Sovereign Stone by David Wells Read Free Book Online

challenge?”
    “I was terrified at first and it took me a while to reason through it, but I finally understood that Mage Cedric was testing my loyalty to the Old Law. As such, I had no right to forfeit any life but my own, so that’s what I offered,” Alexander said. “The sentinel was satisfied with my answer so it moved on to the third test . . . and attacked.”
    Kelvin tensed a bit and looked at the stone statue with renewed suspicion. “I don’t see any battle damage, so how is it that you managed to survive?”
    “It didn’t take long to realize that it was using the sword forms I learned from the skillbook. Once I understood, I was able to recognize each attack and employ the counterattack best suited to meet the sentinel’s advance. After I’d met each and every attack series and combination in the skillbook with a successful counterstrike, the sentinel stopped its attack and pronounced that I had passed the test. A moment later the wall under the arch at the end of the hall vanished, allowing access to the central tower.”
    “Clearly, Mage Cedric was intent on protecting the contents of the central tower from any but you,” Kelvin said. “Have you tried to command the sentinel since you passed the tests?”
    Alexander frowned. “The thought hadn’t crossed my mind. Do you think it would obey?”
    “There is every possibility that Mage Cedric left it here to serve you once his tests had been met. I suggest you command it and find out.”
    Alexander thought for a moment, then faced the sentinel. “Sentinel, raise your sword.”
    The black stone blade spun up to the on-guard position. The statue once again froze in place. Alexander looked at Isabel and then at Kelvin.
    “Sentinel, what are your capabilities?” Alexander asked.
    “I can be commanded by you alone. I will guard any portal you command me to guard and prevent all others from gaining access.” The voice sounded hollow and far away, but the eyes glowed slightly brighter when it spoke.
    “Very good,” Alexander said. “Lower your sword and stand here until I return. Challenge anyone else who attempts to pass.” The sentinel lowered its sword and its eyes went slightly dimmer.
    They proceeded into the large circular room that formed the entry chamber of the central tower, and Alexander led the way down to the Bloodvault. Kelvin spent several minutes inspecting the magical structure and cast a number of spells to gain more insight into the nature of its construction.
    “This is truly an amazing piece of work,” Kelvin said. “I’ve never seen such complex magical energies at work in any other construction. I could study this for weeks and still not have sufficient understanding to recreate the effect.”
    “Do you think Phane could get inside it?” Alexander asked.
    Kelvin looked at it for a long moment before slowly shaking his head. “No, I don’t believe such a construction can be breached without the cooperative effort of many very powerful wizards. It isn’t so much a function of the power that one wizard can bring to bear but more that the energies involved are bound together in such a way that attempting to undo one line of binding force only strengthens and magnifies several others. Only the combined efforts of several wizards could simultaneously unravel all of the strands of this very intricate web of magical force. Even then, it would probably take many months of trial and error before they could hope to succeed.”
    “Good. I was hoping you’d say that,” Alexander said. “Now we just have to convince the fairies to help us and hope that Phane can’t use the powersink and we have a chance.”
    Alexander didn’t mean to sound so discouraged but he felt helpless at the prospect of Phane heading toward the Reishi Isle. Everything depended on the powersink being tainted. He desperately wanted to know if it was, but he just couldn’t justify the risk to Wizard Ely. He consoled himself with the knowledge that