To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (62 page)

“Task completed,” Jeremiah sent through the array.

“The job is done,” Samuel sent.

“The south wall is down,” Sero reported.

“East wall is down,” Sherree informed him.

“The north section is gone,” Carlos sent.

“The Royal Guardsmen’s barracks are no more,” Simon reported an extra bit of destruction. Since it did not bring harm to the staff or slow down the mission, the addition was acceptable.

“The chores here are done,” Daniel declared. “It is time to go back to the conference room.”

He waited until each person conveyed from the city before casting the spell himself, taking a big risk. A circle of fifty appeared eighty strides away and energy beams and lightning bolts flew at him. He released the potential for Conveyance, the blackness of in between here and there enveloped him, carrying him away just before the deadly spells struck empty air, and moments later he sat at the table with his fellow raiders. The assault had gone perfectly and none of his people had been hurt. He laughed out loud, releasing the pent up tension.
That was close. Those Aakacarns might have killed him!

“What we did was a pinprick but it makes known to the Queen her city is not inviolate,” Jeremiah said from his seat, and very nearly smiled. Another successful raid might actually earn a half smile. A full grin might be impossible, but there was hope.

“We were in and out of there in fractions of a mark. The Serpents aren’t the only ones capable of launching lightning raids and now they know it,” Samuel said with a grin, clearly pleased at giving the enemy a taste of what the rest of the world had been experiencing.

“We will definitely be doing this sort of thing more often,” Daniel told them, still feeling pleased by the success.

The First Lady’s smile showed white teeth. “Thank you Simon for not combining our substances with that of the wall,” Sherree said, causing the sandy-haired Accomplished to raise his left eyebrow quizzically. He clearly did not expect that sort of playful statement from her.

“It would look terrible on his resume if he had,” Daniel lightly threw in the comment.

“I would not want such a blunder on my record,” Simon replied, adding to the good-natured banter.

Sherree’s smile slowly dissipated to a firm line. “The hit on the guardsmen’s barracks was unsanctioned. While I agree it was a legitimate target of opportunity, your independent action could have resulted in a blunder. You were supposed to be near the west wall and watching the back of our Maestro. There were thousands of Aakacarns in the city and we managed to strike and run before they could converge on any of us. I conveyed from there to here with the belief you would be the last after my husband.” This she stated while reaching over and pulling the arrow from Daniel’s cloak, ripping the hood half off as the shaft came free. Amber light radiated from her and in moments the cloak was restored, good as new.

Sherree was the sweetest and nicest person in the world, but Daniel knew the quickest way for anyone to rile his wife was for them to do put him in harm’s way. “I waited for everyone to go. It was not Simon’s fault.”

Those emerald green eyes shifted to him and Daniel could feel the intensity behind them. “He is your Chief Aid, Sero is your assistant, and Carlos is your personal bodyguard. As Maestro, your will is to be done but as my husband, you really should allow them to do their jobs. My love, I know your nature is to place their safety above your own but we cannot afford to lose you. Emotionally, I am not prepared for the loss, and so I ask that you promise not to do this again.”

“I concur with the First Lady,” Jeremiah backed her up.

Simon’s face flushed red. “When we spoke earlier, I promised to keep an eye on him, and I did, through my scouts and Find All. If any danger had arisen, I would have been there instantly, and my scouts would have alerted him immediately, so I felt it was safe enough to work a little mischief of my own,” he stated and then focused on Daniel. “From now on, I leave with you or after you, but not before.” Apparently the arrow convinced him his Maestro had not been safe.

“That’s right, with or after but not before,” Sero took his stand on the issue.

Carlos folded his arms over his chest. “I prefer to convey with you into or out of whatever situation may arise”

Daniel knew this was not an issue to be mule-headed about, especially since they were right, and he had place himself at risk. “I agree to abide by your requests most of the time but it is a quarter to one in the morning and I want to go to bed and Sherree is the only person I want to be there with me.”

His statement lowered the tension by several degrees as they realized he was not going to overrule them. Sero stepped closer. “Maestro, before you go, I ask that you allow me to top off your vat.”

Daniel nodded affirmatively, seeing as Sherree would have insisted had he done otherwise. He removed his personal shield, allowing contact with Sero’s hand. The familiar tingling, caused by flowing energy, began and then abruptly cut off. The Demfilian-born Accomplished stepped back, eyes widening as if something extraordinary and completely unexpected had just happened.

“Why did you stop?” Sherree asked before Daniel could voice the question.

Sero threw his arms out wide. “He does not need it.”

