Out of the box rose a crystal that was green in color around it swirling where purple runes that seemingly glided across the surface of an invisible force field around it.

  “This is one of our most sacred artifacts,” Carrick said, with a trembling voice. “We thought we’d have more time.” He gulped loudly. “More time to prepare for the ceremony but unfortunately we don’t and this is all we have at current time.” A look of concentration across the gnome’s face and his brows close together in a tight furrow.

  “My home station is here in Ollar and I wanted to see the people who’ve helped out my clan so much,” Gail said, in a vain attempt to break tension.

  “It was our pleasure,” Rook said, his voice barely over a whisper.

  “Enough, initiates, come up to the stage,” Jensen said, nodding towards the stairwell to their right.

  Reina was grinding her teeth until Rook nudged her, breaking her out of her own thoughts.

  “I’ll go first,” he said.

  They walked up the stairwell and towards the crystal. Jody nodded at them as they passed.

  “This scarm crystal was found in the city of the gods, the old priests and priestesses used it to find out the worth of those who wish to serve in the covenant. After centuries of being lost we found it and it became an integral part we’re finding out who is worthy of becoming a Sentinel. What you’re going to do has come up and touch it and then, as Phane said, answer your truth into the crystal itself.” Jensen glared at both of them. “I warn you now, do not lie to the scarm crystal. I was initially in a class of thirty, only ten of us made it through, the scarm crystal left the rest puddles and piles of pieces and their own consequences.

  Carrick nodded and swallowed as if pushing down the horrible memory. “So many died,” he said. “But that was back before the Bloodstone treaty.”

  “A portion of your class won’t make it,” Gail said, with a hard frown of her own.

  “Then why? Why do all of this just to get here and die after training and questing?” Rook asked, barely able to stammer out the question.

  “The scarm crystal is a tradition. The Sentinels have their own ways, just as the other guilds do.” Jensen pointed at the floating crystal and nodded at Rook. “Those with infernal blood and evil intentions will be expelled, so to say.”

  Rook wasn’t convinced and puffed a breath out. “Okay.”

  “There’s also the perk increases,” Jody said, raising an eyebrow.

  Carrick pinched the bridge of his nose. “Normally, we save that for after they touch the crystal, but yes, it’s true. The scarm crystal can strengthen a weakness or raise a perk. It’s all random, though.”

  Now the deal was making more sense to Rook. Best to get it done with, his grandfather used to say, because one could live in a moment forever; indecision killed. Rook didn’t get it then, but now it was crystal clear. He licked his lips, opened his mouth to say something, thought better, and closed it. He didn’t know what to say, the crystal was unnatural and he wanted to run, wanted not to touch it, wanted to slam it down into the case and close it shut, cover it with a blanket and tell them he’d find his own way to beat the Bloodstone. But instead, he found himself inching closer until both of his hands were mere inches away from the crystals’ humming runes. He placed his hands on either side of the crystal, and the rune stopped swirling. Instead, they encircled his hands and fingers like snakes, imprinting themselves like tattoos.

  “Oh, oh, conjured,” a high-pitched female voice said. “Well, it certainly has been a while since one of your kind has touched my power. I wonder who summoned you here. The great heroes of old,” she said with a chuckle. “It had to have been Burrlegast here, there’s no one else who’d be foolish enough to summon a conjured in this day and age, not with the brewing war,” the voice trailed off.

  “Now state your name.”

  My name is Samuel Rook Merrell.

  Yes, Samuel Rook Merrell, 2nd of his name, behind Samuel Kenneth Merrell, your father.

  Rook’s mood soured like curdled milk at the mention of his father.

  Don’t be like that, have pride in your namesake. Now what is it you desire most in this world? Is it fame, money, or power? The voice transformed from a high neutral tone to a deep guttural one.

  “I wish for the power to make a difference, a real, positive change.” He said, thinking back to his grandfather’s last words to him.

  Thank you for your candor. I grant you a meeting with Burrlegast. The voice trailed off until only silence remained.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Rook opened his eyes, unaware he was screwing them shut, giving him a slight headache. With awe, he watched the runes on his hands unentwine and float back towards the crystal. Grimacing, he yanked them away and wiped the sweaty digits on his pants.

  “Congratulations, Sentinel Rook, welcome to the order,” Jensen said, before turning his gaze to Reina. “It’s time.”

  “Yes, Sentinel Commander.”

  Reina stepped past Rook, giving him a shifting glance out the corner of her eye. It’s all right if I can do it you can do it one hundred percent. She straightened before marching right up to the crystal, placing her hands on either side and closing her eyes. Rook stared at her for several moments while the crystal no doubt gauged her thoughts.

  She opened her eyes and gasped, several tense moments later, rubbing her hands together in relief.

  “Congratulations, scribe,” Carrick said, with a grin. “It’s not enough to record the histories of Yorthon, you must be ready to fight as well.”

  “Yes, scribe commander.”

  Jensen boots vibrated the stage as he strode towards them with his fists out urging them to hold their hands open. He dropped a silver ring with a black diamond set in the middle.

  “When any Sentinel quests come up and we request your assistance, we will send you the notifications to your ring. Inside the ring is a communication spell. If ever you get a summons, you will answer the call. Is that understood?” Jensen asked with narrowed eyes.

