To Challenge a Maestro

by John Buttrick

  “They claim Daniel Benhannon killed Balen Tamm, they do not know the particulars or understand how, and frankly neither can I, but they believe their Maestro is dead at the hands of our unaffiliated Accomplished.” Jerrian confirmed.

  “I have received no reports on Balen Tamm’s status, if he is dead, this is a great day,” Talmon sent in response, unable to enlighten the Five-bolt as to how Daniel could defeat the Maestro of the Serpent Guild since the information was sealed to Efferin’s office. “Ships should be sailing up the Gosian. Leave the Zephyr team and proceed to the river and board one of the vessels. They are headed to Mount Gosian where I believe the confrontation took place. You are to take charge of the mission. Your presence will be essential if matters turn out as I suspect.”

  There was a hesitation as if Jerrian might have dropped the amulet. Time passed and he eventually replied, “Then you must have fairly strong evidence to give you cause to believe Balen Tamm is dead and we finally know the location of the Serpent Guild. Your will be done, Maestro. I shall assume command of the mission, proceed to Gosian, and not inquire as to what makes you so certain of your facts,” he replied and ended the communication.

  Talmon was not surprised his Lead Investigator, second in command of the Eagle Guild, had figured out information was being kept from him, was wise enough not to inquire deeper, and managed to let the fact be known. Jerrian was no fool and he was reminding Talmon of the fact. The Maestro of the Eagle Guild opened his desk and removed an amulet given to all Maestros but rarely used, one linked directly to Efferin Tames.

  - - - - - - -

  Terroll Barnes sat in the office of Janna Barroon. The appointment he requested with the Maestro of the Aloe Guild the day Daniel arrived in Aakadon finally arrived but events were out pacing him. The Maestro level spell casting to the north could only have been his former student confronting Balen Tamm. The harmonic waves stopped marks ago, indicating the matter is settled and this meeting might be for naught.

  “I understand you requested a spell to ease a tormented mind,” Janna began the conversation. Her wheat colored hair was bound in a braid hanging straight down her back and her blue eyes were the color of the sky.

  “I did on behalf of Daniel Benhannon. At the time I did not know how long it would take for the Grand Maestro to sever the link formed by Tarin Conn. I was hoping there was a Melody in your repertoire that could help the young man in coping with the stress,” Terroll told her.

  She steepled her hands, brought them to her lips, and then folded them in her lap. “There are spells that can ease a troubled mind. In the case of Accomplished Benhannon, treatment can be provided if the link cannot be broken. As has been made clear by the Grand Maestro, the young man chose to go after the Baton of Tarin Conn rather than seek the very treatment you are inquiring on his behalf about. We both know by the harmonic waves that the attempt has been made. I cannot truly fathom how a newly raised Accomplished can successfully challenge a Maestro, can you?” The question was deliberately provocative.

  Terroll was on dangerous ground, having been forbidden by Efferin to speak of Daniel’s rank, even though it was obvious to everyone with a modicum of sense that the Ducaunan was far more powerful than normal. “I would gladly explain how if I were at liberty to do so.”

  Janna smiled and nodded her head affirmatively. “It would seem our Grand Maestro is sealing to his office quite a bit of information that should perhaps be shared with his Maestros.”

  “He has his reasons, but I believe events will soon out pace him,” Terroll replied.

  “What can you tell me?” she asked.

  Terroll opened his mouth to speak when a voice sounded in his head. He raised his right hand and brought pointer finger to thumb, signaling to his host he was receiving a communication, and she nodded in acknowledgment.

  “Maestro, this is Johan Reed, River Team leader,” the three-bolt Accomplished sent.

  “Acknowledged, make your report,” Terroll sent back.

  “Balen Tamm is dead!”

  Several moments passed before Terroll realized his mouth was open and then he closed it. Janna’s eyes widened at seeing his reaction. “Where did you get that information, can it be trusted?” he responded, trying hard not to become overly excited before receiving more facts.

