Oscar fidgeted. “Perhaps you would reconsider whether you ever asked that question Master.” he replied very seriously.
“You mean it is better I don’t know?” I asked.
“Like the US president,” he continued, “culpable deniability.”
I felt weak at the knees. There was little difference between Balthazar and Mrs T when it came to ruthlessness. Secrecy was paramount; it was just acceptable for our existence to be known in limited places but other than that we were a closed society. Once in there was one way out - feet first. The problem was that I enjoyed the privileges and pleasures but felt very uncomfortable with some of the methods.
“Carry on.” I said automatically, “I will somehow tell Simone that her boyfriend has ‘gone away’.” He bowed. I made my way to the quarters of the Grand Master, a number of questions on my mind. He was free and we settled with a coffee and liqueur.
“Grand Master.” I began once we had reclined. “Things have been so hectic since May I have never had time to study the history of the temple. If you have a while, perhaps you could tell me a little of its background sometime?”

He spread his arms. “Why not now?” he replied. “The provenance of Balthazar is lost in the mists of time. It is known to pre-date the Knights Templar by many centuries; some say Charlemagne while others put it as far back as the Roman Empire. Many of the temples have existed for centuries, brought up to date periodically while others have been created as necessary. Dedicated to power and the pleasures of the flesh it has moved from prominence to obscurity many times. Other sects, Templars, Wiccan for example, have served to hide its existence at times. It may have started in Europe as the cult of Bacchus but it is now trans-global. There are temples in most countries and many national leaders are members. Compared to us, the Masons are pussycats. Our main enemy has historically been the established church, principally the Church of Rome and its arm, Opus Dei. You see, we deal in corruption, sex, money and power; each one anathema to them. As you appreciate, we have spread our influence to all areas of lucrative corruption in order to grow. In view of that, I believe a greater threat now comes not from the church but from criminal organisations like the Mafia and Triads on whose toes we are beginning to tread. That is why High Council feels that the expedition into Bollywood may relieve the pressure. None of us wants a turf war. Anyway, back to history. In the 18th century the headquarters was in England but certain breakaway factions, like the Hell Fire Club, became too notorious, threatening to expose us so it was moved to the mid-west of the US, where it remains today. Nowadays, with modern communications, we are a close-knit community of about five million members in every part of society, as you discovered in Delhi. Each chapter is autonomous under its Grand Master but cooperation is encouraged and there are basic ‘rules’ that apply universally. We do not act for the social good but for our own idealistic ends, hence our rituals are centred on hedonistic pleasure and sex.

There is a hierarchy; the Metropolitan is our leader with a number of Councillors and Masters making up High Council. Grand Masters oversee each chapter or temple containing Priestesses and Wizards, Sisters, Brothers and Novices of various degrees. As you know, High Table controls each chapter. You have a Council status of Emeritus Master, which transcends individual chapter ranks allowing you to work anywhere. It is an unusual rank and one that can cause rancour in places. Normally an Emeritus Master is subordinate only to a chapter Grand Master or a Councillor. One of the major changes that has occurred over time is the status of priestesses. Up until the move to the US there were no priestesses, only acolytes, who were fundamentally sex fodder. From then however, equality has raised its head and now many chapters have Grand Priestesses and, I believe, at least five in the US have a female Grand Master – or should that be Grand Mistress?” He smiled as he continued. “This teaching has not been universally received hence Nahdya’s continuing problems in Delhi. For something that was accepted for well over a thousand years, to change in two hundred is perhaps asking too much. Am I going too fast? No? Good. We gather members from all elements of society; for many the temple becomes their home while for others the temple is for transient pleasure in parallel with a normal, outside existence, like the Masons. Unlike the Masons we have no exit strategy – once a member you are a member for life. We don’t encourage publicity and any member seeking to ‘blow the whistle’ will be unsuccessful. In this we have been infinitely more successful than the Mafia or the Masons. I suspect you had never heard of us before last May. Pretty good hein? That’s about it really; oh, I forgot, each chapter ‘donates’ twenty one point two percent of its income to High Council. Why that figure I have no idea. I say ‘donate’ because we don’t like to use the word ‘tax’. Any questions?”

