“Typically, from what I understand, there are usually other Sentinels available to help the young interpret their runes and what they do. Being that this is not the case for you, it might be easiest if I go through a checklist of possibilities and you can indicate any qualities or skills that you currently possess.”
I look to Lachlan and then quickly away. “Before I tell you what I can do, can you tell me who will have access to this information?”
Tearson offers me a gentle smile. “This information stays within the people in this room and will be documented in archives only select Readers can access. Each of the Readers who have access have sworn blood oaths to protect those secrets."
I nod in understanding.
“Reader Conlin informed me that you wanted a binding placed on this ceremony. I have already started it, and when your reading is over, I will seal it. That will keep the people in this room from speaking freely to anyone but each other or you about anything they’ve witnessed or heard.”
Reader Conlin hands Reader Tearson a list, and he proceeds to go through it marking down the abilities that I indicate I have. About a third into the list it becomes clear from the looks on both Reader’s faces that I can do more than the average Sentinel.
“Just to confirm I have this correctly, you can: mimic most anything you see, increase your speed and strength, increase your hearing, land and avoid sustaining injury when you jump from great heights, siphon and alter another caster’s magic, and you have an innate ability to fight and defend yourself. Anything else?” Reader Conlin asks.
Someone in the room scoffs but I ignore it as I shake my head no.
“And over what time frame did your runes begin to appear?” Conlin asks me.
“I think from start to finish it was maybe forty minutes," I explain.
“Forty minutes for each one, but over what period of time?”
Taking in my confused look Tearson further elaborates. “How many months did it take from your first rune until you got your last rune?”
“Um, they all showed up at the same time. I think it took about forty minutes from start to finish, but I wasn’t exactly keeping track of time due to all the excruciating pain I was experiencing at the moment. It started sometime around three in the morning on my sixteenth birthday. I haven’t gotten any new runes since then, until the other day when I received my… Chosen marks.” It feels really weird to call them that.
Both Readers stare at me openmouthed, and I look back and forth between their displays of shock.
“Is that not normal?” I ask.
“I’d have to do some additional research, but from memory, I’d say your experience is rare," Tearson tells me, and Conlin resumes his frantic writing.
I nod my head, very used to accepting my freakish ways. I’m a freak among nons, among casters, and now among sentinels, why not?
“Do you need to see my weapons too?” I ask, already moving to stand up.
“Please," Tearson responds, but I can tell he’s a little surprised. Do other Sentinels not have weapons? I wonder and then chuckle internally, well he’s going to be in for quite the surprise then.
I begin to call on my personal arsenal, snickering at the look on the Reader’s face, as I pull one weapon after another. I lay the sword and staff from my back down first. Then I call on the short swords from my ribs. I set down the bow and a handful of arrows that come from my shoulders. The mace and Axe from the back of my thighs are next, and lastly, I summon a couple throwing knives. I stare at the table now covered in weapons and feel like some medieval assassin who’s just disarmed. There are a lot of options even though I tend to use only a handful of these weapons.
“I also have shields on my arms, legs, and shoulders, but I can’t take them off to show you," I tell Tearson and watch as Reader Conlin comes closer to the table, quickly documenting everything that he sees.
A slight movement to my left draws my attention, and I find Lachlan and his coven staring at me. I suddenly feel stupid. What am I thinking, putting my secrets on display like this? Maybe the paladin won’t be able totellmy secrets to others, but they can still use all of this information against me.
This is exactly what they wanted, to deal with me themselves if need be. I might as well be giving them a roadmap to the ways they could kill me when they decide that’s what’s best for them.I’m such an idiot! With a thought, I call back all of the magic in the weapons, and they disappear in a blink from the table. Reader Conlin makes a noise of surprise and stares at the now empty marble table.
“Sorry, I just realized I’ve left myself exposed. In my experience that never works out very well for me," I offer in explanation, my eyes roaming coldly over the paladin.
“Vinna-” Lachlan starts, but a quick look from Reader Tearson silences him.
“You’re fine, Your Greatness. Let’s move on.”
I take my seat, and Reader Tearson proceeds to pull five medium-sized rocks from a velvet bag and place them on the top of his side of the table.
“Each crystal represents a branch of magic. When you’re ready, bring one hand up to the table. The crystal you attract represents the kind of magic you possess.”
This is it, what everyone has been waiting for. What kind of magic will I have? I thought I’d be super nervous about what will change after I find out, but after the wholeSentinel and Chosenbomb, I’m feeling pretty calm.
My hand is steady as I bring it to hover over my side of the table. Three crystals shoot across the surface, stinging my hand with their impact. I squeak, surprised. A fourth crystal moves more slowly across the table before it stops, centimeters shy of my hovering palm. The fifth crystal wiggles, but stays firm in its place on the Reader’s side of the table.
