Read Online Brass Monkey: A James Acton Thriller Book #2 by J Robert Kennedy - Free Book Online
Authors: J Robert Kennedy
Tags: Fiction, Action & Adventure
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last to have gone through the Rite of Initiation, or as it was called amongst the select few in the room who knew the truth, the Ritual of the False Jannah. Over the past days of fighting, he had come to understand the reasoning behind it, to realize the genius behind it, and he no longer felt betrayed. He had come to accept it, and to romanticize it, romanticize it to the point where part of him was now convinced it had indeed been real, and it warmed his heart to know the wonder of Jannah in reality must be far greater than any fantasy created by man. He knew when he died, should he be granted entry to Jannah, it would be even more wonderful than the few moments he had experienced.
And he knew his time would come shortly, for he was the youngest and had no reason to expect to be among those who would survive. Why should he? He knew little of The Order, of its ways. How could he, one so young, be expected to continue The Order? Yes he was well trained, but he lacked experience, experience the rest in the room had in abundance. He looked at Hasni and his heart turned heavy as he thought of how little time he had left to learn from his master.
“I have decided that to survive as an Order, those who remain must be swift of foot, strong in body, and in mind. And it is for that reason that I will remain here, with the defenders, to delay the Mongol hordes for as long as we can, while younger men make their escape to preserve The Order.”
The room filled with chants of outrage, of disappointment. Men yelling, “No! Not you master!” Their grief was palpable, the dismay on their faces speaking more than their words could convey. Faisal shouted with them, and a glance at Hasni shocked him, a tear rolled down his face, leaving a trail in the dirt and dust caked upon his cheek.
Grand Headmaster Khurshah again raised his hands. “My heart leaps with your outpouring, but I am old, and will only slow you down. There is one among us who can take my place, and who will lead those that have been chosen to preserve The Order to safety.”
The crowd looked around at each other, and one near the front raised his head, looking up at their leader, and asked, “Grand Headmaster, who among us could possibly replace you? Who is worthy enough to take your place?”
The room was silent, all eyes on Grand Headmaster Khurshah whose eyes slowly surveyed the audience, and settled on Faisal. Faisal gulped. Why is he looking at me? Grand Headmaster Khurshah descended the platform steps he stood on, and walked toward Faisal. The thick crowd parted to let him pass, all eyes turning to try and see who the successor would be. Faisal took a slight step to the side, shifting himself behind his master.
Grand Headmaster Khurshah paused in front of Hasni. Hasni bowed his head, his master returning the bow and then taking Hasni by the hand, he turned to face the crowd. “Brother Hasni will be your new Grand Headmaster. Honor him with loyalty as you have honored me over the years. Let us all put our faith in him, and in Allah, to preserve The Order. All hail your new master!”
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, shouts of “Allahu Akbar!” again filled the chamber. Faisal joined in, reveling in the fact it was his master who was now the master to all, and a little embarrassed that for a moment he had thought Grand Headmaster Khurshah was speaking of him. He patted Hasni on the back as the crowd surrounded their new and old masters, their troubles beyond the walls momentarily forgotten.
Southeast District Police Headquarters, Kashirskoye Street, Moscow
Cellblock C
“Hey! Wake up!”
The cot Yakovski was sleeping on shook again. He opened his eyes and looked up through the fog of the first glance at a new day, and a hangover, made all the worse by the bright light in the middle of the small cell he was transferred to after the interrogation.
His interrogator kicked the cot again. “Wake up, unless you want to stay
And he knew his time would come shortly, for he was the youngest and had no reason to expect to be among those who would survive. Why should he? He knew little of The Order, of its ways. How could he, one so young, be expected to continue The Order? Yes he was well trained, but he lacked experience, experience the rest in the room had in abundance. He looked at Hasni and his heart turned heavy as he thought of how little time he had left to learn from his master.
“I have decided that to survive as an Order, those who remain must be swift of foot, strong in body, and in mind. And it is for that reason that I will remain here, with the defenders, to delay the Mongol hordes for as long as we can, while younger men make their escape to preserve The Order.”
The room filled with chants of outrage, of disappointment. Men yelling, “No! Not you master!” Their grief was palpable, the dismay on their faces speaking more than their words could convey. Faisal shouted with them, and a glance at Hasni shocked him, a tear rolled down his face, leaving a trail in the dirt and dust caked upon his cheek.
Grand Headmaster Khurshah again raised his hands. “My heart leaps with your outpouring, but I am old, and will only slow you down. There is one among us who can take my place, and who will lead those that have been chosen to preserve The Order to safety.”
The crowd looked around at each other, and one near the front raised his head, looking up at their leader, and asked, “Grand Headmaster, who among us could possibly replace you? Who is worthy enough to take your place?”
The room was silent, all eyes on Grand Headmaster Khurshah whose eyes slowly surveyed the audience, and settled on Faisal. Faisal gulped. Why is he looking at me? Grand Headmaster Khurshah descended the platform steps he stood on, and walked toward Faisal. The thick crowd parted to let him pass, all eyes turning to try and see who the successor would be. Faisal took a slight step to the side, shifting himself behind his master.
Grand Headmaster Khurshah paused in front of Hasni. Hasni bowed his head, his master returning the bow and then taking Hasni by the hand, he turned to face the crowd. “Brother Hasni will be your new Grand Headmaster. Honor him with loyalty as you have honored me over the years. Let us all put our faith in him, and in Allah, to preserve The Order. All hail your new master!”
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, shouts of “Allahu Akbar!” again filled the chamber. Faisal joined in, reveling in the fact it was his master who was now the master to all, and a little embarrassed that for a moment he had thought Grand Headmaster Khurshah was speaking of him. He patted Hasni on the back as the crowd surrounded their new and old masters, their troubles beyond the walls momentarily forgotten.
Southeast District Police Headquarters, Kashirskoye Street, Moscow
Cellblock C
“Hey! Wake up!”
The cot Yakovski was sleeping on shook again. He opened his eyes and looked up through the fog of the first glance at a new day, and a hangover, made all the worse by the bright light in the middle of the small cell he was transferred to after the interrogation.
His interrogator kicked the cot again. “Wake up, unless you want to stay
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