To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (25 page)

Miriam’s eyes flashed with a fierceness and determination Ronn had seen many times over the years. “Have they learned about this facility, are they making a move on Ducanton, or my son’s estate down south?”

Lassiter did not hesitate to answer her questions. “My belief is that they are being sent to investigate the source of the High Powered spell. If that is so, the quickest way to Demfilia is up the Mighty Hirus, through the Taltin Sea, and then for them to take the Kayen River in Fon Kay out into the Serinian Channel and up the west coast. However it is also possible the Grand Maestro is blaming us for the disturbance and may well have his forces disembark at or near Ducanton,” he paused and looked Daniel in the eyes. “Their intention might well be to attack the Benhannon Estate, therefore I recommend the Atlantan Guild go on Amber Alert until the flotilla moves beyond this facility. I do not believe the existence of this base has been discovered, but my belief does not mean we can be lax about security. As I stated, it is my opinion the Accomplisheds of Aakadon are on their way to investigate the source of the High Powered spell, and yet prudence dictates that we be ready for all possibilities,” which made good sense to Ronn.

Ronn noted the same fierce and determined look he had seen in Miriam’s eyes was being reflected in Daniel’s. “We are now on Amber Alert, ready the defense forces, and be prepared to defend Ducanton and the Benhannon Estate,” he ordered.

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” both Leah and Lassiter replied.

Daniel acknowledged them with a nod but clearly was not through issuing commands. “As for this facility, all personnel are to hold here until the flotilla passes. All crews are to board your patrol boats, batten down the hatches, seal the airports and arrow slits, except the Equalizer and the Barracuda. We need to have a presence on the Taltin Sea as quickly as they can get there,” he paused and his eyes darted to Sheen and Glimmer, then back to his audience. “The Accomplished assigned to each of the remaining vessels is to cast the spells, Freshen Air, and Hidden Shield. Those spells are already at work on the six levels beneath our feet, but I now order that all doors and windows of the bungalow be sealed and the spells be cast on it and the docks.”

Leah leaned closer to Daniel. “That will keep the Accomplisheds of Aakadon from sensing our naval facility through spell-casting, but would do nothing to keep them from entering the canal and seeing the bungalow and our patrol boats with their naked eyes.”

“Thank you for that timely reminder to us non-Aakacarns of the benefits and limitations of the spell my son composed,” Ronn spoke up. The newer recruits knew little about spells beyond the ones contained in the crescendo-powered amulets used on the patrol boats and water faucets.

Joel entered the conversation. “I have sent Wally and Katy to the river entrance. The Accomplisheds of Aakadon will not be able to catch us unaware.”

Daniel placed his hand momentarily on the researcher’s shoulder. “I appreciate your efforts to help,” he said and then addressed everyone in hearing distance. “The ships from Aakadon will be in the vicinity of Ducanton long before they reach this far north and we will learn their intention. If Jeremiah is correct, and I hope he is, the flotilla will bypass us all and move into the Taltin Sea. My previous orders and request for the disposition of the patrol boats still stand and are to be carried out after the ships from Aakadon are well north of our river entrance. Conductor Lassiter, how long do we have before the flotilla reaches Ducanton?”

“Given their current rate of travel, I say approximately ten marks,” Jeremiah replied, matter-of-factly. The man was highly competent but showed little emotion.

Daniel rubbed his chin. “That means if they don’t stop at the capitol then they will pass this base in about fourteen marks.”

“I agree,” Lassiter stated.

“That gives us plenty of time to prepare,” Gina concluded. “Thirteen marks from now this facility will go on lock down as Daniel has ordered and the rest of us will board the patrol boats. In the mean time we will begin the certifications.”

Daniel’s eyes shifted to her. “I agree and while you make preparations here,” he began to say and then his gaze took in Leah and Lassiter. “We will convey back to Shantear where the First Accomplished and the Defense Conductor can make ready to convey our forces wherever needed.”

“That we will,” Jeremiah affirmed.

Ronn watched as Miriam moved to stand in front of their son. “Make sure you take the time to see Conductor Obenport. You will need the infusion of energy, seeing as we all know you will not stay out of the fight if Aakadon does attack us. Sero can assist you and Carlos will also be at your side, so let them do their jobs.”

“It will be as you say,” Daniel replied, wisely choosing not to argue with his mother. “Carlos, will you convey us to Shantear?”

“Certainly, Maestro,” the Three-bolt Accomplished said, and moments later, he Daniel, Sero, David, and Silvia vanished in a flash and whip-crack of sound.

