To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles)

by Buttrick, John

  Simon knew the flush in his face must have turned several shades redder. It probably did look as if he had sought her out, he never thought of doing so, yet should have respected the chain of command, and come to her first. He had forgotten more than just the cloak and fate saved him from breaking protocol and bypassing the First Accomplished. “Crum, my buzzard, showed me Fon Kayan and Battencayan legions marching in and setting up camp within Lobenia, and only a span west of Ducaun. A legion of Pentrosa’s Sutton Guard seems to be the driving force with hundreds of Accomplisheds within sight of my feathered friend.”

  Leah blinked her eyes several times before speaking. “Are you telling me you have feathered scouts that far ahead, all the way into Lobenia?”

  Simon nodded his head. “Virgil should reach Shantear in the late afternoon or early evening. He is resting now but will resume the flight after dawn.”

  The First Accomplished stared up and to the left. “The report is important. Should I disturb the Maestro?” she asked, in a soft voice, probably to herself.

  Simon chose to answer even if the question was not meant for him. “The Aakadon caravan has yet to cross the Tollus and has hundreds of spans to cover before reaching the border, so I think the information can wait a few marks.”

  Leah’s dark eyes fixed on him. “Resourceful and wise, I am going to keep my eyes on you.” Her words sounded more like a promise than a threat, so he took them as a compliment.

  Simon figured she would be like the Accomplisheds of the Willow Guild, praise him and soon forget he is even in the room. He shrugged off the compliment and smiled, pleased to have passed on the information. Daniel would soon learn about the army in his path and that was the important thing, not who would get the credit. “A six-bolt Accomplished once asked a fourth level Talented for help. I did what little I could for him then and will continue to do so in the future. Well, you have my report and I will go back to my quarters,” he replied, and then added before turning away, “Daniel never promised to keep an eye on me, he just does.”

  Four marks later Simon and his Sentinels were among the large group of people conveyed by Daniel to a meadow within walking distance of where the Aakadon caravan had camped for the night. The First Accomplished, Commander Herling, Accomplished Lassiter, and Sherree stood facing Maestro Reese, Vice-Maestro Tobermin, Barnabas Galloway, Janice Footner, Rondara Kapes, Lucia Trotta, and Ralpen Pentrago. The squads of each Accomplished of the Atlantan Guild in attendance quickly spread out and encircled the meeting place.

  “We have come as you requested through Senior Forester Galloway,” Maestro Reese spoke up after everyone had finished exchanging the customary nods of respect. He had a difficult time taking his eyes off the First Accomplished while addressing Daniel.

  Tobermin was dividing his stares between Leah and Lassiter. His face reflected distaste at seeing them here, and the silent projection of his feelings was clearly intentional. Simon expected to see him spit on the ground in front of their feet. The First Accomplished and the former Senior Soarer ignored the Vice-Maestro.

  “I asked you here to discuss a problem,” Daniel began to explain the purpose for the meeting, even though it should not be necessary. Simon knew the information had been relayed to Barnabas. “There are six legions just across the border and they are backed by more than a thousand Accomplisheds of the Serpent Guild,” he relayed Crom’s most resent report. Simon was glad his friend did not reveal the source of the information to the Accomplisheds of Aakadon.

  “We do not have the resources to defeat the force you just described,” Tobermin stated. “Do you?”

  Daniel looked directly at Talmon Reese. “I asked you here and brought my most experienced associates so we can plan how best to solve this problem. Chas Herling is the Commander of the Chosen’s Sentinels, Leah Barryn is my First Accomplished,” he paused and Simon observed Sherree give a quick negative shake of her head, “Jeremiah Lassiter is my Taskforce Commander, Accomplished Trenca is my Chief Aid, and Accomplished Jenna is one of my advisors,” he finished without mentioning her being the First Lady.

  Simon knew his friend made up that title for him on the spot, this being the first time he heard it, and appreciated how the Ducuanan always treated him as if he was important. Even so, a title without responsibilities is empty, and Simon preferred his work to be meaningful.

