Chapter 22

At the appointed time, the black robe telepathically contacted her collaborator. While she had devised the plan to gain access to the Rune and developed the spells necessary to perform the casting, she would be in need of assistance in maintaining her energy and transporting her upon completion. Also, he was her only hope of deliverance should she encounter any difficulties along the way.

The black robe felt a mental touch and then a spectral image of Satarsmyt appeared followed by the steady flow of energy surging through her body. Drawing from her augmented energy, she built a visualization of the barrier, only inverted, then strove to make the mental picture a reality. Even with the benefit of the sustenance she received from the goat-man, the process took the better part of half an hour. Though the process was not difficult per se, it required a great amount of repetition and concentration. She was tired and bathed in sweat but she had successfully reversed the polarity of the barrier and it still appeared to be sound.

With the initial part of the casting completed, the witch required a break. Not only was her energy level largely depleted, but Qenthyeffe had begun to stir and the black robe had to prolong the Spell of Slumber. The whole procedure was taking longer than she originally thought it would.

As soon as she was comfortable with Qenthyeffe's condition, the black robe turned her attention back to the matter at hand. She gazed at the barrier, her eyes unconsciously following the incandescent streaks that could prove so deadly. Then she focused on the Rune of Destruction.

In reversing the polarity, the black robe had been able to situate the barrier so that its vulnerable spot was positioned in proximity to the Rune. Next, she would have to thrust something that could pierce the barrier, reach in, seize the Rune and withdraw her hand without being struck by or releasing the lightning.