To Challenge a Maestro

by John Buttrick

  Daniel washed his hair and sighed. The lack of sleep was not helping matters. Sherree’s rejuvenation spell helped some but he was beginning to have trouble concentrating in class. The combination of exhaustion and anxiety caused him to be irritable; temperament had not been a problem in the past. He had always taken events for what they were and dealt with them accordingly. Prior to entering the washroom, he had snapped at Samuel and Jerremy for laughing at his waiting until everyone else was finished before taking a bath.

  In the middle of his thought, the door opened and Simon entered the washroom. Daniel froze; he had forgotten to create the shield. His upper body was fully visible. Their eyes met.

  “I’m so-so sorry. I came up late and no one tol-told me you were in here,” the sandy-haired Talented stammered. His blue eyes suddenly widened as it dawned on him what he was seeing on his friend’s shoulders.

  “Simon, please come in and shut the door,” Daniel told him.

  The Talented stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, automatically obeying the command of an Accomplished. The Aakacarn came no closer, evidently wanting to keep some distance between them. Daniel cast the Shield spell, belatedly, so they could talk in private.

  Simon seemed to be mostly in shock, but it was beginning to wear off. “You’re a six-bolt Accomplished,” he stated unnecessarily.

  “Yes. Did you think three Talenteds, even ones as gifted as Sherree, Jerremy, and Samuel, could fight off Accomplisheds of the Serpent Guild, Condemns, and a legion of yetis?”

  “I didn’t question it. I learned you all fought and held them off long enough for the Ducaunan Royal Cavalry to arrive and finish the job,” Simon replied. “How can you be a six-bolt?”

  “How can a lion have claws? I am what I am. I received the bolts like anyone else. I was taught the required number of spells and then hummed the Melody of Ranking. The six bolts came as a shock to me. The Creator knows why my potential is so high but I don’t, and He hasn’t given me any signs to help me figure it out; none that I have discerned anyway,” Daniel explained as calmly as he could.

  “Why are you here with us Talenteds? Why are you pretending to be one of us? Are you here to choose a guild?” his questions flowed out.

  “I was captured and taken to Kelgotha where a link to Tarin Conn was formed. I am here in the hopes that the Grand Maestro will sever that link. I’m here as a Talented because that is the price of the gratuity,” Daniel replied, and then went on and told Simon the entire story, only leaving out the conversations with the Dark Maestro. “So you see I am stuck in a tangle. Will you help me?”

  Simon had sagged to the floor during the explanation of events, his mouth opening and closing at the more tumultuous parts. He blinked at the end. “But you’re nearly as powerful as the Grand Maestro, I’m just a Talented, what could I possibly do to help that you couldn’t do for yourself?” he stopped, blinked a few times, looked into Daniel’s eyes, and then said, “I mean, sure I’ll help, of course I’ll help.”

  “Please keep my rank between you and me, don’t tell anyone. Efferin might not break the link if he sees me as a potential rival, I’m not, and don’t want to be, but he won’t believe it. If I have six bolts at the age of nineteen, he is going to wonder how many I might have at age twenty, and how long before I could challenge him. I have no desire to join a guild and definitely no desire to rule Aakadon.”

  “But you could,” Simon replied thoughtfully. After pondering the matter awhile longer, he added, “Just about anyone else in your position probably would. But I believe you, more, I like you. I don’t understand why you don’t want to join a guild but, yes, I will keep your secret.”

  “Thank you, Simon,” Daniel replied. He trusted the young Talented, for good or ill. Hopefully this was not just the poor judgment of a tired mind.

  Simon stood up and faced the door. “You can dry off and get dressed. I’m not going to look.”

  Daniel emptied the tub, dried off using a warm wind spell, donned his silks, and released the shield spell. He and Simon nodded to each other, went into the dorm room, and ignored the snickering that followed each of them to their respective beds.

  Daniel stretched out on his bed. Samuel still seemed to be brooding over the earlier rebuke and Jerremy acted as though he did not care at all. Burten giggled and Darrell, who had been healed by the Aloe Guild, snorted in a failed attempt to stifle a laugh.