  “Yes, Commander,” they answered in unison.

  “Good, now your current rank within the Sentinels Order is that of Initiate. This fact is undeniable: you are in the Order. However, to earn the rank of Soldier and get all the perks that come with being a fully fledged Sentinel, you must accomplish your culminating trial. Lieutenant Jody will brief you more regarding this task.”

  “Yes, Commander.”

  Quest Completion

  Join the Sentinels 1/1

  Rewards 600 experience

  792 experience of 850 until level 15

  Items Obtained

  Ring of the Order of the Sentinels

  +5 to Arcane Wisdom

  +5 to Constitution

  Jody told them simply to train, and he would retrieve them from Brianna’s when the time was right, so train they did.

  The pair spent the next several weeks training at the Ollar Dome. His focus was the biggest skill increase, even though it didn’t have a physical stat. Phane explained that it was a governing stat that oversaw everything a person did, and it increased most from hellish training. The guard captain gave personal lessons, and they spent nearly every day on a cycle of wake up, train, eat, and sleep. Rook found the rhythm comforting, especially since a goal was in sight. Astrid had been more than willing to assist. In fact, many people began treating them differently now that they were Sentinels. They received discounts on potions and preference when reserving the training grounds.

  His Attramancy wasn’t growing at an exponential rate; in fact, it was his slowest skill increase. For the life of him, he couldn’t figure it out. Rook sat on a bench beside Gerald, watching Reina’s sword forms per her request.

  “Gerald, maybe you can help me out.”

  “Hmm,” the dwarf grunted.

  “I’m not increasing my Attramancy as quickly as my other skills,” Rook said.

  “Ah, that’s because it’s your main mana-using skill. Magic users have to use stronger spells to increase their skills. It’s not something you can easily do, like block or your blunt skill. You’d need a near infinite amount of mana to use a skill long enough to gain an exponential amount,” Gerald seemed pleased with himself.

  “Thanks, that actually helps quite a bit.”

  Astrid had been more than happy to assist Reina as well, walking around and inspecting the enhancer’s form. His friend stood on a beam approximately three feet off the ground, an exercise in balance and poise.

  “Down,” Astrid said. “Across, down, thrust.” She walked around Reina, inspecting the slashes as they cut through the air. “Get lower in your stance. Parry,” she said, slapping the back of Reina’s calf with the crop.

  “Ow, damn you,” Reina said.

  “Parry, riposte.” With a growl, Astrid slapped the crop against the enhancer’s hands. “If you don’t want me to instruct you, then you shouldn’t have asked.”

  Reina relaxed, and with a groan, she stood, rubbing out her sore legs. “What do you mean? Of course, I want you to instruct me. I need to get better, and I’m doing my best in your torture camp.”

  “Then listen to me, I didn’t become the head trainer, by fucking my way to the top. I became a trainer through hard work and grit, despite any rumors you’ve heard. So listen to me, push through the pain, and keep working on your sword forms. First comes technique, then comes power.” She turned towards Rook. “Pick up one of the training clubs if you please.”

  “Sure.” Rook obliged, walking over to the wooden barrel and picking up one of the clubs. He gave it a few practice swings before standing in the circle.

  “Good, now, Reina, sheath your sword and pick up one of the training blades.” She watched as Reina hopped down from the balance beam and grabbed one of the swords, sidling next to Rook. “Perfect, now get five feet of space if you please and face each other.”

  Rook sighed inwardly, they’ve been training from sun up to sun down each day and it took a toll. Sparring for the thousandth time did not feel like a great plan.

  “Rook, have you ever actually faced off against Reina?” Astrid asked, eyeing the pair.

  “No, she’s my partner.”

  “Good, there’s a first time for everything.”

  I guess she’s right. How many times did I face one of my platoon during combatives? He faced his friend and smiled at the look of steel determination that crossed her features. Good, she’s taking this seriously. I guess I need to as well.

  Rook flicked his eyes towards Astrid.

  “You’ve been training your Attramancy while you’ve been here with Gerald, right?” The trainer asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Your level?”

  “Eighty Five.”

  “Then pick up one of the extra swords and place it on the ground in front of you. All right, there’s been talk about you around the mover’s guild. How your Attramancy performs is an anomaly, well, you’re going to use that extra sword against Reina,” Astrid said, crossing her arms.

  He jerked his head towards the trainer. “What do you mean, I can’t do that? It could hurt her.”

  Hell, it could kill her.

  “I have a bag full of potions just in case. You’re Sentinels now, you don’t have the luxury of not training like you fight.”

  Even though they were “Pretty much” Sentinels, the words hit Rook in the chest like a freight train. How many times has he told soldiers to train as you fight? How many times has it been instilled into his head, and yet here he was afraid to hurt his friend. So much so, he was willing to go easy and not use one of his abilities.

  He nodded, appreciating her sentiment.

  “All right, this is it.” He took a fighting stance, with one arm out towards Reina, with his palm poised towards the weapon on the ground.

  They stood there for a tense moment, Reina taking a low stance, the training sword out in front of her like a fencer. Astrid walked out of the space towards the bench and slapped the crop against the wood as the impromptu signal to fight.