To Challenge a Maestro

by John Buttrick

  He glanced around constantly taking in the immediate area, not wanting to be surprised by any hidden dangers. There were many threats to survival not related to the Serpent Guild. How pitiful it would be to be killed by a lion while tracking Balen Tamm.

  “How will they know where to find us?” Tim asked while keeping equal vigilance about their surroundings.

  Tim was thinking like an ordinary person, not that he could be faulted for it. The quarry was Aakacarn and so the trap would have to be of the same nature.

  Daniel adjusted his hat to a more comfortable position and continued to explain. “That is the risky part. I’ll fall asleep and let Tarin Conn know our general location. Hopefully, he will not suspect I want to be found.”

  Tim’s brow creased with worry. “The Dark Maestro hurt you something fierce last time.”

  The drummer had a valid point but the potential outcome was worth the possible pain the encounter could provoke. Daniel caught a glimpse of a rabbit eight paces off the trail to his left. The gray and white critter twitched its nose while looking cautiously about for predators; the feeling was mutual. Facing the Dark Maestro again was the last thing Daniel wanted to do, but necessary. “I told you it would be risky. Besides, Tarin Conn can only hurt me in the dream world; he can’t do me any physical harm. If I do this right, he will relay my whereabouts to Balen Tamm or some Serpent Guild underling.”

  “Tarin Conn is no fool. He’s sure to figure out you want to be caught and he would be suspicious of a sudden surrender,” Tim rightly pointed out.

  “True, he won’t believe a quick surrender,” Daniel agreed, which is why he did not plan go easily.

  “Yes, and he won’t believe you’re stupid enough to let slip where you are,” Tim added to his previous point.

  Daniel could not hold back a grin he knew was forming on his face. “I’m just a simple mountaineer who has gone far too long without sleep. He is not going to suspect a trap from me. Besides, I am nearly worn out, so I look the part.”

  A smile grew as Tim caught on. “Everybody in Aakadon looked down on us backwoods Ducaunans, why should the Dark Maestro be any different?” he said and seemed to relax now that he knew what Daniel planned.

  Daniel nodded acknowledgement, dismounted, and set his mind to digging a hole. Tim gathered kindling, set the dried sticks in place, and then stepped back in anticipation. Daniel cast, Sparking the Flame, fire ignited instantly, and then he took a sip from his canteen and sat down.

  Tim removed several packages from his saddlebag and brought them over. “Here, have some jerky,” he offered while holding out the strip of beef.

  Daniel accepted the offering and chewed slowly while staring into the fire. The sun was down, darkness covered the land, and stars littered the sky. He dearly hoped his mind remained sharp enough to accomplish what needed to be done. He swallowed the meat and an idea came to him concerning his up coming confrontation with whoever is sent to capture him. Ultimately, he would be facing Balen Tamm.

  Daniel removed the knife from his belt, ran his finger over the metal blade, and squeezed the wooden handle in a firm grip. He cast the spell, Potentializing the Baton, and felt a tingle in his shoulders while the spell was assessing his rank. He then focused energy into the knife, added the Da Capo, and tied it onto his life force. His ordinary hunting knife was now a type one, level four crescendo with an amplification of six bolts. He removed the amulet from his pocket and studied both Aakacarn tools, one in each hand.

  “You cast a spell on your knife. It had to be fairly strong or I wouldn’t have seen the blue glow,” Tim stated, he had been watching quietly and waited until the business was finished before speaking, not wanting to interrupt, which was always wise when power was being wielded close by.

  Daniel handed over the amulet. “This is for communications. All you need do is place the topaz against your forehead and speak to me. Out loud or in your mind, either way I will hear you instantly, no matter where you are in the world. I also want us to switch knives for a while.”

  Tim accepted the amulet but looked dubious about swapping knives. “What did you do to your knife?” he asked wisely. It was a good question and Daniel knew he should have explained and if he had been more awake he would have.

  “The knife is now a crescendo like this baton,” Daniel said while pulling the ebony crescendo from his belt.

  “Harmon Gramm said I could cast spells but the drain would take away from my length of life. I’ll do it for you, but you will have to teach me something beyond, Potential, if you expect me to be of any help,” Tim replied bravely, and his courage and loyalty were much appreciated.

