To Challenge a Maestro Read online

  Sherree Jenna stood beaming with joy, staring at the golden lightning bolt on her right shoulder. She had every reason to be proud and Daniel had to fight the urge to go over and hug her. The nine Talenteds bowed to the Accomplished as she stepped off the platform and took her place beside Jason. The spectators shouted their approval, clapped and stamped their feet.

  The jubilation died down and then swelled up again when Jerremy took his place on the platform. He stood with his head held high like a prince at his coronation. It was his normal haughty look but it seemed appropriate on this occasion. He hummed the Melody and the Aakacarns looking on made not a sound. Daniel listened carefully and closed his eyes just before the last note produced a bright violet flash. He did not need to see the light to know the color, having seen Jerremy’s potential many times before. The crowd applauded and Daniel opened his eyes just in time to see the remaining eight.

  Talenteds bowed to the Accomplished. The Serinian rubbed at his lightning bolt as if to be sure it was real and not coming off. He stepped off the platform and stood next to Sherree.

  Samuel walked into position as if unsure of himself. The spectators cheered him on and Jason gave him what appeared to be an encouraging nod. The Teki held his head up, very much like Jerremy had, and hummed the Melody. Daniel closed his eyes just before the last note. The round of applause told the outcome before he opened his eyes. Samuel stood grinning like a man about to ask his dearly-intended into the cabin. For a moment it looked as if he was going to kiss the lightning bolt, but fortunately did not. He was so mesmerized by the bolt he almost forgot to acknowledge the seven Talenteds bowing to him. He looked up and seemed surprised, although this part of the ceremony could hardly be new to him. He gave them the appropriate nod of approval and stepped off the platform.

  The next Talented to take the platform was a tall Ecoppian. Her black hair hung in curls over her ebony shoulders. She smiled with justifiable pride in her accomplishment and then hummed the Melody of Ranking. Daniel remembered her from Jason’s class on spell theory. Her name was Tamara Tarns, even though he had never been introduced to her. He glanced away when she hummed the final note and glimpsed the green flash signaling her success. He looked at her right shoulder and clapped after seeing the bolt. The remaining Talenteds bowed to her respectfully as the crowd cheered on.

  Reginald stepped forward with the confidence of a bantam rooster and hummed the Melody. Daniel turned away just as the young man reached the last note and waited. Nothing happened. Reginald’s ebony skin glistened with sweat, but there was no sign of a lightning bolt, and he stared horrified at Jason. “Did I hum a wrong note?”

  Daniel could not say one way or the other, having forgotten the Melody the moment it had ended; such was the effect of the Silencing. The failure was not a reflection on Reginald as a person, his intellect, or competence. Quite simply, it meant his potential was not yet at the one bolt level. His strength would grow in time, next week, next month, or maybe next year, no one could predict when because each individual is different. Daniel thought of Bella. The kindly old Accomplished at Dowman’s End had two bolts and might possibly live to attain a third.

  Jason ushered poor Reginald to the sideline. It was difficult to tell which was the most disappointed, but Daniel was willing to bet it was not the Instructor. Sympathetic murmurings and sighs from the crowd came in place of the applause. Daniel gave what he hoped would be taken for a reassuring nod to somehow convey that this was merely a temporary setback. Incredibly, Reginald acknowledged him with a sympathetic look; clearly the Talented considered being Silenced a worse fate.

  Daniel glanced at Sherree, who was looking right back at him the way a healer would when assessing a patient’s health. If he still had a cabin, if Aakacarn could marry each other, he would consider.., he broke off the thought. She would soon affiliate with a guild, learn its specialized spells, and forget him, which was for the best. The remaining Talenteds performed the ranking ceremony and in all, eight out of ten graduates had potential enough for a lightning bolt, but Daniel paid little attention to them, applauding automatically along with the crowd, or remaining silent when the second person failed to receive a bolt, it was the emerald-eyed Aakacarn who held his interest.

