“Yes, I trust you to lead us to victory and will make every effort to report what I See to you. I am thankful for the continued opportunity to serve you.”
Daniel reached into an inner pocket of his cloak and tossed a communication amulet to the Seer. “Use that whenever you have a vision when I am not present. This way we will avoid my getting crucial information after the fact.”
She fingered the topaz gem containing the falcon in flight clutching a lightning bolt and then placed it in her pocket.
“I’ll soon be sparing with Chas at the Northland Holding. You and David can come with me or remain here, either way you are free to leave this office,” Daniel replied. They were still newly-wedded and he chose to be mindful of the fact that they might want to be alone.
The pair looked at each other and nodded. “We will go with you,” Silvia gave the answer.
When Daniel raised his eyebrow in surprise, David smiled and said, “We had plenty of time alone during the marks you were sleep.”
“Sero, you are in good standing. I am giving you the same option; come with me or remain here,” Daniel went back to the business at hand.
“I will go with you,” Sero replied, which was no surprise.
Carlos looked up. “What are my options?”
“You are relieved of duty until Sherree and I go to Aakadon. At that point you will be reinstated as my bodyguard, but will be on probation. You have to earn back my trust. We all know how chaotic spell-battles can be, there is danger on every side and death could come at any moment. I do not need to wonder if you are going to convey me elsewhere just as I am focusing a deadly spell,” Daniel answered, peered straight into the eyes of the older man, and then added, “The entire time we were fighting together at Port Joppa, you kept secret the orders given by Leah, because neither of you trusted me to make the right decision.”
“I suppose it is because Leah and I are decades older than you and see you as young and impulsive. You are that, but we were wrong in not trusting you, wrong in not telling you of Silvia’s viewing, and I was wrong for conveying you while knowing full well you were summoning potential for a spell.”
His confession of doing wrong went a long way in satisfying Daniel that the man was not proud of what he had done. “You were not wrong about Tarin Conn arriving with a shield, but that does not justify your actions.”
“No,” Carlos agreed, “it does not. But I am glad you are alive. Thank you for giving me another opportunity to serve you in the days ahead.”
Simon conveyed everyone except the bodyguard to the Benhannon Northland Holding. Daniel sparred with Chas and then had breakfast. Sorel reported an increase in the strength of the hurricane. The meeting at the mansion brought to light an eerie development.
Samuel leaned forward in his chair at the conference table and said, “The Serpents have ceased all of their offensives. They are hardening positions all over the continent and the only activity is in the number of sky-cruisers flying in the air over the Taltin Sea. They are not bothering to use their invisibility spells.”
Daniel could tell by the lack of harmonic wave activity that the spell-battles were not taking place, which was the eerie part. The only ripple effects washing across Atlantan were from Tarin Conn’s spell and the dome shield in Aakadon. “They are preparing their people for the coming disaster,” he commented.
“Yes, I can image the announcement, ‘Stand back my fellow Serpents, let us watch our Supreme Maestro lay waste to his enemies,” Sandra did an imitation of Vance Cummin, not a particularly good one, but it made the point.
“The one good thing about a hurricane is that, no matter how the wind blows, you can see it coming and prepare,” Martin said. “We will be placing shields at the shelters that have been set up for the populous.”
“It is too bad we do not have enough Accomplisheds to shield every building and home. I am concerned over the fact that many people will be seriously injured or killed,” Jennel added her thoughts. “Maestro, tomorrow you and the First Lady will be in Aakadon. Perhaps you will be able to persuade them to assist in casting spells of protection.”
Daniel focused on her. “I will certainly bring up the matter,” he responded, having the same concern.
Franklin, whose hair and beard were a vivid pink, leaned in, probably so he could see past Martin and meet Daniel’s eyes. “Maestro, the Ducaunan government has requested that we begin repairing their office buildings and the royal residence. The people need to see their Queen and know she and her government are working to make them safe.”
