To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (48 page)

They passed through the brass gates of the palace, on the highest of the seven hills within the city. The gold-banded dome of the royal residence shined like a mirror and was difficult to stare at in daylight. The grounds and manor were well protected and anyone foolish enough to attack the gate would soon learn the brass was only a covering for heavy-gaged Zunean steel. Royal Guardsmen, in their green and gold uniforms, were stationed all about the place, four at each gate, squads along the walls, and patrolling the grounds. All of them had swords and the ones at the gates and entranceways each had a halberd.

“Greetings, Sir Daniel,” called Guardsman Carper, who not so long ago travelled south through the Swamps of Append and up into the Foot Hills of Pentrosa under Daniel’s command.

“Lonni, it is good to see you again,” Daniel replied, after he and Sherree stepped out of the coach. “I see you have earned a stripe. Well done Corporal.”

He knew all of the guards since the days spent training in the Whetstone, a huge indoor facility where the royal guardsmen honed, trained, and practiced their martial skills. Even so, Carper was the only one in this group who had campaigned with him.

“Everyone who served under your command has been promoted,” Lonni replied. “What we achieved together reflected well on our records of service.”

“I’m glad,” Daniel replied, and then noticed Sherree paying Lawrence for the ride. “I would like to stay and chat but I’m late and must be going.”

“Of course, Sir Daniel, I understand,” Carper replied.

Half way to the palace, Captain Naith Bremen, a man of average height with short brown hair and a broad chin, met them along with burly Ursen Vallun. Daniel knew the Captain of the Guard well, but had worked with Ursen on the same campaign which led to the Foot Hills of Pentrosa. Both men saluted and Daniel returned the acknowledgement.

“Sir Daniel, I was told you would be here earlier,” Bremen informed as if he had been inconvenienced in some way.

“Your information was accurate,” Daniel replied without apology. “Sergeant Vallun, I see Corporal Carper was not exaggerating about the career advancements that came of our little journey.”

The powerful man not only possessed the strength of an ox, he once served as the bonesetter for the company. With a nose that appeared to have been broken more than a few times in the past, massive arms, and thick fingers, few people would suspect the man actually had a sensitive side. He smiled now. “I am pleased to have been among the select group that went on the journey. So much so, I would be the first to volunteer if the Queen chooses to send you on another mission requiring a detachment of Royal Guardsmen.”

“I would be honored to have you on such a mission,” Daniel replied while Sherree motioned with her head for him to get a move on, and so they, including the Captain and Sergeant, hustled across the courtyard and up the steps into the palace.  

Chamberlain Cherian Bercassie met them just inside the massive doors. The stately gray-haired woman, with hands folded together, sniffed the air as if something pungent assaulted her olfactory nerves. “Her Majesty is in the private chamber and it is the first time I remember anyone keeping her waiting. The schedule is now running behind and I can brook no further delay,” she stated primly and eyed Sherree as if unsure of the reason for her presence.

Daniel gave the Chamberlain a respectful nod of the head. “I apologize for the inconvenience, an emergency came up, and I was compelled to settle it. Please, take us to the Queen. Accomplished Jenna needs to be included in this meeting and those that follow.”

She fixed a firm stare at the beautiful Lobenian and then nodded. “If you will both follow me, I can get you to the Queen before my appointments are thrown completely out of sequence.”

Daniel did not need to be led to the chamber, but walked behind Cherian with Sherree at his side. The Captain and Sergeant waited in the hall while Cherian led him and his yet-to-be-announced wife, into a room with comfortable chairs and an elegantly carved table. Paintings decorated the back and side wall. One was a picture of the palace and the other a portrait of the Queen’s mother.

Cleona was sitting at the table. She waved the Chamberlain away and then gestured to Daniel, “Come, have a seat and we will talk,” she said in the manner of one who is accustomed to being obeyed. Her eyes widened at the sight of an Accomplished in the blue silks of the Atlantan Guild taking a seat next to him. “I greet you Accomplished Jenna, though it has been some time since we last met. You were wearing the silks of Aakadon back then. I had heard you recently severed ties with the Aloe Guild and are now numbered among those who serve my Knight.”