  “Oh, I don’t want you to cast any spells, just hold it in case I need a backup,” Daniel explained further.

  Tim accepted the knife and handed over his own, and then placed the topaz in the amulet against his forehead. “Can you hear me?” he sent through the communication device.

  “Loud and clear,” Daniel responded in kind.

  Tim grinned and slipped the amulet in his pocket. “Now that is a handy thing to have, especially if we get separated.”

  “I want you to keep it even after I am free from Tarin Conn and you go back to Gina. Just remember, I cannot initiate the communication, you can call me but I can’t call you unless your forehead is in contact with the topaz,” Daniel said. He wanted to stay in communication with his friend and have some contact with his former life. Eventually, he will make more amulets and send them to his parents, when the current business with the Serpent Guild is settled.

  Tim nodded while placing the knife he had been holding with two fingers carefully in his belt sheath. The drummer was not taking any chances, though he was in more danger of cutting himself on the blade than inadvertently casting a spell. He took a swig from his canteen and leaned back on his elbow. “Are you sure going to sleep is a good idea?”

  Daniel rubbed his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger. He wished he could be sure, yet few things in life were sure, death being one of them. He drove the last thought from his mind and focused on the drummer. “This is the best way.”

  “Why don’t you attract them like before? Just go ahead and cast a High Powered spell. That’s what started all of this.” Tim suggested

  “I did when I teleported us here. I wanted the ripples felt as far as they could go. If I cast another one for no obvious reason, they might get suspicious. No, it is best to give our approximate location to Tarin Conn, let his Accomplisheds spend some time locating us, and then we’ll give them a fight. But before I do anything else, I want to place a low power shield on you. It will protect you from blades, arrows, claws, and bites, but not any powerful spells. Even though yetis, Condemneds, and sasquatches cannot harm you, I suggest you avoid them as if they can,” Daniel replied.

  Tim sat up straight. “You can shield me from those sorts of things?”

  “I can now. A Melody came to mind and I knew it was a low powered shield that I could form in whatever shape I desire. The one taught to me by Terroll was pre-formed like a dome. This one I can shape to the contours of your body and I can allow for nostrils and a mouth so you can talk and eat. Just don’t go into battle with your mouth wide open and you should be fine. Also, it would be good if you can avoid getting zapped by an Aakacarn,” Daniel explained and Tim accepted it all without batting an eye. “I only wish this new Melody had come to me back in Bashierwood,” Daniel added.

  “That was then, this is now, let’s just be grateful you can do so presently. Are you going to shield yourself as well?” Tim replied.

  “I definitely am, that won’t protect me from the Accomplisheds, but I will not have to be worried about being stabbed, bitten, or scratched,” Daniel told him.

  Tim frowned. “You made this knife into a crescendo. Do you think any of Balen Tamm’s people felt the ripples? They might be on the way right now.”

  Daniel did not believe the ripples would have traveled very far but the drummer had a good thought. Daniel
cast the spell, Find All, and scanned a five span radius. He found no trace of Aakacarns, yetis, Condemneds, or other humans. There were scores of rodents, birds, felines, and canines, but none approaching the fire.

  “An Accomplished would have to have been within half a span to detect the ripples from the spells I cast since arriving. There are none within five spans of us.”

  “It was just a thought,” Tim said with a look of disappointment on his face and then leaned back on his elbow, no doubt he was eager to see the end of this hunt.

  “It was a good thought,” Daniel told him and not just to humor his friend, “If I had been thinking clearly, I would have cast a find spell before we made camp,” he added. His mental slips were getting worse. He could not afford to make mistakes, not at this point. “Thanks for bringing it up.”

  Tim poked at the fire with a stick stirring up orange embers. “Don’t mention it, just get some sleep.”

  Daniel summoned the potential and placed the low power shield on Tim, added a Da Capo, and tied it to his life force, and then did the same for himself. The shields were proof against bugs as well; spell casting did have its little perks. He yawned and had half a mind to get his guitarn and play a few tunes but he was just too exhausted to bother getting up. He stretched out on the ground and sleep took him.

  Chapter Ten: What is an Aakasear?

  In the dream, Tarin Conn sat in royal splendor on the crystal throne. Light sparkled off the grand chair like twinkling stars. His eyes were cold, calculating, and gave a person the feeling they could see into the depths of any soul they gazed upon. “You are a remarkable young man. Few people have held out so long against me. Congratulations,” he said in dulcet tones.

