To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (28 page)

“Your power as a Seer is useful,” Daniel said as men ran forward, yelling challenges. He focused beams of energy on them and they dropped to the ground mere paces from reaching him.

She chuckled, caused another archer to take a nap, and said, “It wasn’t my powers that made me know what your answer would be, it was just being around you for so long.”

Daniel did not answer, just stepped over the sleeping men and kept going until everyone in front of the dome lay sleeping. Over to the left, Hosea rendered the remainder of the legionnaires unconscious. He, Carlos and Sero met Daniel at the dome, which vanished. The Sentinels to the front saluted and stepped aside, creating a direct path to Sherree. She would have sensed Daniel’s presence instantly move from the far west to this vicinity and therefore knew he had arrived before laying eyes on him. He removed the Da Capo from the umbrella shield while he and his entourage passed between the Sentinels and, stepping over the prostrate guards, made their way up to the sleeping high command.

Sherree gave a causal shake of her head and then looked him in the eyes. “Leah warned me you would do this, show up in the middle of a chore assigned to one of us or the Conductors.”

Daniel studied the men on the ground, nodded to Darrel, and Chas, then focused on his wife. “I am here to officially represent the Queen as a Royal Knight of the Realm, as she has entrusted me to do,” he replied and then spoke softly in her ear to keep the rest of his words private. “That, and the timing of my arrival helped to pacify the situation and had the extra benefit of discouraging any future withholding of information for what is considered to be my own good. By the way, my vat is now full. I also want you to know I appreciate your choice of weapon. If you had ordered the Sentinels to use lethal force, our options going forward would have been fewer.”

Sherree nodded affirmatively, although Daniel was not sure yet what she agreed with. “Sleep Time was the best way. I am glad you recognized the choice I made and did not arrive and cast, Die Now, at the Cenkataarans,”  she stated and focused her eyes on the pair of Generals. “They did not recognize my authority, even speaking in your name, and so arriving in uniform was a good idea. Perhaps these men will listen to an official representative of the Queen.”

Daniel reached out and touched her cheek, although between his personal shield and hers’ he could not feel the warmth of her flesh. “I still want you in charge here. After the Generals and a few of the officers are awakened, their situation will be made clear, and then I want you to contact Accomplished Berginon. General Tallen needs to be made aware of what we have done and should send men to collect weapons and help conduct the Cenkataarans to their side of the border.”

Sherree kissed him, neither could feel the lips of the other. “I understand. The flotilla from Aakadon will be near Ducanton soon and you do not want us to tie up guild resources transporting two legions and all of their support personnel.”

“Aside from the fact that I love you dearly, you are the First Lady of the guild, and your time is valuable. General Tallen and folks outside our association do not know of your title and will recognize you as a Two-bolt Accomplished, but not necessarily someone with greater authority,” Daniel replied. “What they think does not matter much to me; it is the fact that your talents and rank would be wasted here beyond the arrival of the Ducaunan Royal Cavalry.”

“It will be as you say, Maestro, I’ll not waste too much of my valuable time,” she replied with a playful lilt to her voice and then glanced at the other Accomplisheds and Sentinels. “I am glad to hear your vat is full. Lowering our personal shields so I can touch your forehead and determine the contents of your reservoir would not be prudent out here in the field.” Daniel was wondering why she added that last part until he saw the sparkle in her eyes, “I look forward to examining you thoroughly in the near future,” she finished and winked.

All he had to do in order to be with her later was to survive the coming marks. The tremendous potential he currently wielded was not unlimited. He could die or be captured in a battle by the Accomplisheds of Aakadon before this day was over. Even so, it was better to be focused on the matter at hand so he could be ready for whatever might happen next. “Whichever of you Accomplisheds rendered the Generals and Major Kite unconscious, please awaken them. The Colonels and other Majors can stay asleep,” he requested rather than flirt back at his wife. He wanted to do more than flirt but there were chores yet to be done.

Sherree waved her hand and the two Generals began to stir. Darrel snapped his fingers and Major Kite yawned and opened his oval-shaped eyes. The young officer, who was probably a good ten years older than Daniel, glanced at the sword that had fallen from his grip, and then at the lightning bolts on the sword and scabbard of his potential opponent.

“All of you can stand up,” Sherree once again took charge of the meeting.

