To Be a Maestro

by John Buttrick

  The whip crack of displaced air announced Lassiter’s presence along with ten sleeping Condemneds and three Aakademneds. “I managed to kill twenty-three Serpents and rescue these,” he said while eyeing his surroundings.

  “We have rescued these,” Silvia informed him while pointing to the sleeping Condemneds scattered over the area. “Daniel killed fifteen Aakacarns, David killed three, and I roasted two.”

  Daniel had not witnessed all of the kills and really was not interest in the numbers, except of those he hoped to restore. “The attack seems to be over for now. We have about half a mark before dark and I image Reese will use the time to move their camp.”

  “To move after such an assault is standard Eagle Guild practice, else the Serpents could teleport right back in,” Lassiter confirmed. “The spell you focused to the right of the camp proved to be quite effective, I suggest we collect the forty or so Condemneds on the ground in that area and leave the rest to Maestro Reese.”

  Daniel nodded his head. “The Accomplisheds will be asleep for a day or so and we can let your former associates deal with them. You and I need to convey the Aakademneds and Condemneds to the Northland Holding before our presence here is discovered.”

  Silvia came and stood next to him. “If it had not been for the necessity of bringing Accomplished Lassiter here to assist in surveillance, we would have arrived too late. The element of surprise would have come from the Serpents.”

  Daniel glanced at Flex and Skyler circling in the sky above. He would have seen the attack through their eyes and joined the fight, but she was correct. The Serpents would have been able to overwhelm the sentries, flood the camp and the fighting would have taken place right in the heart of it, rather than outside as the incident had played out. “The swirling of events worked in our favor this time,” he agreed. “However, I don’t think we should count on something like this happening every time. Now, Jeremiah, the sooner we get these patients of mine out of here, the sooner I can contact Accomplished Jenna.”

  “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel,” Lassiter replied.

  Daniel pictured the receiving area in the Health Wing of his Northland Holding, added his Teki escorts and the first group of patients to be restored, and then summoned the potential. The deep dark of in between here and there swallowed him.

  Chapter Twenty-One: An Accommodation

  As the sun sank lower in the sky, Talmon Reese considered calling a halt to allow his fellow Accomplisheds time to conjure their huts of solidified air and tend to the horses before dark. Most of the trees were pine and cypress, the latter reminding him this is the northern fringe of the Swamps of Append. Barnabas Galloway rode in the lead. His mental map of the continent is the most extensive of any Accomplished and he had led the way unerringly from northern Taracopa into southern Ducaun, his path only seemed to be random and wavering while in fact each segment had been carefully planned. The other twenty members of the Willow Guild were riding to the rear of the twin columns of horses. Ahead of them were the members of the Stone, Aqua, Aloe, Zephyr, Sun, and Eagle Guilds, with the Senior Soarers naturally in the lead.

  “Maestro, we experienced three attacks in five days since disembarking at the river,” Jerrian Tobermin spoke in a quiet voice from his horse to the right.

  Talmon did not need the Lead Investigator to remind him. “Since you are stating what would be obvious to a Fledgling, I assume there is a reason for the comment.”

  Tobermin gave a quick nod of the head. “I believe we have a spy among us. How else can the Serpents know in advance where we are? We certainly feel the harmonics when they teleport away, yet we have never heard the thunder cracks announcing their arrival, and that means they had to be in each of those ambush positions before we came into those areas.”

  Talmon eyed the surrounding woods. He noticed an eagle soaring in the cloudless blue sky and smiled at the namesake of his guild. “I suspected a spy among us after the first attack and became certain after the second,” he replied and then focused on the Lead Investigator, also known as the Vice-Maestro. “What I want to know, beyond the identity of the person or persons betraying us, is who has been spoiling the attempts to surprise us, and why are the Serpents sending insufficient resources to accomplish their goal?”

  Tobermin ran one finger across his dark brown mustache. “Now that you mention it, their actions mimic a military force battling two sides at once.”

  Talmon nodded his head. “I will add the idea of the second force being unpredictable in size and capability, making whoever is joining the fray difficult to plan for and counter.”