  The image portrayed by the Dark Maestro could not be trusted. Daniel knew too much had passed between them. Still, it would be best to humor the ancient Accomplished, angering him would not be pleasant. “No offense, but our last meeting didn’t go so well.”

  A wicked smile crossed the visage of Tarin Conn. “No? I found the encounter enjoyable and hopefully enlightening for you,” he replied in a conversational tone, showing no sign of hostility.

  The lesson had in fact been well learned, Daniel did not need a repeat. Aggravating this Accomplished would not gain a thing except pain. The sooner the cursed link was severed the better. Every word from this point forward would have to be measured carefully both to further the plan and to avoid pain.

  “It would seem there is some part of your character that does crave a certain amount of pomp. Did you enjoy being escorted to Aakadon by a Ducaunan Commanding General? The Queen and her entire court are excited about a young Ducaunan mountaineer, a Potential, who is considered to be one of the most gifted Aakacarns ever to be found in living memory. Are you enjoying the coins sent to sponsor your education?” Tarin Conn said, his voice still even, no trace of anger. He stood from his throne and came half way down the thirteen steps, his face full of false concern. “Efferin Tames cannot help you, I told you this before. I am the only one who can break the link between us and I have no intention of doing so. You are tired, desperate, and have found only a physical sanctuary, yet your dreams are still mine and you can only avoid me for a short time. I warn you again, the Grand Maestro is not a dependable branch to grab onto. He will exact a price and that price will also eliminate a rival. And make no mistake; he does see you as a rival.”

  Daniel had thought the Dark Maestro was unaware of his being in Aakadon based on their last meeting. Clearly, someone told him, but the revelation did not alter the plan. What coins? Daniel knew nothing about a sponsorship, and did not care. He could not afford to be distracted with unimportant details. The rest of Tarin Conn’s words were about what Daniel expected to hear.

  “I don’t know why I should be surprised that you know so much,” Daniel replied and deliberately blinked his eyes and shook his head as if having trouble concentrating. “Everything you said about the Grand Maestro has proved to be true. I can’t trust him or any Aakacarn. He thinks he can Silence me, but he has to catch me and, thanks to you, he can’t keep me anywhere I don’t want to be,” Daniel paused and placed his hand over his mouth as if he had said more than he intended; and had to keep from smiling when Tarin Conn’s right eyebrow arched up and a knowing look filled his eyes. “I mean, I am completely safe in Aakadon where none of your guild members can get to me,” he added and then sat down as if frustrated. “I will not serve you and I refused to serve the Grand Maestro. All I want is to be left alone.”

  Tarin Conn had the look of a stalking lion about to make its kill, yet smiled as if concerned. “Serve me and I will allow you to rest. You will be second only to me. We are Aakasear, I the eldest, you the youngest.”

  Daniel had to admit to being curious about the term. The Dark Maestro insisted on applying it to both of them. This looked like as good a time as any to find out what it means to be an Aakasear. “What is an Aakasear? You mentioned my being one as opposed to being an Aakacarn.”

  Tarin Conn’s smile almost appeared genuine, like a fisherman after seeing a fish has just taken the bait on his line. “An Aakacarn can only cast existing Melodies. An Aakasear composes Melodious spells,” he explained.

  Realization rushed into Daniel like the dawning of a new day. All the mysterious spells were not from Tarin Conn. The flame throwing, advanced find spells, healing spells, and wind spells; like the tornado, they were all Daniel’s own compositions. He could hardly credit it, but everything made sense now that it was stated plainly, the spells were original. More, many of his compositions were Symphonics.

  He realized his mouth was hanging open, abruptly closed it, and then focused on the ancient Aakasear. The revelation made the man seem more frightening. “Then I did not stumble on a memory spell, I composed one.”

  Tarin Conn assumed the stance of an Instructor. “Now, you understand why your allegiance to me is so important.”

  Daniel took a step up toward the powerful Serinian and said, without having to feign being impressed, “No wonder the Eagle Guild has so much trouble thwarting your plans. You can compose whatever type of spell is needed to win,” he said, then paused as another question entered his mind, one that needed to be asked delicately, “I mean no disrespect by this, but why can’t you compose a spell to free yourself?”