That last she said in a tone suggesting a personal possession, indicating she expected complete loyalty from her Knights of the Realm. Her attention switched back to him. “You were scheduled to give me a private report in this chamber, a report that should have started a third of a mark ago, and a third of a mark from now, we will be in the large conference room for the formal meeting of my Knights and Generals. While Accomplished Meado has been keeping me generally informed of your activities, I now desire a more specific report from you.”

Daniel knew she was displeased, it was never a good thing to keep a monarch waiting, even one whose favor you have been recently enjoying. “I apologize, my Queen, for the delay. On the way to the palace I captured and restored a Condemned less than a span from the royal residence. The young man, whom I have dealt with in accordance with your previous instructions, is Lyal Van Kestrel.”

The Queen raised her right hand in a gesture meant to halt the explanation, which it did. “You are speaking about the son of Lord Zakeriah Van Kestrel?”

Daniel nodded, “The very one.”

Cleona’s calculating eyes seemed to reflect a mind rummaging through the political ramifications of what she just heard and the conclusion brought a smile to her face. “It is clear you have served me twice over with one deed. A Condemned in the capitol cannot be tolerated and the missing son of a Taracopian Lord has been found and rescued by a Ducaunan Royal Knight of the Realm. Now, before you give me a detailed report of what happened to you at Shantear, which should include why you have not replaced the communication amulet that no longer functions, and end with how I am supposed to justify to Clarees why one of my Knight’s has claimed a huge mountain in her realm, I want to hear why Accomplished Jenna is here in this room.”

Daniel glanced at his beloved, who nodded affirmatively. “Your Royal Majesty, I present to you, Sherree Oben Jenna Benhannon, Lady of the Benhannon Lands, First Lady of the Atlantan Guild, a Two-bolt Accomplished.”

Cleona’s eyes widened and her face flushed redder by the moment. Daniel was sure she was about to unleash a royal tirade when she burst out laughing. He and Sherree continued to exchange glances until the Queen finally composed herself. “Oh, Daniel, it seems like everything you do is designed to poke the bear in the ribs, the bear being Aakadon. I honestly did not believe there was anything more you could do to rile Efferin Tames more than he already is and yet again you managed to go beyond expectations. Oh, do not misunderstand, I am happy for you both and gladly give my royal blessing on the union, even so, there will be trouble. Is this marriage to be kept a secret?”

Daniel was pleased she was taking the news so well. “As my wife mentioned to me not long ago, truth will out, so our marriage is no longer to be hidden. The Grand Maestro likely believes the world centers around him but our decision to marry had nothing to do with how he feels about anything and all to do with our feelings for each other. I would be a mummy with Shantear as my tomb if not for her.”

Cleona nodded her head and settled back in her chair. “We have a quarter of a mark to go, tell me about Shantear.”

Daniel gave an in depth account of how the Symphonic spells drained him, about Sherree reviving him, and the need for donations of life force energy. “So that is why I have not made any communication amulets. The power in me is not my own and therefore the spell would be unable to lock onto a specific life force. We don’t know when my own energy will begin to replenish.”

The Queen’s eyes widened at the explanation. “I knew something more happened to you at Shantear than was made known. I am grateful for Sherree Oben’s presence and her quick intervention in the Great Crystal, and her part in the casting. These things are good to know but Daniel, it would give me great comfort to know what is keeping the Dark Maestro from wielding his power unchecked.”

  Daniel had no qualms over giving her the information. “What occurred within the Great Crystal is sealed to those who participated in the castings, yet I will tell you this much because you are my Queen, and trust you not to divulge the fact. I placed a shield on Tarin Conn’s potential and tied it to his life force. In effect, he is the living crescendo onto which the Da Capo of the spell is tied.”

“That means the only way for him to be free is to die,” Cleona concluded what Simon had upon hearing the same information.

“Tarin Conn is an Aakasear, talented, creative, and cunning. Just because I cannot think of a way for him to be free short of death, does not mean he will not find a way,” Daniel cautioned her against being over confident.

