Rise of a Prodigy: Chapter six (2)

The Maestro simply kept staring at him, or rather past him. His face betrayed less than his voice, a total emotionless mask.

“I conferred with the Virtuoso’s after the girl was secured and lead
back to her cell, and it is our decision that although you are stripped
of rank, you are not to be dismissed from the tower. It does not serve
our purpose to reveal the information we have regarding your past to the
general public, although Virtuoso Aeros argued rather forcefully for us
to do so. However, this is a final warning, and any further
misdemeanours on your part shall result in your leaving the tower and
public disgrace for your past actions. “

The Maestro picked up his book, and resumed reading.

“What is to be my new role here, Maestro?”

Steffanes could no longer keep his voice steady, and he felt his inner restraint slipping away.

“I have given Captain Tyrell the responsibility of assigning you to a
new position. Report to him immediately, we have no further business.”

That was the last straw.

“You fucking soulless monster, what gives you the right, eh!? You put that boy Tyrell in my place, and expect me to just-“

He couldn’t speak anymore. His throat now felt suddenly full of
water, pouring into his lungs to give him the sensation of drowning. He
coughed and spluttered as the water poured, knees giving way as he
collapsed to the floor. His eyes began to film over, and he grabbed at
his throat in panic.

Then suddenly, at the point when he was merely seconds from death,
the water vanished. Steffanes threw up on the floor, it taking all his
effort to simply prop himself up by his arms. His breath came out in
spurts, eyes watering and face drenched in sweat and tears.

Through all of this, the Maestro had not looked up from his book.
This was the power he wielded, and it took him no effort whatsoever.
Steffanes tried to avoid looking at him as he picked himself up, fearful
of what he may do next. Without another word, he made his way to the
side-door.

Yet as he reached it, he stopped. He knew he should leave right away,
but he still had one question he needed to ask, no matter what the
punishment might be.

“Maestro, what will happen to the girl, the one who escaped?”

“She will undergo the ritual, as normal. Leave now, Steffanes.”

Without hesitating, Steffanes left the room.

He walked slowly down the stairs, supporting himself by placing his
hand on the wall. He still felt the after effects of his near-drowning,
his breath still heavy as he walked.

He was still trying to put it all together in his mind, his thoughts
disordered after being so near death. It almost seemed unreal, and he
wondered if all of this might be a dream.

The truth was that it didn’t make sense to him. What was the point of
stripping him of his rank, but not dismissing him? What did the Maestro
mean, that it didn’t serve their purpose to reveal the information they
had on his past? Why not just cast him out and have done with it?

Then it all became clear; this was extended torture. Putting Tyrell
in charge of him was supposed to be a humiliation; a reminder that he
was the Maestro’s to do as he pleased with. His past was not being
revealed because it was the Maestro’s leverage, and it was a certainty
that Steffanes would be obedient while the threat of it being exposed
hung over him.

He sighed, it shouldn’t really surprise him. Ever since he’d arrived
at the tower, it had been clear to him that he was little more than a
plaything to the Maestro. Really, he didn’t care how well Steffanes had
performed as Captain, which was why he’d ignored his lax attitude for
all these years. But when an incident such as this happened, with the
great secret of Elleden tower being at risk of being exposed, the
Maestro was no longer amused. A punishment such as this was the perfect
way to ensure that he could inflict further pain upon Steffanes whenever
it suited him, according to his whim.

Steffanes knew that there were no further answers here, and he began
to walk faster down the stairs. It was high time he reported to his new
commander.

Yes, Jory Tyrell, he had plenty of questions for that little shit. He
began to grin as he descended the stairs, his thoughts now turned
bloody. Yes, he had plenty of questions for his former Lieutenant, and
there where a million ways he could get some answers.