To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles) (27 page)

They ran up and down small hills, around tree trunks, and through more bushes than Mallory cared to count. She noticed an orange glow up ahead that grew brighter as she and Lightning Squad came nearer. Cindi ran right past two panthers, Wind and Dusk, and came to a stop beside a
group of people sharing a fire.

“Lieutenant SuKendall, so good of you to join us,” Sergeant Tanner called out. There always seemed to be a tad of insolence in his voice even when he clearly tried to be respectful.

A huge number of wagons were gathered in a circle. She could not count them all in the dark, but knew there were many, and also heard what sounded like hundreds of horses inside the ring. She could count the twenty-two figures around the fire, one Pentrosan with his hands tied, and a shirtless fellow, who had to be Kater Brendage with a bandage covering his eyes and ears, yet he wore the pants of a Sutton Guardsman. She could hardly wait to read the written report on this turn of events.

Tanner stood up and with him the rest of Quicksilver Squad. He saluted and motioned with his hand toward the horses and wagons. “We have acquired some things on behalf of the Benhannon Holding, including an officer of the
Sutton Guard.

“How did you all survive out here and manage to cut off the supply lines?” Mallory wanted to know.

Tanner laughed and shook his head. “Nothing out of the ordinary, we were the human element of an army that included raptor scouts, sasquatches, panthers, and hornets, all sent by Sir Daniel.”

  “Good job,” Mallory replied, and her smile came as she thought of the new definition of normal and his answer: nothing out of the ordinary, in the life of a Sentinel.

Daniel waited in a room with comfortable chairs and an elegantly carved table. Paintings hung on the back and side walls depicting the palace and the Queen’s mother. Cleona seemed to favor the less formal setting over talking to him in the large conference room, as did he. Meeting in this room meant fewer people were likely to be involved. It was so much easier without councilors, ministers, high ranking officers, Knights of the Realm, or other functionaries, involving themselves in the c
onversation.

The semiprivate atmosphere did not mean he could dress informally, nor could he show up in his field uniform. On this occasion his emerald green wool jacket was open, revealing the finest light weight silver chain mail over a light green silk shirt. The royal hawk in flight was embroidered on his jacket where when closed it would be over his heart, matching that on the sides of his green lacquered helmet. His cuffs were gold strands woven into the fabric as were what looked like thin solid bars on his shoulders. He had oval patches on his left and right upper arms, depicting in embroidery, the falcon in flight clutching a lightning bolt in a sky of blue. His pants were gold on green and his boots a shiny black. The helmet with the seven lighting bolts now rested on his lap, seeing as the Queen may enter at any moment, and it would be considered impolite to sit at table wearing headgear.

Beginning in the late afternoon of yesterday and on through most of the night, he had been rather busy, mentally and physically. He met with Marcus and Jared, produced more gold and gems to keep the estate running smoothly, and met with many of the people now in service at the Benhannon Estate. So many folks lived and worked in the compound; Daniel did not get the opportunity to meet them all, and asked Jared to set up appointments with the household staff and Marcus to do the same with the Benhannon Guard in order to fix the situation.

The staff expressed great appreciation for the CAFs; no more pumping of the handle to draw water. The six hundred twenty-five guardsmen were excited after seeing Marcus demonstrate the daggerlance and crossbow. It seemed only right to allow the Captain of the Guard to be the first to use the weapons. Each person was issued a shield amulet and told of the superior protection and also the consequences of over use. The excitement was then tempered by the prospect of dying prematurely. The recruiting had gone obviously well. Horses were on order from ranches across th
e realm and down into Taracopa.

Early this morning, Daniel led the Royal Guardsmen publicly through the streets of Ducanton to the palace and then saluted and thanked each man for his service. During the same time period, the Pentrosans invaded, he had to enter the minds of various creatures in order to keep track of the movements, inside and outside of the holding, while assisting in the over all defense and the cutting off of the supply trains. If folks thought his mind seemed to wander when they were talking to him, it happened because he was thwarting an invasion at the same time. He still had no idea why General Kall would send his Sutton Guard into Ducaun, take siege of the holding, and then have them all retreat back to their new fort. Per
haps Chas will have some ideas.

His parents should be arriving later in the day aboard the RiverDancer and would be able to use the berth Jared was even now purchasing at the
Port of Ducanton. The door opened and the pondering of events came to a sudden stop. He stood up as Cleona Ducalin in her regal splendor entered the room.

Jet black hair spiraled up in an elaborate weave into the crown and a purple gown accentuated her feminine curves while not being overtly sensual. She stood in perfect health, with a light complexion, and a pleasant face to behold. “Please be seated, we have much to discuss,” she said along with a delicate wave of her hand toward the chair.

He filled her in on the happenings along the border and she frowned, no doubt pondering the possible reasons Kall would behave as he had. “I know one thing he accomplished; General Malcus will be constructing a permanent base in the area, large enough to accommodate two legions, which is what the presence of the Sutton Guard on my northern border forces me to order. General Tallen and half his legion have fulfilled the mission I sent him on and I dare not continue to leave northeastern Ducaun so weakly defended. He and his forces must return to their district. General Fisher will take over in assisting General Malcus in the defense,” the thirty year old monarch stated decisively.

Those were matters Daniel had little say in, unless she chose to seek his opinion as a member of the Council of Lords, which she did not, and so he decided to ask a question. “Can the private musters assist in the defense?”

Cleona nodded her head. “Yours’ already has and a few other lords, Tirana, Zoltair, and Bolover, have men and arms enough to mount a credible defense of the realm, while others are still marshalling their forces. In the near future you and your fellow Knights of the Realm will need to meet with the generals to formulate plans and help in coordinating the private musters.”