Joel eyed the people around him. “Seeing as twenty-seven Accomplisheds will be aboard the boats, I volunteer to remain in the bungalow with the other three, and the Benhannon Guardsmen.”

Jaxon Green, dark of hair and eye, who had participated in one of the Grand Symphonies in the Great Crystal, smiled at the researcher. “I welcome the help of the team leader who worked to cleanse the Serpents out of the Crystal Chamber.”

Leah and Lassiter vanished in a flash while Tim and Gina ordered everyone under their command to get started on their chores. Ronn faced his wife. “It appears our trip south is going to be delayed by about fourteen marks.”

Miriam nodded her head. “Yes, and we will get underway the moment those ships from Aakadon are up the river and beyond sight.”

“My thought exactly,” Ronn agreed.
As fast as a falcon can fly,
he added in his mind, and was pleased his son had the forethought to assign Accomplisheds to each patrol boat.

With Marsha aboard to replenish the life force energy of the driver, sustaining a high rate of speed might be possible. The idea to test the theory reminded him of where Daniel likely inherited the trait of jumping into action with little regard for personal safety, except Ronn would not be alone and he cared about the safety of his wife and crew. Still, the RiverDancer is well built and the danger not so much with an Accomplished on hand, perhaps a little test of speed would be safe enough and result in them reaching the port at Ducanton much sooner.

Daniel restored forty Condemneds over a period of five marks while waiting to see if the flotilla from Aakadon would move beyond Ducanton without incident. Giving people back their humanity occupied his concentration and kept him from worrying about the possible attack on his estate or the capitol. With another five marks to fill, he wanted to busy himself for most of that time before meeting with Sherree, Chas, Marcus, Leah and Lassiter, who were off making preparations and did not seem to need their Maestro for the moment. Sero had faithfully replaced the energy used in the restorations, but his efforts did not increase Daniel’s vat, which was why they were waiting in wardroom ten in the newly created Health Department facility deep within Mount Shantear, and not getting any more chores done. The sterile white room with six glowing spheres on the ceiling that provided illumination had twenty chairs and twenty smaller rooms, each with an empty bed. The former Condemneds who had been in here were now in private chambers and resting peacefully.

Conductor Obenport entered and Daniel silently watched her approach. Carlos, Sero, David and Silvia, sat beside him. The husband and wife were wearing their traditional vibrant colors while everyone else had on blue silks; Jennel paid them no attention, and turned, motioning for the stream of Aakacarns following her to line up. “Maestro, it is time for you to receive donations.”

Daniel counted a hundred Accomplisheds and wondered why so many came with her. “I thank you all for coming and your generosity.”

Jennel glanced at the volunteers but her main focus was on him. “It is our wish to give you as much life force energy as we can over the next four marks,” she began to say and paused when he opened his mouth to object. Her well-meaning intention would take time, which could be spent on other chores. “No, we are not going to drain ourselves, if that is what you are concerned about,” she misinterpreted his concern but he chose to hear her out. “Each of us will give twenty percent of our reservoir to you and another group will come in, and so on until the time has passed. This effort might fill your vat; so I think it is worth doing.”

The idea of sitting around and doing nothing over the next four marks held little appeal. His animal scouts were still clamoring for attention, eager to share what they were seeing. He long ago learned from necessity how to compartmentalize his mind; it was the only way to think clearly with so many creatures linked to him and most of them wanting his attention all at once. Why not do both? He could gain information while the donations take place, making better use of his time, and fulfill the promise made to his mother. “Very well, you can do so over the next four marks while I focus on the animals in my swirl,” he agreed.

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” Jennel replied, and then was the first to donate.

The greatest pressure came from the compartments containing Jasper and Letha, a pair of white foxes who took over from Echo and Wisp, ospreys who had been scouting the Foothills of Pentrosa but were now, after a stint seeking Condemneds, in the south catching fish in Lake Benhannon. Daniel focused on the compartment containing Jasper. His fur blended well in the landscape as he crouched beneath a snow-covered bush and peered toward a circular stone fortress while breathing in the cool air and all the interesting scents being carried on the breeze. Walls thirty cubits high with a second level extending up another ten, and a watch tower on the roof stretching up an additional thirty-five cubits, made the military installation seem formidable. Men in the gray black-trimmed uniforms of the Sutton Guard were training soldiers in light brown uniforms, these were the regulars. All of them had conical helmets and fur-lined winter coats. Daniel knew the elite Suttons were there, ten thousand horsemen and five thousand foot, but did not know a legion, perhaps two, had joined them.

