To Be a Maestro Page 2
They were going to be rewarded! Serena was pleased and it sounded as if the Supreme Maestro was including her in even bigger things. “What about your trumpet and the flute of Della Lain?”
Tarin Conn waved the question away with a negligent sweep of his hand. “My trumpet is a powerful crescendo, true, but since the arrival of Daniel Benhannon, who can make one just as powerful any time he chooses, the instrument has become less important in the over all scheme of my plans. The flute is another matter, destroying it is the quickest way for me to regain my freedom, and efforts must be made to snatch and melt it down. As for you, my faithful Aakacarn, you will be gifted with a much more powerful crescendo. I will be breaking free soon, with or without the destruction of Della’s cursed crescendo, and then present the new energy amplifier to you along with expanding your role within the guild.”
The thrilling emotions bubbling within Serena brought tears to her eyes and she wept joyfully. “Your will be done, Great One!”
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It was the middle of the night, an odd time to call a meeting, even one so earnestly sought after. Maestro Terroll Barnes, a four-bolt Accomplished of the Zephyr Guild, put on his scarlet on black silk cloak and made his way along the deserted marble streets, passing gemstone buildings, some made of diamonds, topaz, turquoise, amber, sapphire, and just about every precious stone in existence. He walked silently to the conference room within the ruby pyramid, the huge structure at the center of Aakadon, the grandest city in the world, and home of the Aakacarns. Eight places were set at the dark granite table. The Grand Maestro’s chair was at the head, naturally so. The other seven chairs; each carved with the emblem of the Maestro’s guild, were evenly spaced around the table. A golden bird of prey set against a silver oval identified the Eagle Guild, the keepers of order and seekers of truth. All of the emblems were gold on silver fused into the carved wood. A five-pronged plant represented the Aloe Guild, known primarily for healing. A circle with jagged lines radiating outward represented the Sun Guild, the conjurers of fire and lightning. The rock and hammer represented the Stone Guild, the architects and builders. The letter Z represented the Zephyr Guild, the manipulators of wind and air. A branch with lance shaped leaves hanging down represented the Willow Guild, known for making vegetation grow, and a golden drop indicated the Aqua Guild, the manipulators of water.
Terroll was the second guild leader to arrive. The first was Janna Barroon of the Aloe Guild, a four-bolt Accomplished, who called for this meeting of the Maestros. She was born in the kingdom of Fon Kay and her wheat-colored hair and blue eyes were a common trait among the people of her homeland.
Lena Beyers, a five-bolt Accomplished, Maestro of the Sun Guild, and Demfilian by birth, was a compact woman with long white hair. Her eyes were a light iridescent blue, and her complexion so pale the faintly blue tint of her veins could be seen beneath her skin. One hundred eighty-one years of life made her the oldest Maestro, although she possessed not a single wrinkle. Both Terroll and Janna nodded their heads as she took her seat.
Runyen Cransur and Geran DuSorin arrived at the same time, as they often did. Cransur, a five-bolt Accomplished, one hundred twenty-four years of age, sat in the chair of the Willow Guild, and was born in the kingdom of Zune, giving him light brown skin and black silky hair. His brown eyes were ovoid in shape with a slight upward slant and his beard and mustache were neatly trimmed. He greeted Lena Beyers and then Terroll and Janna.
Geran DuSorin, also a five-bolt Accomplished, stout with a swarthy complexion, and a bald pate shining in the sphere light, took his seat after greeting everyone with the customary nod of the head. The Maestro of the Aqua Guild, born in the kingdom of Aczencopa, had light brown eyes and did not look a day over forty, even though his actual age was one hundred twenty-seven.
Talmon Reese, Maestro of the Eagle Guild, deeply tanned, dark of hair and eye, came in moments later. His coloring came from being born on the southern coast of Taracopa, where as those born north of Lake Kestral, the southern most of the three great lakes of that kingdom, were of lighter skin. He glanced around the room, taking in every detail as though storing the information away for future analysis, which is the way he normally enters a room. Talmon seemed full of vigor, physically fit, and ready for action even at the age of one hundred seventy-one. The seat of the Eagle Guild was at the end of the table and the five-bolt Accomplished made his way to it after greeting each person in the room.