  He would be leaving soon and likely never see her again, so he stored away the memories, locking them into the total recall that was a result of his original Memory spell. Since casting his first spell, he had brought nothing but trouble upon everyone around him, probably people he never even met. How many people might have died back when yetis were gathering on Tannakonna? How many people died while the Serpent Guild teleported north and south over the continent looking for him? How many folks along the river died before he lured the search teams to the Wager? He hoped to never know the answers to those questions. He could not change what had transpired, only go forward and hope for the best.

  Sherree pursed her lips, inhaled deeply, and then walked over to Janna Barroon, Maestro of the Aloe Guild, thus making clear her official choice of affiliation. Jerremy walked over and stood with David Svennar, Maestro of the Stone Guild, no surprise there. Samuel stood beside Talmon Reese, also no surprise. The Teki would do well as a member of the Eagle Guild. Each Accomplished who had received a lightning bolt was accepted into their guild of choice; not that any of them would have been refused admittance.

  The ceremony was over and people were filing down from the rows of seats to offer personal congratulations, or condolences, to the newly raised Accomplisheds. The two who had not attained a bolt were no longer Talenteds; they were Accomplisheds, in that they were now considered masters of their potential, yet not full Accomplisheds until they have a lightning bolt on their shoulders. They would be joining the hundred and seventeen non-affiliated Accomplisheds living in Aakadon, waiting for a bolt so they could join a guild. With Tim at his side, Daniel waited for the excitement to die down and then headed over to where his friends were congregating.

  “Your achievements as an Accomplished are a credit to us all. Know that more than one Maestro will be pressing Efferin Tames to remove the Forget spell. It may take time, years perhaps, but Terroll Barnes and I will do our best,” Maestro Barroon told him as he passed by.

  Daniel stopped to face the petite Fon Kayan. Her wheat colored hair was in a braid and draped over her shoulder; perhaps that was how she fixed her hair on special occasions. “Thank you, Maestro,” he replied with a respectful nod. “I appreciate your efforts on my behalf.”

  Janna Barroon gave him an encouraging nod and then turned and struck up a conversation with a female three-bolt Accomplished of the Aloe Guild, giving Daniel an opportunity to move toward his friends. Accomplisheds of every rank and affiliation greeted him with respect, thanking him for ridding the world of Balen Tamm, and congratulating him for leading the Talenteds to victory in Battle of Bashierwood. The buckskins were no longer a barrier to them seeing the Accomplished within. Tim also received greetings and congratulations. Daniel smiled and made every effort to be just as friendly and respectful to them as they were being to him while making his way over to Sherree, who was now standing between Jerremy and Samuel.

  “I’m glad you awakened in time to see us graduate,” Jerremy said between glances at his lightning bolt. He smiled and shook his head. “It is magnificent. I can’t understand why you never showed yours. I’m so proud I could burst.”

  “You will if your head gets any bigger,” Samuel remarked out of habit, although his tone lacked any real insult. He was too busy admiring his own bolt. He looked at Daniel and his jubilation faded away. “Daniel, I’m sorry. I am the one who reported about your killing the oak. I was frightened at the time and never thought the incident would lead to your being Silenced.”

  Daniel placed his hand on Samuel’s right shoulder, on top of the golden bolt, and looked him in the eyes. “Don’t worry about it. I know you are my friend and would not intentionally harm me. Believe it or not, I am happy to be rid of my link to Tarin Conn, and hav
e no bitterness in my heart over how things have worked out.”

  Samuel smiled. “I just felt you needed to know I am sorry for my part in what happened to you. I’m glad you are taking what happened so well,” he said and went back to admiring his lightning bolt after Daniel removed his hand.

  Daniel avoided looking Sherree directly in the eyes, it was the thoughts he had entertained earlier concerning her. The beautiful Aakacarn would probably cast a nasty spell at him if she suspected even half of what had gone through his mind. She frowned, as did Jerremy and Samuel. Daniel wondered briefly if she had divined what was on his mind. Tim coughed and causally moved his hand near the hilt of his knife. Daniel did not need to turn around in order to figure out who they were frowning at. Efferin Tames walked right up beside him and stood smiling at the three graduates.