Colter and Langley were not as quick to rise as Kite, who sprang to his feet, yet all of them stood up. They glanced at her, peered at the snoring men lying in repose all around the pavilion, and then locked their eyes on the official representative of the Queen.

“As you can see, while you were napping, a few facts have changed concerning the comparative size and adequacy of forces. Another change that has clearly not escaped your notice is the presence of Sir Daniel,” Sherree informed them. “It is only through his mercy that the surrounding field is full of sleeping men rather than corpses.”

General Langley cleared his throat and had the sense to keep his hand well away from the hilt of his sword. “Accomplished, in a fair fight you would have been our prisoner.”

“That’s right,” Kite joined the conversation. “We had no chance against spell-casters. I wonder if the knight you serve has earned the lightning bolt on his sword.” His eyes were bright with challenge.

Daniel noted a lightning bolt on the sword lying in the slush, but had no time for a contest of skill. Besides, with a full vat of energy, his stamina would be so great it would not be a fair fight. “General Langley, you and General Colter need to understand something. This is not how we usually fight. I and this small part of my muster handled you and your men gently. You witnessed how Accomplished Jenna brought her team here quick as a lightning strike. Your scouts were able to tell you about the sixteen thousand-man muster eight spans from here and the twelve thousand men of the Northeast Legion, but they could not tell you about the forces I can bring against any army seeking to invade Ducaun.”

General Colter puffed up. “King KaTaar demands that you withdraw your forces from Lobenia or there will be war. You have ten days left to comply.” The man had courage, no doubt about it.

Words Daniel never thought would come out of his mouth demanded to be issued. “Shantear is an Aakacarn matter and no concern of yours or that of your king,” he stated. To him every Accomplished he ever heard say that came across as pompous, supremely arrogant, and unwilling to explain his actions to those he thought of as being beneath him. Never-the-less, Shantear really was a matter he felt no need to discuss with anyone at the moment. “Queen Cleona does not want war between our two kingdoms and neither do I. The War of the Champions is upon us. Tarin Conn and his Maestro are gathering their power and when they are ready, those forces will spread across Atlantan like a plague. If your king insists on going to war with another realm, tell him to look north.”

“These are no doubt the stories used to frighten your queen into preparing her kingdom for war. The ultimatum stands. Withdraw from Lobenia within ten days or the war you have gulled her into preparing for will come upon you.” Langley’s contribution to the conversation proved neither General was listening, which was a pity but not surprising.

Daniel laughed, causing the three officers to frown indignantly. “You seem to be laboring under the delusion I have come to hear your demands,” he told them in a deep quiet tone and then raised his diamond-bladed crescendo in the air and cast the spell, Lightning Bolt. Jagged light shot up into the sky, thunder boomed, along with the near blinding flash, and the three officers were suddenly on the ground and covering their ears. “What I just did can be done by any of the Accomplisheds standing here. Commander Herling, have a Sentinel demonstrate what one of those tiny little crossbows can do.”

Kite’s left eyebrow arched up at hearing his description of a crossbow. He and the Generals had to be wondering how Daniel knew who they were and what had been discussed before he arrived.

Chas nodded. “It will be as you say, Sir Daniel,” he replied and turned. “Sentinel DeKemp, draw you crossbow and use it on one of the supply wagons.”

“It will be as you say, Commander,” Core replied and quickly aimed his weapon at a wagon two hundred paces away.

He pressed the gem and a flaming stream of pebbles shot out and struck the wagon. Fire blasted in all directions as the wood frame flew apart, wheels burned, collapsing to the ground, and canvas fluttered down in glowing ashes.
Hopefully, the demonstrations of power were enough to unstop the Generals’ ears and put them in a mood to listen.

Daniel looked each of the frightened men in the eyes as they regained their footing. “That is what war with Ducaun and especially my Accomplisheds and Sentinels will look like. We are not leaving Shantear, so the choice of going to war remains with your king. You have witnessed the mobility of my forces, how they can appear right in the middle of your camp, and have seen the power a single Sentinel can wield. I trust further demonstrations will not be necessary.”

“No, I believe we have a thorough understanding of what a war with you would be like,” General Langley assured him, his light brown face was now deathly pale. Coulter nodded while staring at what was left of the burning wagon.

