To Be a Maestro

by John Buttrick

  His boots clicked on the stones as Rex moved briskly along, which is how Barnaby Cosell always walked. Lyal and his friends came to a stop, peering into the alley on the left as if something curious caught their attention. The time to strike had come. An aqua-marine glow radiated from Rex and he focused the potential at the unsuspecting Van Kestral. The man stiffened and fell on his face. At the same time, Joren glowed pale green and focused his potential at the two friends, dropping them to the ground asleep, as he did several passersby on the other side of the street who would have been witnesses. A deep blue beam came from the alley, engulfed Lyal, and floated him up off the road and into the darkness where Leea would hold him until Rex arrived.

  Joya and Phil entered the alley at the same time as Rex. Ira brought the ten members of the traveling circle, while Leea, Byron, and Joren dragged the two unconscious friends out of the street, and away from casual view.

  “Everyone, focus the Potential for, Teleportation, at me in, five, four, three, two, one,” Rex commanded while summoning the potential through his silver baton and firmly picturing himself, each Accomplished, and Lyal Van Kestral in the subbasement of Lord Cyrus Van Joppa’s mansion on the southern coast of Taracopa.

  The brief time between here and there had no meaning, simply the feel of absolute nothingness and then life flashes back into existence in another place. When the two fools awaken in the alley, they will only know their friend has disappeared without a trace, just like what has been happening among the commoners for nearly a year. Rex smiled at the thought of how Lord Zakeriah Van Kestral will react upon hearing the news. The man all but ruled the southern quarter of the kingdom and it was the king and his ineffective military who would be blamed.

  “Keep watch on our package, I’ll be meeting with Lord Van Joppa and then we can take this one to Serpent North. Do not wander off; we all want to be back in our respective inns within a mark so we can be just as stunned by Lyal’s disappearance as the residents of LyVak,” Rex told his associates and then exited the chamber.

  Several flights of stairs brought him to the first level of the mansion and he headed down the carpeted corridor decorated with statues every twenty paces and fine paintings on the walls. A swarthy fellow, dressed in white, with a curved lighting-marked sword at his side stood in front of an ornately carved door of cedar. Blyar Ki was considered by many to be the greatest swordsman in the world. He always stood guard over his lord and would doubtlessly give his life if necessary. The bodyguard recognized Barnaby Cosell as someone his master often does business.

  “His Lordship is expecting you,” Ki spoke in a deep voice, while opening the door.

  Rex nodded acknowledgement and entered the private study. Shelves of books lined the walls, except the one opposite the door, where sat the Taracopian lord behind his desk. “Ah, yes, Mr. Cosell, it is good of you to come at this late mark,” he spoke in a deceptively mild tone. People often mistook his soft spoken manner to be reflective of a gentle nature. Those who stood in his way soon learned differently. The white hair of his beard and mustache were impeccably trimmed and his violet wool suit, the best money could buy. His bald head shined in the lamplight as did the gold rings on each of his fingers.

  Rex sat down in the first of two cushioned chairs directly in front of the desk. “The parcel we discussed has been acquired and with your influence, I am sure Lord Van Kestral will soon come around to our way of thinking.”

  Ki stepped out, closing the door behind him, ensuring privacy, and ending the need to be opaque. One of the bookcases swung outward and a man in a black hooded cloak joined the meeting. Leron Sukang, a fellow two-bolt Accomplished of the Serpent Guild had light brown skin, black silky hair, and his green eyes were ovoid in shape with a slight upward slant, him being of Zunean descent. “I have been looking forward to seeing you, Mr. Cosell,” he said as if they were meeting for the first time.

  Rex gave a nod of respect to the Accomplished and refocused on his host. “It would seem you have powerful friends.”

  “Which is why your employer does business with me,” Van Joppa replied with a sly smile while Leron took the remaining chair. “Accomplished Sukang and I were discussing our mutual business when you arrived.”

  Rex pretended to be impressed. “Your contacts are powerful in deed and far reaching. We are also pleased by the fact you always have the means to make good on all sorts of transactions.”