Maestro David Svennar, four-bolt Accomplished of the Stone Guild, the next person to enter, greeted everyone, and took his seat. At one hundred two years old, the brown-haired green-eyed former citizen of Pentrosa was closer in age to Terroll, ninety-one, than the rest.
Efferin Tames, born on the island kingdom of Serinia located off the west coast of the continent, an ancestry giving him light brown skin, dark eyes and high cheek bones, walked briskly into the conference room and sat down at the head of the table. His green and scarlet hooded cloak had six golden lightening bolts stitched into the shoulders, three on the right and three on the left. The hood was down and the front open, revealing neatly trimmed hair, mostly gray, and his black on silver silk shirt and trousers. He glanced briefly at the eight rings he wore, drawing attention to them; four on each hand, seven having the emblems of each guild. The eighth and largest of all was the ruby pyramid, representing the office of Grand Maestro, no doubt a reminder, to anyone who deeded it, of his authority.
“This meeting, called by Maestro Barroon, shall come to order,” Efferin stated formally. “Two issues have been raised and shall be dealt with. The Maestro of the Aloe Guild has requested in writing that matters sealed to the Grand Maestro’s office concerning Daniel Benhannon be shared with the Maestros of Aakadon. Maestro Barnes wishes to discuss his official protest over my Silencing of Accomplished Benhannon and I have decided to begin our meeting with this matter. State your case Maestro.”
Terroll took a deep breath. “In hindsight, I see why it was necessary for you to Silence Accomplished Benhannon. His repertoire had been corrupted with spells of the Serpent Guild, and his stated intention upon leaving your office was to sleep until his eyes felt like opening. Given the fact that in the past, in his nightmares, he lashed out with deadly spells, Silencing him was prudent of you to insure all of our safety,” he began, speaking respectfully so as not to prejudice the other Maestros, and to keep from insulting the Grand Maestro. “The danger is gone along with Daniel’s original repertoire. It seems reasonable to me that the Silencing can now be lifted and he be given the opportunity to relearn the hundred forty spells required to be considered an Accomplished. His new repertoire of Melodies would not be corrupted with spells of the Serpent Guild.”
Terroll was pleased at seeing most all of the Maestros nodding their heads, Talmon Reese being the only exception, him sitting with a neutral expression, and hopefully having at least an open mind. Efferin Tames smiled, yet his eyes seemed to be saying, “I know something you don’t know.”
“I concur with Maestro Barnes,” David Svennar spoke up, “and wonder why the Silencing could not have been lifted before the young man departed from our fair city.”
“Accomplished Benhannon has departed, I see no reason to speculate the whys and wherefores,” Lena Beyers added her opinion.
“Here, here,” the Grand Maestro voiced his agreement with her.
The Maestro of the Sun Guild glanced at Efferin and then continued. “I would consider voting to remove the Silencing under the following conditions: Daniel Benhannon must come to Aakadon, agree to learn the required number of Melodies, and choose a guild. Only after obtaining such an agreement should the spell constraining him be removed.”
“I think we are ready to put the matter to a vote,” Janna Barroon stated, perhaps as much to see the Silencing lifted as to get on with the matter of unsealing the restricted information. After all, she had made promises to Terroll and Daniel.
Efferin raised his hand, gaining attention. “Before a ballo
t is taken, I wish to continue the discussion on the Silencing of Accomplished Benhannon and settle Maestro Barroon’s issue. I have no doubt the Eagle Guild has been keeping a watch on our young unaffiliated Accomplished. Maestro Reese, would you update us on Daniel’s activities?”
Talmon’s eyes met those of everyone at the table and then focused on the Grand Maestro. “Daniel Benhannon traveled from Aakadon to Ducanton, where he was dubbed the twenty-first living Royal Knight of the Realm of Ducaun, granted a jurisdiction, and made a Lord of the Land. He has invested largely in the staffing and particularly the defense of his new holding, especially after the escape of Serin Gell. Currently, the young Knight is out on maneuvers with a detachment of Royal Guardsmen. We believe the assignment is to give him experience commanding men in the field.”