Daniel summoned the potential for, What Is This, and focused inward at his vat. The difference had been made up, replenished with topaz blue potential. Before he could make the announcement, Sherree’s hand was against his forehead and the tingle that followed was a result of her assessment. “Your life force is replenishing,” she announced softly with tears streaming from her eyes.

“That was the longest six months of my life,” Simon commented. “I was beginning to think Jennel was wrong and you would never again have ever replenishing and increasing life force energy.”

Samuel and Jeremiah had the faraway look consistent with communicating through arrays. Word would spread like wildfire in dry grass throughout the guild and that suited Daniel well enough. His people needed good news and so did he. Carlos and Sero each congratulated him.

“I still want you two by my side,” Daniel assured the pair.

“I am pleased to continue as you bodyguard,” Carlos replied with a quick nod of the head.

“I am pleased to continue offering assistance,” Sero said in a relieved tone, as if he had not been sure of keeping his position.

“I think we should go to bed,” Sherree voiced a thought Daniel found very appealing.

The fire stoking in those emerald eyes guaranteed a private celebration that could last for marks. “I want all of you to get some rest, except the First Lady,” Daniel said, and then took hold of Sherree’s hand, and started for the door.

They went to their bedroom and the unspoken guarantee came to pass and it was marks before they were satiated and ready to sleep through the rest of the night. A kiss brought him out of the world of slumber marks later and he blinked until being able to focus on his beloved. Sherree’s eyes were sparkling with unshed tears, yet the contours of her face suggested joy. “Are you still happy my life force energy is replenishing?” he asked.

Sherree nodded and her smile widened. “I am happy about that and also because I am pregnant.”

Lena Beyers firmly believed in following the traditions handed down from the ancient of days and up until recently never doubted the wisdom of abiding by them, no matter the circumstances. She never dreamed on this day, the one hundredth anniversary of her becoming Maestro of the Sun Guild, that she would consider bending a few rules, and reversing some laws. While sitting in her traditional seat at the table in the conference room within the ruby pyramid, she watched as two Maestros explained why they, as had she, voted for the current proclamation proposed by Terroll Barnes.

Geran DuSorin leaned back in his chair while resting his right hand on the table, as if firmly holding onto his position while distancing himself from the Grand Maestro. “Daniel Benhannon is the Chosen Vessel, the citizens of Aakadon and our allies need to know where we stand on the issue, and this proclamation will set the record straight. Thousands of my Accomplisheds of the Aqua Guild have given their lives in Cenkataar and Aczencopa, and even so we have been losing ground to the Serpents. Without the Ducaunan Accomplished we are unable to mount an offensive. Frankly, your plans have us in a better position to take down the Atlantan Guild than they do for us to defend against Vance Cummin and his guild.”

The fingers of Efferin’s right hand were drumming a marshal rhythm, reflecting his displeasure of the criticism. “The proclamation all seven of you just voted for will only serve to confuse the record. By our existing law, the finding unanimously enacted not many months ago, the Atlantan Guild is illegitimate, and so is its’ self-proclaimed Maestro. How do you propose we explain how an enemy of Aakadon is also the one to lead us to victory in this war?”

David Svennar cleared his throat while interlocking his fingers and tapping his thumbs together. “Days ago Daniel Benhannon and his guild successfully launched a midnight raid on Kay Toll and that says it all. He and his Accomplisheds have the mobility we lack and can take the fight to the enemy. What Benhannon lacks is the number of Aakacarns needed to achieve victory over Tarin Conn and his allies. We need him and he needs us, tell that to the people.”

Lena had been waiting for the right moment in which to speak up and decided this was the perfect beat in the chorus to add her voice. “Grand Maestro, you sent the young man to challenge Balen Tamm and the Ducaunan defeated him and took out the entire Serpent base, might it not be prudent to have the Creator’s Champion once again in your orchestra?” Under his leadership, was the implication she hoped to impress upon him.

Efferin’s eyes locked onto hers and he gave a slight nod of gratitude, clearly perceiving the deeper meaning of her words. “The Maestro of the Sun Guild is correct and has made an excellent point. As Maestro Reese once expressed to me, the quest to recover the baton of Tarin Conn was the crossbow and Daniel Benhannon was the bolt I launched straight at Balen Tamm. We are losing this war and therefore need the Chosen Vessel. Yes, for the record, I do now believe Accomplished Benhannon is the Creator’s Champion. Victory will require a coordinated effort and that cannot happen until we meet with him and settle our differences. I trust you have all received the report about the abomination forming in the womb of Sherree Jenna, well that is just one of the matters to be settled.”

Everyone nodded without commenting on the pregnancy, it troubled Lena to the core of her beliefs, and yet she would not allow those feelings to cloud her judgment. “The unborn child is an issue to be settled at a later date, as the Maestro of the Zephyr Guild often says, let us take one step at a time.”
Did he recognize the cue?