  “When we arrived at the site we found a refurbished vessel salvaged from the river resting on the north bank. The name, Wager, is deeply burnt into the bow. The boat had no masts and looked to be completely inaccessible, no hatch or any obvious entranceway. There were fifteen Accomplished of the Serpent Guild guarding the vessel. We fought them, killed two, captured six, and the rest teleported from the vicinity. All six captives are extremely upset, not that they were being detained but that their Maestro was killed by Daniel Benhannon.”

  “Do they know where Daniel is?” Terroll asked. “Wager,” that had to be Tim, Daniel’s sense of humor was more subtle.

  There was a pause as the gemstone apparently was no longer in contact with Johan’s forehead. Eventually the contact was once again established. “They say Daniel can teleport and that he could be anywhere between Aakadon and Mount Kelgotha.”

  “But is he alive and is there any mention of Tim Dukane?” Terroll wanted confirmation.

  “They believe he is and they know nothing of Tim Dukane,” Johan replied.

  “You have done well, Accomplished. Finish up at the site and return to Aakadon with the captives,” Terroll told him, while hoping both young men were uninjured.

  “Acknowledged, your will be done, Maestro,” Johan replied and the link broke off.

  This information was new and therefore not sealed to the Grand Maestro’s office. Terroll just could not keep something so vital and ground shaking from his fellow Maestro. “Balen Tamm is dead. Daniel won the confrontation and then teleported from Mount Gosian.”

  Janna’s jaw dropped open but she regained her poise quicker than Terroll had his. “How could he win? Is this confirmed?” she asked cautiously.

  “Six captive members of the Serpent Guild all believe it to be true. As to how, and this is unconfirmed speculation on my part, I believe Daniel Benhannon may be the Chosen Vessel,” he told her and waited for her to laugh.

  Janna Barroon did not so much as crack a smile. She stared at Terroll for awhile and then came to some decision. “I do not know enough to agree or disagree with you. A month ago I would have dismissed the notion out of hand, but events have been swirling around that young man, so I will keep an open mind.”

  “I appreciate that you are willing to do so. Speculation about Daniel aside, Balen Tamm’s demise should not be kept secret. At the very least this news warrants a meeting of the Maestros,” Terroll replied.

  “I will call for the meeting and also call for Efferin to unseal the information he has been keeping from us. Events are out pacing us and your former student seems to be in the thick of it,” Janna said and grabbed her cloak from a peg on the wall behind her oak desk.

  - - - - - - -

  Talmon put away the Grand Maestro’s communication amulet and sat back in his chair contemplating the ramifications of Balen Tamm’s death. Efferin stopped short of sealing the information to his office but made it clear he wanted the matter kept quite until they could be absolutely sure the Maestro of the Serpent Guild is actually dead, which made sense. It would be embarrassing to pronounce the man dead only to have him appear in public and prove otherwise.

  “Maestro, this is Jeremiah Lassiter.” The two-bolt Accomplished’s voice sounded in Talmon’s head.

  “Acknowledged, Accomplished, make your report.”

  “I am on the north road sixteen spans from Aakadon. Daniel Benhannon has just appeared in a clearing approximately two hundred eighty paces from the main trail. Tim Dukane is with him, both are on horseback. A three-bolt Accomplished of the Serpent Guild is suspended in the air and floating behind Daniel Benhannon,” Lassiter reported and paused, perhaps remembering how he felt when the Ducaunan
had shielded his potential and suspended him in front of over two hundred Talenteds. “I see a golden baton shaped like a snake with a diamond in its mouth. It appears the young Accomplished has succeeded in his quest.”

  “Well done,” Talmon replied, and his excitement grew. Daniel alive and in possession of the Baton of Tarin Conn was confirmation enough for him that the Serpent Guild no longer had a Maestro. It was great news. The rogues will be set back perhaps decades with factions struggling for power and individuals working to be the next Maestro.

  “Shall I detain them?” Lassiter asked and his mental trepidation came through loud and clear.

  “You are to follow them at a distance but do not approach. We will prepare a reception,” Talmon instructed.

  “Your will be done, Maestro,” Lassiter replied and ended the connection.

