To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) (38 page)

The door opened and Simon walked in. “Maestro, I am sorry to interrupt, but the First Lady, the First Accomplished, and all of the Conductors are now in the conference room.”

Daniel placed the empty glass on the coaster. “Your timing is excellent. You have come just in time to add another item on tomorrow’s itinerary. We will be going to the naval facility in the morning where the first manta ray craft will be created.”

Simon’s eyes lit up. “That was fast. I expected to wait days to reach this point.”

Daniel stood and came around from behind the desk. “It would have taken days if I had been interrupted every few minutes with matters that could wait.”

“Sherree had a big part in that,” Simon replied.

Daniel gave him a pat on the back while heading for the door. “So did my Chief Aid.”

People tended to forget his sandy-haired friend, but Daniel was always aware of how valuable the unobtrusive young man truly was. They walked the short distance to the conference room and went inside.

Daniel sat at the head of the table with Sherree in the chair to his right and Leah to his left. Accomplished Lassiter was talking to Samuel and Sandra Treena. Jennel Obenport, Bernard Kleopis, Daria Copa, and Franklin Togan, whose hair was purple today, began speaking to Simon the moment he sat down. Martin sat quietly, perhaps contemplating what was to be discussed.

Daniel leaned forward, “People, what have we learned today? Let us begin with the Conductor of Internal Security and Information Gathering,” he said, and then leaned back in his chair. The former Teki was fidgeting and seemed eager to share what he knew. There was a separation in his eyebrows, meaning what he knew did not cause him over much anxiety, or they would have been nearly a straight line.

“Tarin Conn is at a major base of the Serpent Guild inside Mount Filia. Believe me when I say it was not easy to persuade rodents to allow themselves to be carried in the clutches of falcons, hawks, and eagles to the mountain, but it was necessary to get them quickly to where they could do the most good. I hope to learn a great deal of valuable information from the little spies with regard to the current and future plans of our enemies,” Samuel reported, clearly pleased with the prospect of gleaning valuable information.

The confirmation of the Dark Maestro’s whereabouts caused no alarm in the faces at the table. Daniel’s opinion on the cause and reason for the High Power spells had no doubt spread to every member of the Atlantan Guild and his calm response to each occurrence tempered their reactions. If he had panicked the entire association would likely be in an uproar.

Samuel continued his briefing. “The Aakadon flotilla is in Lobenia and has stopped about fifty-two spans west of Remear. That is the fact and the reason I offer is my best guess. It is not likely they intend to visit one of the towns founded around the great Lake Remear. If New Oben had been their goal they would have continued to follow the river to where it meets the Southern Ocean. As you all well know, sixty-three spans west of the lake is Mount Shantear, and therefore I believe this installation is the focus of their mission. The visuals provided by my animal scouts have shown me Vice Maestro Tobermin is the leader and as you know his dislike for us is no secret.”

Evidently the healing after the battle at Shantear had not altered the Senior Eagle’s feelings.

Conductor Lassiter fixed his dark-eyed stare on Daniel. “It is clear Aakadon is not bothering to investigate the spells emanating from Filia and I do not have enough information to hazard a guess as to why. I think it best for us to err on the side of caution and assume Samuel is correct, that Tobermin and the Accomplisheds are coming here with the intent of evicting us from Shantear. They will have a long and arduous journey through mostly untamed woodlands to reach us, so we have plenty of time to be ready to meet whatever threat they pose,” he stated and then turned to his former Fledgling. “Have you any word concerning Taracopa?” His father, long dead, was a southern Taracopian, he had kin in the region, and so it was only natural for him to be interested in what was happening in that kingdom.

“The navy is still without a home port and the rebels in Van Joppa’s province are pushing the battle line north while Van Kestral’s province is at a standstill. King Van Efery’s forces are fighting hard on both fronts. The Aczencopan legions have taken most of the land east of the Aczen River and Lyson City is besieged. Thousands of people are within the walls hoping and praying for the mighty Taracopian Royal Cavalry to arrive,” Samuel gave a grim report.