Sherree glanced at Daniel and then took over the one-sided negotiations. “General Tallen is sending men to confiscate all of your weapons and escort you and your legions across the border. I will awaken some of your support personnel so they can assist those who are still asleep. Your unconscious soldiers will be loaded into the wagons and driven back into Cenkataar. You will be given access to your pigeons. Feel free to send as many messages as you will, especially to your king. ”

Daniel smiled at his wife. “Accomplished Jenna, I believe you have supplied a number of good reasons for our unwanted guests to do their talking from their side of the border.”

Sherree gave him the traditional nod of respect. “And you, my Maestro, have enlightened them as to what a war with us would look like.”

Silvia walked right up to the officers and declared, “You are in the presence of the Creator’s Chosen Vessel, join his swirl, stand aside, or be smashed into ruin.”

Daniel decided it was time to leave before his Teki escorts felt the urge to make more declarations. He tuned to Carlos, “Would you do the honor of transporting us to the Benhannon Estate?”

“Gladly, my Maestro,” the three-bolt Accomplished replied, and less than four heart beats later they were at the mansion.

The patrol boat made excellent time racing up the Mighty Hirus, although the ride was a bit bumpy, Lela Kafiss thought as she stood at the bow of the Equalizer, while gripping the rail with one hand and wrapping her cloak tighter with the other. A forward shield of energy protected her from the wind and also prevented the trip from being more exciting. At a whim, she removed the Da Capo, cutting off the potential, and the shield ceased to be. A sustained blast of air snatched her hood back, freeing waves of dark brown hair, and the sensation felt wonderful, “I love this,” she declared at full volume.

“This is only three-quarter speed and far faster than the ships from Aakadon can manage,” Bow-gunner Joreb Cession shouted from a few paces away at his position behind the tripod. His blue helmet kept his hair from being subjected to the will of the wind, yet did nothing to protect his neatly trimmed blond beard, which was protected by other means. “Jennsen can push this boat much faster.”

Lela had no doubt the ship-driver could, if fresh, pour additional life force energy into the CAPU, but would not advise it after his driving the boat more than one hundred spans against the current in just two marks time. She also doubted a non-Aakacarn could out perform an Accomplished, no matter the guild affiliation. “In about a quarter of a mark we should be entering the Taltin Sea, according to the spell-map in my head. That is if Boat-driver Laffen allows me to refill his vat.”

“By my experience, having made this trip many times over the last few months, your map is correct,” Joreb shouted his reply, which is the only way to be heard over the rushing wind.

She fully understood the danger of the elements. If not for her having cast, Personal Shield with a Da Capo, she would be dead from exposure to the frigid wind-chill, and so would the bow-gunner, if not for his shield amulet. He, like Jennsen, would soon need energy transferred into his vat. The spell in the gem saves him from freezing to death while slowly draining the life force energy out of his body. The drain on her single lightning bolt of potential was negligible, far less than her rate of replenishing, and she was in no danger of dying. The spell allowed her to sense the hair on her head moving in accord with the wind without sustaining damage or feeling the temperature. Fire and ice would feel the same.

The Equalizer cut through the center of the broad river, leaving white-cap waves rippling out and behind. The Barracuda kept pace on the right, both patrol-boats racing to re-establish Atlantan Guild presence on the sea. The other bow-gunner stood alone. Lowe Balif was the Accomplished assigned to that boat and he clearly preferred to stay within. Snow covered the wilderness on both banks and while she had seen a few tiny homesteads and expected to see more, there would be no villages, towns, or cities between this point and the great inland sea.

“I have to go inside. Come see me soon if you want to be at your strongest when we reach the sea,” she informed the gunner.

“It will be as you say, Accomplished.” Most of Joreb’s reply was snatched by the wind but she heard enough to give a nod of acknowledgment.

Lela kept one hand on the rail as she neared the forward hatch of the forecastle, which opened into the galley and mess at this level. She released her grip and stumbled slightly at the movement of the deck while trying to reach the opening. She had not yet gained what the crew called her, “sea-legs,” but managed to reach the hatch without falling. Inside, she fixed her hair, pulled the hood up into place, and then concentrated on where she was. A quarter of the space had been partitioned off and taken up by a small kitchen, with the rest being used as a dining area. A small round table at the front was reserved for her and the three officers. The crew used the large oblong table a few paces away.

