Free To Be Grand Maestro (Book 5) by John Buttrick Page B

minded and more sympathetic to the situations of others. The removal of the Forget spell and the restoration of his repertoire was one result of Daniel Benhannon casting his first spell.
    Fortunately, patience paid off and Rondara continued without prompting. “The Ducaunan Accomplished claimed all of Mount Shantear to be a possession of the Atlantan Guild and gave some sort of apology about the method to Maestro Reese. Moments later we were rendered unconscious and awakened in the stables along with all of our horses and the bodies of our fallen associates. The obvious conclusion is that a circle of Aakacarns teleported us. I suppose we should be grateful he did not expel us from the mountain and leave us with nearly half a continent’s worth of traveling to cover in order to get home,” there came a pause in her thoughts and a sense of reluctance just before she finished with, “While I am not normally one to desire knowledge of the despicable spells composed by Tarin Conn, I must admit the spell, Teleportation, is one that I would not mind having in my repertoire.” It was a spell of the Serpent Guild and therefore considered anathema in Aakadon, but Terroll silently agreed.
    Her tension level dropped, perhaps sharing the problem made dealing with it easier. Terroll had been racking his brain, trying to figure out how to mitigate Daniel having established his own guild and declaring himself Maestro, yet this claiming of what everyone in Aakadon would see as the headquarters of that association, in a land where no Royal Ducaunan Knight of the Realm had a right to claim, added a whole new set of problems. Tarin Conn and the threat of him breaking free had been dealt with for the time being, yet that success could be reversed if everyone believes the enemy has been vanquished completely. The Grand Maestro will focus the resources of Aakadon on thwarting what he perceived as the most imminent threat, Daniel and his Atlantan Guild, of this Terroll was certain.
    “I appreciate you informing me of this recent development and the revised estimate of Aakacarns associated with my former student. A meeting of the Maestros is scheduled for the nineteenth mark and now I know to expect the presence of Talmon Reese and will not go in ignorant of what has transpired,” Terroll sent his gratitude. “One last thing, what is your estimate of Daniel’s physical condition? Conducting the Grand Symphonies over such a long period of time must have had some effect on him.”
    “He appeared to be no different than when I saw him at the last meeting before the assault on Shantear,” she replied instantly and then added, “Be that as it is, Sherree Jenna and Leah Barryn each eyed him like a mother whose child just arose from a sick bed and could stumble at any moment. I know not what to make of their behavior but I have come to agree with Barnabas Galloway, Daniel Benhannon is the Creator’s Champion. I think Maestro Reese believes this as well, yet the Ducaunan Accomplished is completely unpredictable. I was impressed with the confidence, knowledge, and competence he demonstrated at the meetings prior to the assault on Shantear, but I am uncomfortable with his lack of respect for the traditions we hold sacred and his inability to conform to the standards we Aakacarns live by.”
    “Do you think we still need the champion in light of Tarin Conn being safely shielded?” Terroll sent, wanting to get an idea how other Aakacarns would answer the question. The way each person responded will help him set his priorities and decide the best course of action. The war with the champion of evil and his Serpent Guild did not end at Shantear, but does anybody else think so?
    “We do not know enough to be sure. Accomplished Benhannon declared what occurred within the Great Crystal to be sealed to those who participated in the castings, and refused to disclose anything about them, so we have no way of judging how reliable the spells are or how much