  Tobermin eyed each person, glanced at the Sentinels, and his mouth twitched as if he was suppressing the urge to smile. “Assuming your information is correct, I am not surprised a handful of Accomplisheds and a little over a hundred household men-at-arms would seek a true Maestro’s advice.”

  Daniel ignored the man and projected a map slightly above the ground, using the Melody Simon gave to him earlier. A three dimensional image of the border area displayed the legions and the huge number of Accomplisheds allied with them. “This would explain why the Serpents have not attacked you since we last met. They were planning to stop us here,” he told the Maestro. “My Teki Seer warned me of the fall of Battencay and that this combined force you see would pose a problem for us in Lobenia. Vice-Maestro Tobermin is correct, neither of us has the resources to take on the full might of this army,” his arm swept across the image as he spoke, “but we can come up with a plan to punch through at their weakest point.”

  “The biggest problem as we see it,” Commander Herling joined the conversation. “Is that the Serpents will have been in the region long enough to allow many traveling circles to come and go.”

  Talmon Reese began nodding his understanding of the problem. “This means they can teleport as many reinforcements into the area as they need. Even after we determine the weak spot, soon after we strike, the Serpents assigned to that company will see our forces, and call in enough of their associates from around the continent to over whelm us,” he stated and then glanced at his Vice-Maestro. “Accomplished Benhannon is absolutely correct in bringing this problem to our attention and to do so in such a timely way.”

  The First Accomplished spoke up, “Our forward scouts will continue to watch the enemy troops and give us current information. We have time to plan, but our strike, when it comes, must be fast and furious.”

  Maestro Reese stared at her briefly before making his reply. “You always favored the fast and furious approach. Be that as it may, I see your time as one of the Condemneds has impressed upon you the need for proper planning before taking action.”

  Tobermin moved a step closer to Leah. “Accomplished Benhannon has done an excellent job of keeping his forces hidden from our Senior Soarers, even with us knowing your scouts are all around us. Discovering you are one of his advisors goes along way in explaining how he managed it,” he told her in a tone that almost sounded respectful. “A person with your experience knows the battle ahead will take our combined forces and that means at some point in the near future we will need to know what strengths your side is bringing to the fight.”

  Leah looked to Daniel. “He has a point. We will not be able to keep the forces we commit to the campaign hidden from our allies.”

  The former mountaineer sighed and nodded his head, clearly not pleased about revealing his strengths to the Accomplisheds of Aakadon. “The danger will not be over after we punch through. Once we reach Lobenia it may be necessary for our forces to ride with those of Maestro Reese.”

  The leader of the Aakadon expedition smiled, perhaps anticipating all the arrests he hoped to make after the mission ended. “I see no other way to proceed. We must combine forces in order to succeed.”

  “Our success will also require a unified command,” Tobermin was quick to add, “And Maestro Reese is the most qualified.”

  The suggestion went over well with the Accomplisheds of Aakadon, but not so much with Daniel’s followers, and the discussion grew louder as both sides expressed their point of view. Planning battles is not what Simon considered to be one of his talents and so he had nothing to add along those lines. He knew full well Daniel would never place the Atlan
tan Guild under the command of Talmon Reese and so the current line of discussion truly was not solving the problem. The Accomplisheds of Aakadon were untrustworthy allies and Simon knew he had to word his suggestion carefully, so as not to reveal more than what his friend wanted these people to know.

  “Why should we punch through the enemy lines when we can teleport?” Simon began, using the terms known to the Accomplisheds of Aakadon. “We can form a traveling circle and transport our forces and our allies well beyond the Serpents. They’ll still be sitting there waiting for us while we ride on to Shantear.”

  Everyone stopped talking and stared at Simon, most of them blinking in surprise, half of which probably did so because they had forgotten he was there, and the rest were no doubt shocked he had any suggestions at all. Except Daniel, who grinned, “Simon, excellent thinking, you are definitely a problem solver.”