Daniel had read the rule books explaining the duties of a Ducaunan Royal Knight of the Realm and so her words came as no surprise. “While I am pleased to have been granted a personal audience with you, what we have talked about could have been discussed in a meeting with my fellow Knights, I feel there is more you wish to convey.”

Cleona’s lips formed a closed-mouth smile while her dark eyes seemed to be analyzing him. “Your ability to see beneath the surface and perceive what has not been said out loud has grown. There is a serious matter requiring your unique abilities that must be attended to.”

Daniel leaned forward; eager to hear what matter required an Accomplished. “I am at your service.”

She glanced at the lightning bolts on the front of his helmet. “Shortly after you defeated Balen Tamm reports of Condemneds wondering aimlessly in the kingdom have been growing. These victims of the evil Maestro’s sick mind are becoming a danger, people have died confronting them, and the wretches are difficult to kill. What I am requiring of you, in addition to raising your muster along with your regular duties, is to rid my realm of this pestilence. Save them if you can as you did those who had been condemned by Serin Gell, but kill them if you must. Condemneds running free will soon have members of the Serpent Guild chasing them down to bring them back into subjection. Ducaun has suffered enough from that cursed guild’s activities. Cleanse my realm of them.”

Daniel nodded grimly. “I will work on eliminating the danger posed by the Condemneds,” he replied, seeing he had no other choice. Being the Chosen Vessel, he could not choose to walk away from the task, and his duty as a Knight of the Realm solidifie
d the responsibility even more.

She leaned back in her chair, obviously relieved. “I have no doubt you will do what must be done,” she stated and then pursed her lips before continuing. “You are creating quite a stir. Sightings of you have been rumored all over the realm, and emissaries from every kingdom speak of you, some expressing deep concern that one so powerful has presented me with what no other monarch has, the backing and Potential of an Accomplished. The political climate is changing, especially with Aakadon probing into every nook and cranny, and trying t
o decide what to do about you.”

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. “Efferin will always see me as a rival no matter what I do, so it is best for me to get on with my chores, and try not to alienate the rest of the Aakacarns while I am about it.” Especially since Silvia told him he needed them as allies.

“All of the world leaders have expressed concern over my order to prepare for war against the Serpent Guild. They say I have over reacted and risk starting a war. The blind fools see Ducaun as the troubled realm,” the Queen shared with him.

Daniel rarely gave the politics of the world much thought and knew he was not cut out for the intricacies involved. “It seems we both have difficult chores. The threat is real whether or not others perceive it to be so. Hard choices will be made by both of us and a good many people are likely to resent what we decide, but the alternative will be much worse if we fail.”

“Perception often becomes reality when people are involved. Even so, you and I will work to prevent that alternative you speak of,” Cleona replied as firmly as he, and then glanced at the door. “Chamberlain Bercassie will be here soon, my day has been planned out well in advance, and this meeting has thrown off the schedule. I will leave you to your chores,” she added with a slight smile at the end, and then walked out as regally as she entered.

Daniel barely had time to stand and bow before she went out the door. He said his goodbyes to the palace functionaries and went looking for a cab to take him down
Palace Way, the largest of the thoroughfares, and also the one leading to the Excursion. He hailed and entered an open carriage and the driver, heavy-set, Choral Caiman, shook the reigns and started off, driving down the hill. The buildings along this route were multi-storied structures, all of marble or granite, and had statues of men on horses or fountains with water flowing from sculptures, some of fish and some of women, with water gushing out of their mouths or the top of their heads or some other spot. This is where the wealthy did their buying and trading. People shouted greetings and he waved to them, not wanting to be rude. There did not seem to be a person in the city who failed to see a picture or portrait of his face, making it nearly impossible to go anywhere without being recognized; unless he resorted to spell casting.

The inn stood seven stories high and took up the entire city block. Daniel handed Choral a silver coin, a sum well above the cost of the ride, and entered the establishment. Jared had done the signing in, choosing a large room on the seventh floor that had four rooms within it, a greeting room and three bedrooms. The Account Keeper had a bedroom to himself and the pair of Teki shared the second. Daniel had the largest room with a huge brass bed
with purple curtains around it.

On the table he found a note from Jared stating the Account Keeper was off selling the jewels Daniel had transformed from a handful of pebbles to raise more coins. David and Silvia were no where in sight so he stripped off his sword belt, coat, chain mail, and silk shirt, leaving on only his green cotton undershirt and wool pants. He then pushed the chairs and small table to the side, clearing a broad area in the center, and drew his sword. He sorely missed waking up with Sherree and needed to burn off energy. Pruning The Hedges transitioned into, Raking The Leaves, into Parting Kiss, which led to, Crack Of The Whip. He went on and on in the dance of swords, increasing the tempo until his blade was a blur few eyes could follow. The sword became an extension of his body and his mind was clear of all distraction. Triplets In The Carriage, flowed into, Spider In The Web, and then he started all over again, only faster. He had done this routine many times before and it helped him to clear his mind
as well as to stay in top form.

A short while later he cast, Refresh, cleansing his body as well as his clothes, then went into the other room, and stretched out on the bed with no intention of resting. It was time to get on with his chores. He closed his eyes and focused on Wisp, who
currently soared in the sky over the Foothills of Pentrosa. The chill of the wind whipped around him and the raptor angle downward. A light layer of snow covered the ground as well as the roof of the circular fortress housing the Sutton Guard. Smoke wafted into the sky from twelve chimneys, giving the impression the occupants intended to stay inside and enjoy the warmth for a while. The field to the north where the Pentrosan Royal Cavalry had been camping was now vacant. Have they gone back to Los Collins?

Wisp sent the thought of flying north to the city.
Thanks for offering, but there is a greater need,
Daniel replied. The raptor’s curiosity flowed back in response along with a sense of willingness to help.