On the grounds stood a well-muscled officer in gray with a pointed nose, who seemed to be coaching another man. The slender fellow in a brown uniform launched a round object, about the size of a grapefruit, from a sling. The ball flew through the air and into the center of a charging squad, who then all dropped to the ground for no reason Daniel could see through the eyes of Jasper.

“Good job Bellup. This time you did not drop the spheroid and managed to sling it right into the midst of a charging enemy,” the officer told the regular.

“Lieutenant Lymin, when will we be allowed to use the real ones?” Bellup asked as he wiped his runny nose.

“When all of you slingers can do what you just did every time without dropping a single spheroid,” the officer replied, his breath clouding the frigid air. Daniel recognized him from a previous encounter, a meeting viewed months ago through the eyes of a panther.

The scene was repeated all across the snow-covered yard, slingers launching spheres at charging squads, some on horses and some on foot. The hefty slinger on the left dropped his sphere and Lieutenant Lymin shouted, “Valaumin, you are dead! Hit the ground until the exercise is over.”

Another slinger aimed poorly and missed his targets by a fair margin. The squad quickly surrounded him and began punching and beating him to the ground. They did not appear to be injuring him but he and every slinger were clearing under pressure and being given sufficient motivation not to miss.

“
Is Daniel/Alpha pleased?”
Jasper wanted to know, no doubt feeling Daniel’s concern, while fighting the urge to bolt into the woods.

Obviously the spheres represented some new weapon, one that was too dangerous for casual training, a device that, if dropped, can kill a clumsy slinger. Daniel needed to learn more about this new weapon and hoped to see through his scouts when the slingers become proficient enough to use the actual spheroids. Time will reveal what he wanted to know or maybe Samuel.
“Yes, I am pleased with what you showed me.”

A sense of contentment replaced the fear that had been flowing through the mental connection. Letha sent a high pitched mental whine to get his attention, so Daniel thanked Jasper and concentrated on the female fox, whose rumbling stomach protested at being empty. She was on a hill on the other side of the fortress and looking down from the sheet of white at thousands of men on horses and foot soldiers engaged in mock battle. The Suttons were training two full legions of regulars. Scores of catapults were on the field, crews launching sacks of sand, working to improve efficiency as well as accuracy. Other crews did the same on the bolt launchers, each capable of shooting off a rack of ten at a time, and dart launchers able to shoot four racks of ten. Another group of men ran out, retrieved the bolts and darts, and then reloaded the racks.

The Pentrosans were preparing to invade. Daniel wondered what might have happened to make them feel confident after losing so many men in their brief siege of his holding only months ago. Perhaps the spheroids had a part in it. He/she could not see any Aakacarns and yet there could be little doubt the Serpents would be involved at some level.

“Does Daniel/Alpha want to go closer?”
Letha asked, having sensed his wondering over the enemy Accomplisheds.

“No, I am pleased with what you have shown me from here. I want you and Jasper to stay hidden.”

“Letha smells mouse. Will hunt and stay hidden.”

“
Enjoy,”
Daniel sent, feeling her hunger, and withdrew his awareness. Sharing her senses meant he would be able to taste whatever she ate.

While his focus had been on Letha, he was also aware of each person placing a hand on his forehead and the tingling warmth being sent into the center of his being. If he had been in the Benhannon Northland Holding he would have cast a spell to scan for any Aakacarns in the vicinity of the fortress, but could not do so from Shantear. If he focused potential through the Great Crystal, the amplified spell would frighten the entire world, and alert the enemy that they were being scanned. The troubles such an action would bring him would far exceed any benefit and so scanning for Aakacarns in the Foothills, he decided, is another chore for Samuel.

He opened his eyes as Kaylin Coffee finished giving her twenty percent. She had long brown hair down to her waist, large amber eyes, and was one of the few one-bolt Accomplisheds in this group. “I know it wasn’t much, but I wanted to have a part in building your strength.”

Daniel smiled at the young woman who matched him in age. “And you have, for that I am grateful.”

She gave the traditional nod of respect, which he returned, then stepped out of the room, and likely on her way back to the Department of Emissaries. David and Silvia were speaking softly to one another while Carlos and Sero quietly engaged in a conversation of their own as the marks went by. Hosea Shiloh, dark of eye and hair, a three-bolt Accomplished of the Defense Department, stepped forward to deliver his donation of life force energy when Bernard Kleopis, Conductor of the Department of Emissaries, entered the room and quickly bypassed him.

