Summer of the Moon Flower (The de Vargas Family) Read Online Free PDF Page B

placing a gnarled, veined hand on each of their shoulders.
    “The Order of the Lunar Temple has decreed
we have attained the forty first degree of perfection. Our chapter has been
entrusted with an extremely significant mission. The most important task
assigned to a Knight Templar for hundreds of years.’
    He looked at Douglas and Edward, his eyes
like flint.
    “Your presence in this castle tonight is
testament to your valor as a knight, either through deeds or through hereditary
bloods. You will be initiated into the next chapter. Are you prepared to take
on this task so that we can fulfill our quest and attain the Unutterable
Degree?”
    He paused and looked from one to the other.
“Think long and hard…if you fail in this task, your mortal life will end.”
    Dougal stood straight, keeping his
expression somber as he nodded at the old man.
    “You old fool,” he thought. “My father left
me a near impossible task and you have handed hand me the means to achieve it
ten years before I ever imagined it would be possible. He looked across at
Edward. The blood had drained from the younger man’s face and perspiration
beaded his brow. As Dougal watched, Edward nodded to the Leader. The old man
filled two goblets and spoke to the assembled gathering.
    “Lift your goblets while we complete the
libations.”
    He handed a goblet to each of the young men
and then looked up to the high domed roof of the Great Hall as he chanted the
toast.
    “To King Solomon, our Ancient Grand
Master.”
    “King Solomon,” the men held their goblets
high and repeated the words after him, before sipping the wine.
    Again, Dougal wondered if this was all part
of an elaborate trap as the acrid liquid hit his throat and his breath caught.
    Or was it simply, poor quality wine from
the Inn?
    By the time they finished the fourth
libation his eyes were streaming. The old man continued to look to the heavens
as he started the final toast.
    “Young Lords, the fifth libation is taken
in a very solemn manner. It is emblematic of the bitter cup of death, of which
some of us may sooner or later taste. “He paused and looked down at each of
them. “However, if you succeed in this quest, each knight in this room tonight
will gain immortal life. Repeat the Templar vow after me.”
    He reached out and took each of their right
hands in his and linked them together as he led them through the vow. They
repeated his words solemnly in front of the assembled men.
    “If ever I willfully violate this, my
solemn vow, as a brother of the Knights Templar, may my skull be sawn asunder
with a rough sword, my brains be consumed by the scorching sun. If ever I
willfully deviate from this my solemn obligation, may my light be put out from
among men, as that of Judas Iscariot was for betraying our Lord and Master.”
    As the Leader moved onto the vows of
poverty, chastity, obedience, and piety, Dougal fought a smile. He was
acquainted with each knight in this room, either through business or society.
He could confirm with little trouble not one of them was pious, chaste, poor or
obedient. The most decent man in the room was young Edward standing beside him,
taking this ridiculous vow. Dougal closed his eyes.
    I am following the good. I will not have
to keep these vows.
    Warmth stole over him as he thought of his
father and the final words he’d spoken on his deathbed. He had promised his
father he would end the reign of these men and their political and spiritual
power, even if it took him his lifetime.
    Now that he had been inducted into the
inner circle he would have no trouble embarking upon his own personal quest. He
looked up and smiled as he stared deep into the eyes of the Leader
    The old man smiled down at the two young
men, although his expression remained cold. “So be it. After our ceremony has
concluded, I will meet with you both in the Solar.”
    The Leader raised his hands and looked over
the men sitting in the room. “Go in peace, my Lords.”
    * * * *
    An