Terroll Barnes glanced her way at the mention of his name while the other Maestro’s were glancing at him. He took the initiative as she hoped he would. “Aakasears, historically speaking, have a difficult time conforming to the restrictions we Aakacarns must follow. We are temporarily at odds with Daniel Benhannon, yet an accommodation must be made or else Tarin Conn will win this War of the Champions. I propose a delegation be sent to Ducanton with the goal of reaching that accommodation.”

“I second the proposal,” Talmon Reese stated. “Benhannon knows his responsibility as the Vessel and will listen to us if assurances are made by the Grand Maestro, whose authority is the highest among us.”

For the first time in many months Efferin smiled at the Maestro of the Eagle Guild. “Well said, I will give those assurances and a vote of the Maestros on the matter need not be taken. I will make this decree; The Chosen Vessel must work with us. I, Maestro Reese, Maestro Barnes, and Instructor Renn will represent Aakadon, the last two because Daniel Benhannon trusts them. The issues regarding him being a Maestro and his illegitimate guild must be settled or all will be lost. Consequently, we four will meet a mark from now to discuss each ones part in persuading the Vessel and his pregnant bride to work with us toward the defeat of Tarin Conn, and in a manner befitting Accomplisheds of Aakadon.”

“Since the issue concerns the commoners as well, I suggest emissaries from Cenkataar, Aczencopa, Serinia, Taracopa, Lobenia, and King Jaim, be included,” Lena proposed.

“It was a good faith gesture on Cleona’s part in allowing the Ecoppians to pass through her realm when Ecoplis fell,” Terroll Barnes shared his opinion. “Eighteen thousand men, including the royal guardsmen, were escorted to the Gosian River and permitted to sail here to Aakadon. I believe the Ducaunans will agree to host the conference.”

“The Ecoppians were escorted by pythons, those war-boats the Ducaunans modelled after the Serpent’s anacondas,” Runyen added his knowledge of the passage. “Shipwrights all over Ducaun have been building the things, but the quantities now being reported suggest the Atlantans are also now mass producing the boats for the royal navy. This is another reason why we, and in particular our allies, need the Vessel on our side. I agree with Maestro Beyers, the commoners ought to be included.”

The Grand Maestro’s eyes tracked around the table and then he sat up straighter. “I approve of the addition suggested by Maestro Beyers and call for the meeting to take place ten days hence. Now, all we have to do is get word to Queen Cleona without alarming the Atlantan Guild. We want to avoid the use of lethal spells.”

“Grand Maestro,” Talmon spoke up. “I can send Senior Soarer Bella Sander to Ducanton. The Scholar is in Bashierwood and may have the means to contact Accomplished Cresh. Bella is also a person I believe Daniel Benhannon holds in high regard.”

“Perfect, Daniel’s tutor, along with a respected Instructor, and a highly regarded Scholar of Aakadon, will ensure his trust. Talmon, contact the elder Accomplished and verify he has the means to contact Cresh. If he does, then transportation to Ducanton for the Senior Soarer will be arranged by the Atlantans,” Efferin said and smiled while wiping his hands together. It was rare for him to express such enthusiasm and even more rare for him to plan on personally traveling beyond the gates of this city.

“It will be as you say, Grand Maestro,” Talmon replied.

Lena sat pondering over the speed in which the Grand Maestro changed his attitude towards the seven-bolt Accomplished during the course of the meeting, hostile at the beginning, disapproving of the vote in the middle, and now conciliatory and eager to reach an accommodation at the end. Three of the five Accomplisheds who will be in Ducanton are people Daniel is likely to trust, Lena was sure, but should he?

-----

Daniel, dressed in his Knightly uniform, leaned back in his seat at the conference table in the royal palace. His helmet was on the table like those of the other attendees but the communication array stayed on his head. Traditionally, only the Queen and the Prince Consort wore something atop their heads on these occasions, crowns mostly, and everyone else sat with heads uncovered. His wearing of the array had nothing to do with his reputation for breaking traditions and everything to do with the necessity of instant communications. His Accomplisheds were involved in, or very close to, every battle taking place, and they gave him up to date information. Consequently, everyone in this meeting would be more concerned if he attended without the device.

Sir Jed Cofee sat down next to him. The much older Knight possessed gray hair and a steady gaze, reflecting a keen intelligence. “Greetings brother,” he said. “Clearly the Chamberlain decided the oldest should sit with the youngest Knight.”

Daniel leaned toward him. “She probably thinks I will behave better.”

Sir Jed smiled, winked, and said, “Or the other way around.”