  Samuel shifted on his bed. “I’m sorry. Don’t feel bad about being shy,” he said in a quiet voice.

  Daniel felt a little guilty. After all, he had over reacted; the Teki was just having fun and meant no real harm in the jesting. “Thanks for understanding.”

  The number three ranked Talented smiled at the response, evidently being in the good graces of others was important to him. Or, maybe to only those he respected or thought of as friends.

  Jerremy rolled over and stared like an old Instructor about to deliver vital facts. “Your irritability is understandable. Instructor Gramm was especially hard on you today after you failed to play the Serinian horn to his satisfaction. I think if you would give an outward sign of the pain he would quit sooner.”

  “You’re right,” Daniel conceded. The piece he had been given to play was not a spell, but Harmon Gramm still expected each note to be played precisely the way it was written, which Daniel would have done if he hadn’t been so tired that he lost concentration. “I think he wants to see me jerk around and beg his forgiveness.”

  The Instructor had come close to receiving an attitude adjustment, but was saved once again by Sherree, though the swaggering, overbearing, egotistical, bully never knew it. Daniel did not know how much longer he could go without real honest to goodness sleep.

  “You mountaineers are stubborn,” Samuel remarked in a voice that held no insult. His tone was respectful. “I believe the man could run a dagger through your hand and you wouldn’t flinch or move a muscle.”

  Daniel let out a yawn and quickly shook his head to keep himself awake; falling asleep would not be good. Tarin Conn might figure out his quarry was no longer in Bashierwood. The current conversation had one benefit, it kept Daniel conscience. “I would not allow Gramm to stab me. He is fortunate Sherree’s been around to stay my hand. I might have actually hurt him.”

  Jerremy sat bolt upright in bed. “Have you performed the spell of Ranking?” he demanded.

  Daniel wanted to slap himself. His tongue would give him away if he kept failing to bridle it. “Why do you ask?” he replied, knowing his answering with a question was not the best response, his tired mind could not come up with a better one.

  By the smirk on the Serinian’s face, the reply was exactly what he had expected, even the panicky tone in which it had been delivered. “Because, unless you have a lightning bolt under that shirt you refuse to remove in front of us, you’d better not talk about doing anything to an Accomplished.”

  Daniel smiled, his secret was safe. “Point taken, I’ll guard my tongue in the future.”

  Jerremy nodded approvingly. “Good. Stick with me and I’ll guide you though the rough spots,” he said and then reclined on his pillow.

  Oil lamps flickered out, private conversations ended, and many of the Talenteds fell asleep. Daniel stared at the ceiling while thinking of life on Tannakonna. He no longer mourned the loss of the simple existence he once knew, doing so was pointless. Like a spider with a ruined web, he simply had to build another. The memories served to keep him awake and he continued to ponder them until the sun came up.

  He sprang out of bed before his roommates awakened, cast the laundering spell, and then headed down for a quick breakfast. A small number of Talenteds were lining up in the cafeteria, among them were Sherree, Joanna, and Charlene; who was a former resident of Fon Kay, located North of Battencay, on the west coast; according to the holographic maps.

  “Good morning,” Daniel told them while taking his place in line. His mouth began to water at the first whiff of eggs and sausage.<
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  Sherree took one look at him, reached over, touched his forehead, closed her eyes, and cast the rejuvenation spell. Strength to go on flowed into him, though sleep would have been better. She broke the spell and opened her eyes. “Good morning,” she told him.

  “His potential is the exact color of the Aloe Guild building,” Joanna remarked. “It’s a beautiful shade of blue.”

  “I noticed,” Sherree agreed with a look that bordered on affectionate.

  Both females spoke about him as if he was not standing there. Charlene grabbed a plate of food, evidently finding that more interesting, as did he. Daniel received his breakfast and sat down with the three female Aakacarns. They ate slowly and did most of the talking. He kept silent, though his gaze often fell on Sherree. Most of the conversation centered on spell casting, nothing he did not already know. He was interested in the one spell that would free him from the Dark Maestro. A melody came to mind, similar to what came to him upon reaching Aakadon, but he sensed it was not finished and needed more time.

