To Be A Maestro (The Maestro Chronicles) by John Buttrick Page B

Knights other than Sir Laurence are in the area. In addition to the huge army, he is entertaining ten Accomplisheds of the serpent Guild,” he informed them of the situation as he understood it.
    Tallen’s eyes widened. “How do you know all of that?”
    Daniel shrugged his shoulders the way his friend Tim Dukane often did. “My scouts are very good at what they do.”
    “You seem to have your scouts positioned well.” Sir Carlo’s comment along with an approving nod of the head was appreciated.
    “Kall’s demand includes you, especially since you are the one with the answers.” Sir Laurence returned to the reason they had come.
    Daniel considered what he had seen through the eyes of his feline and raptor scouts. He made his decision, the opposite of what he would normally do, and hoped it was the right one. “No, I will not go.”
    Sir Carlo’s eyes began blinking rapidly and the others seemed just as surprised by the answer.
    “But, you are the one who brought this upon us, why now do you refuse to meet with General Kall, especially if there are Accomplisheds of the Serpent Guild with him?” Malcus demanded, along with Sir Tomas and Sir Laurence.
    Instead of answering the question, Daniel turned to the Senior Soarer sitting at the table in the light blue silks Daniel made for him, like he had for Sherree. “Accomplished Lassiter, would you inform everyone what your mission was upon leaving Aakadon?”
    Jeremiah had taken the time to shave and cut his hair, as did all the male Accomplisheds who had formerly been Condemneds. His skin was the color of ebony yet his facial features were more like those of a person born in Taracopa. “My mission was to track down and apprehend the fugitive Serin Gell. I succeeded in finding him and was overpowered and captured by the renegade. It seems my associate, Samuel Cresh, continued the mission with the help of several others including Accomplished Trenca of the Willow Guild.”
    “Would you have us believe your raid into Pentrosa was sanctioned by Aakadon?” Tallen asked of Daniel.
    “I would have General Kall believe it was a raid by Accomplisheds of Aakadon. It is my proposal, if the Accomplisheds present are willing, that they meet with Kall. You gentlemen are all welcome to stay with me here as my guests,” Daniel replied and leaned back in his chair.
    The Generals and Knights began debating the merits and demerits of his proposal, yet it was the Accomplisheds whose willingness was crucial. “Normally we of Aakadon do not engage in border disputes. However, I, speaking for myself, am willing to attend such a meeting since the reason for the incursion ended in my well being,” Master Togan gave his response, interrupting the debate among the nobles and bringing them to silence.
    “We confronted Accomplisheds of the Serpent Guild while protecting the hill,” Simon spoke up in his unobtrusive way. “We will deal with these as well.”
    The rest of the Accomplisheds agreed with Togan and Simon. “Do you want us to give Kall a detailed report?” Samuel asked.
    Daniel leaned forward. “Heavens no, I don’t mean for you to lie, just leave out things he does not need to know.”
    “You want a judicial trimming of the facts.” Samuel confirmed his understanding of what Daniel had in mind. “I know what to say and I need to borrow a horse. Bio belongs to Senior Soarer Lassiter.”
    Daniel nodded his head. “A horse can be provided for you and those who need one.”
    “Arriving on horseback will give a better impression,” Accomplished Daria Copa explained to him, as if he could not have figured that out for himself. He understood and knew she was only trying to be helpful, so was not insulted.
    None of the nobles objected to the Aakacarns going to the meeting on their behalf, even if dubious over the possible outcome. “What if Kall decides to invade?” General Malcus asked a question that brought everyone to silence and had them staring at their