"We the seven bloods greet the young master of the Loferstein clan." the seven hooded figures said loudly in a firm voice.
Akeldama accepted their greeting with a slight nod and proceeded to sit on one of the eight luxurious carved wooden chair covered red silk and adorned with delicate embroidery in golden thread. Only after he took a seat did the other seven people take their respective seats. the man who had guided Akeldama into the room came in again, but this time holding a silver tray lined with gold which bore eight beautiful china bone cups containing steaming hot tea along with eight slices of cake and some biscuits. The treat filled tray was put down on the table that had been placed between the two parties.
"Master, we shall now begin the report and update you on the recent developments that have happened in your absence." one of the figures said. "But before that we will introduce ourselves to you, our leader."
the room's decoration relayed two things to those who would entre it. one is that the owner of the room had a taste for lavish and luxurious things and two he had enormous amount of wealth at his disposal to satisfy his tastes. the room had a four poster bed just beside one of the four enormous windows. the room was carpeted with red velvet and the bed curtains were made from red silk as well. There were a few animal fur blankets on the bed and a tiger skin rug beneath it.
"Please start introducing yourself from the right." Akeldama said, looking at the person sitting in the extreme right hand side.
"My name is Rozar Town. I am pleased to make your acquaintance." the man said. He had a soft voice. He took of his hood and bowed before Akeldama. There was a red diamond shaped crystal on his forehead but it looked dull and dark. His eyes seemed to be balls of fire. They seemed to rage on ceaselessly and that made him look like someone who had insatiable hunger for something. His skin tone was fair.
"I am Nido Rakar. i am pleased to meet you my lord." the man sitting next to Akeldama spoke the instant Rozar finished. He also had the red diamond shaped crystal on his forehead.
"I am Akin, pleased to meet you."
"I am called Sowa my lord."
"I am Daniel."
"I am Aster Alker."
The last person laughed a little before saying anything. it was a strange high pitched laugh. "The young master is sure handsome and has imposing features but I think that's it." the voice of a woman came out from under the hood. "Anyway I am Sophie Noller."
The others were astonished at her insolence but Akeldama said nothing and continued to look at her. Rozar spoke up in an attempt to cover for Sophie but he was silenced by Akeldama's raised hand.
"I have no interest in proving my worth to you." Akeldama said, in a firm and cold voice.
All movement in the room seemed to have ceased. Even the candles' flame didn't seem to flicker. Akeldama spoke again, "You either swear loyalty to me or I kill you since I cannot let secrets of the Lofersteins leak out. And I wouldn't need to do much to have your head under my feet."
No one dared to even breathe. I dark, heavy and imposing aura exuded from Akeldama's entire body and his white face looked whiter and colder. his voice was soft but every word of what he said made Sophie feel an enormous amount of pressure. The strength in her feet and body seemed to ebb out slowly.
"I hope you have learnt your lesson." Akeldama said and sighed.
The woman laughed the same high pitched laugh. Akeldama looked at her and before he could say anything Sophie said, "My lord I already know your worth and thus surrender myself to your will."
"My lord we had prepared a gift for you." Sophie said.
Sophie extended her hand into the space and brought out a golden box and offered it to Akeldama who opened it without delay to see a golden ring with an enormous red stone on it. Akeldama took it out of its box and wore it without another word.
"Thank you. it is very useful indeed." Akeldama said. "I just need to put a drop of my blood on it, right?"
The entire Seven Blood stood there taken aback.
"Do you know what that is my lord?" Nido asked.
"Yes, I have studied about it. It's hard to create and thus rare. It's a modified blood stone." Akeldama said. "In fact it will activate and turn into a weapon after it comes in contact with my blood, right?"
Akeldama's skill took everyone by surprise. It would be impossible for anyone other than a master craftsman to figure out the true nature of the ring. The pattern of the flow of the magic in the item determines its nature and other properties. But for one to study it requires excellent control of the person's own magic.
Akeldama used his nails to make a cut on his left hand's thumb and pressed it on the red stone of the ring that rested on the right hand's ring finger. There was a red glow which gradually brightened and the next moment a long sword appeared in his right hand. The sword had a golden hilt that was in the form of a flying bat who had red stones for its eyes.
"I like it." Akeldama said in satisfaction. " Thereby form the contract of blood with all seven of you. you have proven your loyalty and goodwill. but be warned, if you dare betray, a fate worse than death is what awaits you."
The seven people made a deep cut on a their hands and blood started oozing out of the wounds but before they could fall on the ground it was drawn towards Akeldama's wrist and on it touching his wrist a dark red tattoo appeared on it.
"We hereby swear to abide by everything our lord, Akeldama de Loferstein, orders us to do." Thus the seven bloods swore their loyalty and with this the red stone on their head began to glow brightly.