Chapter 3
Reaching over to the table, I took within my hand was a golden decorative goblet, grasping both hands around it. I held it over the casket as I slowly grasped it with my left hand, slowly I reached into the goblet with my right index finger and dipped my finger into the warm liquid. Slowly lifted my finger up, placing the goblet to the side, back upon the table. The liquid was blood red as I slowly placed my finger upon the casket, making a drawing with the blood as I spoke once again in Latin, as everybody bowed their heads and spoke in unison. Slowly I lifted my hands away from the casket as I wiped my hands upon a cloth, sitting upon the table. Four followers slowly approached the casket, as I stepped back for a moment. “Upon this night, we awaken the Lord that will lead us to victory over the night dwellers, that seek our demise.” Everybody lifted their heads up and watched as I nodded, notifying the four to slowly removed the lid of the casket.
The sound of grinding stone could be heard as the lid of the casket was slowly lifted, removed, and placed to the side, gently so nothing would break. Stepping up to the open casket as Christian slowly stepped forward, walking around the open casket to stand behind me. Nobody knew I was looking into the casket at this moment. Everybody had their eyes upon the casket itself, until given command to stand and most would see inside. A breath got caught in my throat as my eyes came in contact with the one that was to be awaken this eve. I had forgotten how handsome he was. His auburn locks ran past his shoulders in waves. His hands were crossed over his chest. He was buried within his robe, as he requested to be. Everything as I remembered, when he was laid to rest many years ago.
Slowly I reached into the casket as Christian handed me a small golden dagger. Upon taking the dagger with a nod, paying attention to what I was doing, I cut the rope gently away from his wrists that kept his hands together. I made sure nothing was left behind from his bindings. Handing the dagger back to Christian, as he took it and the rope that was cut away, placing it upon the table. My flesh touched his and it was cool to the touch, for the moment. I had to prepare him for his awakening first. If I did not, then he would be displeased. Uncovering a pair of black boots that belonged upon his feet, Christian hand them both to me. He wanted them off before he was laid to rest, placed upon his feet before being awakened. We were just following his wishes before he was laid to rest.
Moving enough to do my work as Christian handed me everything. Making sure everything was perfect before continuing with the ceremony. Everybody knew what was going on, nobody was left in the dark when it comes to these ceremonies. I stood before the casket as he stood off to the side. One thing was left before I could continue, slowly reaching my hands into the casket as I lifted the hood to covered his face and head, until he rose and removed it himself. Moving with nimble fingers and gentleness, preparations were complete. Christian knew what was to come as did I. Slowly I reached over as he handed me a pair of black fingerless gloves. With a shaking hand, they were placed within the palm of my hand. Slowly placing them upon my hands, fastened snuggly, I went on to complete the ceremony.
Christian picked up the book, standing within my view, near the head of the coffin, but out of the occupants sight. I was the only one he would see first, it was how it went. I was the last to be seen, first to be seen when he awakens. Opening the book to where I had it book marked, Christian held it within his hands, facing my direction. Everybody was sitting upon their knees, bowing their heads as I slowly rose my fingerless gloved hands into the sky as I read from the book. “May thee be risen from the deep sleep that was placed upon thee many years ago. The moon is full on this all hallows eve. Your guidance and wisdom is needed once again for all eternity. Rise thy Lord, to meet your followers and lurkers, who wait for you thou’s return once again.” Slowly I lowered both my hands starting from his feet, moving both my hands up to the top of his head, just mere inches from his body.
The group started chanting as Christian closed the book gently, placing it back upon the table, stepped down the stairs to join the rest upon their knees. Closing my eyes as some of my life’s energy slid from my body to his, through my hands. Slowly I opened my eyes as I moved my hands slowly down towards his chest. I felt his life force starting to slowly beat once again. “Rise thy Lord.. Rise once again before your followers and lurkers...” I spoke once again, as I lowered my head. Slowly one of his hands rose out of the casket and gripped my left wrist gently within his grasp. A huge gasp was heard from the group of lurkers in the back, as they collapsed to their knees and started their worship towards the casket.