“We cannot force them to stay and soon Van Efery will have to travel to Tara to be crowned king of Taracopa,” Bernard pointed out. “We will have to increase the number of emissaries from my department, enough to not only protect the royal personages, but to also create shields large enough to cover entire buildings.”
Daniel considered the matter, knowing he could not keep his guests at Shantear against their will, and so made up his mind. “Conductor Togan, create the new buildings, Conductor Kleopis, add the increased security, and we will just have to do our best to keep all of our charges alive.”
Jeremiah cleared his throat, drawing attention. “The Joint Mission Task Force is ready to be deployed. They are at their base in Tomlin and awaiting orders.”
“That is good to know,” Daniel replied, while thinking of the city under the lake and the new and larger surface buildings being used to lodge the Accomplisheds. “The JMTF is another subject I will be sure to discuss at the meeting in Aakadon.
“On the positive side,” Jared spoke up. “People are thrilled you are alive and struck the allies of the Serpents a mighty blow.”
Marcus, who was sitting beside the Account Keeper, nodded agreement. “The morale of the people has improved significantly.”
Daniel figured folks would feel better after learning the Chosen Vessel was very much alive and fighting on their behalf. He had a strong notion the good feelings would begin to wane once Tarin Conn released his hurricane and the Serpent Guild went back on the offensive with a vengeance.
Chas Herling placed his hand on the table and announced, “Plans for the new surface buildings at the Benhannon Northland Holding are finished and approved. We are awaiting your permission to begin the recreations.”
The timing did not feel right. “This is not the time to start the project and I am not going to give a specific date, more like after a certain event,” Daniel replied. “Begin after the hurricane has run its course.”
“It will be as you say, Maestro,” Franklin acknowledged, since it was his people who would be doing the work.
“So let it be as you say,” Chas stated.
“Sir Daniel, one other thing,” Tim called out in a formal tone, which was rare from him. “The Hirus River is rising and so is the lake at the Benhannon Naval Facility. I just thought you should know.”
Daniel eyed his long-time friend. “Thanks for the update. By the way, I would appreciate a ride into Aakadon on the Wager tomorrow. That is, if you don’t mind traveling with me to the Aakacarn city again.”
Tim smiled, clearly remembering the first trip, and it was as if time had not passed and they were two buddies planning an outing. “Just like before, I’ll come to see that they don’t keep you longer than you want to be there. However, Gina will have to stay behind and run the navy. It would not be prudent for both Admirals to be trapped in Aakadon for the duration of the meeting.”
Daniel nodded his head. “You are likely right about that. We will be leaving before dawn so I will see you shortly before then.”
The meeting adjourned and all of them went about doing their chores, as Daniel saw it. He was not surprised when Carlos appeared the next morning just as he and Sherree were boarding the Wager for the trip to Aakadon.
Chapter Twenty-Three: An Opportunity Lost
Daniel sat across from Sherree at a small round table that was reserved for the officers of the boat. He enjoyed staring into her emeral
d-green eyes and noting how her yellow-gold hair nicely framed the delicate features of her face. She had a slender nose and good cheek-bones. If Clarian grew to be anything like her mother, she was destined to be stunningly beautiful.
A quarter of the space had been partitioned off and taken up by the galley with the rest being used as a mess area. The crew used the large oblong table a few strides away, but all of the sailors were at their posts and the chairs were empty.
Simon, Sero, and Carlos were up on the bridge with Tim, along with Accomplished Karen Ducappus, Lieutenant Scott Beckencloth, and Ensign Renee Dotavelo. Boat Driver Warren Senkonnan, and Zoee Ducaper, who was at the helm, were the two up there keeping the boat going and on course.
Daniel could feel the harmonic waves from Tarin Conn’s conjuration in the Taltin Sea and from the place the Wager was approaching. Judging by the space between the ripples, he estimated the boat would reach the port within two tenths of a mark.
Tom and Jenny Grening came up the spiral stairs from the lower level. Both of them were light-skinned, tall, and in the uniforms of their station, Benhannon Naval Guardsmen. Their topaz-blue jackets each had a seagull stitched into the cuffs. His brown hair was neatly trimmed, but mostly hidden within his helmet, while her hair was nearly black and hung out from her helmet in two long braids.