  Talmon reached into his desk and removed his communication array from the drawer. It was a circular band of gold capable of holding twenty-four gemstones at a time. He placed the array on his head and began informing his Accomplisheds throughout the continent about the demise of Balen Tamm but, in accordance with Efferin’s wishes, never mentioned how many bolts the young man responsible for the victory possessed.

  Chapter Fifteen: The Link Removed

  The sun was midpoint in the sky and only a few clouds could be seen on the horizon. Daniel felt his eyelids getting heavier and heavier and wanted very much to close them, if only for a moment or two. Thawk! The right side of his face stung from the slap. He pulled the knife from its sheath and summoned potential for a shield spell before realizing what had occurred.

  “No sleeping,” Tim told him with his hand poised to give another slap. He glanced at the knife. “Maybe I should hold that for now. You’re liable to gut me the next time I try to keep you awake.”

  Daniel handed Tim the knife. “Sorry, thanks for helping,” he said and released the potential as well while feeling guilty. Suppose he had lashed out with, Death, or, Jet of Flame, fatal spells, the faithful drummer could have been killed for doing a friend a favor. Gutting would not have been one of the possibilities; Daniel would never slash or throw a knife without first establishing his target, it was its use as a level four crescendo that made the weapon truly dangerous.

  A crooked smile crossed Serin Gell’s face, which was a change from the grumbling under his breath he had been doing. “You feared the knife, mountain boy, when you should have been afraid of whatever spell your friend was about to unleash on you.” It would be best for him if he went back to grumbling to himself.

  Tim placed the knife in his saddlebag and glared at the Pentrosan. “Shut your mouth. When I want your opinion I’ll ask for it,” he said and then frowned. “Daniel, you didn’t summon potential just now, did you?”

  “Yes, but it was for a shield spell, nothing that would’ve harmed you.”

  The drummer accepted the answer with good grace, nodding his understanding, and then glanced pointedly at the trail ahead as if to change the subject. “At this pace we should make Aakadon before dark,” he observed while adjusting his hat.

  A canvas-covered wagon approached from the opposite direction, driven by a short man, by Tannakonna standards, about Samuel’s height and build. Curly tuffs of light brown hair could be seen sticking out from under a beige cloth hat. A petite woman, by most anyone’s standards, sat beside him. Her red-brown hair hung over her shoulders and down her back. Two small children could be seen playing in a tight space behind the adults. The family seemed to be relocating. Pots and pans rattled as two plow horses pulled the heavily packed wagon along the bumpy dirt road. The woman stood up wide-eyed, grabbed her husband’s arm and pointed straight at Serin Gell. The man frowned and peered in the direction his wife indicated and then made a quick left turn off the road and onto the rough grassy terrain. The wagon jerked and pitched as he steered his family away from the perceived danger.

  Serin Gell snorted as if amused by the panic his presence created, but refrained from making comment after one threatening glance from Tim. It seemed the Aakacarn was learning how far not to push the drummer and thus avoid the promised thumping. The treatment he was receiving now was nothing compared to what he would face in Aakadon and he knew it.

  Daniel lifted his hat and wiped perspiration from his brow. The wind had died down and the afternoon sun was unobstructed by clouds. The couples’ reaction was not the first they had seen since teleporting to the clearing and starting out on the road, and it was not unique, everyone they met reacted similarly. He did not blame them for being frightened, especially if the harmonic waves from his duel with Balen Tamm were as strong as he supposed them to be, although it would be nice if people were not so obvious about it. He half wished for a second set of buckskins for the captive Accomplished to wear and a third horse so they could travel without attracting attention. There was no time to stop and make those kinds of arrangements and Daniel had no coins in his pockets and likely as not neither did Tim.

  Daniel spotted the southern trail running perpendicular to the one they were on and urged Sprinter to the right. The new road was broad, well traveled, and seemed to be cut levelly through hills and open fields alike. Even now a goodly number of people were headed down it, no doubt journeying to Aakadon, spurred on by the fear generated from all of the spell casting. Crowded as it was, most everyone kept a discreet distance from the floating Aakacarn, and no few people scurried off to the sides so as not to get in the way of business they clearly wanted no part of.