“This does not sound like a man pining away at the loss of his ability to summon potential,” Efferin pointed out. “He seems rather busy making a new life. Now, to Maestro Barroon’s issue, the information sealed to my office is this; Daniel Benhannon possesses six lightning bolts on his young shoulders. You can now vote on whether or not I should remove the Silencing with the conditions set by Maestro Beyers.”
Each Maestro produced a slip of paper. Terroll summoned the potential for, Script, the words, “Remove the Silencing,” flashed in his mind, appeared on the slip, and then he levitated the ballot to the bowl placed before the Grand Maestro. The other slips soon joined his. Efferin retrieved each one from the bowl and read the results. “Five to Two, the Silencing remains,” he stated as if he knew that would be the case and then glanced at Terroll and Janna Barroon with a sly smile.
After some thought Terroll realized how he had been out maneuvered. Four of the Maestros were five-bolt Accomplisheds and the rest were Four-bolts. Only Terroll and Janna were unconcerned about accepting a Six-bolt into their guilds, the rest clearly did not like the possibility of the young man challenging them for leadership. Add to that the fact of Daniel getting on with his life, none of them apparently felt guilty over voting as they had, not even Lena.
The satisfied smile disappeared from Efferin’s face and his brow wrinkled into a frown. He shook his head; eyes seemingly lost in thought, took a deep breath, and gave Talmon Reese a stern glance before focusing on his audience at large. “The Silencing on Daniel Benhannon has just been broken, meaning he is either dead or been the focal point of a greater spell. Evidently, the young unaffiliated Accomplished is involved in more than just learning to command men in the field. I am ordering all of you to utilize the maximum resources of your guilds to find out the fate of our young hero.”
“It will be as you say, Grand Maestro,” all of the Maestros responded at once.
Terroll stood up, trying not to allow his worry to show on his face. He suspected much about Daniel that had not been discussed in this meeting, things that would complicate matters. He believed Daniel to be an Aakasear and the Chosen Vessel, both of which made learning the young man’s fate an imperative. Events were swirling around the mountaineer he had privately tutored to the level of Accomplished.
Chapter Two: The Northland Holding
Two marks into his marriage to Sherree Jenna and much of that time involved in making love, Daniel decided this was the happiest time of his life. He removed the Da Capo from the solidified bed of air they had been using, making it disappear She was back in the light blue silk shirt and pants with silver highlights he made for her and he was wearing green wool pants, half of his knightly uniform.
“I know people are waiting to speak with you,” Sherree stated while putting on her color coordinated boots. “Even so, I want you to teach me a few spells; Ones that a two-bolt Accomplished can summon without being mummified.”
Daniel knew she jokingly added that last bit, as if he would risk her life with such spells. He smiled at her. “I can teach you some before we go out. Which ones do you want to know?”
“Any that will allow me to heal injuries using a single spell the way you do,” she replied instantly.
Knowing her, a member of the Aloe Guild, being dedicated to healing the afflicted, Daniel was not surprised. The only problem was, his spells were Symphonics, a Melody with notes in harmony, and those kinds of spells were not as easy to learn in a short time as the single line spells. He had learned a great deal about music while in Aakadon, the Da Capo, being one of the most helpful. Adding one to the end of a spell caused it to repeat until the caster wills it to stop. His learning also included reading music off a page and classical music that was beautiful and yet had nothing to do with summoning potential for a spell. In many of those non-Aakasear-commoner-composed pieces, there were musical symbols not used in spell casting Melodies, but what if they could be? The thought inspired Daniel.
“What are you thinking?” Sherree asked him. Her yellow-gold hair hung all the way down to her bottom as if it had never been cut, which is a result of his restoring her from Condemnation. Green eyes twinkled delightedly and her face lit up in a smile. “There are twenty-four marks in a day and we have just spent two very pleasant ones celebrating our marriage, surely you can spare a little more time to teach me one healing spell.”