Rather than continue on up to the bridge, they stepped off onto the mess deck. “Come sit with us,” Daniel invited as the couple moved toward the oblong table.
“Are you sure?” Tom replied with a grin. “We hate to interrupt a couple staring lovingly into each other’s eyes.”
Daniel knew, had there been anyone else in the dining area, the former stableman would not have spoken so casually to a Lord and Lady of the Land and especially not to a Royal Knight of the Realm of Ducaun. The situation was informal and both of them were born on the same mountain, which made all the difference. Sherree was not from Tannakonna and was a Lady in her own right, but she did not seem to be having any reservations about the couple joining them, going by the warm smile on her face.
Daniel beckoned with his hand. “I am certain. Have a seat,” he assured them.
The former residents of Bashierwood came over and sat opposite each other as Daniel and Sherree were doing. Jenny glanced at her and asked, “How far along are you?”
“Just over sixty days,” the beautiful Lobenian replied.
Jenny’s eyes widened in surprise, “I would have bet ninety,” she said and then reached over and touched the slight swell of Sherree’s tummy. Not many people could get away with that, but the hand did not linger in place and the First Lady’s smile did not waver.
Daniel had not focused What Is This into Clarion since before Cherian had come with the summons to present himself to the Queen. He had noticed the tiny bulge in his wife’s abdomen had grown larger since then, but thought nothing of it seeing as that was what was supposed to happen, as far as he knew.
She eyed him briefly and then directed her gaze at Jenny. “My husband and I often focus spells into my womb to see how our daughter is progressing, which is how we know the babe is a girl. It seems he went a little farther and did something that sped up her growth and left a residue of his life-force energy inside her.”
Jenny’s eyebrows shot up. “Really, is that safe?”
All eyes turned to Daniel. “Of course what I did was safe,” he said defensively, as if he would do anything to hurt his daughter, he thought but did not say. “I only enhanced her recipe strands so she will be healthy and strong. Not all potential threats to her life will be from spells being directed at her. The increased growth must be a side effect.” That would explain why Cleona’s tummy was so big.
Sherree nodded. “Yes, I figured as much. Considering where this boat is about to dock and the fact that the people there have deemed her to be an abomination, it was probably a good precaution. However, I am not taking any chances. My personal shield will be in place for the duration of our visit.”
“Daniel, when the time comes that I have a baby forming in my womb, will you consider blessing him or her with good health and strength?” Jenny asked.
He was a little surprised any Ducaunan mother, except the Queen, would want a spell directed at her unborn child. Perhaps his being the Accomplished who had healed Jenny of the deadly wounds caused by the sharp claws of a Yeti made the difference. “You have my word,” he replied and received a smile.
“Are you expecting?” Sherree asked.
“Not yet,” Jenny replied with a sigh.
“But we are trying,” Tom said, “really hard,” he added with an enthusiasm that caused his wife to blush.
Tim came down the spiral stares, and behind him came Simon, Sero, and Carlos, they, in their blue silks, and he in his blue uniform with the three golden anchors on each of his silver shoulder-stripes. “We will be docking soon,” the Admiral announced. “I have seen the waterwheel boats often enough, but it is the first time I have seen those airboats flying over the water. Some of them even flew right onto land.”
Daniel stood up and walked over to the nearest porthole. Huge airboats, bristling with crescendos, were zipping right and left, shoved along by twin propellers. They were much larger and quicker than the waterwheel vessels and more maneuverable than a Wager-class patrol-boat, but not a manta. Nothing on land, sea, or air could out maneuver one of Daniel’s rays, he was sure, even if it was a bit arrogant to think so.
The Wager was being escorted by four medium-sized airboats. At the bow and stern were crescendos, likely ready to enhance destructive spells. Each vessel had four more mounted and ready to deliver broadside assaults. Unlike the airboats he had been shown in miniature, these large canoe-shaped vessels had coverings from stem to stern protecting the occupants from the natural elements.