“Many Grand Master.” I began, “But I will restrict them today. Is there a written set of the basic ‘rules’? How ‘autonomous’ is ‘autonomous’? How do we maintain our finances? That is for starters.”
He smiled. “The ‘rules’ are contained in the ‘Brown Book’, so called because it is leather bound. I have our copy and you may study it when you become Grand Master. In the meantime all queries must be addressed through me to respond. Within the guidance of the rules I have absolute authority even over life and death. Each chapter’s finances are managed by a trust company presided over by senior members who hold positions outside the chapter. There is no obvious connexion with Balthazar. More?”
“Are you a member of the trust company?” I asked.
“Actually no.” he replied. “It is unusual for the Grand Master to have a life apart from the temple so it is not seen proper. Fear not, these members are one hundred and ten percent honourable. The penalty for dishonesty is too horrible to contemplate. Have you more Master?”
“Ummm, yes I have.” I said cautiously, “This is one for the book I think. What is the relationship between the Grand Master and the chapter Grand Priestess?”

“Interesting question but one I have been expecting you to ask Sethin.” he replied, studying me and stroking his chin. “Traditionally the Grand Priestess, if one is appointed, is the female partner of the Grand Master in all ceremonies and occasions. However this is tradition only and it is not required by the rules. In some chapters it is accepted that the Grand Master chooses a ‘consort’, who is not the Grand Priestess, for the more social ceremonies. The Grand Priestess is then involved only when the rite requires it. This can be where there is a significant age difference between the Grand Master and Grand Priestess. Here we have been fortunate in that Lalith was appointed quite early in life; I have remained traditional. Do you have a change in mind?”
I shrugged. “I am just sounding out rules that I am not familiar with.” I said defensively.

He smiled broadly and patted me on the shoulder. “Could this ‘sounding out’ have anything to do with Nahdya?” he asked perceptively.
“She has been a very loyal and valuable partner.” I admitted. “The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Take care you do not make an enemy of Lalith.” warned the Grand Master. “She is a good friend but a dangerous enemy.”
“Lalith is, how shall I say, not totally averse to the notion.” I smiled.
“If that is so then I definitely made the right choice for my successor.” he said, nodding his head. “My feeling is that she would be spitting nails at even the suggestion. Is there anything more Master?”
I shook my head. “No more at present Grand Master. I will speak with Brother Oscar then, hopefully, finalise my arrangements for my departure.”
“So be it.” he said, “I will contact you through my good friend Grand Master Ceres when your investiture is to be held. We shall travel to the USA together. Oh, and will you be taking Nahdya or Lalith?”
“Which do you advise Grand Master?” I thought it best to ask.
“Lalith has attended two investitures.” he mused. “I would not be too great a snub to take your consort. If, as you say, she is comfortable with a consort then, by all means take her; after all, it is your day not hers. However, if you have even the slightest doubt, then Lalith should accompany you; better safe than sorry.”
“Food for thought Grand Master.” I noted. “I will reflect on this for the time being. My thanks.”

“My pleasure Emeritus Master.” he replied. “Take care you make the safe decision. Oh, and will Nahdya’s ceremony take place here or in Delhi?”
“Ceres has proposed that it take place when I return to Delhi.” I commented. “He is quite a feminist as far as women of high rank are concerned. In view of the situation in India I think a high profile female ceremony could move a few entrenched idealists in the right direction. Additionally it might be politically more acceptable for me to take a Mistress of Secrets to the US rather than just a Sister, should that be my choice.”
“A wise decision.” Habib-Sidouri agreed. “Extend my warmest congratulations to our sister on her inauguration. Now we must both continue with our duties. Farewell Emeritus Master; you will dine with me tonight?” I nodded.

End of Part 14

Watch for Part 15 in which the plot against the cult is neutralised; Simone shows her true colours. Colin renews his friendship with Anne-Marie and makes plans with Nahdya on his return to India.

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