To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (24 page)

“Joel, what brings you here?” Daniel called out while weapons were being sheathed.

Ronn watched as the slim yet tightly-muscled Pentrosan walked up to give a reply. “Maestro, I am here to share what I have learned about the harmonic waves we all just experienced.”

“Speak on,” Daniel encouraged him.

“The spell originated in central Demfilia, in the region of Mount Filia, and it was equal in power to those Tarin Conn had been using,” the Accomplished reported.

“Thanks for the timely information,” Daniel replied. His right eyebrow arched up. “I admit to being curious as to how an Accomplished from the Department of Education and Research has this information faster than someone from the ISIG.”

Joel smiled. “I specialize in the Research aspect, ocean life in particular. Among the many creatures now linked to my mind are multiple pods of porpoises. They among other aquatic animals patrol the coasts of all five northern kingdoms at my request.”

“How does being linked to creatures in the water gain you information about something that occurred on land?” Leah made the same inquiry Ronn would have had she not spoken first.

“I happened to be fully concentrated on Tokee, exploring the coral reef off Demfilia, and experienced the waves through his senses. My porpoises are highly sensitive to underwater sounds and vibrations. They can let out a squeal and learn the exact size and shape of whatever they focus on. The harmonics of a spell, even a relatively low powered one is felt quite keenly by them. I currently have ten pods stretching from northwestern Fon Kay, around Demfilia, to Pentrosa, and more in the waters off Ecoppia and Zune. All of the pods felt the harmonic waves and I was able to figure out the epicenter of the spell by their positioning. It is my intention to study all of the oceans, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western. Maestro, someday I hope to answer your question of what lies beyond our shores,” Joel answered and then motioned toward the lake where the pair of otters broke the surface. “Wally gave me the necessary visual and I conveyed here.” Such was the devotion to duty Daniel inspired in his followers and Ronn was pleased to see it.

Daniel gave him a nod of respect. “Joel, I like you taking the initiative in research, and how you have combined the studies on the oceans with giving us another means to learn what Tarin Conn and his followers are doing.”

“I am pleased you deemed my efforts to be useful, which is the goal I have been aiming at,” Joel replied. “Perhaps someday you will accompany me on one of my trips beneath the waves.”

Leah’s eyes shifted from the speaker to Daniel and back again. Her eyebrows widened at whatever she concluded or suspected. “If Simon was here, I am sure he would tell you the Maestro’s schedule is full and ..,”

“And I would tell him to work such a trip into my list of doings,” Daniel interrupted her. “While studying in Aakadon I was able to see depictions of various creatures that live in the oceans. It would be good to finally see them living in their natural surroundings.”

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” Leah replied, and then took a deep breath before adding, “However, please do not use Accomplished Glader’s invitation as an opportunity to go and study the source of the High Powered spell.”

She clearly did not trust him to stay out of the search for facts. “My son has already decided to hold off going himself,” Ronn found the perfect place to enter the conversation and at the same time remind Daniel to let other people do the chores. “Occurrences like what we recently experienced are one of the reasons the Atlantan Guild has the Department of Internal Security and Information Gathering. Over a hundred Accomplisheds have joined the ISIG, which means Conductor Cresh does not have to personally hunt down every fact and neither does the Maestro.”

  “My father is correct. The resources are in place for a thorough investigation into what has occurred. Joel, I truly do wish to take a trip with you in the near future, but I must soon return to Shantear to receive donations,” Daniel replied, and paused as if in thought. “My vat is fuller than it was before the casting of the Grand Symphonies, but I promised Conductor Obenport to continue the infusions of potential until my reservoir is completely full.”

The snap-crack of displaced air caused Ronn to quick draw his daggerlance in the direction of the sound. A young woman stood on the dock and was wearing blue silks. Long tresses of sand-colored hair flowed forward and down from her hooded cloak and she held a sapphire baton in her hand.

