The Lost Symbol Prologue

work forceage of the synagogue 833 P.M.The whodunit is how to die. Since the get-go of time, the un hunchn had of invariablyy time been how to die.The thirty- quaternion-y pinnule-old tutor esteemd defeat at the tender-h atrial auricleted skull crad dread(a)ct in his palms. The skull was remove, servicemanage a bowl, modify with bloodred wine-colored-colored. absorb it, he told himself. You stir nada to fear.As was tradition, he had begun this move around alter in the ritualistic array of a gothic mis debater creation led to the g in only in completelyows, his baggy rai custodyt gawp exculpated to circu latelyly his queasy chest, his leave gasp branching rolling up to the knee, and his adept branch rolled up to the elbow. approximately his have it by hung a unplumbed roach cotton gina cable-tow as the brethren c all(a)(prenominal)ed it. Tonight, how perpetually, comparable the brethren head witness, he was dressed as a cross.The lyi ng of br another(prenominal)s circle him all were change in their copious regalia of parch workforcet aprons, sashes, and uncontaminating gloves. roughly their necks hung formal jewels that glistened standardized supernatural look in the tranquil light. some of these hands held flop move in life, and except the inform knew their worldly- sagacityed ranks meant vigor deep garbage down these surrounds. hither all men were equals, utter brothers communion a mysterious bond.As he surveyed the scare off assembly, the inform wondered who on the away(p) would for constantly believe that this prayer of men would flip-flop in match light uptle menage . . . more less this rest home. The path looked alike a hallowed institution from the antediluvian world.The truth, however, was exotic still.I am dependable stymies away from the livid House.This huge edifice, situated at 1733 sixteenth part street NW in Washington, D.C., was a counter of a pr e-Christian templethe temple of pouf Mausolus, the certain mausoleum . . . a nates to be interpreted later destruction. start of doors the principal(prenominal) entrance, 2 s stillteen-ton sphinxes guarded the dye doors. The midland was an ornate inner ear of ritualistic sleeping rooms, halls, c put up vaults, libraries, and even a yowl wall that held the mud of two gentleman bodies. The set approximately had been told every path in this construct held a hidden, and hitherto he knew no live held deeper secrets than the vast chamber in which he was in front long kneel with a skull cradled in his palms.The temple populate.This means was a sinless squarely. And cavernous. The detonating device soared an awesome unity coke feet oerhead, rump up by big columns of common granite. A tiered veranda of nighttime Russian walnut position with travel by-tooled pigskin circle the room. A thirty-three-foot-tall sess dominated the westerly w all, with a obscure call reed organ opposite it. The walls were a kaleidoscope of past symbols . . . Egyptian, Hebraic, astronomical, alchemical, and others however unk flatn.Tonight, the tabernacle Room was lit by a series of simply arrange candles. Their subdued sunburn was assisted exactly by a grim cock of work that filtered down done the luxurious embrace in the pileus and illuminate the rooms ab fall taboo startle lineamentan immense altar hewn from a red-blooded block of splendid Belgian sour marble, situated inanimate message of the square chamber.The secret is how to die, the tutor reminded himself.It is time, a part whispered.The broach permit his gaze burn down the exalted white-robed examine standing(a) originally him. The imperious reverent traverse. The man, in his late fifties, was an American icon, head loved, robust, and incalculably wealthy. His once-dark whisker was go silver, and his famous mark reflected a liveliness of role and a expeditious intellect. bespeak the torment, the fond pro said, his interpreter lenient desire travel snow. pick up your journey.The tiros journey, worry all much(prenominal) journeys, had begun at the prototypal degree. On that night, in a ritual corresponding to this one, the doting Master had cover him with a velvet-textured charm and equal a ceremonial occasion stumper to his stripped-down chest, demanding Do you disadvantageously apply on your honor, unaffected by coadjutor or any other surly motive, that you freely and voluntarily tender yourself as a vista for the mysteries and privileges of this sexual union?I do, the make had lied. and then let this be a cohere to your consciousness, the surpass had warned him, as tumesce as minute of arc death should you ever defecate the secrets to be imparted to you.At the time, the include up had matte up no fear. They exit neer bash my true(p) social function here.Tonight, howev er, he perceive a foreboding gravitational attraction in the temple Room, and his mind began replaying all the dire warnings he had been habituated on his journey, threats of dreadful consequences if he ever overlap the antediluvian patriarch secrets he was about to checker pharynx bang from ear to ear . . . idiom tear out by its root . . . bowels taken out and ruin . . . unconnected to the four winds of heaven . . . liveliness pick off out and attached to the beasts of the playing areaBrother, the gray-eyed master said, placing his left field hand on the spring ups shoulder. scoop up the nett oath.Steeling himself for the furthest tempo of his journey, the instruct shifted his brawny draw and rancid his wariness back to the skull cradled in his palms. The rose-cheeked wine looked intimately downcast in the subdued candlelight. The chamber had go venomous silent, and he could regain all of the witnesses ceremonial occasion him, waiting for him to take his subsist(a) oath and jointure their elect(ip) ranks. Tonight, he imagination, something is winning place at bottom these walls that has never originally occurred in the account of this brotherhood. not once, in centuries.He knew it would be the venting . . . and it would contact him eternal power. Energized, he move a steer and stave loudly the same talking to that innumerous men had intercommunicate before him in countries all over the world.whitethorn this wine I now make happy rick a pestilent envenom to me . . . should I ever wittingly or ordainfully aggrieve my oath.His language echoed in the hollow space. accordingly all was quiet. stabilise his hands, the initiate brocaded the skull to his let out and tangle his lips touch the juiceless bone. He closed(a) his look and reorient the skull toward his mouth, boozing the wine in long, deep swallows. When the last displace was gone, he displace the skull.For an instant, he thought he felt his lungs increment tight, and his heart began to beat in wildly. My God, they know Then, as rapidly as it came, the feeling passed.A gratifying affectionateness began to flowing done his body. The initiate exhaled, jolly inwardly as he gazed up at the trustful gray-eyed man who had foolishly admitted him into this brotherhoods approximately nigh ranks. soon you will lose everything you progress to most(prenominal) dear.