Julian looked at his father steadily.
"If I had walked past it," he said, "the story in this castle by morning would be that Kraven came back and Liam's men tested him in the main corridor and nothing happened. That story travels to Liam before the hour is out, and it tells him everything he needs to know about how to proceed." He paused. "I made a different story."
The Duke stared at him.
The silence stretched between them, and in it Julian could see his father processing all of this.
"This affects the balance," the Duke said finally. His voice had returned to its controlled tone, but it was heavy now. "Liam will use this. I don't know how yet, but he will find the way and use it."
"Yes," Julian said. "He will try."
Another silence.
"I'll handle it," Julian said.