  Daniel had to admit it was better that the people were standoffish rather than confrontational. He was much stronger now, having recovered quicker after removing the Da Capos from the many spells he had been maintaining, and he could easily defend against any mob actions, though truly hoped such would not be necessary, and so far it was not. Concentrating was becoming more difficult for him and would probably be more of a factor in any spell casting he may be required to perform than would the strength of his potential.

  Time passed, he yawned and closed his eyes, not much more than an extended blink, really. Thawk! The left side of his face stung. He glanced at the drummer, who seemed to be just a bit overly enthusiastic in delivering on the favor. “I was just resting my eyes,” he told him.

  “Yes, that is what my grandfather often said, though he often rested them for half the morning and sometimes into the afternoon,” Tim replied and then glared at Serin Gell, who was smiling and looked to be ready to make another comment. “You keep your mouth shut. Daniel can’t you place a sleep spell or something on him?”

  I could if I had been awake enough to think of it, Daniel thought ruefully. The sun was a red-orange ball on the horizon; clouds were drifting in from the south, and Aakadon would be coming into view soon. There was little point in rendering Serin Gell unconscious now. “Yes, I could make him sleep but I want to see his reaction when we reach Aakadon,” he told him, it was the truth, though not all of it. He did want to see the Aakacarn sweat while being handed over to the Eagle Guild.

  Tim smiled and nodded his head understandingly. “In other words, you didn’t think of it before and we’re now so close to Aakadon that it doesn’t really matter,” Tim replied accurately.

  “That about sums it up,” Daniel admitted without hesitation, knowing a denial would not be accepted at this point.

  The ancient city of the Aakacarns came into view and glowed with a power of its own, even in the light of the sinking sun. The tops of huge towers disappeared into the clouds, inspiring all who gazed upon them. The massive ruby pyramid took precedence with its all-seeing eye, a bright beacon to give hope in a dangerous and chaotic world.

  Daniel glanced at the captive Aakacarn. Yes, there was growing fear in the eyes of Serin Gell. No doubt the sight had a totally different meaning for him. Impressive as it was, Daniel saw it as means to an end, the end of the cursed link to Tarin Conn.

  Tim’s eyes widened as if in awe of the city, yet he seemed less than eager to re-enter Aakadon, and no o
ne in their right mind could blame him. He shifted nervously in the saddle while keeping a sharp eye on Serin Gell, who might try to flee regardless of the futility of doing so, provided he could break the spells holding him, which he could not, but the drummer was taking no chances.

  A long line of people on horses, wagons, and carriages were backed up, waiting to cross the bridge only to wait still longer at the golden gate, hoping to be granted entrance, not all of them would be. Aakadon was not an open city to non-Aakacarns, otherwise known as commoners, and showing up without an invitation or an acceptable reason guarantees rejection. Each person had to identify themselves and state the purpose for their visit. Some of them rode off looking terribly disappointed after having been refused; no doubt many of them had come from far away places only to be denied entrance.

  Daniel did not like the way business was done in Aakadon, the callousness of the Aakacarns toward ordinary people and their problems. If he had wanted to be the Grand Maestro and attained the position, the city would be assessable to all people in need and the Talenteds would definitely be treated better, although he truly had no desire for the office. He also gave up on the notion of ever having a simple life, even after the link to Tarin Conn is severed, and the Grand Maestro had been dealt with. Daniel would still be an Accomplished and therefore nothing he did would be simple. He accepted the fact with as much aplomb as his tired mind would allow.

  Serin Gell attracted many curious stares from the people in line, most of which moved aside to give place, not that they were polite about it. Without a doubt they recognized an Accomplished of the Serpent Guild, and judiciously gave in to one of the most basic of all drives; self preservation. It probably looked as though the Pentrosan was being escorted by a pair of Ducaunan mountaineers and perhaps spells would be flying when they reached the gate. The path ahead cleared enough for Daniel to urge Sprinter into a steady trot. He acknowledged the unhappy stares with a respectful nod to take some of the sting out of crowds having to make way for the three of them. He kept up the pace until reaching the golden gate set into the forty cubit high wall.