Daniel thought of, Mind Touch, ran the music through his head and mentally added a Dal Segno and titled the altered Symphonic, Teach Me.
“I can teach you quickly if you’re willing to be experimented on,” he told her and paused momentarily. “It is an Aakasear thing. I have an inspiration that has never been tried before and don’t know if it will actually work out as I expect.”
Sherree looked at him askance, and she was so alluring he was tempted to suggest summoning a solidified bed of air for more love making. “The way you’re looking at me, I’m sure whatever you have in mind isn’t dangerous. Even so, I would like to know what you intend to do.”
She has been studying music all her life and so should understand. “I have a spell that allows me to link my mind with animals,” he began and went on to describe all the creatures in his swirl of influence and their names. “Mind Touch, affects them on the deepest level of their being. It can be used to implant a spell into your head. I have composed a version of it, adding a Dal Segno in order to cause the Symphonic to stop after a tenth of a mark, which is enough time to teach a few spells.”
Sherree nodded her head. “No doubt about it, I have married a complicated man. Even so, I trust you not to enslave me. Go ahead and give the spell a try.”
Daniel played, Teach Me, in his mind and summoned the potential. Topaz blue beams of light shot from his dark eyes into her green. “I’m going to teach you as many spells as I can before the Dal Segno kicks in, if it does,” he sent directly into her mind.
“This is like using a communication amulet, not bad at all, so don’t go negative on me, there is no, if, in this,” Sherree replied with full confidence, and being linked to her mind, Daniel could feel the truth of it.
He started by teaching spells that had nothing to do with healing but would be extremely helpful; Variable Shield, Personal Shield, Conveyance, Find All, and Teach Me, came first with instructions on how each spell should be cast and why, and then, Heart’s Beat As One, to match the patient’s vitals to the caster in order to keep them alive during the procedure and heal internal maladies, How Do You Feel, to assess the health of a person, Heal Wounds, to mend any injury on the body that can be physically touched, Heal Burns, to restore the skin on a patient having any degree of burns, and Make Well, to destroy infections, viruses and bacteria. Even though she already had a rejuvenation spell in her repertoire, he taught her, Vitality, because his spell, being a Symphonic, was more effective than the single line Melody used by the Aloe Guild. He was about to teach her, Sleep Time, when the link suddenly broke.
“You did it!” Sherree exclaimed, grabbing and hugging him.
Daniel was thrilled by what he had done and her enthusiastic reaction. “You can only use a type one crescendo or cast the spells unaided,” he began to explain, but stopped when
she gave a patient look and held up her hand.
“Every spell you taught me is a Symphonic and can only be cast through a baton or not be amplified, none of them could be played on my flute even if I wanted to, which I don’t. I’m not going to let anyone hear this music out loud, they might figure out these spells are not of Aakadon,” she stated firmly as if wanting to drive the point home and had more to say. “If anyone finds out that you are an Aakasear, I just don’t want to think about how bad things could get for us. How can I ever protect you from people who would think you are another Tarin Conn? Daniel, to keep you safe, I must insist that you refrain from playing your compositions on any instrument, someone might over hear, and be very careful of whomever you choose to teach one of your spells.”
He found it pleasing how she wanted to protect him, the feeling being mutual. Her reasoning turned out to be the same as his on the matter, which he would have explained if she had not spoken up, although it was nice that she did understand what had to be done without him saying so.
She began caressing the golden lighting bolts on his shoulders, another thing he found pleasing. Each bolt appeared to be metal yet was warm to the touch and felt no different than the rest of his skin. “You broke the Silencing placed upon you by the Grand Maestro, cast a memory spell to restore your former repertoire, all so you could heal me and the others who had been Condemned by Serin Gell,” she stated facts he had recently told her. He knew there had to be a reason for her bringing them up. “You broke the spell of a six-bolt Accomplished without the aid of a crescendo to enhance your potential. I think you should perform, Ranking, before you put on a shirt. I bet your internal vat has more in it than you think,” she finished, using the description he gave her of how he viewed the vessel containing life force energy every living being has within them.