Simon stood at the next porthole over. “The Willows continue to improve on their designs. My brief association with them seems to have had a lasting effect.”
“Your association with us is having a lasting effect as well,” Daniel commented as his eyes locked onto a familiar face. “I see Rondara at the dock. It seems our arrival warrants the presence of a Maestro.”
“She is flanked by a pair of Senior Cyclones,” Sherree noted, and frowned at the sight of them.
“As I recall,” Tim said. “On our first boat ride into Aakadon we were greeted by a Maestro of the Zephyr Guild.”
Terroll had held that office back then but he was nowhere in sight at the moment, not that Daniel expected him to be. “We might as well go out on deck,” he said and matched his words to actions.
They exited through the forward hatch of the forecastle and out onto the bow. Ben Gabin was at the gun and eyeing all the activity as if a threat could come at any moment, good man. An awful lot of the crescendos on the airboats were pointed in the direction of the Wager.
The huge gemstone towers and even the ruby pyramid were obscured by a huge multi-colored dome that covered the entire city, stopping a few hundred strides from the docks. The Wager entered what must have been a designated slip and came to a stop. Two of the smaller, uncovered airboats, were floating on either side of the patrol-boat, likely for security reasons. They need not have worried. The seasoned crew of the Wager was ready for battle, should an attack take place, no matter the aggressor.
A pair of Talenteds in white silks conjured a gangplank and Daniel took that as a sign they should go ashore. As he and his entourage stepped off onto the dock, Rondara walked up to him. Her black silky hair shimmered in the light as her brown ovoid eyes focused briefly on Sherree’s tummy. The gaze lasted long enough to cause her left eyebrow to rise and a moment of disgust to flash across her face before she smoothed out her features and fixed her eyes on Daniel. “Maestro Benhannon, welcome back to Aakadon, we are pleased to see you here, and offer you our hospitality for as long as you choose to stay.”
It was nice to know he had a choice in how long the stay would be. “Maestro Kapes, I am pleased to be here. You alread
y know Sherree Jenna-Benhannon, the First Lady of the Atlantan Guild, so I will now introduce you to the others who have come with me. To my left is Admiral Tim Dukane, to his left is Sero Bagget, a Four-bolt Accomplished, and beside him is Carlos Tiran, a Three-bolt Accomplished. To might right is …,”
“Accomplished Simon Trenca, a One-bolt Accomplished, formerly a Sapling of the Willow Guild,” Rondara showed she recognized the Battencayan-born Aakacarn. She pointed to the man to her left. “This is Senior Cyclone Rufus Roxmin and to my right is Senior Cyclone Chelton Zoller.
The first Aakacarn she had introduced was a plump man with a goatee. Daniel remembered the Three-bolt who had criticized Sherree not many months ago, but only just learned his name, and would be sure not to forget. The other Accomplished, the bald one, Chelton, on the same occasion, stated he believed mind-control was what Daniel used to command Sherree to be his wife and she obeyed. They were ignoring her but gave him nods of respect and even smiled. These were practiced smiles that did not touch their eyes. The Maestro, at least had some regard for Daniel’s status and abilities, but clearly none of them approved of his or Sherree’s morals. He managed a modicum of respect for the Maestro of the Zephyr Guild, but not even that much for the pair of Cyclones, and hoped, perhaps vainly, that some of the other residents of the ancient city were not so contemptuous of his ways.
The docks were full of cloaked figures whose unforgiving stares made him glad his personal shield was up. Tim had an amulet under his shirt, against his chest, and was armed with a daggerlance and nightstick. He had almost brought along a crossbow, but changed his mind, evidently deciding it was a little too aggressive. He likely did not even have an actual bolt, so it would have been obvious to most folks that flaming streams of pebble were what would come out if he were to use the weapon. Daniel approved of his decision.
To Be Victorious: The Maestro Chronicles Book 6 Page 54
