The sun was just a sliver above the horizon yet the city was bright as noon day, so much so Daniel had to shade his eyes from the glare off the wall. He glanced at Tim, who was also shading his eyes, which gave him a fierce look while watching Serin Gell. The drummer looked down right mean. The Accomplished could not escape but the drummer could not see the soft blue glow surrounding the captive.
A hazel-eyed female Talented stood guard at the gate. She hardly appeared to be the type who could intimidate unruly crowds. The hood of her silks was down and long flame-red hair hung freely draped over her shoulders and down her back. The white silk shirt and pants complimented her figure well; some might even have called her angelic. But the pretty young woman was an Aakacarn and that made the difference, offsetting her physical charms, and earning the respect of everyone hoping to pass through the northern gate.
A large well dressed man armed with sword, spear, and buckler, grew red-faced and indignant at being denied entrance. “I demand to see the Grand Maestro!” he shouted as if he believed this was the way to handle the pretty little guard. “I am Lord Sharmine of Keffer Greens in Ducaun and I will not be denied entrance by an underling!” The man was a fool.
The Talented fixed him with a cold hazel-eyed stare that would have sent most non-Aakacarns fleeing in fear. A magenta glow radiated from her at a level the non-Aakacarns could see, deliberately so, and the crowd let out a collective gasp. A stern frown replaced the dimpled cheek smile and she stared up at the man as if she was in complete control of the situation, which of course she was. “We in Aakadon are fully aware of what has occurred this morning and the events of the past few days. The Grand Maestro has everything under control and has no need of advice from you. Now, give place to those behind you or I shall move you myself,” she stated authoritatively.
Lord Sharmine of Keffer Greens in Ducaun cleared his throat and swallowed his pride, which must have been an enormous undertaking for him, no doubt being used to getting his way. He mounted his Battencayan-bred horse, gave the Talented one last look as if he wanted to say something more, but then thought better of it, and trotted away with an escort of twenty men-at-arms and as much dignity as any king on parade.
Daniel smiled at the exchange in spite of being almost completely exhausted. He dismounted and approached the Talented, who was still watching the departing lord riding off in the distance. The glow faded away as she released the potential, and then returned her attention to the crowd. Her eyes suddenly widened as if she could not believe what stood before her.
“Daniel?” she said in a voice slightly louder than a whisper. Her eyes fastened on the golden baton tucked into his belt and then widened at the sight of Serin Gell, Tim she ignored completely.
“Alive and mostly well,” Daniel replied. “Joanna, I need to see the Grand Maestro right away.”
“Like a mountaineer would rate higher than a lord,” someone commented in the crowd.
Joanna stared at Serin Gell awhile longer until she seemed satisfied he was sufficiently subdued, she could see the blue glow surrounding him and had seen such before in Harmon Gramm’s class on practical spell casting. “You trapped him like the Instructor,” she said and smiled, perhaps at the memory.
Daniel glanced at his captive. “Something like that, may we enter?”
“Rumors have been flying all over the city, that you were secretly graduated to Accomplished, that you completed the task set by the Grand Maestro, that you have more than one lightning bolt, and that you killed Balen Tamm. I didn’t believe any of them, but I see it with my own eyes. You actually got the Baton of Tarin Conn and captured an Accomplished of the Serpent Guild,” she said and then paused, giving Serin Gell a closer look. “This man can’t be Balen Tamm. The Maestro of the Serpent Guild is a five-bolt and this man is a three. What happened? I know you must have had something to do with those High Powered spells we all sensed this morning.”
The crowd stared at Daniel as if he was a black adder in their midst. “An Accomplished in disguise, no wonder she speaks respectfully,” a male voice stated somewhere to his left.
“Must be Eagle Guild, thems crafty fellows,” another voice added.
