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

death for anyone who
enters.”
    “I know. Remember how I told you that
the explosion taking out Dmon-Li’s High Temple had been similar to
what in my world would be called a nuclear explosion?”
    “Yes. I recall you said that what
killed everything was something called, ‘radiation’.”
    “Precisely.” He patted the Geiger
counter. “This is designed to detect radiation. It clicks when
radiation is near.”
    Miko glanced to the Counter with
concern. “It was clicking just now.”
    “Don’t worry about that. My people
have long since known that radiation is everywhere. The slow
clicking you heard is merely indicating the presence of ‘background
radiation,’ which is harmless.”
    “But, how will knowing where the
radiation is aid in retrieving the Star?” He had thought about
making the attempt, but feared the invisible death unleashed five
years before.
    “It won’t, by itself. But…” he
gestured toward the two bulky packages containing the radiation
suits, “with these, we can get it. When worn, they will protect us
against the harmful effects of the radiation. All we need to do is
walk in and get it. I trust that once there, you will be able to
locate it?”
    Miko nodded. “Oh, yes. That should not
be a problem. Get me close, and it will call to me.”
    “That’s what I was hoping.”
    Alongside the suits rested the box
containing Meliana’s box of chocolates and the six cocoa pods. With
luck, he would be able to find a suitable location in which they
can thrive.
    Then there were the books. From the
looks of it, someone had been going through them, most likely that
rascal, Kip. James grinned as he imagined how the lad would have
reacted to what was within. Most of it would be words
unintelligible to anyone from this world. Of course, having been
raised on the streets, it was unlikely the boy was literate. The
diagrams and pictures would have proven of interest though.
Hopefully, none of the “secrets” of his world had taken root. His
grin turned into a full blown chuckle when he thought how such
would violate the Prime Directive.
    Miko cocked an eye his way.
    James waved off the question. “It’s
nothing.”
    “Indeed. Go to sleep.”
    “Yes, your most Reverend
Self.”
    Making to swat him, Miko grinned.
“Keep up that ‘Reverend Self’ stuff, and I will see you get nothing
but gruel during your convalescence.”
    “That would be better than some of the
food we’ve shared together.”
    “True enough.”
    James finally relented, or perhaps his
body could take no more, and closed his eyes.
    Coming to his feet, Miko crossed to
where Kip and Jira played Bones and Daggers. Kip’s daggers had
already decimated Jira’s and were closing in on her bones. Miko
figured she wouldn’t last much longer, but her imminent loss didn’t
appear to bother her. She had an intent look as she studied the
board, trying to find the next, best move. Unfortunately, there
weren’t any.
    He caught Kip’s eye as he approached.
“Keep things quiet while they rest.” He then indicated Jira with a
nod of his head.
    “Yes, Reverend Father.”
    As he made his way across the room to
the door, he heard Jira exclaim, “Rat poop!” followed by Kip’s
“Another game?” He hoped the boy would take it easy and allow her
to win one.
    Once outside, he headed for his
chambers. It had been several long days since time allowed any
chance for relaxation. There was simply too much going on. He
enjoyed having James at the temple, he just wished that it had been
under better circumstances. His mind awhirl with plans and
possibilities, he failed to notice Father Tullin coming down the
corridor toward him until they were but feet apart.
    “Ah, Reverend Father.” Hailing his
superior, the younger priest came to a stop. With sword on the left
and dagger on his right, and dressed in tattered, brown leathers
rather than his priestly attire, Father Tullin looked more the
thug, than one of spirituality. But then, most of his