Sherree ended a long moment of silence by explaining about the morning harmonics coming from Mount Filia, the new home of the Dark Maestro, and the deal made with Clarees. “I knew by your reference to my Oben heritage that you understood the ties between Daniel and me and the Lobenian royal family.”

Cleona focused on the Lady of House Benhannon. “When Daniel used your full name in the introduction, I realized there was a way to politically end the severe strain his taking of Shantear has placed on Ducaun’s ties to Lobenia. Frankly, if you had not gone to New Oben and worked out an understanding with Clarees, I do not think the breech would ever have been mended. The Serpents infest Lobenia and she needs one of my Knights to purge her realm of them. This too can only help to improve relations.”

“According to Daniel’s Teki Seer, Silvia, if he does not win the trust of Clarees and Van Efery, Ducaun will fight the War of the Champions alone,” Sherree wisely added to the conversation.

“Then the delay caused by rescuing Van Kestrel is even more justified. The young lord might well be a key in you earning Van Efery’s trust. I will have Minister Terren and his ambassadors help lay the ground work for you in Tara but cannot promise more. After all, the young man’s father is a leader among the rebels,” Cleona replied, and then her eyes seemed to glow with an inner fire and she smiled. “Daniel, I wish you to check my health.”

“Of course,” he replied and then leaned forward over the table so he could reach her forehead.

The spell, How Do You Feel, played in his head, summing the potential, and he became aware of her bodily functions. Respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, musculature, skeletal, all systems were functioning flawlessly, and so was the reproductive system with a perfectly healthy baby developing in her womb. “You are going to have a daughter.” He announced and did not hold back the smile. This was a woman who until recently had no chance of having a baby.

Tears of joy gushed from her eyes and down the royal cheeks. Cleona had produced the next heir to the throne. “I have known for a little while that a babe is forming within me, and hoped for a girl. Now I know and it is all because of the healing you gave me.”

“I would think Prince Collin had some part in the matter,” Sherree was quick to say.

“Collin is just as thrilled as I and we hope to produce more children, girls and boys,” Cleona replied.

Cherian opened the door but did not come in. “Your Generals and Royal Knights of the Realm are entering the conference room. Lords Tirana and Tomlin will be arriving shortly by means of the Accomplisheds assigned to them by Sir Daniel’s Guild.”

“We are finished here and will rise momentarily,” Cleona responded, after wiping her cheeks and affecting a regal pose. She faced Daniel. “Your Accomplisheds certainly have increased the speed of communications in Ducaun. My missives reach their destinations quicker than my heralds can saddle their horses. I can summon leaders from all over the realm and have them here within the mark.”

“Considering the number of invasions on land and sea the kingdom has endured of late, the Atlantan Guild Department of Emissaries has been a major asset in the passing of information, along with the Department of Communications,” Daniel replied, justifiably pleased by the efforts of the people working with him.

“I agree and those threats and how to deal with them will be the very topic of the coming meeting,” Cleona said and stood up, which allowed Daniel and Sherree to rise.

They exited the chamber and headed for the conference room. Her Majesty would be the last to enter.

“Well, at least we will be seated before Tirana or Tomlin,” Sherree mentioned as if trying to find a bright spot. “Was it for the sake of brevity you left out one glaring danger?”

“If you are referring to the thousands of Accomplisheds within a day’s ride of Shantear, I left it out because this is a matter between the Atlantan Guild and Aakadon,” Daniel replied. “We are not abandoning Shantear and Efferin is too obstinate to back off. He has been a determined opponent since the day he learned of my lightning bolts and his animosity has only grown with time. I have been trying very hard to see the actions taken against me by Aakadon as misguided and born of ignorance and therefore have been lenient with them. The stakes are too high right now. I cannot allow them to do the work of Tarin Conn, which is exactly what they are doing every time they throw an obstacle in my path. If those Accomplisheds are foolish enough to attack Shantear, then they are going against the Creator’s Chosen Vessel, His Champion, and will be treated no differently than those who are willfully serving the Champion of Evil.”