  “As do we,” Leron joined the conversation. “Beginning with the Arrabella, flagship of Lord Jerrome DeSuan’s merchant fleet, we have destroyed nineteen ships bound for Taracopa, four of which were the property of the Serinian lord.”

  “You did make sure no ship under the flag of Taracopa has been hindered?” Van Joppa apparently wanted reassurance.

  Sukang waved away the concern with a casual sweep of his hand. “No ship of Taracopa has been attacked,” he said and chuckled. “When the Arrabella failed to arrive, Lord DeSuan was forced to cover the king’s loss from his own coffers. I could not discover which of the three swift ships contained the payment so I tracked down and destroyed all three. By now sailors the world over have learned that ships bound for Taracopa do not make it to port if they fly a foreign flag. Captains are refusing to take cargo bound for this kingdom and merchants are forced to use only ships bearing the flag of Taracopa.”

  Cyrus Van Joppa laughed out loud. “The pressure on Van Efery is building. His imports are shrinking, he is having difficulty paying his military, and commoners all over the realm are crying out for something to be done about the mysterious abductions. The king has raised taxes again to make payroll. Maintaining the world’s largest cavalry is extremely expensive.”

  “What of Lord DeSuan, will he try to make good on the loss a second time? The man has already lost more coins in this venture than several monarchs would have difficulty repaying?” Rex asked.

  Van Joppa’s eyes seemed to twinkle with mischievous delight. “Through my business contacts, I have discretely hinted Van Efery is behind the loss of the ships and is attempting to use the Serinian nobleman to fund the military. I doubt Lord DeSuan will send any more gold shipments or send any cargo whatsoever to Taracopa. Other merchant fleet owners will soon follow his example and the impact will be felt in throne rooms all over the world. The rulers of the world grow suspicious about ships flying their flags being targeted while those of Taracopa sail unharmed.”

  Rex nodded sagely. “Nobles all over Taracopa are outraged about the excessive taxes and failure of the King to stop the disappearances. A few sparks is all it will take for them to reconsider their allegiance to House Van Efery.”

  Van Joppa gave an affirmative nod of his head. “And you have just provided me with fuel and a mighty spark.”

  “My employer always delivers what has been agreed upon,” Rex replied with the truth. Vance Cummin did keep his agreements, for as long as they are practicable.

  The Taracopian lord licked his lips as if about to gobble down a choice morsel. “When Van Kestral contacts me concerning the fate of his son, he and I will join forces against Van Efery, and the entire southern half of Taracopa will declare independence. The king will want to send his cavalry, a good portion of which might well defect to our side, and ..,”

  “And soon will begin the reign of the royal house of Van Joppa,” Rex interrupted, feeding the man’s ego, and gaining a sense of achievement. The poison has been delivered.

  -------

  Serena Lowell stood on a white marble floor in a royal court where light was provided by a diamond chandelier hanging from a mirrored ceiling. The grand fixture had no candles. Each precious stone radiated energy of its own. A plush crimson carpet lay two strides ahead leading up thirteen steps to a raised floor, and came to a stop before a crystal throne. Beside her stood Geb SuTamkin, Ursula Duggan, Ana Tigress, and Ferren Duzolta, all had been promoted to the rank of Accomplished, and each performed the spell, Ranking. The illegitimate son of a lord is the only one of the four whose potential c
apacity is not yet enough to earn him a lightning bolt. The only reason his eyes were as wide with awe as everyone else’s, including her own, Serena had to admit, was the man sitting on the throne.

  Tarin Conn, dressed in shades of purple, stood up, and a trumpet appeared in his hand. “In this audience I will add to your repertoires by implanting a spell directly into your minds,” he said, and then played a hauntingly pleasant Melody. “Unnoticeable, is a low power spell meant to be cast without the aid of a crescendo, and will allow you to be invisible to the naked eye and impossible to locate with any find-spell. Beware of summing potential while under the influence of, Unnoticeable, your glow will be visible to a fellow Melody Wielder.”