Other than the relatives of Sentinel Tarkona, only a small number of families had accepted Daniel’s offer to have his Accomplisheds convey them to Dolin. The vast majority had gone to Lyson City in the belief help would arrive once the delegation brought the matter to the king. Daniel fixed his gaze on Bernard and asked, “What is the hold up in Tara?”

The Conductor of the Department of Emissaries cleared his throat and sat up a little straighter. “Accomplished Lannier is there in the capitol and has attempted to set up an audience with the king. I believed an Aakacarn of northern Taracopian birth might set Van Efery at ease, but it was a futile gesture. Roren Decapus, a Two-bolt Accomplished of the Eagle Guild, is the ambassador from Aakadon, and he currently has the king’s ear. The Grand Maestro has blamed you, Maestro, for the High Power spell-casting, and that is probably why Aakadon is not investigating Filia. Bufer Quooter is the Accomplished from Aakadon to Decoda and the capitol city of Demfilia is less than a few hundred spans from the mountain. The leaders of Aakadon have known the epicenter of the spell from the first casting. Their obvious prejudice against you is most likely why they see no Serpent Guild involvement. The problem we have in Taracopa is the king being afraid of us and so remaining ignorant of the additional threat to his realm from the east. Conventional means of communication will eventually reach him but not before it is too late. From what we just heard from Conductor Cresh, the eastern land is now under Aczencopan rule, and it will take a mighty effort to change that fact.”

Daniel turned to Jennel. “I want food and a team of healers sent to Lyson City. I dare not put the Chosen’s Sentinels or Benhannon Guard on Taracopian soil without Van Efery’s say so. Those uniforms are the personal muster of a Ducaunan Royal Knight of the Realm and their presence could be construed as an official act of Queen Cleona.”

“It will be as you say, Maestro,” said the Conductor of the Health Department. “We Accomplisheds and your two non-Aakacarn forces serve the same man, Maestro and Knight, even so it is a fine legal distinction and we shall be discrete.”

“A fine but necessary distinction,” Sherree voiced her opinion. “Mullen Lanier’s task is difficult enough without us providing filler to the lies spewing from Aakadon.”

Captain Van Etter and Captain Isly, and their crews had been certified, and were patrolling the Taltin Sea. Daniel had hoped to include the former Taracopian dreadnaught commanders in the delegation, but their current mission was vital and he hesitated to call them or any of the former crew members of the warships back. An idea began to form and half the people at the table raised their eyebrows at the smile he could not hold back. “Deputy Sheriff Zackery Cloven will have to go with a delegation headed by Mayor Van Lyson, but before he does, he and his fellow deputies must capture a high Aczencopan military officer. Sam, help them as much as you can without being directly involved with the capture. The king will not refuse to grant an audience to his own officials bringing proof of an invasion.”

Leah began shaking her head. “I once worked with Roren Decapus and I know he will ask for and receive permission to determine the truth. He will use the spell, Truth Speak, and his questions will be about you and any Atlantan Guild activities in Taracopa.”

“I’m counting on it,” Daniel replied. “Let the old Soarer confirm from the Aczencopan officer the extent of the invasion and verify the testimony of our delegation of loyal Taracopians.”

“That will work,” Bernard said. “An Accomplished of Aakadon will do the convincing for us without Mullen Lannier having to set foot outside of his hotel.”

Daniel switched his attention to the ISIG Conductor. “Sam, I want the rapid response team you choose to act quickly in the matter of helping Deputy Cloven capture an officer. I prefer a General but a knowledgeable Colonel will do,” he ordered and in a lighter tone added, “I hope you set this up in time to be at the creation of the first Atlantan Guild underwater vehicle.”

Samuel blinked, and four Conductors began speaking at once.

“I heard you are considering a crew of three to five Accomplisheds,” Martin said. “The idea came from a member of the Department of Education and Research so the vehicle should be operated by my researchers, especially since it will be an invaluable tool for exploration.”