  The sudden intake of air through Tobermin’s nostrils could be heard from two horses away. “I admit to focusing more on the idea of a traitor among us and not so much on why the Serpents were so inept at managing their assets. Perhaps if you had allowed me to investigate the areas after the skirmishes rather than ordering us to move out immediately, I could have pieced together exactly what transpired.”

  Talmon knew his second in command was still brooding over the decision to press on. The man would ordinarily be correct about the investigations if it were not for speed being of the essence. The unnecessary expenditure of time at each of those scenes would have endangered the entire mission. “The risk of them Teleporting superior assets into the region was simply too great. Our resources are limited to what we have brought with us, we cannot abort the mission, and so we must keep going. Even now we are under constant threat of attack.”

  “What about Accomplished Jenna?” Tobermin responded with an inquiry beyond the original scope of the conversation.

  “She is here because Fenton Chen is her mentor,” Talmon was quick to respond. He knew quite a bit about the young Accomplished of the Aloe Guild, yet decided it would be interesting to hear the Vice-Maestro’s opinion. “She along with the other Aloes did a good job healing our Accomplisheds of the injuries suffered during the assaults.”

  “I know why she is here and about her healing skills. In that respect she is a credit to her mentor,” Tobermin said while brushing a gnat away from his face. “I brought up Accomplished Jenna because she is one on a growing list of Aakacarns who believe the rogue, Daniel Benhannon, is the Chosen Vessel, and someone, given her recent history, over which he could exert a measure of control.”

  “I see your point about her possible mixed loyalty,” Talmon would give the speculation that much credibility. “Yet, I do not see her as a spy for the Serpent Guild.”

  A smile appeared briefly on the dark-haired five-bolt Accomplished. “Neither do I, at least not for the Serpents.”

  “So you believe we have spies working on behalf of Tarin Conn and Daniel Benhannon,” Talmon replied. That line of speculation seemed plausible.

  Tobermin spit on the ground in disgust. “Two flocks of Soarers have been sent to Ducuan with orders to arrest the rogue. Each group has awakened back in Aakadon, within our own guild headquarters, and with no memory of how they came to be there. I remind you of those reports only to make a point. Accomplished Benhannon can transport resources from place to place just like the Serpents and a few well placed spies is all he would need to interfere with our mission.”

  “Or help it,” Talmon spoke under his breath. “The last group of Soarers appeared in our Recreation Room. He is tweaking our beaks to be sure, yet a Seven-bolt is capable of much more, and his behavior toward us has not been hostile. I do not believe he would hinder this mission, not if he understands the importance. As in regard to Accomplished Jenna, she is not among the few who know the exact route we are taking, and could not tell Daniel Benhannon where to lay an ambush. As you said, we only feel the harmonic waves and hear the thunder cracks when the Serpents exit the scene.”

  “A valid point,” Tobermin conceded. “Have you considered Barnabas Galloway?”

  A chuckle escaped before Talmon could stifle it. “The most respected Senior Forester in the Willow Guild, why would I consider him a spy?”

  Tobermin’s green
eyes flicked to the rear of the procession. “A Sapling resourceful enough to form a riverboat out of a living tree could probably figure a way to learn just about anything he put his mind to knowing.”

  Talmon truly doubted Accomplished Trenca would spy for the Serpents. Even so, the young man did seem to be closely involved with recent events, and particularly those centered on Daniel Benhannon. “Signal the stop for the night. After the camp is set up, I want you to bring Simon Trenca to my hut along with his mentor. We shall find out whether or not the Sapling is a transgressor of our laws.”

  “Your will be done, Maestro,” Tobermin replied and then launched an apple-sized sphere of light gently ahead of the Senior Forester, high enough for each rider to see.