Daniel ignored the comments. Joanna’s response made him briefly wonder how far the ripples went, but it was an idle thought. He liked Joanna and did not feel any particular need to keep the truth from her. Even so, he was tired and in danger of being slapped by Tim again, worse he was in danger of falling asleep and facing the unrestrained wrath of Tarin Conn. He did not have the time to indulge her curiosity. “I must report to the Grand Maestro first. We can talk later,” her told in an attempt to sound diplomatic. He was not afraid of the Talented there just was no point in offending her.
Joanna’s dimpled smile returned. “Of course, meeting with him must come first,” she replied and then began to glow with power. A magenta beam lanced from her right index finger, striking the gate, and causing it to swing outward. “You may enter.”
Daniel tipped his hat in gratitude and led Sprinter into the city with Serin Gell floating in tow and Tim leading Tremor several paces behind him. Aakacarns of every level, rank, and guild stopped to take note of the new arrivals and the buzz of human voices grew louder as more and more of them exited their buildings to join the throngs. Accomplisheds and Talenteds in the street parted spontaneously as if none dared block Daniel’s progression toward the ruby pyramid. Word had spread quickly and the crowd was getting heavier as more people came, some pointing at the Baton of Tarin Conn, some gesturing at Serin Gell, and most all shouting their congratulations for a successful mission.
A deeply tanned five-bolt Accomplished, dark of hair and eye, who looked to be physically fit and ready for action, separated from the masses and came forward. In addition to the traditional red on black silks, the man wore a ring and buckle, both with the bird of prey in flight symbol set on them in diamond and gold. He looked to be in his fifties but was no doubt much older and walked with a quiet dignity that called for respect rather than demanding it.
Daniel gave a courteous nod, but did not bow like a Talented, it did not speak well of anyone’s intelligence if they still thought of him as one of the students. He had learned the names of all leaders of Aakadon, past and present, during his time among the Talenteds, and knew who the person was standing before him. “Maestro Talmon Reese, I present to you, Serin Gell, Accomplished of the Serpent Guild.”
Serin Gell was wide-eyed and sweating like a horse after a three span sprint. Talmon fixed him with a cold stare. “We have a special place for you,” he said and then gestured with his hands, summoning three two-bolt Accomplisheds of the Eagle Guild from among the crowd.
Daniel removed the Da Capos from, Cushion of Air, and Lashing the Rope. Serin Gell dropped like a sack of grain. The harsh treatment, though deserved, was an unintentional result of being on the point of exhaustion. Had Daniel been more awake he would have lowered the man down gently. “I’ll keep the shield on his potential until you notify me to release him,” he said and let out a yawn. He quickly raised his hand in a stopping gesture at Tim who looked ready to help him stay awake. The drummer nodded his head and relaxed his stance.
The three Accomplisheds escorted Serin Gell away at the bidding of their Maestro and Talmon’s eyes fixed on the crescendo tucked into Daniel’s belt. “I shall notify you when to do so,” he replied and then added. “I see your mission was successful.”
Tim stepped forward, grinning like a child who had just been handed a bowl of sweets. “He defeated Balen Tamm,” he announced in a voice that carried out into the crowd.
Talmon did not blink an eye, showing no surprise at the revelation. He focused on the drummer as if he was a precocious Talented, which was a back handed compliment seeing as such was slightly higher in the sight of an Aakacarn than a commoner. “Of course he did. How else would he have obtained the Baton of Tarin Conn? I, for one, would like the details from him.”
“As would I,” a familiar deep voic
e came from the crowd. The Accomplisheds and Talenteds stepped aside to let the Maestro of the Zephyr Guild pass. “What a battle that must have been. The harmonic waves were felt all over the world, even by the commoners.”
That confirmed why everyone they encountered was so frightened and jumpy along the way, although Serin Gell’s presence had no doubt been a major factor as well. The spells used in the duel were far more powerful than Daniel’s memory spell had been. A small feeling of pride bubbled up at knowing he had in deed composed that spell and the others that had come to him, that it was not an old Aakacarn spell he had stumbled on, or something from the Dark Maestro through the link.