Once I felt the grasp upon my wrist, Christian moved quickly towards me, removing my right fingerless glove from my hand. Once the glove was removed, as I placed my bare right hand upon his. The hand was pale in color, but once I placed my hand upon his, it slowly began to regain it’s color. It slowly circulated through the body as the grasp upon my wrist tightened. I knew this was going to happen, but I could take it. All those years of training and such, paid off for this. I knew I was giving him life once again, because I took it away when he was laid to rest. That’s when I became Master of the group. I was no Lord, there was only one Lord per group. Ours was returning.
Slowly his other hand lifted up and gripped my other wrist. I could feel his strength slowly returning. “Wise and mighty Lord, I gave thee strength to slowly rise and greet us with your presence once again...” I spoke as the Lord slowly sat up within the casket. His hands were still wrapped around my wrists as I slowly sunk to my knees next to the casket. Everybody went quiet, once he sat up within the casket. “I hear your words Master Eli. I have risen to greet and meet the followers and lurkers on this all hallows eve. To give wisdom and lead for all eternity.” A baritone voice sounded. I knew he had returned, this time he wasn’t going to return to his sleep for another ten centuries. “Yes M’Lord. I pass thou’s position back to who has the rights to the claim, which is thee.” Nodding his head as he lifted my hands up, which were still in his grasp, as I slowly rose to my feet. “Thou rise to your feet before me Master Eli. I take the claim that you have take with your wisdom and bravery.” I nod my head as I knew the Lord was looking to me as he spoke. Everybody laid upon the ground, bowing towards the risen Lord, who has taken back what was his, which was the group and the territory.
I felt his grasp let go of my left wrist, as it was placed upon my left shoulder. My right hand he never let go as he slowly climbed from the casket, to his boot covered feet. He stood beside me as he removed his left hand from my shoulder. The ones who carried the casket, slowly rose to their feet, never looking at the Lord as they slowly lifted the now empty casket and took it off the alter. Stepping forward with me at his side, I slowly sunk to my knees as he let go of my right wrist. I got down into the same position as the rest of the group did as the Lord stood before us. “All hail Lord Calloway.. He has risen to spread wisdom, amongst the followers and lurkers of this mere group.” I announced as the rest of the group, repeated after me.
Placing his hands together in front of him, nodding as I looked up from under my hood. I had forgotten how tall he was, well when your at his feet, like I am, he’s huge. “Rise to your feet, Master Eli.” Slowly I got to my feet, “Yes Lord Calloway..” Motioning to the table as I knew what he wanted. I grabbed the book and the goblet as I carried them both over as I stood before him with my head lowered, offering the book in the right hand, goblet in my left. He opened the book to where another book mark stood, as his hands gently surrounded the goblet, at the base of the cup. He read from the book in Latin as he rose the cup and took a drink from it. The prayer was to bless the blood that was in the goblet to give him life and energy as he drank.
Placing the goblet back into my hand, closing the book gently as I turned and placed everything upon the table once again. I stood off to the side, to give him his space and time before the group. Turning to face the group as he slowly lifted his hands up. Everybody in unison, slowly sat up to their knees, to listen to what he had to say. “As of this night, I’m back in command. I thank Master Eli for doing what was done while my presence was of absence. All return to the mansion, gather in the great hall. We will finish business there.” Everybody slowly rose to their feet, slowly in two lines, walked from the ceremonial area of the cemetery, to the awaiting vehicles to head back to the mansion.
Christian stayed and gathered the gear, placing it within the bag to carry back to the mansion. “The car awaits sire.” He spoke as Lord Calloway nodded. “You go on ahead. I will ride with Master Eli.” I knew he was looking at me from under his hood, then nods as he walks off. I slowly step forward, descended the stairs as the Lord slowly did. I grabbed a torch that was left behind, lit it from a nearby candle, slowly walked a few steps in front of the Lord, lighting the way to the entrance of the cemetery to the awaiting car. The driver climbed out and opened the door, keeping his eyes to the ground, knowing it was the Lord of the group. I snuffed out the torch, once he was in the car in a barrel of water, that sat outside of the gates. Climbing into the front with the driver as he climbed in and drove back to the mansion.
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