Klavon paced. Where was she, and what was taking her so long?
He halted suddenly by the worn table, covered with vials of liquids and mortars of powder, and stared down at the book. The serum would work. He had prepared the potion exactly as required, but it had never been used on such a place.
The valley was secure, and Barsovy was not to be underestimated, but Klavon’s vanity prevented him from admitting that the serum was likely to fail. Certainly, with the help of Sira, the potion would allow her to penetrate the barrier and complete her task.
The barrier—and Barsovy—had, since the beginning of time, protected those within. It was the nature of it, and no one had ever questioned it. It simply was, had always been, and would always be.
“But then again,” Klavon said, muttering out loud to strengthen his own resolve, “Barsovy has never encountered anyone as powerful as I.”