An Aakasear should be able to come up with a Melody of his own to break the link. Even as the notion occurred to Daniel, a Melody began to form from the depths of his soul, one that had been coming to him in fragments for quite awhile but somehow been lacking. At those times he had thought it a trick, a way for the Dark Maestro to taunt him, but he knew better now. The last few notes came together in his mind, he added a six note harmony, and the composition was complete.
With the Baton of Tarin Conn in hand, he could break the link, and for a moment was tempted to do so. He could purge the Dark Maestro from his soul and leave the residents of Aakadon to their own devices. But then Tarin Conn would not give up trying to recruit him and Efferin Tames did not seem like a man who could rest easy while a young man who could match his potential walked freely in the world. Daniel smiled, deciding to keep to the plan. He looked at the Maestro of the Zephyr Guild and smiled all the more. Terroll had proven himself to be a friend when the going got tough, and likely paid a price for it. “I’d like to give you a full report but I’m exhausted and want to see the Grand Maestro before collapsing. Will Efferin see me now or should I file a petition?” he replied while adding a little irony to his question.
Terroll smiled, Talmon frowned, and Tim laughed out loud, drawing curious stares from the crowd of Aakacarns. No doubt some of them failed to see the humor and thought the question was serious and appropriate.
“I am here, young man. A petition will not be necessary,” Efferin stated as he walked toward them, apparently he was one of those who took the question seriously. The crowd parted while offering salutes, bows, and respectful nods to the Grand Maestro of Aakadon.
Daniel pulled the baton from under his belt and held it up for all to see. He was still quite sleepy, almost giddy from the lack, and it took a great deal of will to hand over the crescendo without giggling over how well his plan was unfolding. He thought of what would happen if he was to fall asleep and used the image of an angry Tarin Conn to sober his thinking. “Please break the link. I don’t want to face the Dark Maestro again,” he told him in all sincerity.
The twinkle in Efferin’s eye revealed he had something in the nest, a plan of his own, one that would turn things to his advantage, which served to confirm he could never be fully trusted. This was a contest of a different sort, not who was stronger in potential, but whose plan would prevail. He took the golden serpent and examined it closely and seemed satisfied that it was authentic. “Come to my office I will sever the link there,” he said and turned without waiting for a reply, as if he expected to be followed without question, if so he expected correctly.
Daniel walked silently behind the Grand Maestro. Tim allowed several Talenteds to lead the horses away and then quickly caught up with Terroll, who was matching pace with Talmon. The Aakacarns watching their progression no longer seemed to look down on the man wearing buckskins, the man who defeated Balen Tamm, and seemed more interested in the Accomplished rather than the clothing, although they could only guess at his rank.
The sun had set yet the city still glowed like day, and would do so until Efferin decided otherwise. He led the way into the ruby pyramid. Bran Tippen sprang from his chair, knocking it over in his haste, and guided everyone into the shaft. He cast a floatation spell and gently raised the platform up to the top floor. Efferin walked straight to his office and sat down behind his desk.
“I have a few questions,” the Grand Maestro began in a reasonable tone of voice. He looked like a man pondering his next move in a game of strategy. “Where is Balen Tamm? I noticed you brought in that renegade Serin Gell,” he paused and then added without allowing for a response, “Where is the headquarters of the Serpent Guild and did any get away?”
These were questions that could be answered anytime and Daniel had a feeling by the look in Talmon’s eyes that some of what was asked was already known. It was extremely frustrating, especially with sleep beckoning at the door. Perhaps they wanted their speculations confirmed, if so, that was important, but the timing seemed to be calculated to keep him off balance when Efferin finally made his move.
“Balen Tamm is dead. Killed by Daniel in a potential to potential battle of endurance,” Tim answered and bless his heart for doing so. “The Serpent Guild’s headquarters is in Mount Gosian, though I doubt you’ll find many members still there; alive anyway. Many of the tunnels collapsed during the battle and the survivors have probably fled into the countryside.”
No one rebuked the drummer for speaking up. The fact that they allowed him to be present showed he had earned some respect in their eyes for having gone on such a perilous journey. They all respected courage when they saw it.