“The mid-day meal is long past, but I can get you something hot to warm your belly,” Jeffen Cormeen, the cook, offered while standing in the kitchen area.

The tall man was not just clean-shaven; he had no hair on his head, and a slight darkening on his scalp proved this to be a matter of choice. In his role as cook he wore a white apron, but would fling it aside, grab a helmet, and run below to the forward port arrow-slit if Captain Vermalien ordered a Ruby Alert.

“Perhaps later, Jeffen, I need to see to our driver if we want to reach the sea without him collapsing,” she replied, and went over to the narrow circular stairs to the far right. At this point she could go down the gangway to the lower decks or up to the bridge.

She climbed up the spiral steps and passed through the map-room, which had a sheet of what appeared to be glass, but was harder than steal, separating it from the bridge so as not to block the view to stern. Captain Vermalien stood looking out the large forward window, which was angled back forty-five degrees to deflect the wind, or so she had been told. His black beard possessed enough gray to give the impression the man was experienced and well-seasoned. She and the captain were the only ones on the boat over the age of thirty, but he was the only one who looked it, thanks to the restorative spells of the Maestro. Everyone aboard thought her to be about twenty and she felt no need to disabuse them.

Lieutenant Lloyd Loben’s beard was yellow and he seemed to be watching the Barracuda rather than what was ahead. She knew his peripheral vision to be excellent and understood his looking away did not mean he was unaware of what was ahead. Beardless Ensign Sloak stood to the left near the cushioned bench that started near the entrance, followed the perimeter of the room, and ended back on the other side of where it began. Four large windows provided an unobstructed view in every direction. Each man had a sword belt, daggerlance, nightstick, and miniature crossbow. The personal weapons were in addition to those mounted on the vessel.

A gold stand to the right of the wheel had three huge gemstones set within and two of them were the amulet part of the CAPUs. The emerald provided forward speed, the amber reverse, and the sapphire contained the spell, Spout a Leak, to empty the bilge water. Jennsen Laffen sat in a chair in front of the gemstand with his hand resting on the emerald. His shoulders were slumped and she could tell even from the back he needed replenishing.

Standing to his left, gripping the broad white wheel, Helmsman Len Kross kept the boat on a steady course. Behind him was a stool, should he choose to sit, and to his left stood a binnacle, a gold stand housing the large compass, which had been added to the Wager-class boats at the suggestion of Saul Tarpon. Two additional stools were formed from the deck beside the binnacle, one for the Lieutenant and the other for the Captain. Since Vermalien was on his feet, no one but the boat-driver would sit.

Ensign Sloak was the first to notice her and announced, “Accomplished on the bridge.”

Everyone except Len Kross turned to acknowledge her, even a familiar looking hawk. It clutched on a perch at the table, before the cushion, in front of the forward window and had come into view when the officers moved. Captain Vermalien’s right eye twitched, which seemed to happen every time she initially came in sight of him. Not everyone was at ease when in the presence of an Aakacarn, he appeared to be one of those, and yet he gave no further sign of discomfort. The man possessed nerves of steel. He glanced at Jennsen and then fixed his gaze on her. “Accomplished Kafiss, are you here to replenish our boat-driver?”

“It is as you say, Captain,” she replied formally, which was the usual way she spoke to him.

Vermalien responded immediately. “Ensign, you will relieve Boat-driver Laffen.”

Luis sprang forward. “It will be as you say, Captain,” he replied while hurrying to the gemstand.

Jennsen stood up while keeping his hand on the gem. Luis brought his hand down and for a few moments both of them were touching the emerald. One man slipped away, the other sat down in his place, and then Jennsen came over to sit on the bench. Lela sat down beside him. The change had taken place smoothly and without slowing the vessel.

“Take off your helmet and turn your shield amulet around,” she directed while summing the potential for, What Is This, and willing her personal shield away from her hands.

When he complied, she touched his forehead, focused on his reservoir, and then sent Vitality into the vat. Her burnished-brass hue began filling the non-Aakacarn’s container, which had been dangerously low. He might well have passed out if she had delayed much longer. The bridge crew was no longer paying her any attention so she concentrated on the boat-driver and spoke in a low voice. “Why is there a hawk staring out the window?”