  He finished eating. “I’ll see you later,” he told them and walked out onto the spotless marble streets of the Aakacarn city.

  Looming a short distance away was the ruby pyramid with its all-seeing eye. Efferin Tames watched over the world from there, pulling the strings and making everyone dance to his tune. That is; all except Balen Tamm and the Serpent Guild. How long does it take to be granted an audience with the Grand Maestro? The leading Aakacarn could afford to sit comfortable behind his desk. He did not have to face Tarin Conn every time his eyes closed.

  The legal formalities were maddening. Daniel was fed up and walked straight into the huge pyramid. Nobles and royals were in deed waiting, seated on plush cushions of purple velvet. The black stone floor shined as though coated with a finger thick sheet of diamond. Jason had not been exaggerating when he had told of the many people seeking an audience with the Grand Maestro. Accomplisheds from every guild busied themselves moving to and fro carrying papers and some just waiting patiently for their name to be called. Lena Beyers, A five-bolt Accomplished, Maestro of the Sun Guild, was among the group that was waiting. One would think she could see the Grand Maestro any time she chose, evidently not. Daniel bowed respectfully to her and walked on.

  A red-haired one-bolt Accomplished of the Stone Guild sat behind a pine desk, similar to those used by the Instructors. His fair skin indicated he spent a great deal of his time indoors. He glanced up and then focused his blue eyes into a firm stare. “Have you a reason to be here, Talented?” he asked in a tone that said, “You better have.”

  Aggravating people unnecessarily just was not a good idea, though Daniel was sorely tempted to shout at the man. He held his tongue, knowing these folks wanted to be addressed in a certain way, always wanting there egos stroked, and so spoke politely. “Yes, Accomplished, I have petitioned for an audience with the Grand Maestro and would like to know the status.”

  The Aakacarn frowned. “Just a moment,” he said and glanced at a sheet of paper on his desk. “What is your name?”

  “Daniel Benhannon.”

  Both eyebrows arched up on the Accomplished; apparently he recognized the name, which might even be a good sign. He then made a mark on the paper and shook his head negatively. “Your petition isn’t here; it must be still working its way up through channels. When did you file?”

  Daniel found it necessary to count to five before opening his mouth in order to keep from shouting. He restrained himself, though the tension inside him was rising like pressure under a volcano. “Maestro Terroll Barnes filed it four days ago,” he replied in a respectfully subdued tone, the best he could manage anyway.

  The Accomplished’s eyes narrowed as though he was irritated, as if his time had been wasted. “Your petition will not reach my desk for another month, at least. Do you have any other business?”

  Daniel’s fists clenched and he had to breathe slowly and take deep breaths before he could speak with a civil tongue. “No. Thanks for your time,” he said quickly and walked away, afraid he would lose control.

  He walked fifty paces before realizing he had passed at least twelve Accomplisheds without so much as acknowledging them, he did not care. His stomach felt as though it had been punched and then tied into knots. He spotted Jerremy going to Tames Hall and quickened his pace. The Talented seemed totally unaware of how furious Daniel was while walking with him all the way there and into Jason’s class on spell theory. Daniel paid little attention to what was being discussed. The Instructor was covering the same material Terroll had and Daniel was too distracted to pretend interest. His internal pressure grew along with his irritability and he was struggling to stay in control.

  Listening to theories on how much potential to give certain spells and which Melodies automatically drew, even at the expense of the caster’s life, what was required to perform the intended task was getting on his nerves. None of it had anything to do with delayed petitions or getting rid of the cursed link to Tarin Conn, which was the entire reason he was in Aakadon. The lecture ended and Jerremy parted company with him without saying a word, perhaps he did sense something was amiss.

  The next class would be much more difficult to get through and Daniel dreaded it. He met up with Samuel and walked into the huge room with the crimson padded floor. “Are you alright?” the Teki asked tentatively. One would think he expected to have his head snapped off. “You’re acting strange, even for you.”