“Maestro, I have reports from several emissaries in the field that I feel you should be made aware of sooner rather than later,” the department-head announced.

Daniel glanced at Hosea and then addressed Bernard. “I will listen while Accomplished Shiloh does what he came here to do.”

Hosea nodded his head, stepped around the Conductor, and placed his hand on Daniel’s forehead. Potential began to flow moments later. Bernard also nodded and proceeded with what he had come to do. “Accomplished Duellen, assigned to Sir Tomas Zollaf, reports the Pentrosan Seventh Legion has moved to the border ten spans north of Mount Arend. That particular battle group usually patrols the northeastern border Pentrosa shares with Ecoppia. Sir Tomas believes the kingdom may be sending all of its legions south and it is only a matter of time before they invade Ducaun.”

Given what Jasper and Letha showed him, Daniel could only agree a large scale invasion seemed to be imminent. “Two legions of regulars have joined the legion of Sutton Guardsmen in the Foothills, please relay this to Sir Tomas and to all of the other emissaries assigned to the lords, generals, and knights. The Queen must also be informed of this.”

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” Bernard replied. “I must tell you the next report is even bleaker than the last. Accomplished Berginon, assigned to General Tallen, reports two Cenkataaran legions have crossed the eastern border of Ducaun and have threatened to advance farther if you do not withdraw all of our forces from Lobenia. This report has already been passed to Queen Cleona through Accomplished Meado. Her Majesty trusts you to act on her behalf.”

Daniel ran the fingers of his right hand through his hair, knocking back the hood of his cloak, yet managing not to disturb Hosea’s hand on his forehead. Events were out pacing him, nothing new about that, yet it was frustrating to be sitting around when there were chores to do, and dealing with an invasion was a mighty big chore to add onto the list. “I knew General Tallen was ordered back east after General Fisher brought his North Central Legion to bolster General Malcus and his North Western Legion. Trouble with Pentrosa is not surprising but Cenkataar has always been a peaceful neighbor and up till recently they only had a token legion at the border. The international pressure to force Ducaun to cease preparing for war was orchestrated by Efferin Tames. The idiotic plan also caused the Battencayan legions to be on the border of Ducaun, leaving the kingdom vulnerable to invasion from Fon Kay. I am wondering if something similar is afoot or if Tarin Conn has made a new ally.”

Silvia broke from the conversation with her husband and sprang to her feet. “Cenkataar is not one of the kingdoms that are allied with the Serpent Guild. While they are in danger, I cannot see them ever willingly siding with the Dark Maestro.”

Daniel was pleased to hear that but it did little to solve the situation.

Bernard let out a small cough. “King Gabriel KaTaar is a strong supporter of Aakadon. If he sees the Atlantan Guild as being equivalent to the Serpent Guild, as Efferin Tames has made us out to be, then he will see you as a dark maestro who may well have seized control of Ducaun from its rightful Queen, and who is now looking to annex the land of other kingdoms. The king is quite capable of launching a punitive action against what he considers to be a rogue nation, especially if he believes Aakadon approves of him doing so. Between Tallen’s legion and the local musters, Ducaun has the means to repel the invaders but actual fighting has not yet occurred. Both sides are showing restraint for the moment, a period that will not last long. Queen Cleona will not tolerate a hostile army in her realm and King Gabriel will not wait long for us to comply with his demand.”

Great, the kingdom is being invaded by a do-gooder doing the wrong thing.
It was all Daniel could do to keep from sighing. Ducaun’s ports were about to be assaulted by a tri-kingdom navy, Pentrosa was preparing an invasion by land, Cenkataar has already invaded, Aczencopa is in the process of seizing all land east of the Aczen river from Taracopa, and a flotilla from Aakadon may be on the verge of taking Ducanton or attacking the Benhannon Estate. Daniel wondered what more could happen to increase the pressure on him.

The snap-crack of displaced air coming from out in the corridor was quickly followed by Samuel entering the room. Hosea finished giving his twenty percent and then backed away to make room for the next person but did not exit. He evidently wanted to hear more. Elias Starkas, a bulky three-bolt Accomplished from the ISIG, hesitated to come forward at the arrival of his Conductor. His pale face reddened slightly at not knowing what to do, make the donation or hold up the line of volunteers while waiting for Sam to deliver information.