CHAPTER 27_The Andurin

Asara P.O.V.

“Princess, we got to move or we will be late.” Zaneir urged me through the castle corridors.

‘How could I foresee being late to a midnight gathering? The last few days have been stressful at a minimum. I had been caught in the sheets.’

We made our way to the back corner of the fortress. The cube edifice we were heading to had a visible crystal dome on top. The place was heavily guarded. It took a while for us to be welcomed inside, it was my first time in Malaktaraf castle, I wasn’t familiar with the procedures.

The assembly hall we entered was entirely made of marble stone and orgon crystals. There were a few gold and carbuncle pieces but not something that would catch your eye. There was a half-moon seating arrangement with an estimated capacity of 1000 men for the entire hall.

“The marble sculptures on the walls are masterwork grade.” Zaneir said while looking around.

“The history of the founding of the Kotar kingdom in eight sculpture masterworks of considerable size. A nice touch.” I glanced over scanning the attendees.

A varied bunch indeed. There were cloaked figures, guards, knights, noblemen and a few equipped with Augir level armor. I guessed there should be a little over 80 people. Since many had hidden their attires under their cloaks I couldn’t recognize any that I hadn’t met before.

“Our Sachears are coming in with the rest of the potential Kotari.” Zaneir pointed out.

I waved my hand to the three boys. Krigsain nodded back and they proceeded to sit in the front row ahead of the rest of us. There was plenty of space, everyone was comfortably seated. Twenty-three promising prospects with the proper deep blue Andurian cloak. I counted six young girls among them, that made me feel very pleased.

A beautiful multicolored tapestry covered the wall in front of us. The curtain curled wide open and Lord Akathos stood before the congregated. He was wearing the Andurin ceremonial robe, an exquisite work of embroidery of a single cut, a deep blue fabric.

“Welcome to the day of Ioƛl, our weekly gathering for the followers of the Will! We celebrate the light of our heavenly sign, the symbol of the Will and the origin of our name, the star of Andurin.” He was very expressive like a ceremonial grandmaster.

“Apologies for the late hour, we have had to make many accommodations and arrangements for everybody. Henceforth, I will be your fortress Head Elder and you may address me as Lord Akathos.”

Everyone present gave an understanding nod.

“I will not mince words with you all, today is a momentous occasion and I wish to treat you with the proper sincerity.” His green eyes surveyed every single one of us.

“We are about to enter a period of great disorder and mistrust; the drums of war are upon the continent. For such a reason, we have gathered you here. We will prepare you, our future Kotari for the days ahead. Away from the shenanigans of the court, away from scheming hearts, away from many hidden dangers that you cannot fathom, among many other individual considerations that pertain to each one of you. We value you greatly, the Will has brought you back into the fold and for a few others among you, welcome to your new home. Instead of you going to Kotar, Kotar has come to you!”

He slowly gave a very keen gaze to every single one of the twenty-three.

“I know most of you have awakened and you will train to undergo your Kotari trials individually. And the few of you that are yet to awaken, you will become Kotari nonetheless. We have prepared your itineraries, your assistants, your masters to the best of our abilities. We will not disappoint you.”

Lord Akathos glimpsed by a few people including Krigsain.

“I know some of you expected Patriarch Samuris to be your master. You will have to settle for an Andurin Lord for now.”

“Pfft!” I couldn’t help but react.

The comment made the congregated laugh. To reject a Lord? Ludicrous.

“We expect great things from you all. For Kotar!” Akathos gave the military crossed hand to the shoulder salute.

The Kotarians present gave the salute and the call back, including me.

“For Kotar!” We exclaimed.

“This brings me to my second announcement and the most important one. To the rest of you who are gathered here because of vested interests of various kinds towards these promising Andurin, I once more bid you welcome. However, it is time for you to make a conscientious decision.”

“What?” I turned to Zaneir to see if she had an inkling.

Her eyes told me what I needed to know, this was an abrupt declaration.

“All of you are awakened and all of you are not bound by the Will. In a time of blood and deceit we cannot take chances, our Kotari are our lifeblood and we will guard it zealously. There can never be an opening where the enemy can take advantage of our secrets. If you are to stay by these Kotari’s side, you will have to guard the secrets they will learn with your life. You will have to make an oath with us.”

He paused looking around the hall.

‘An oath? How? No one can do more than one oath, no one is going to carelessly use it.’

“It’s a ritual oath, it is not something normal at all.” Zaneir spoke in my ear, she was filled with uneasiness.

“After fighting for thousands of years we tend to pick up a few things from each other. Don’t we all? We will perform a ritual in this place tonight to seal our mutual allegiance to the Andurian cause. This is a lot to ponder as many of you are from other faiths or unbound.”

I couldn’t breathe. Hundreds of thoughts veering and twisting inside my head.

‘Andurian cause? If they tell me to kill, I must kill, regardless of the target, even my own father. If they tell me to die, I must die. What the hell!? I am a princess of Kotar!’

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“If you break the oath you will not only die but we will know, even if Kotar were to fall our blades will find you for as many lives as we can. Conversely, this will make you adoptive children of the Will and we will find you in your next lives, rites and rituals pending of course.”