  “I’m fine,” Daniel replied firmly.

  Terroll had to have known the petition would take a month or more to reach Efferin Tames. They both knew about the link to Tarin Conn, which could only mean; they don’t care! The Maestro of the Zephyr Guild can no longer be counted an ally, only Tim.

  “If you say so,” Samuel said, clearly unconvinced, and so what?

  “I do.”

  The room with the crimson mat was becoming all too familiar. So were the dorm, cafeteria, and that all-seeing eye atop the ruby pyramid. He was tired of the whole blighted city. He was exhausted. How long did they expect him to go without sleep?

  Tim stood in the right hand corner of the room holding the guitarn. He had spent much of the last four days listening to the Talenteds practice their spells. He plucked out a simple Melody. The instrument glowed topaz blue and each Aakacarn began to glow. The room was filled with every color of the spectrum. Daniel could feel his crescendo being used and sense what spell had been cast; Potential. How could the drummer cast a spell? Startled, Tim dropped the guitarn and it fell to the floor with the muffled tone of vibrating strings.

  Daniel started toward his faithful friend. This was amazing. A non-Aakacarn had actually cast a spell, how could it be?

  Harmon Gramm practically flew over and rounded on Tim in a fury. “What have you done? Servants do not play with Aakacarn instruments!”

  “I.., uh..,” Tim tried to explain, but how could he?

  “Fool, you have no extra energy in your life force. Even simple spells, like Potential, can takes weeks off your life; and you have no way of gaining it back,” Harmon Gramm scolded the drummer and then glowed bright pink with potential.

  The Instructor was about to focus potential on the only true friend Daniel had. He could handle any pain the Accomplished chose to dish out, but Tim did not have to be here, there was no need for him to put up with such foolishness. “Don’t punish him. He was using my instrument, punish me,” Daniel said and then steeled himself for the pain to come.

  Harmon Gramm turned with a malevolent grin on his face. “I might have known. Rest assured you will be punished for speaking without being told to do so. He will be punished afterwards”

  Gramm pulled a diamond headed silver baton from his silks and focused two bolts of potential into Daniel. Pain struck and he gasped in spite of his best efforts to not let it show. The agony grew until it came close to matching what Cenni Quen had done to him.

  “Beg my forgiveness!” Harmon Gramm demanded.

  The pain in
creased but Daniel refused to beg. He took a deep breath and stood tall.

  “You are going to learn humility today!”

  Daniel shuddered under the onslaught but continued to stand firm and not bow or beg.

  “No!” Sherree interrupted “Leave him alone.”

  Harmon Gramm stopped the spell immediately. Her outburst had caught him by surprise. He turned and fixed his eyes on her. “I thought you learned humility long ago,” he said and then focused potential through the baton at the golden-haired Talented.

  Sherree floated six cubits above the floor and was wrapped in pink bands of air. Her arms and legs were immobilized; all she could do was breath.

  “Do you have a lightning bolt on your shoulder?” the Instructor asked her in mocking tones.

  “No, Instructor,” Sherree replied meekly. She seemed fully prepared to accept her punishment.

  “You certainly must think so, speaking to me as if to an equal,” Gramm replied and then cast another spell at her. Her cloak ripped away and a piece of white silk was torn from her shirt, exposing the smooth cream colored skin of her right shoulder. She who often hid in her cloak was flushing red as the entire class looked on.

  “ENOUGH!” Daniel shouted, his limit had been reach, he would take no more.

  Harmon Gramm released Sherree and she fell to the floor, landing on her feet and quickly pulled the torn silk over her shoulder.

  “You must have a lightning bolt,” Gramm said and then glowed with potential.

  Daniel summoned the energy for his shield spell and focused on the Accomplished, then added a Da Capo. He cast a wind spell, wove it into thick bands of rope, and then suspended the helpless Aakacarn six cubits above the floor. The one-bolt did not have a prayer of breaking free.