“Clearly, this is an instrument of war and should be operated by Accomplisheds of the Defense Department,” Jeremiah jumped in.

“Obviously, after the prototype is created, this is a project to be turned over to Design and Development,” Franklin Togan added his voice to the mix.

“The vessel will need an Accomplished with a command level array and that means someone from the Department of Communication,” Daria’s was the last voice to join the quartet.

Daniel raised his hand, causing absolute quiet. “The standard number of crew members will be three. An Accomplished from the Research division will pilot the vehicle, an Accomplished of Communications will be aboard, but will also operate the forward crescendos, and an Accomplished from the Defense Department will operate the rear crescendo. The remaining two seats will be filled on a case by case basis, depending on the mission. Even though each person will have a specific function, all crew members will be cross-trained and ready to step into whatever role is required. This rule also applies to whoever occupies the fourth and fifth seats no matter which department the Accomplished is a part of. The person can be from the ISIG or any other division of the Atlantan Guild.”

No one argued with the decision. 

“May we see the prototype?” Franklin asked.

Daniel pictured the manta in complete detail, focused, and created a solidified model with fins stretching the entire length of the table, and the observation window facing Franklin. It floated about a hand-length above the surface. Seams appeared when he willed the contoured hatch above the crews’ compartment to open in order to display the interior. Everyone except Daniel instantly sprang to their feet and began examining the vehicle.

“This is magnificent,” declared the Conductor of Design and Development.

“Accomplished Glader will be pleased tomorrow when he witnesses the creation of this manta ray,” Martin commented.

Leah came over and stood beside Daniel. “I not only look forward to replicating the manta, I am going to spend some time piloting one of the vehicles. Jeremiah, I think you should also be familiar with the functions of this craft. A good understanding of the manta’s capabilities will be essential in the planning of missions.”

Conductor Lassiter was running his hand over the smooth contour of the left fin. He looked up at the First Accomplished. “Oh, I intend to have my turn at the controls of a manta, and let no one doubt this submersible vehicle will be used to good effect in the War of the Champions.”

After everyone was through admiring the new tool in the Atlantan Guild arsenal, Daniel willed the craft to disappear and called the meeting back to order. Sandra was the next Conductor to make a report. “To date, world-wide, my Seekers have located and recruited three thousand six hundred twenty-two Aakacarns, all of which have been turned over to the Department of Education. We have also caught eight hundred Condemneds that had been lurking throughout Ducaun. Those have been turned over to the Health Department,” she stated.

If past experience could be used as a guide, all but a few of the tortured souls would volunteer to join the Sentinels. His muster was still growing, “What he needs will be drawn to him,” Daniel remembered Ruth, Samuel’s grandmother, explaining about the swirling effect of the Chosen Vessel.

The remaining Conductors gave their reports and Daniel decided to spend the rest of the evening alone with his wife, after one little side trip. “Keep up the good work. Let’s all get some rest because tomorrow’s chores will come early,” he said at the end of the meeting.

As the others filed out, Sam held back. “Not all of us can go rest right now, not if you want that little operation in Taracopa to happen soon.”

“That does not sound like the Talented I once travelled with on a journey to Mount Tannakonna,” Sherree spoke up. “That fellow seemed to always be in a hurry.”

“Do you need a vacation?” Daniel asked.

Sam smiled. “No, I just wanted to make a point about not everyone being able to go rest. I could not relax right now even if I wanted to, which I don’t. You gave me an itch that will not stop until it is scratched. I’ll go from here to meet with Darrel Logan, he and his team are more than capable of doing what is required and with the utmost discretion.”

“Darrel is a good choice,” Sherree agreed.

Daniel also agreed and closed his eyes until Samuel vanished in a flash-bang. Carlos and Sero were waiting in the hall when he and Sherree exited the conference room. Silvia and David had their heads together in a private conversation about five doors away to the right. “Accomplished Tiran, would you convey us to the Benhannon Estate? I want to speak with some of our Taracopian guests in Lanta before going to bed,” Daniel asked.