  The trees were thick in this spot. Talmon had given up choosing broad clearings, which are obvious choices for campsites. The pines along this particular trail were so close not a single hut could stand side by side, yet were close enough for mutual protection. With the Vice-Maestro and nineteen Senior Soarers it did not take long for them to establish shields along the perimeter. Talmon did not pretend to have an in depth understanding of the teleportation spell used by the Serpents, yet knew one element requires the caster to have been in the location at some point in the past or perhaps within sight of it. A traveling circle attempting to appear in this area could materialize in side a tree, making this spot deadly for them, and therefore a secure campsite for the Accomplisheds of Aakadon.

  Talmon chose a place between two pines near the center of the camp and played the Melody, Hut of Air, conjuring his abode for the night. Snooper, his black stallion, was led away by Senior Soarer Winthrop, who would groom the Taracopian war horse along with his own Battencayan-bred mare. Tobermin arrived half a mark later with Barnabas Galloway. The Demfilian born, three-bolt Accomplished was stocky, clean-shaven with short white hair, and pale blue eyes. The old man did not look a day over sixty, yet has celebrated two hundred-nineteen years of life. Behind him walked a quiet young man with hazel eyes and sand-colored hair, whose presence would be easy to overlook if not for the fact that he once shared a dorm with Daniel Benhannon, was present when Jeremiah Lassiter had been shielded and suspended, and went on a mission to help rescue the lost members of the Tomlin Project. Talmon fixed his gaze on the Sapling and decided this interview is well over do.

  “I am here and have brought my Sapling, as requested, how may we serve you Maestro?” Barnabas inquired.

  “I apologize in advance for the method,” Talmon began and then nodded to Tobermin.

  A nimbus the color of jade formed around the Five-bolt and he focused the spell at the Sapling’s forehead. Galloway’s good-natured countenance hardened. “What is the meaning of this? To strike at my Sapling as if he is untrustworthy and a suspect of some misdeed is an action unbefitting a person of your station. You could at least have asked a question before resorting to such a measure.”

  Tobermin stepped closer to the Three-bolt. “I did not hear the honorific. You are addressing the Maestro of the Eagle Guild.”

  The Senior Forester barely glanced at the Five-bolt before addressing Talmon. “The omission was intentional. The action you ordered moments ago was not honorable and I demand the spell be lifted immediately.”

  “Simon Trenca, are you a spy for the Serpent Guild?” Tobermin asked, rightly ignoring the demand.

  The slim young Accomplished did not hesitate to answer, “No,” not that he could refuse while under the influence of Truth Speak.

  “There, are you satisfied?” Barnabas spoke with unveiled contempt.

  Tobermin ignored the Senior Forester and continued the questioning. “Simon Trenca, have you in the past and are you now working with the rogue Accomplished?”

  The young man actually smiled. “No and No.”

  Talmon had been so sure the answer would be in the affirmative. A person being questioned cannot lie while under the spell, yet the look in those hazel eyes and that smile. “Vice-Maestro Tobermin, rephrase the question. He may not share your definition of rogue.”

  “Simon Trenca, have you in the past and are you now working with Daniel Benhannon?” the second in command compelled the truth.

  The young man clamped his mouth shut, striving mightily not to answer, and his face flushed a deep shade of red. A tear flowed from his right eye from the strain, yet he could not hold back the truth. “Yes and Yes.” The reply came in a tight voice.

  “Simon, I respect devotion to a friend, but not to the point of throwing away a promising career. Did I not make it clear to you that any fraternizing with Daniel Benhannon after he failed to honor the decree of the Grand Maestro would be a criminal act?”

  Trenca had such respect for his mentor that he answered without being compelled by Tobermin. “You gave me fair warning.”

  “Why are you helping Daniel Benhannon?” The Vice-Maestro demanded before Galloway could ask the obvious question.

  Trenca showed no signs of trying to hold back his answer, clearly not one bit ashamed of his violation of the law. “Because Daniel is the Chosen Vessel, the Creator’s Champion, and his destiny is to lead us against the forces of Tarin Conn. It is we Accomplisheds of Aakadon who are currently the rogues. The battle of ages is upon us and you are hindering Daniel, thereby helping the Dark Maestro.”

  Tobermin backhanded the Sapling right in the mouth. “How dare you speak such things?”