  Serena smiled at the thought of how useful this new addition to her repertoire will be. While it would limit her spell casting ability, it will also allow her to enter and exit places with no one being the wiser. “Great One, I thank you for teaching this spell to me and hope to have many opportunities to use it in service to you.”

  The others probably thought she was using flattery to advance herself, and it even sounded so to her ears, yet she meant every word. If this were not a dream and the entire scene a shared vision, her pulse would be racing. She thought of Tarin Conn as more than the Supreme Maestro, she fell in love with him years ago, and he, having viewed her dreams, had to know the depth of her feelings.

  Her four associates were quick to express their gratitude for the personal instruction. Only a handful of guild members could boast of being taught a Melody directly from the greatest spell caster of all time. The honor had not been lost on any of them. Tarin still held on to the trumpet, indicating the lesson is not over. Her heart nearly melted when his eyes focused on her and his lips formed a smile.

  “I have no doubt that you and your team will make good use of the spell,” he said and eyed each Aakacarn. “From now on you four will take orders directly from Serena, who will be taking orders directly from me, and any prior alliances you have made with other members of the guild are to be considered by you to be of lesser importance. Vance Cummin is the Maestro of the Serpent Guild, yet not even he can override Serena when she is acting on my orders. Have I made myself clear?”

  Ferren Duzolta stood rigid, eyes wide and radiating pleasure. “I will serve Serena as I serve you, Great Master.” His actions in the past proved he meant every word.

  Ursula and Ana were quick to voice their understanding, while Geb hesitated only for an instant before accepting the will of Tarin Conn. Serena was beginning to think the man might actually be afraid of her and the thought pleased her immensely.

  “Operation Moth Light will begin shortly and four of you will have major rolls to play, so listen and learn a Melody I have not taught to anyone else,” Tarin announced.

  Serena looked at each of her team members, these would be the inner circle of a much larger network she hoped to build, and she thought about her last interview with the Great One. She still had a choice to make.

  “Serena, have you decided which of your team members is going on the special assignment I spoke of at our last meeting?” Tarin asked her, causing the others to stare at her with their eyebrows rising in speculation.

  What, did they think she would share such details with them? “I have decided Accomplished SuTamkin is best suited for the assignment,” she replied.

  Geb vanished back to the waking world, his part in the meeting being over. Tarin brought the trumpet to his lips, played a slow meandering Melody, and then the instrument vanished and he instantly appeared at the foot of the steps, mere paces away from Serena and her remaining team.

  “The spell, Join Me, is the Melody I use in order to link myself to the minds of all who venture near my mountain. Do not teach the spell to anyone else. When the time comes, you will go to the top of Mount Kelgotha, facing the four compass points, and perform, Join Me, on your instruments. I will be the conductor through the compounded links I am even now tying to each of you. Your performances will enhance the spell and greatly increase its range,” Tarin instructed them. No one questioned what he meant by, compounded links.

  Serena relished the idea of a closer bond to Tarin and also knew her part of the plan to be the trap, it was the lure, the moth light, which had her puzzled. “So let your will be done, Great Maestro,” she stated, as did Ferren, Ursula, and Ana.

  She was about to ask about the rest of the plan when her eyes fluttered open and she found herself awake in the sacred cave. Twenty five Accomplisheds were now in the cave, there had been fifteen when she had gone to sleep. Geb was already up and speaking to the leader of the newcomers. “I know two things. Serena is highly favored by the Supreme Maestro and she has chosen me for a special assignment. Why Maestro Cummin sent an additional traveling circle is something you will have to inquire of her.”

  “Accomplished Zanner, I am glad punctuality is one of your attributes. You and your team are being assigned the task of assisting Accomplished SuTamkin in the fulfillment of his mission. First off, you will be traveling to many cities in Ducaun and the silks of the Serpent Guild are not to be worn. No one must know of our involvement. Secondly, your traveling circle will go wherever Geb chooses. Even though you all out rank him in potential, he has the lead on this mission, a task deemed necessary by the Supreme Maestro, and failure to follow SuTamkin’s lead will be seen as failing Tarin Conn,” Serena spoke confidently to the two-bolt Accomplished.