“My greetings to you gentlemen,” said Sir Jon Loffer whose crooked nose clearly had been broken many times in the past. He took his seat at the table beside Sir Lynel DuDaren, a man with close-set eyes and a scar on his right cheek.

Sir Laurence Dugan, seated beside Sir Carlo Bencofer, had a touch of gray in his hair that served to make him appear distinguished. Carlo, who was the closet in age to Daniel and the first Knight he had met, was in his late thirties with dark hair and brown eyes. His mustache was neatly trimmed, although his face was a bit thinner since the last time Daniel met up with him. Sir William Bonner, tall and thin, walked in along with Sir Tomas Zollaf, a rugged man with a weathered face, and they quickly took their seats at the table. Tomas had a reputation for devoting twice as much time patrolling the kingdom than his brother Knights of the Realm, but that was before the call to muster. In Daniel’s opinion the only time he and his fellow Knights were not directly involved in the defense of the realm was when they were seated in this room. Not all of the Generals and Knights could be at this meeting, someone had to stay out in the field, and carry on the war.

General Sanfred Malcus, a lean, gray-haired man, who commanded the Northwestern Legion, had a neatly trimmed white beard. General Tallen, a middle-aged man possessing few wrinkles, a round face, and more muscle than fat, sat beside him. Admiral Georgin Dusantus, Commander of the Royal Navy, completed the line of the martial participants in the meeting. His white beard neatly followed a narrow jaw and was trimmed to precisely one finger-width in length. This was a man who demanded precision from himself and others. Every one of the men with the exception of Georgin had been conveyed to the capitol by the Accomplished assigned to them from the Department of Emissaries.

The Admiral reached across General Tallen, who leaned back in his chair. “Sir Daniel, I want to thank you for the new pythons and for assigning each an Accomplished. The contribution is making a big difference in the Taltin Sea and in the rivers of Ducaun.”

Daniel shook his hand. “We must help each other. My patrol boats cannot do the chore alone so Design and Development provides new war-boats and you provide the crews.”

“That sounds like a fine arrangement,” General Tallen remarked. “I am pleased with the deathsticks, point the club, press the ruby, and the target falls dead.”

It was one of the Accomplished in Design and Development, who thought to make a nightstick and use Die Now in CPA rather than Sleep Time. Daniel had tasked them with thinking up weapons, and the deathsticks were one of the results. “We provide better weapons and like Admiral Dusantus, you provide the man power. It would be better for us if the Serpents were not providing similar weapons to their allies.”

“And that is one of the topics to be discussed in this meeting,” General Malcus entered the conversation.

His statement went unremarked upon due to the people now flooding through the door. Prime Minister Xan DuTobin came in wearing his purple robe of office and royal hawk medallion. His craggy face gave him a distinguished appearance, rather than being ugly and his stout frame showed him to be a man who liked to eat. Behind him came three ministers of the cabinet, each in their official scarlet robes and slightly smaller hawk medallions.

Finance Minister Bret Benhooman usually had a cheerful air about him. The man was the friendliest government official in the realm, far less stuffy than his peers, and yet he seemed unable to smile in these trying times. Rey Callerin, the Minister of Health sat beside him. Both men kept their beards short and had traces of gray in their black hair. Defense Minister Joshua Raven shook hands with Sir Tomas before taking a seat. Raven’s hair was dark as the feathers of the bird after which his family in the Geble region had taken the name.

Cleona, along with the Prince Consort, entered the room, everyone stood up and bowed before the Queen and then took their seats. “I admit the reports are grim. It is impossible to stop the raids. Circles of Serpents appear briefly, cause destruction, and then teleport away, unless Sir Daniel’s muster of Aakacarns arrive in time to kill them. Even so, the damage is done and we must endure,” Her Majesty stated. “I want to hear the most recent developments, starting with the Prime Minister.”

DuTobin began his report in a sonorous tone and Daniel created a compartment in his mind to receive the information while he pondered other matters. Through the eyes of Buraker he could see his sasquatches encountering yetis under the control of the Serpent Guild in southern Ducaun. Gurrumble, the largest male, picked up a yeti and tossed it head first into a tree, nearly splitting off the thick branch in the process of breaking the neck of the white shaggy beast.

Rumble dropped out of a tree and onto the shoulders of a large yeti, snapping bones on the way to the ground, none of which were his own. The huge son of Gurrumble then slammed his elbow into the face of his opponent, breaking its front teeth. He rolled to his feet, stomped down on the throat, and the sound of crunching bone carried clearly across the distance. Rumble’s head turned right and left and then he sprang back up into the tree, leaving the yeti’s lifeless body on the ground.