  Tarin Conn did not grow angry, thank the Creator. Rather, he seemed pleased to have his awesome power recognized. “I am more powerful than any spell caster ever to be born. There are a number of reasons why I cannot yet break free. My prison is threefold. My body is immobilized by a Symphonic spell cast with more than thirty bolts of potential, it is only a matter of time until I possess enough personal potential to break free of that spell and be able to move again. Secondly, the crystalline properties of the chamber in which I reside prevent all but a trickle of life force energy from leaving this tomb. The third obstacle is a Symphonic shield, with more than thirty bolts of potential, focused into amulet crystals embedded in my skin, keeping me from teleporting. I am in the process of composing a spell that will allow me to summon enough potential to remove the crystals without my dying in the attempt. Once they are gone, I will overpower the immobilization spell and teleport to freedom,” he explained.

  “How close are you to finishing the Melody?” Daniel asked, frightened by the thought of the Dark Maestro actually breaking free and meeting him in the flesh.

  “I will know when it is finished. Not every Melody comes easy to the composer; you will discover this as time goes on. Some notes seem to flow easily into a Melody and others take much time and hard work. Our individual preferences and tastes can hamper the work. Consider my Sleep, Condemned, and Teleportation spells, would you compose such Melodies?” Tarin Conn explained very much like Jason would have.

  Daniel thought of the spells mentioned, none of them appealed to him musically. He never would have arranged notes in such a fashion. The notes were sharp and disturbing when heard out loud. “No,” he admitted.


  The Dark Maestro nodded his approval and seemed pleased by his potential recruit’s acceptance of the instruction being given. “You must serve me Daniel. Efferin will only see in you a younger version of me. Swear fealty. I am the only one who can train you to your fullest potential.”

  The hope of breaking the link was fading fast and Daniel felt tired and overwhelmed. Evil as the Dark Maestro was, what he said was all too true. The Grand Maestro would see another Tarin Conn. Daniel’s being an Aakasear would have to be a bigger secret than his possessing six lightning bolts. Still, his mountaineer blood would not give up. He thought about Efferin and the price of having a favor granted by him. He suddenly knew how to solve his problem, the final piece of the plan, how be rid of both Accomplisheds. Yes, he could be free. The odds were against him, there was risk in the path he was choosing, but he just might pull it off. The man before him truly was powerful even while shielded beneath Mount Kelgotha. Before dealing with the Dark Maestro and the Grand Maestro, Daniel had to face Balen Tamm; with whom a direct confrontation could lead to the wrong end of the Condemned spell.

  Daniel clung to the sliver of hope left to him. He was a mountaineer no more. He was a six-bolt Accomplished, an Aakasear, and full Accomplisheds feared him every bit as much as the people of Bashierwood had; at least Harmon Gramm and three other Aakacarns had a healthy respect for him. Daniel would go on with his plan. He looked the Dark Maestro in the eye and said, “I want to be left alone. I’ll go to the Swamp of Append and never bother you. Please, just let me go,” he almost begged.

  Tarin Conn licked his lips. “Your request is unacceptable. However, to show you how merciful I can be, you may rest tonight,” he said in gentle tones and then vanished.

  Daniel drifted off into a deep sleep. He was home on Tannakonna. A bluebird chirped a cheerful greeting in the branch of a nearby tree while Daniel strolled along the trail to the Great Pine. He walked right up to his cabin and went inside. The front room was filled with furniture made by his hands. A sound in the back caught his attention and he went to investigate. In the bedroom sat a woman in a chair brushing her long black hair. Val stood up, turned to him, and smiled. Moments later she was in his arms and pressing her sensuous lips against his. He felt a tingle, a shift of sorts, the kiss ended and the woman now in his arms was smaller, had yellow-gold hair, and emerald green eyes that smoldered with desire. This was impossible, Sherree would never violate the Aakacarn code against marriage, and he never expected to invite her into his cabin. The images faded into nothingness and he drifted from one dream to the next, sometimes with Val and sometimes with him, Sherree, Tim, and Gina traveling together. Sherree popped up in one scenario after another. The world of dreams was the only place he could have her, or any woman. He woke up to find Tim keeping a vigilant watch.