“Accomplished Tell, I expected to see someone from the ISIG a little sooner,” Leah told her as the female Aakacarn approached.

“First Accomplished, I wanted to finish verifying some facts before coming here to make my report.” The girl replied smoothly and with confidence.

“Verification of the facts is always good,” Leah accepted the response and then arched an eyebrow as if to say, get on with your report.

“The harmonic waves of a High Powered spell originated in the kingdom of Demfilia. I and several other Accomplisheds of the ISIG have sent animal scouts into the region and we will soon be able to see what is going on there. Conductor Cresh has ordered us to send scouts to Kelgotha. He wants to be sure the Dark Maestro is where we think he is,” the agent declared. Ronn figured that to be a wise notion. Always know where your enemies are.

“Bonny, I want a timely report on what you learn at both locations,” Daniel insisted. He turned to Leah. “The creatures in my swirl are clamoring in my head for attention, eager to show me what they are witnessing, and I will learn what is happening one way or another. Just as I did with Samuel last night, I will be watching and show up in the middle of your chores, and Sherree’s as well as those of the department heads.”

The announcement had Ronn worried. Daniel had a tendency to jump into solving a problem, taking up the responsibility to act, and sometimes without regard for personal safety. “Son, you appointed people you trust to do those chores,” he reminded him.

“Do you think we are incapable of doing our jobs?” Leah asked him eye to eye without blinking.

“You and everyone I have appointed are all highly capable of carrying out your duties. The only thing I question is how much information will be kept from me for my own good. I did not holler at any of you for trying to keep me ignorant, but that doesn’t mean I have brushed the incidents off as unimportant. Anyone who keeps vital information from me in the future can expect me to make up for that lack with my own resources. That person needs to know their action is not for my own good if I am forced to do the chore assigned to them,” Daniel explained in a soft tone of voice, a simple statement of fact rather than a rebuke.

Ronn had wondered why Daniel treated the withholding of information from him so lightly and this statement showed the incidents had not been set aside as unimportant. The boy he raised to manhood knew this response to their failure would be more effective in correcting the problem than shouting or raising a fuss. His method would not work with some folks, but he clearly knew these individuals and the best way to motivate them.

Leah glanced down at the dock and then up again. “I will not tolerate Conductors withholding vital information from me and agree it should not be kept from you.”

“Well enough,” Daniel said and focused on the young agent. “What facts did you need to verify before coming here?”

“Ships from Pentrosa, Battencay, and Fon Kay are refusing to allow Ducaunan fishing boats to venture more than seven spans from the coast and appear to be building up forces capable of taking the ports from Ducaun. The navies are divided into four large armadas about forty spans apart. The private ports, docks and fishing villages are all vulnerable to attack while the Ducaunan Royal Navy is patrolling the waters off Keffer Greens, Freeport, Port Valeen, and the entrances into the Tollus and Hirus Rivers. I have spoken with fishermen in the region and have verified what my animals scouts showed me. I believe an attack is imminent,” Bonny reported.

“Those are the only cities we have on the Taltin Sea,” Tim Dukane entered the conversation and he was not smiling at the news. “I can see why the navy is concentrating its power in those areas.”

“Until a few days ago you have had at least one boat patrolling the sea at all times. The entire reason the Queen sent her navy is because of the buildup of naval forces a hundred spans out from our coast. When did the threat move so close to our shores?” Daniel asked, perhaps wondering if more vital information had been kept from him.

“It had to be within the last two days,” Gina answered. “I stood on the command deck of the Wager and saw the armada floating where it has been for months with supply ships coming and going to sustain them,” to which Daniel nodded and a slight tension seemed to fade from his face, perhaps relieved these two friends were not among those guilty of keeping vital facts from him.

Ronn gazed at the twenty-seven patrol boats in their slips. “People along the Hirus River and on the Taltin Sea and at Port Valeen have seen one or two of our boats, but none of them know the capabilities of our fleet. If the combined navies of Fon Kay, Battencay, and Pentrosa attack, we can punch back mighty hard.”

