Tides of Faith: Travail of The Dark Mage Book Two Read Online Free Page A

daughter’s shoulders, he smiled. “I wish we could let
her know that we have returned.”
    James caught his eye and gave a little
shake of his head. “Not yet.”
    Meeting his friend’s gaze,
understanding was slow to dawn. But when it did, he nodded. “You
don’t want those who attacked your island to know you’re
back.”
    “Precisely. If that knowledge got out,
Aleya, as well as Meliana and Kenny could be in danger. Unable to
get to me, they might take them to be used to draw me out. We dare
not risk it. Better sadness, than fear and harm.”
    Jiron nodded again, then returned his
gaze to the image upon the table. A tear filled with gladness and a
touch of longing fell upon the surface.
    “We best return,” Miko said as the
image faded. “You still need days of rest.”
    “I’m fine.”
    Chuckling, Miko shook his head and
with Kip’s help, practically carried him back to his cot. “When you
can walk on your own, I will agree that you are fine.”
    No sooner had he been laid out than he
fell asleep.
    James sat on the edge of his cot and
gazed at Jiron’s sleeping form. “How long do you suppose it’ll be
before he will be up to traveling?”
    Sitting in his chair, Miko shrugged.
“If it was anyone but Jiron, a month. But he’s strong and favored
of the gods, so probably sooner.”
    “Favored?”
    “I believe so, yes. Did you not tell
me how Igor selected and trained him so as to help you?”
    Nodding, James said, “That’s
right.”
    “And from what I have heard from
others, his skill with knives is unsurpassed.”
    “Scar and Potbelly tell you
that?”
    Miko nodded and shrugged. “They came
for a visit and drank a bit too much. I learned many things that
night.”
    “Such as my doppelganger they
concocted?”
    He grinned. “I doubt if they even
realized they told me. Do you know they still plan on capturing a
hell hound and using it in the Pits?”
    “I thought they gave up that idea long
ago.”
    “Not so. They have not yet figured out
how to do it, or where to find one, but the desire
remains.”
    James sighed and shook his head. “I
hope they never do. It would eat them alive.”
    “And that is why they have not gone
for one yet.”
    Tick-Tick-Tick
    From the side of the room, a noise
drew their attention. There they found Kip and Jira standing before
two tables upon which was laid the equipment James and Jiron had
brought from Earth. Kip had the Geiger counter in his hand and was
frantically trying to silence it.
    “Kip!”
    Hearing Miko call his name, the young
Novice put the counter behind his back and whirled to face him.
“What? Oh… uh, yes, Reverend Father?”
    “It’s alright,” James assured him. To
Kip, he motioned for the lad to come forward.
    “I…I’m sorry,” he stammered as he
brought the Geiger counter out from behind his back.
    Jira looked on in alarm. “You aren’t
going to fry him, are you Uncle?”
    In an instant, Kip’s embarrassed
countenance turned to panic.
    “Not this time,” James replied, while
at the same time giving the Novice a stern gaze. “Though you might
want to think twice before touching my things again. Some of it
might get mad at you.” He winked at Miko but kept his face
severe.
    “Yes, sir.”
    James took the Geiger counter that
still clicked with background radiation and flipped the switch. The
clicking stopped.
    Eyeing the counter with interest, Miko
said, “I have been meaning to ask you about that, and the other
items.”
    “Kip, why don’t you and Jira play
Bones and Daggers while the Reverend Father and I talk.”
    Glad for any excuse to beat a hasty
retreat, Kip nodded. “Sure.” Taking Jira by the hand he went to
their favored spot upon Kip’s cot and began setting out the
pieces.
    Once they were otherwise occupied,
James returned his attention to Miko. Holding up the counter, he
spoke in a hushed whisper, “I mean for us to recover the
Star.”
    Miko’s eyes widened. “You cannot be
serious. The entire area is