  Simon shrugged his shoulders and smiled back. “My idea is not as exciting as the Chosen Vessel smashing those who get in the way of his swirl, but it will save a whole lot of time. I mean, it was different when you were providing a secret escort, you had to go slow, but at this point, everyone here knows we are helping and that we can teleport. We are standing east of the Tollus River and Maestro Reese and his team has hundreds of spans to travel just to reach the border.”

  Daniel faced Maestro Reese. “Now you see why I made him my Chief Aid. He is correct. We can all be in Lobenia today, well beyond the army waiting for us, and well ahead of your schedule.”

  Tobermin loudly inhaled and began shaking his head. “You expect us to place the entire fate of the mission in your hands? Maestro, he could transport us anywhere, and possibly destroy us all in the blink of an eye.” The man obviously did not realize Daniel could do that right now, if he had been so inclined.

  For a moment it seemed the Maestro of the Eagle Guild was about to agree with his second in command, but then he shook his head. “I received the report days ago. The Kelgotha Mission has failed, even though the team never came closer than ten spans from the mountain, each member is now linked to the Dark Maestro as Accomplished Benhannon once was. They are on their way back to Aakadon so the Grand Maestro can sever each connection,” he paused and fixed his gaze on Simon. “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, as you once told me, Jerrian, and that very one has offered a solution I do not like one bit, yet must agree with. There will be no more teams sent to Kelgotha, so keeping Tarin Conn entombed is up to us. Accomplished Trenca’s idea saves us valuable time and I would think it worth trying even if there was no army between us and Shantear,” he admitted, and then looked to Daniel. “We will break camp within the mark and meet with you at the first clearing Senior Forester Galloway can find that will be large enough to accommodate all of us, including your traveling circle.”

  “It will be as you say, Maestro,” Daniel replied. “Accomplisheds, form a circle, Sentinels, inside the perimeter, and stand ready. I will conduct.”

  The Accomplisheds of Aakadon moved back while everyone else obeyed the commands. Once people were positioned to his liking, Daniel drew a diamond-bladed knife identical to the one sheathed in Sherree’s belt, and the blackness of in between here and there swallowed them all.

  Simon was about to guess the destination when the world flashed back into existence and he stood facing Lake Benhannon. Everyone, Accomplisheds and Sentinels were looking at him. “How far into Lobenia can you take me?” Daniel asked.

  “I can get you to Mount Jessup right now,” Simon replied. “Give me to the late afternoon and I can get you to Shantear.”

  “He sent his feathered scouts out many days ago,” The First Accomplished informed the group.

  Daniel divided his attention between his First Accomplished and his new Chief Aid. “Leah, you only told me about Crum being a span across the border. Simon, you are on the verge of giving us the ability to reach Shantear within a day. Did it occur to either of you that I might have wanted to know these things?”

  Simon shrugged his shoulders. “You didn’t ask until now and I wanted to gather as much information as I could before bothering you with the minor details.”

  Sherree laughed. “See how it feels when you have to pump someone for those seemingly minor details.”

  Daniel opened his mouth, shook his head, and then his jaw snapped shut; evidently thinking it better to leave whatever was on the tip of his tongue unsaid.

  “If it makes you feel any better,” Leah offered. “Simon did not inform me of his plans until early this morning.”

  “Well, we know now and Accomplished Trenca’s resourcefulness has furthered the mission greatly,” Jeremiah Lassiter commented and then looked at Simon askance. “In the future, however, it would be good if you include your taskforce commander on the list of those who should be kept informed.”

  Leah smiled at Simon and he noticed the dimples in her cheeks. She patted him on the back and focused on the Taskforce Commander. “I will be assigning a new Accomplished under your command to replace Accomplished Trenca, who is now the Chief Aid of our,” she glanced at Daniel, “leader,” she finally said and Simon would have bet his horse, Spud, that she had been about to use the title, Maestro, and changed her mind at the last instant.