  He out ranked her in potential, yet did not dare question one known to be in the Supreme Maestro’s highest favor. “It will be as you say, Serena. Maestro Cummin has instructed me to assist in whatever task has been assigned to you.”

  Vance had not communicated directly with her since before he had been elevated to Maestro, not since Tarin Conn gave him specific instructions concerning her. Someday she might even learn what he had been told. She smiled. Tarin Conn is well pleased with her and what transpired between he and Vance seemed of less importance in comparison.

  A harmonic pulse slammed into and through her body like a giant wave crashing ashore, knocking her and everyone else to the floor of the cave. Not even Balen Tamm and Daniel Benhannon’s combined ripple affects during their duel had been this powerful. She shakily rose to her feet and dusted off her black silks.

  “What was that?” Zanner shouted after rising from the floor.

  Serena smiled, “Operation Moth Light has just begun.”

  “I don’t understand,” Geb admitted sourly while dusting himself off. The man detested making known any deficiency or lack of knowledge on his part.

  “What you need to understand is what you must do in all the cities you visit. Your task is to spread the word among all of the nobles of Ducaun that Efferin Tames is the Creator’s Chosen Vessel. Daniel Benhannon was only a tool used by the Champion and is now a rogue Accomplished,” Serena replied and chuckled at what just popped into her head. “I want you to blame Daniel for the harmonic ripples that will be pulsing throughout the world.”

  Dark-haired Zanner scratched his head. “The fools in Aakadon are not that stupid, they will soon know Mount Kelgotha to be the epicenter of a High Power spell.”

  “You are correct, they will know, but the commoners will be frightened, confused, and want to vent their emotions on someone. As far as most of the world knows, the Serpent Guild has been silent ever since the famous duel in which our Maestro was killed and our main headquarters reduced to ruins. That leaves the world open to the suggestion of the only known rogue Accomplished being responsible,” Serena explained.

  Zanner chuckled. “I begin to see why Tarin Conn favors you.”

  “So the harmonic wave came from the Supreme Maestro,” Ursula seemed to be the last to arrive at the conclusion. “And they are going to occur on a regular basis.”

  “That’s right. The ripples are the light to draw the moths,” Serena replied and then turned to Geb. “SuTamkin, where to start is up to you, but I think Lord Tamkin would be an excellent place to begin planting t
he seeds.”

  He gave a quick nod of the head. “My father and his noble friends are exactly who I intend to use in the spreading of my message. By the time I am through, there will not be a lord or minor noblemen in all of Ducaun who does not question the status of Daniel Benhannon and his relationship to the Queen.”

  -------

  Phil Nettle emerged from his multi-chambered hill in the cool of the morning. He had chosen the area for its location in the woods, northeast of Fort Casum, and southeast of the Benhannon Holding. An entire army had passed a quarter of a span from his hidden doorstep on their way to the Knight’s compound and never knew it. The Pentrosan siege did not last long and never was suppose to be more than a few days at best. Still, he knew they had hoped to do destroy the log fort and possibly kill General Tallen and Sir Laurence before going back across the border. Phil considered, maybe he should have mentioned the holding built by the Stone Guild? How should he know Pentrosans would fail to scout the area in advance? He felt absolutely no responsibility for their failure.

  “Stay hidden within the hill until I come for you,” he ordered his entourage.

  Not every Accomplished of the Serpent Guild had been awarded ten Condemneds and he had been especially favored with one of them being an Aakademned. So he used them wisely and took better care of his herd than most of his associates did theirs. Dirt had been an Accomplished of the Eagle Guild before Vance condemned her. Phil enjoyed ordering the Aakacarn around, even though the blanked-face Dirt never shows a flicker of emotion. So far as he could tell, Condemneds did not have emotions, did not say, feel, or do anything unless it is commanded. Vance had ordered them to live, which meant they would eat before they starved and defend themselves if attacked, and yet they often had to be ordered to eat regularly and especially bathe. Phil detested the smell of unwashed flesh.