The decision whether or not to stop in Ducanton or head on up to the
Taltin Sea and into Port Valeen had not been settled. Daniel had chores waiting whichever choice they made.

“You take too many chances,” Ronn stated with his eyes forward, staring
at the river.

Daniel drank several glasses of water while wondering how he was supposed to be more cautious, and then replied, “I’m being as careful as a fox among sleeping hounds, but it is not easy with all the wolves baying at me.” He had little trust for Aakadon and knew the Serpent Guild was way ahead of him; wolves would be easier to deal with.

“Silvia told you about Della Lain’s flute having your blood on it,” Miriam reminded him as if he could possibly have forgotten.

They spoke to him this way because they cared, he knew this, and remembered an earlier conversation with Sherree. “My wife told me I am not allowed to throw myself recklessly into danger or wrestle any more mountain lions. Thanks, mom, for telling her about that.”

“You are welcome dear,” she replied and patted him on the cheek.

-------

Jathem Tallen stood with his shoulders straight and his head held high as Captain Yolan rode through the gates atop a palomino stallion into Fort Casum. The young man, recently promoted, had proven capable of command under extreme conditions. As a Lieutenant he bravely led his detachment against yetis in the Battle of Bashierwood, killing many, and with few casualties to the men of his unit. He now led the reinforcements, the bulk of which were lined up outside the log walls.

Lieutenant Benettle and Captain Johannan stood beside Jathem and both men seemed gladdened by the arrival of more fighting men. Only a person who knew them well could distinguish the fact given their grim faces. They might actually smile when the Northwestern Legion arrives in the evening.

Yolan dismounted and saluted. His face was darkened somewhat by whiskers that grew so fast he had to shave twice a day. “Captain Yolan, reporting as ordered.”

Jathem returned the salute. “You are a welcome addition. Come to my office and I will assign your task.”

“It will be as you say, General,” Yolan replied.

They no sooner entered the command post when Sergeant Rym Trothus of the Leopard Squad, a compact man having a neatly trimmed beard, making him look more like a sailor than a cavalryman, met them in the hall. “Private Lew Danner is dead with his throat slit from ear to ear.”

Johannan stepped faced to face with the sergeant. “Who is guarding the prisoners?”

“Whoever killed Danner also slew all fourteen of the prisoners,” Trothus replied in grim tones. His face reddened and well it should. His squad had the guard duty.

“Who is responsible for this?” Jathem demanded of his officers.

“I will learn who and why soon enough,” Captain Johannan declared. His face also reddened.

The very idea a person could infiltrate this fort and do murder was outrageous and Jathem grew angrier by the moment. The most likely suspect had to be a Pentrosan sent to prevent the prisoners from revealing sensitive information. Since the young Accomplished of the Eagle Guild moved into the Benhannon Holding, nothing of value had been learned from the prisoners. They were all members of the Sutton Guard; a fact Kall might want hidden bad enough to send an assassin.

Jathem needed facts, not speculation. “This fort is on lock down, no one comes in or goes out until a thorough search has been made for the culprit, and find out what else our uninvited guest has wrought.”

“It will be as you say, General,” Johannan replied with perspiration dripping from his brow. After all, Fort Casum is under his command, this occurrence and the weight of responsibility fell on him.

The wooden boards creaked beneath his feet as Jathem went to his office along with Benettle and Yolan. Half a mark later Johannan entered and stood in front of the desk with a written report in hand. He evidently chose not to take a seat as his fellow o
fficers had done.

“I am ready to receive your report, Captain. Give me the short version now and I will read the more detailed one in your hand in due time,” Jathem commanded and prepared to hear bad news. The strain on the Captain’s face hinted at what was to follow.

“Food has been stolen from the supply room,” Johannan began, perhaps wanting to start with the less pleasant occurrences first and then build up to the worst. “Your room is in disarray along with those of Lord Jonah and each of the Royal Knights of the Realm. Whoever entered your quarters apparently took nothing yet clearly was looking for some item.”

The Knights of the Realm were on their way to Sir Daniel’s holding, as would soon be Captain Yolan and his two thousand horsemen. Jathem intended to go there shortly, but this development troubled him enough to postpone his plan for another mark or so. The latest report sent from Sir Daniel
spoke of a permanent Sutton Guard fortress being built just a few spans from the border, grim news to be sure, and the main reason most everyone was heading for the Benhannon compound. As for what the intruder had been looking for, there was one item of strategic importance in the area Jathem knew about. “The flute of Della Lain is the only object I can think of that would be of interest to the army north of the border.”

Johannan licked his lips, a nervous habit of his, and then nodded his head. “If the item of interest is the flute, and I believe it is, the Aakacarns reported to be assisting General Kall would in deed be seeking the ancient instrument, and the person or persons responsible for the killings could be Accomplisheds of the Serpent Guild.
Fort Casum has been searched most thoroughly and I can say with certainty the intruder is no longer within these walls.” No wonder the Captain’s nerves were on edge, the thought of an Aakacarn assassin was a thing of nightmares.

Yolan leaned forward in his chair. “If the assassin is an Aakacarn, bringing him or her to account is going to be hazardous in the extreme. I volunteer to hunt this intruder.”

Jathem understood the zeal of the young officer, yet had no intention of changing his plans. “Captain Johannan and his men will remain here at Fort Casum and will relay information to the other forts as is necessary. He will find out how the perpetrator managed to get in, so it does not happen again, and bring the person responsible to justice. You will lead your men north to the Benhannon Holding, where tents will be pitched within the walls near each of the gates, and prepare to defend the wall or lead an offensive charge out, depending on the circumstances.”

The young officer stood up and saluted. “It will be as you say, General.”

Jathem watched as the two captains exited his office. Lieutenant Benettle drew in a deep breath. The red-haired man had been his aid for years and had dragged his wounded body to safety a time or two. Benettle’s bravery and devotion to duty were unquestioned. “General, it was my understanding we would be moving to the Benhannon Holding with Yolan’s men.”

Jathem glanced at the report on his desk. “I’m going to read this document. When the Northwestern Legion arrives, we will travel with General Malcus to Sir Daniel’s holding.”