“So you would have our lives in your hands Lord Akathos?!” A hooded figure voiced an angry question.

“No, the one to determine who lives or who dies is the Will alone. I know this is not comforting to the other faiths but this is the choice. Additionally, if we break the oath, we would die as well and you would know. Although, you understand that the possibility of that happening is close to zero.” Akathos answered.

“How does this affect my awakened oath? I already have one.” Another female voice interposed.

“It won’t as long as it doesn’t involve the Andurian interests in an intentionally negative fashion.”

“And the ones without oaths?” Another unknown young voice asked.

“It won’t have any repercussions; we have already confirmed this. In case of any foul play from our part, we the Andurin leadership, gathered here will die on the spot.”

The hall became deadly silent.

“Those who have doubts or harbor distrust towards the Will should leave. Those who have duplicity in your hearts, your games end now. Only those willing to shoulder our burdens will bask in the light of Andurin.”

“What do I do? I was supposed to bring the Andurin closer to the crown, not become an Andurin agent myself! Reborn again as a commoner, can I endure such a thing?!” My mind kept racing.

I was so grieved and sunken in my thoughts that I didn’t notice how much time had elapsed. By the time I looked around, including the twenty-three in the front row, we were down to about 60 people. Over 40 people had left.

“We will commence the ritual with those present.”

The floor in front of us opened wide. The stone floor was a door mechanism of some kind. A platform began to arise from under the aperture. A shining blue crystal ball supported by a golden colored base of a material I couldn’t identify appeared.

“An orgon crystal, a choice cut orgon crystal piece!” It was monstrous in size.

“Princess, look around!” Zaneir pulled the corner of my shirt.

Lord Sarkan and Lord Tanin were at either side of Lord Akathos. Lady Freslia was to the left of Sarkan wearing the Claimere’s ceremonial robe. Likewise, to the right of Lord Tanin there were two more Claimere wearing ceremonial robes.

“Why are there so many of them here?!”

“Claimere Draken, princess. He is the new one.” Zaneir whispered.

“Claimere Burin, Stormbraker, leader of the Claimere.” I worded mechanically.

‘Someone please explain this to me! What’s happening?!’

My thoughts were spiraling out of control.

About twenty-four Kotari came from many directions delivering a golden magical parchment. It was the oath, the so called ritualistic oath I had previously never heard off. After another half an hour or so, I finished checking the contents. Everything was in order, just like Akathos had spoken.

“Zaneir, should I leave?”

“If you can forgo the crown, you should. You harbor doubt my lady.” Zaneir bowed formally when she spoke.

“It is time to make a choice, son of the empire!” The powerful gruffly voice of Claimere Burin was heard.

A hooded cloak young one revealed his appearance. Long dark hair, petite nose, tanned skin, thick eyebrows, green eyes and a chiseled jaw. He could rival many well-known female beauties.

Zaneir dropped her parchment to the floor. She was absolutely awestruck. We were on the back row, thankfully.

“Gather yourself woman. Don’t need an estrous guardian by my side!” I reprimanded her.

“Yes that…no.” She was blushing all over.

Composing herself she spoke again, “That one there is Isoray Dogran, a true prodigy of Bichmeyrul. He is a Child of Mana, your highness.”

‘Dogran? From the noble houses of the empire in the central continent? Child of Mana?!’

My hands started trembling.

“Somebody please tell me I’m overthinking things!”

‘The Andurin want a noble of the empire to submit? Even more, he is a once in a thousand years’ portent. You think you can take from the Bichmeyrul Empire without consequence? Even if they have to cross over from another continent, they will come. They will slash our throats. War with the empire? Impossible!’

“They want to seal him with the oath. All this is to account for him.” Zaneir had eyes full of incredulity. She couldn’t believe what she was saying.

A beloved of the world, a chosen being, a Magi without limitations.

“A chosen one?! Krigsain!” I turned to look but he showed no reaction.

“I will fulfill the oath.” Isoray Dogran’s melodic voice echoed.

The two guards flanking the empire’s child looked impassive. It was as if they were expecting it. The crystal orb in the center began to flicker. The Kotari that handed the parchments got into formation around the hall.

All the Elders and the Claimere began executing hand sigils. The Kotari placed in the edges of the formation did the same. They all released blood from their fingers in one way or another.

My mind was processing at lightning speed.

‘A marriage for a crown? A crown above my brothers for something relatively lax compared to my brothers’ trials?’

The description father gave me could apply to either one of these prodigies. An intervention coming from the empire would make matters even more strenuous. This is getting more and more cumbersome by the minute.

“What the gorgon dong, dad!” Father knew, he knew!

“Gurnir!” I greeted my teeth and drew blood placing it on my parchment.

Zaneir followed me as well. The congregated placed the blood on their parchments. The parchments disintegrated. The ground lit up revealing the bluish hue of the formation lines encompassing the whole of the hall floor. The phoenix raven, the hybrid beast guardian of the Andurin was displayed under our feet.