  The young Accomplished smiled as blood trickled from his split upper lip. “Because I speak the truth, you made sure of that, and I am not afraid of you. Go ahead, hit me again.”

  “Hold,” Talmon spoke up when the zealous Vice-Maestro raised his hand in response to the taunt. “There is no need of slapping, I need answers, and this clever Sapling is baiting you with a delaying tactic. Now, is Benhannon assisting us? Is he helping to drive off the assaults of the Serpent Guild?”

  “Answer the Maestro’s questions!” Tobermin demanded, even though the Sapling had already opened his mouth to reply. The command ensured the answer would be truthful.

  “Yes. When I told him we were going to Lobenia and about Maestro Reese being the leader, Daniel figured out the rest, and decided to contribute to the success of the mission,” Simon Trenca replied more thoroughly than the compulsion spell demanded.

  “Surely you do not believe him,” Tobermin said, even knowing the young man could only speak that which he believed to be true.

  “Barnabas, what do you think?” Talmon asked of the Senior Forester, who had become quiet all of a sudden.

  “As a mentor, I believe my Sapling speaks the truth,” Galloway replied and stared at the young man for a few moments before continuing. “As an experienced Senior Forester and next in line to be a Scholar of Aakadon, I believe Daniel Benhannon is the Creator’s Chosen Vessel.”

  “But he defies the Grand Maestro. The true Champion would have come to Aakadon and taken oath as every Accomplished should,” Tobermin insisted.

  “Aakasears, historically speaking, have a difficult time conforming to the strictures we Aakacarns must follow. I am not surprised we are temporarily at odds with each other, yet an accommodation must be made for the good of the mission,” Barnabas replied.

  Talmon made a decision, the ripple affect of which will carry all the way to the Grand Maestro, and then prayed, may the random notes eventually come together in harmony. “Vice-Maestro, remove the spell from Accomplished Trenca.”

  “Thank you,” the Sapling spoke in a soft voice as the order was obeyed.

  Talmon sat down on his solidified chair. “How is Accomplished Benhannon tracking us?”

  Trenca shrugged his shoulders. “He has not shared with me whatever resources or methods are involved,” he replied and glanced at Tobermin. “Daniel is aware of Truth Speak.”

  “Can you get a message to him?” Talmon needed to know.

  Trenca started laughing and Tobermin seemed on the verge of once again slapping the Sapling. “Be respectful,” Barnabas chided.

&nbs
p; The young Accomplished stifled his laugh and assumed a more dignified demeanor. “No, Maestro, I cannot communicate with Daniel directly.”

  “I want to meet with Accomplished Benhannon and see if we can reach the accommodation suggested by your Mentor,” Talmon replied, earning widened eyes from Tobermin and Galloway.

  The Vice-Maestro audibly drew air through his nostrils and focused on the Sapling. “Is Sherree Jenna also in league with Daniel Benhannon?”

  When Trenca kept his mouth shut, Talmon drew his own conclusion. “I want Accomplished Jenna brought to my hut immediately.”

  Tobermin smiled. “Your will be done, Maestro,” he replied and went off to carry out the task.

  “I didn’t say anything,” Trenca blurted.

  “Your silence spoke volumes and I find it incredulous at this point to believe Accomplished Jenna, one of Daniel Benhannon’s most ardent supporters, is not working with you. I also find it interesting how the two individuals considered to be the least significant to this mission are now in the center of this particular swirling of events,” Galloway remarked in a scholarly manner.

  Silence prevailed until Tobermin returned with Sherree Jenna and Fenton Chen, a lean man with light brown skin and black silky hair cut short. His brown eyes were ovoid in shape and his mustache neatly trimmed, sloped around his chin and into a thin beard along his jaw line. His gaze met the eyes of each person in the room before locking onto the highest ranked Accomplished. “Maestro, how may we be of service?”

  Talmon nodded to Tobermin and the jade nimbus appeared around the Vice-Maestro and he focused the spell at the forehead of the Lobenian-born Accomplished. She stared back at him as if he was nothing more than an annoying insect. “If you have a question, ask it,” Jenna chided him.