  “Congratulations, Accomplisheds. You three have done more as Talenteds than some Accomplisheds do in their whole careers. You defended a remote village against the largest uprising of the Serpent Guild seen in centuries and did what you could to heal the injured after the battle. I look forward to hearing of more great accomplishments from all of you,” The Grand Maestro said, sounding very much like Hough Bess on election day, the sentiments had to have been sincere, seeing as the six-bolt Accomplished needed no votes to stay in power, and this man knew how to stay in power.

  “Thank you, Grand Maestro,” all three said at once in subdued tones. No doubt his praise had meant a great deal to them at one time, but now they were only responding as protocol demanded, respecting the office he held rather than the man who had Silenced their friend.

  Daniel smiled and extended his right hand. “Thank you, Grand Maestro, for breaking my link to Tarin Conn. I’ve enjoyed three days of blissful sleep because of you,” Daniel told him.

  Efferin shook hands. His smile never faded but his eyes held suspicion. “”You are most welcome. I hope you understand that I did what was best for everyone, including you.”

  He had done what was best for him. One did not have to be raised in a queen’s court and educated by royal tutors to figure out why the Grand Maestro had cast the spell. Daniel released his grip and stepped back. “I understand completely,” he replied and hoped the chief Aakacarn never figured out how well.

  Efferin nodded affirmatively as if to reinforce the notion that the Silencing had been done with good intentions. He stared off to the left and seemed to focus on a two-bolt Accomplished of the Aqua guild. “I have business to attend. Enjoy the festivities,” he said and then headed toward the Aakacarn.

  “How can you thank him?” Tim asked, eyes flaring with outrage. He truly was taking the Silencing badly. The three newly raised Accomplisheds had not asked the question but were clearly interested in the answer. Apparently they too were surprised by the show of gratitude.

  Daniel glanced at the ruby pyramid and the all-seeing eye, it had lost its luster as far as he was concerned, just a meaningless decoration. He let out a sigh while trying to come up with a way to make his friends understand, without telling them too much. “I am grateful to no longer be linked to Tarin Conn. Efferin did me a favor and I paid the gratuity,” he began.

  “The baton should have been payment enough,” Sherree interrupted, her eyebrows drawn in anger, like a she-bear whose cubs have been attacked, and with a fury even the yetis attacking in force had not aroused.

  Obviously she and the other three did not understand. There was no reason for them to be angry or resentful on his account. “Efferin took away a power I never asked for. More importantly, he used the baton of Tarin Conn,” he said, hoping they would finally see his point.

  “So?” Jerremy questioned, showing none of them had gotten the point.

  Daniel sighed again. It was all so simple, except they did not have the benefit of days to figure out the matter rationally, they could not seem to get beyond the outrage over what had been done to him. “Listen, when Tim played, Potential, on my guitarn, which carries a residual of my potential, I was able to sense that my crescendo had been used and also knew what spell had been cast through it. Tarin Conn must know the use to which his crescendo had been put to. Efferin cast a High Power spell through the baton. At minimum I was hit with six bolts of potential. The Dark Maestro knows I have been Silenced and can no longer remember his spells or any others from my repertoire. I am no threat to him and hopefully, he will leave me and everyone living on Tannakonna alone. The Creator knows the evil Aakacarn is busy enough trying to restore order to his guild. That is how I can thank Efferin for what he did.”

  “You have reasoned things out quite well,” Jason said from behind.

  Daniel turned to face the smiling Lead Instructor. “Thanks, I decided to look at the total outcome rather than focus on a few setbacks. In all, everything has worked out for the best.”

  Jason nodded his head in agreement. “I must say, your brief career as an Accomplished has brought about more good on behalf of the world than I have heard of since the Aakacarn War.” he said respectfully.

  Daniel did not need to hear how good he was or what a shame it was that his career as an Accomplished had to be so short. He glanced at Jerremy and Samuel but fixed his gaze on Sherree. Her yellow-gold hair shimmered in the filtered sunlight. The time had come to leave Aakadon and allow her and everyone else to get on with their lives. “I’m glad to have been of help, but am especially glad to have met you,” he said and gestured to those around him.

  Tim cheered up instantly. “It sounds like we will be heading back home soon,” he said enthusiastically.