Jennsen glanced at the bird. “This is Glimmer, she and Sheen belong to Sir Daniel, and I am betting her mate is watching his parents,” he answered and his sudden smile indicated the hawk being here pleased him. “The presence of our feathered friend shows the high degree of importance he is placing on our mission. So much so, he clearly wants to see what happens without waiting for a report.”

Lela nodded her head. The prospect of being sent on a mission of importance had been one of the chief reasons she had chosen the Defense Department. This assignment made up for the one thing that almost caused her not to join. Conductor Lassiter strongly encouraged members to link their minds to those of animals, but she had been a passenger living in a beastly body for the last sixteen years and consequently not in a hurry to join her mind to that of an animal.

When the liquid in his vat reached the top, she ceased all spells, leaned away from him, and declared, “You are fit for duty.”

Jennsen stood up and gave a respectful bow of the head. “Thank you, Accomplished.”

He exchanged places with Ensign Sloak and Lela stared ahead through the forward window and noticed dour-faced Lucas Rostur relieving Joreb Cession at the bow-gun. The gunner walked effortlessly to the hatch and soon made his way up the spiral stairs. No one announced his presence on the bridge so she motioned for him to sit beside her.

His pale green eyes seemed to be studying her face as he sat down. “We should be entering the Taltin soon. Accomplished, I ask to be replenished.”

“Take off your helmet and turn your shield amulet around so the gem is no longer in contact with your skin,” she instructed and then summoned the potential for the necessary spells. When he complied, she placed her right hand against his forehead and began transferring energy.

His eyes widened at the sudden warmth filtering into his body and his eyes locked onto hers. Unlike Jennsen this was the first time the bow-gunner experienced the sensation. “We were all caught by surprise when Sir Daniel gave the order for an Accomplished to be assigned to each boat.”

“No more than I when Marsha Obennen sent me to the Equalizer,” she replied, and did not add that it had only been days since she graduated from being a Talented to being an Accomplished and joined the Defense Department.

“You are doing well for someone new to being on the water. All of us were sailors before joining Sir Daniel’s muster and all we had to get used to is working on this incredible boat,” Joreb gave a nice complement, even though he must have seen her struggling to the hatch earlier. Clearly he was trying to be kind to someone he met only a few marks ago.

“My training in the guild was thorough. I understand the responsibilities of my position, all the relevant spells, and therefore am capable of carrying out my duty. What was left out of my training is the experience of walking on a vessel in motion,” Lela replied without mentioning the many other things in which she had no experience. Half of her of life had been spent as one of the Aakademneds. She now had to make up for the lack.

She sensed his vat to be full and ceased the spells. “You are fit for duty.”

Joreb put on his helmet and stood up smiling. “The ballast on this boat helps to stabilize the motion and makes it the perfect vessel for you to be aboard and gain experience on the water,” he told her even though the intensity in his eyes suggested he might have other reasons why this was the perfect vessel for her to be aboard. He cleared his throat and his attention flicked from her to the bow. “The opening to the sea is about to come into view and I need to get back to my station; otherwise Lucas will have all the fun if we are called upon to open fire. Thank you, Accomplished, for the replenishing.”

Lela refrained from rolling her eyes at hearing the young man’s eagerness for battle. He exited the bridge and a short while later stepped out of the forecastle and took up his position at the tripod. The view from the bench was adequate so she remained seated as the Equalizer and the Barracuda cruised into the birthplace of the Mighty Hirus. The river spread nearly half a span wide at this point and she found it remarkable no human habitations were in the area, only snow-covered trees. The high speed of the current did not allow ice to form on the water and could also be why no one saw fit to dwell in the area.

“Reduce speed to half,” Captain Vermalien ordered, and the boat began to slow.

They entered the inland Taltin Sea, which was shared by Ducaun, Battencay, Fon Kay, and Pentrosa. The ovoid-shaped sea stretched about nine hundred spans wide and slightly over three hundred spans from its southern most point in Battencay and its northern most point in Fon Kay. The vast majority of the freshwater sea coast belonged to those two kingdoms with Ducaun and Pentrosa controlling the eastern side, up until recently, to about a hundred spans out.

“There should be fishing boats all around us and freighters from the three major ports,” Lieutenant Loben pointed out.