Daniel took an amulet with an emerald in the setting and placed it against his forehead, held it there briefly, put it back within his cloak, and then nodded his head as if he had just come to a decision. “I have ordered Accomplished Meado to inform the Queen of the naval armada ninety-three span within the territorial waters of Ducaun. Accomplished Obennen, you are to assign an Accomplished to each patrol boat, both to help with the defense and to monitor and refill the vats of the crew as necessary.”

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” Marsha replied and turned to her fellow Aakacarns. “Karen, you are assigned to the Wager,” she began the task given her.

“Tim, Gina, I want twenty-six boats patrolling the Taltin Sea just as soon as you two and Captain Tarpon can certify our twenty-one new crews to be combat ready. We may have to discourage an amphibious landing on the undefended shoreline,” Daniel ordered and then looked at the lanky fellow standing about ten paces away. The man had a neatly trimmed beard. “Yes, I know, Captain Van Etter, that you and Captain Isly, once commanded dreadnaughts and have experienced many ocean battles, and expect you will share your knowledge with Admiral Dukane and the other captains. It is you and your crews’ understanding of the speed, maneuverability, and weapon systems of the Wager-class patrol boats I want to have certified.”

Van Etter gave a salute. “I understand the need and am confident the certification will not take long. I also look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with both Admirals. Battles at sea and in the oceans are different than those fought in rivers. Tactics and joint maneuvers are essential to victory and ignorance of how to navigate through huge waves and storms will sink a vessel just as surely as losing a battle.”

“What about the RiverDancer?’ Miriam asked. She obviously did the math and knew one boat had not been included.

Marsha turned from her group. “I am assigning myself to your boat.”

“For that I am grateful,” Daniel replied, and then addressed his mother. “Sherree told me before leaving to welcome our kin that Queen Cleona is having difficulty convincing Lord Sharmine and Lord Tamkin of the danger to the realm and the legitimacy of her call to muster. Accomplished Meado has been keeping the First Lady informed. Sherree and I have decided to ask a favor and Bonny’s report reinforces the need. Mom, Dad, I request that you go to the capitol and transport Sharmine and Tamkin back to their jurisdictions so they can see the threat to their cities. Take them seven spans out from the coast and give them a good look at what is about to assault their ports.”

Ronn looked to his wife, she nodded, and he was once again pleased by the courage and fortitude of the woman he married. “We will depart within the mark. I see no reason to delay our journey south.”

“Thanks,” Daniel said with a slight smile. “Accomplished Meado will meet you at the port and I am sure Cleona will have convinced the two lords it is time for them to go home.”

Ronn turned to the Lieutenant Commander. “How soon can you have the RiverDancer ready to launch?”

“Supplies have been rotated and are fresh, the crew is assembled here in the yard, and we can be under way when you give the word,” Duncan Hawk replied.

Ronn switched his gaze to Miriam. “I am ready when you are.”

The sudden snap-crack of displaced air did not provoke the slightest flinch in Ronn, it was possible to get used to almost anything. He calmly turned in the direction of the sound. Three quarters of the sailors had their daggerlances aimed at the new-comer. Jeremiah Lassiter stepped forward briskly and stopped in front of Daniel and Leah, giving each a respectful nod. The Defense Conductor glanced at Bonny Tell and arched an eyebrow at Joel Glader before explaining his reason for the personal appearance. “I see you have been briefed by the ISIG and Research, so I will skip over Mount Filia being the epicenter of the High Powered spell. My feathered scouts have seen a flotilla consisting of fifty vessels leaving the port at Aakadon even as we speak. Twenty-eight ships have their sails filled by Accomplisheds of the Zephyr Guild and the rest are the new waterwheel-driven ships of the Willow Guild. They are heading north up the Hirus.”

“How many Accomplisheds are on board those ships?” Leah asked.

“Anywhere from two to three thousand is my estimate,” Lassiter replied.