  Jason smiled while removing three heavy pouches hanging from his belt loops and a white envelope with gold lettering from the inner pocket of his red on black cloak. “I knew you would choose to move on so I brought you these,” he said and then handed them over. “Don’t look so surprised. Yes, they are filled with gold coins.”

  Daniel did not bother trying to count the coins but each pouch was heavy enough to contain a hundred. He removed one and stared at the face of Queen Cleona sitting on the royal throne of Ducuan. In the envelope was an invitation to present himself before Her Majesty, in the capital, in the palace. He was about to ask about the coins when he remembered one of his conversations with Tarin Conn. The Dark Maestro had talked about Daniel enjoying the coins sent to sponsor him. The queen had been quite generous. “Thank you, Instructor, for thinking to bring them,” he replied while Tim stared wide-eyed, it was the first he knew of coins sent to sponsor a Talented.

  Terroll ended a conversation with Talmon Reese and walked over with a sad expression on his face. “Did I hear correctly, are you leaving us?”

  “We certainly are,” Tim answered without hesitation. The drummer was more than ready to leave.

  Daniel shook hands with the Maestro of the Zephyr Guild. “Thanks for the teaching and all your help, and for that which you and Maestro Barroon are trying to do for me as well.”

  “It is I who am grateful to you,” Terroll replied. “The Maestro and I will do what we can but it will take time. Until then, survive, that is what mountaineers do.”

  There was no doubting Terroll’s sincerity. He was one of the few who had truly benefited from the original memory spell, and that had been accidental. Most everything Daniel had done after the first spell was an attempt to lesson the consequences for the innocent people who had the misfortune of knowing or being related to him.

  Samuel and Jerremy had proved their friendship to him and Sherree had been a great help. Her rejuvenation spell had made his ordeal not only bearable but kept him going, giving him that little extra boost he needed to be successful. Her eyes watered up, her lips formed into a sad smile, and she opened her arms up to him. Daniel responded instantly, taking her into a warm embrace. The heat of her body passed through her silks and his buckskins and filled him with regret for what he would never have and joy for the brief pleasure of holding her. He relaxed his arms and she stepped back, face flushed, seemingly surprised by her own actions.
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  “I only hugged you because mountaineers seem to need it,” she explained and then added, “Happy hunting.”

  The Lobenian had remembered the Tannakonna custom, the hug meant to express success on the hunt. Daniel smiled at her and then shook hands with Samuel and Jerremy. “Take care of yourselves. By the way, I agree with Efferin, you three have done more as Talenteds than some Accomplisheds do in their whole careers and I am looking forward to hearing of more great accomplishments from all of you,” he said and then motioned to Tim and headed towards the stables.

  He was not one to wallow in sentimental partings; the time had come to leave. Tim followed silently, although his steps were light and filled with eagerness. Accomplisheds greeted them and Talenteds bowed to Daniel, even Joanna, Charlene, and Simon, who were all headed in the direction of Tames Hall. Daniel acknowledged them and waved a farewell to Simon. The sandy-haired Aakacarn smiled and patted a bulge in his silks that fit the dimensions of a baton.

  Tim entered the stable first and went over to Tremor’s stall. Daniel saddled Sprinter and finished just as the drummer was mounting the brown and beige mare. “Let’s see how far we can get from Aakadon before sunset,” Daniel suggested.

  “Let’s,” Tim agreed.

  They rode out into the street, which was now relatively clear, people were moving to the sides, making room for the two Ducaunans. The crowd cheered them all the way to the north gate, where a long line of travelers waited to see if they would be granted entrance. A cheer irrupted and people were shouting, “Daniel!” over and over again, it was kind of embarrassing, several people had mentioned he was becoming famous yet he never expected this. He waved to them and then heeled Sprinter into a gallop over the bridge, with Tim staying neck and neck on Tremor.

  Chapter Eighteen: I’m an Aakasear

  Daniel pushed hard for the first couple of spans and then slowed Sprinter to a trot. He looked up at the partly cloudy sky and smiled as the warm breeze caressed his face. He was free, all of his plans had worked out as expected, and everything seemed right in the world for the first time in what seemed like a very long while, but had actually been about a month. It would not be long before he and Tim reached the place they teleported to and from.