Terroll grinned broadly. “My star pupil,” he said and he did have a right to be pleased. After all, he had set Daniel on the road to success through his teaching.
Efferin glanced at Talmon and frowned, seemingly troubled by the news. He should be happy. His greatest enemy is dead and the Serpent Guild is in disarray, what more could he want? Talmon had smiled but it vanished in an eye blink when the Grand Maestro looked at him. Whatever was passing between them Daniel did not have the time or mental energy to figure it out now.
The way Tim described events Daniel came across as heroic, but he did not feel like a hero. The intent had never been to kill Balen Tamm, only to capture him if possible and bring the Baton of Tarin Conn to the Grand Maestro. If the tale is heroic, then there was more than one involved. “Tim tossed me my crescendo at the critical moment,” he began.
“Yes, but it was your idea for me to hold onto it, knowing they would never expect me to be carrying one,” Tim interrupted.
“True, but I would be among the Condemned right now if it wasn’t for you being there,” Daniel insisted on giving credit where credit was due. He looked the Grand Maestro in the eye. “If it wasn’t for him I would be serving the Serpent Guild right now instead of standing here talking to you.”
Efferin glanced at the ebony baton tucked into Daniel’s belt, then at the drummer and seemed to weigh, assess, and approve of him. “You are a remarkably brave young man and the world owes you a debt. Know that your part in this matter will be published,” he told him and both Maestros voiced their agreements as well.
Tim was uncomfortable at receiving praise, which was normal for him. He looked down and would have kicked something if the office had not been so immaculate. “I just did what needed doing,” he replied. “I’m just glad I could throw straight with all that shaking going on.”
Efferin cleared his throat. “I will never again underestimate a mountaineer,” he said as if learning a valuable lesson. “You two young men managed to track down and kill one of the most powerful individuals in the world. There are seven five-bolt Accomplisheds left in the world, two six-bolts, and both of them are in this room.”
Daniel was sleepy but he could still count and knew what the score was, and what the Grand Maestro was implying. A move to eliminate a rival would be made soon. Timing and cunning is what would make the difference between who won and who lost.
“Yes, Daniel, you and I are the most powerful Aakacarns in the world,” at least he still thought Daniel was an Aakacarn, “You have come to me for a favor and I have decided to grant it.”
Daniel felt relieved and worried at the same time and the conflicting emotions were unsettl
ing on his fatigued mind, not a good thing when he needed to keep his wits about him.
Efferin raised and aimed the serpent-shaped baton and a ruby beam, the color of his potential, shot from the diamond in its mouth with a high pitched whine. Daniel felt a stinging sensation in the back of his head and suddenly the link was broken. He was free! The Dark Maestro could no longer trouble his dreams. This moment was worth all that he and Tim went through to obtain the baton. The Grand Maestro had kept his part of the bargain after all. Maybe he was not so insecure that he felt the need to neutralize all possible rivals. It could be the chief Aakacarn finally realized this mountaineer truly had no desire to take his place.
The glow around Efferin vanished but not the glint in his eye, which told he was not finished. Instantly, his potential came back brighter than before. He was making his move, not that it was totally unexpected. His timing was perfect. Daniel thought of a shield spell but the red beam struck before he could finish the Melody. He fell back and was caught by someone, probably Tim, he could not be sure. The offensive spell stung like a wasp; except the pain was in his mind. He grabbed his head and sagged into the arms of whoever held him as his knees buckled and gave way. A spell, he had to strike back with a spell. His mind scrambled to come up with a Melody but the effort was in vain. His exhausted mind had no recollection of the simplest spell.
Chapter Sixteen: A Gratuity Paid
Efferin Tames smiled, apparently quite pleased with himself and discontinued the assault. His potential faded out as he lowered the golden baton. “The favor is granted and the gratuity is paid,” he said in a conversational tone, as if a simple marketplace transaction had just occurred.
To Challenge a Maestro Page 24