These three words resonate all over the chamber with a high frequency but there is no sign of instruments to create such frequency. These words vibrate beside everyone's ear. They feel like something special and secret organization, they are member of. They feel immense pressure.
Maskborn is gazing his sharp eyes to read the minds of members. In his point of view, Torrent is feeling grateful to Maester where Inferno is eager to get some missions to complete to be a favorite member of this group or organization.
But he can't pierce through Aeries' mind. He understands that Aeries is not showing any interest in the name. Aeries is only looking at his skin. His skin is pale and wounded, blood flowing but in a low wave. But the wound is healing fast.
Maskborn understands everyone's point of view. He, finding no one to ask, asks a question, "What is the meaning of Oathbound Host?"
The question has pulled them back to themselves, though they were wandering in an unseen fog and was suddenly awakened from it. They put their eyes on one spot and that is Maester.
Maester continues understanding the fact, "Oathbound Host is made of three words. Oath means you are given mission and you have to make an oath. This oath binds you all to complete your mission respectively. Host means you all, who will complete all these missions. I guess everyone is clear."
Everyone nodes their heads down as a sign.
Maester gazes at everyone and explains the rule of this group, "At first, this is an organization. First rule of this organization is 'NO ONE CAN EVER UTTER A WORD ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION OUTSIDE THIS ROOM WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.' Second rule is 'EVERY MEETING WILL CONDUCT AFTER TWENTY LIGHTS UNDER THIS SECT.' Third rule is 'YOU HAVE TO GET AN OFFICIAL JOB UNDER THE ORTHODOX CHURCHES AND DIVINE TEMPLES." Fourth rule is 'YOU HAVE TO UPGRADE YOUR HIERARCH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.' Last important note is 'BE PREPARED FOR THE UPCOMING WAR'."
Everyone understands the first, second and fourth rule. But they don't understand when the war is coming or why they should search for a job in churches or temples.
Torrent calms down her minds and she turns to Maester as she is curious to know the reason of all these rules. Torrent asks curiously, "Why should we join the official?"
"In next meeting, on this topic, it will be clear. For now you should join the official in twenty lights. And –"
Inferno resists Maester and delivers his question, "How do you know war is coming and why should I believe you?"
Aeries is listening all the conversation between group members. He is plotting all the points what Maester told them. He knows about something about Lord, Divine Throne, Emperor. All he gathered knowledge was from the website and the voice. He realized somehow the voice was indicating something about war but couldn't finish. Aeries, his past self, somehow knew a war was coming. But he was killed.
Everyone turns to Aeries as a voice coming from him, "Is this war for achieving some power?"
Torrent and Inferno couldn't understand what he is talking about. Inferno furiously replied, "Hey Dragon, are you out of your mind?"
Torrent keeps her mouth shut but is observing Aeries. She thinks Aeries as a mysterious person who knows more than them all.
Maskborn turns to Aeries. "Most probably he is going through some tension flowing over his head." Maskborn thinks in his mind. Yet he doesn't give any opinion about the rules.
Maester replies to Aeries with a suspicious look, "Most probably."
Inferno interferes, "Aren't you sure?"
Maester just looks at him but Inferno feels like he has gone in a deep trance. Inferno becomes silent and utters no word from his mouth.
Aeries asks three questions that was spinning around everyone's head.
"How did you know Shadowmark was a spy?"
"Who was the man at the sect from who we got the tokens?"
"Where will the next meeting will occur?"
Maester doesn't reply in a straight way. He vaguely replies, "Maybe this is the power of mine." He continues, "This was a half dead man possessed by me. He was commanded to do according to my wish. Everyone will be allowed to enter into the sect through the front door as usual. You should come at right time like today. You will now get a token for each to come by the door and the elevator.Wear same mask like today for next every meeting."
Maester continues without giving a chance to everyone to talk.
"Your first mission is to apply for a job and get a job in the officials in twenty lights."
Everyone nods their head down.
Maester then tells everyone, "The meeting is now going to end today here. Everyone is requested to go through the same place but this time you all lose power to talk and see. You will gain after reaching at the top."
When everyone in the group stands up to leave the room, they find no one lying on the ground. The body has vanished from the floor. They all stare at Maester together. Same thoughts were racing in their heads.
They follow the same path they came here. But this time they can't see each other nor look at each other. They are connectionless totally. They reach at their destination.
The sect is now almost empty. Only the workers are working to clean the sect. The half dead man is still standing in front of them. He imposes them to leave the spot urgently. All members go to their respective place after crossing the main entrance gate of the sect. There are still two guards in front of the gate.
Aeries sets off to his house. He touches his face to put down the mask yet there is no mask at all. He has no feeling of weight pressure on his face totally. He understands that this is the power of Maester.
Torrent, Inferno and Maskborn went through same situation. When they touched their face, they had no feeling of mask. But when they were under the sect, they felt the masks. When they left the sect, the feeling vanished, still they saw each other mask wearing.
They set off to their own home. Inferno took a horse carriage, roof fully covered with ribbon. Maskborn went in a small pavement in darkness. Torrent was waiting for a carriage to come. She was observing Aeries behind.
A three wheeled cycle, made from brass and steel not having enough space for four persons to sit. It is being driven by a young boy, aged between seventeen. Torrent stops him and asks him, "Hightower?"
"Seven Vellin."
The red moon is shining brightly in the north sky. The redish orange flash can be seen slightly. The distance from the sect to Hightower is almost one kilometer. Normal price is around Four or Five Vellin.
Finding no way, Torrent sits in this vehicle named caryx. She is alone in caryx.
Everyone leaves the sect after a while and the sect goes into an eternal silence. There is lamp enlightening the main gate of the building. Lamps are brightened by a flaming big candle. The silence grasped the building.
---
---
From a far distance, footstep is approaching at the building. It was neither a man nor a dwarf. He just stares at the building raising his head high. He is thinking and looking at this like he is in deep motivation.
Suddenly he grabs his fist and punches his fist in the air but nothing happens. He leaves the place.
After leaving, a tiny creature looking like a mosquito drops down on the street.
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Aeries reaches at his house and lies down on his bed after washing his body. He lies down to sleep. He unknowingly falls asleep.