  Daniel nodded affirmatively but Simon could tell by the far away look in his friend’s eyes that his mind was whirling with thoughts on how to use the options now opened to him. “Simon I like the way you gave the suggestion at the meeting in Serpent Guild terms. We must assume there is at least one spy in the Aakadon camp and I don’t want them to know about our improvements and innovations,” he stated, bringing the discussion back to what Simon considered to be important.

  “It is best to make our plans assuming the presence of a spy,” Jeremiah Lassiter gave his opinion in a professional manner.

  Daniel looked to the Taskforce Commander. “Our allies only need to know we will be transporting them beyond the enemy line,” he began to say and then his gaze took in Sherree, Leah, and Chas Herling. “I want to move Reese and his caravan to Mount Jessup when they stop at whichever clearing they choose. I am sure Senior Forester Galloway will recognize the region right away, so the location will not remain a secret, but the Serpents will be caught completely by surprise by the move, and hopefully have difficulty bringing forces in time to stop us from reaching Shantear,” the reluctant Maestro announced his decision and then glanced at Simon. “When my Chief Aid’s feathered scout reaches Shantear, he and I will survey the mountain, inside and out.”

  “How many Accomplisheds do you want involved in the conveyance to Jessup?” Lassiter requested after nodding his understanding.

  Daniel’s gaze took in Leah as well as Lassiter. “Go ahead and assign that new Accomplished to the taskforce because all one hundred and fifty will be going,” he said and then turned to Chas Herling, “along with their squads. All of them must be mounted. That large of a force may not be necessary, seeing as we will be avoiding the army on the border, and yet my instincts tell me we should be prepared for more than just a skirmish.”

  “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel,” the Sentinel Commander replied.

  “It will be as you say, Maestro,” the Taskforce Commander dared to use the title Leah had refrained from using, and then quickly added, “Only a Maestro or a Grand Maestro has a Chief Aid.”

  The intensity of Daniel’s dark-eyed stare actually caused the man to sweat even while being safely shielded from the elements, as were they all. It was moments like these when Simon’s eyes were drawn to those seven lighting bolts on Daniel’s helmet and shoulders. After what seemed like an eternity, but was in reality only a few moments, his lips formed into a closed mouth smile, and cleared the tension like sunlight cutting through dense fog. “Point taken, Commander, I virtually declared myself Maestro of the Atlantan Guild right in the presence of Talmon Reese and all those senior Accomplisheds of Aakad
on.”

  Simon never asked for the title, although he did feel a little bad his friend would pay a high price for trying to do him what he thought was a favor. What had been said at the meeting can never be taken back.

  “Simon, I am feeling Danielish,” Leah told him while Sherree and Lassiter continued their conversation with the Maestro. “I want to try something none of us has done before,” she spoke softly and drew closer to him. “We learn new locations through the eyes of the animals linked to us. I want you to summon the potential for, Teach Me, and show me your memorized vision of Mount Jessup.”

  Simon thought about her request and smiled. Daniel had used that spell on him to increase his repertoire, might it be possible to transmit a mental picture? “Let’s give it a try,” he told her, and then focused his attention on Rufus, thinking to take the innovation one step farther.

  The condor gave him a current and highly detailed view of the area half way up Mount Jessup that was large enough to fit the entire group. Simon played the Melody in his mind and cobalt blue beams shot from his hazel eyes into her brown. He relayed the image from Rufus directly to her. Thank you Rufus, he transmitted to his feathered friend, and then ceased the potential for the spell and withdrew his awareness from the condor.

  Leah blinked her eyes and flashed those dimples at him again, which gave him the clue she was happy before she said, “It worked!” loud enough to draw everyone’s attention. “Simon and I just proved we can use Teach Me in order to learn locations well enough to be used in conjunction with Conveyance. Daniel, I can conduct the spell and convey everyone to Mount Jessup while you and your Chief Aid do a survey of Mount Shantear.”

  “Leah I like the way you and Simon keep thinking of ways to forward the mission,” Daniel replied. “You and Jeremiah can lead the force while Simon and I do the scouting. Sherree, I want you to be ready to back them up with a thousand Accomplisheds should it become necessary and Chas, have every Sentinel ready to move with her.”