Tides of Faith: Travail of The Dark Mage Book Two (3 page)

Miko grinned and came to his feet.
“And so are Meliana and Kenny. You were correct in your supposition
that Kendrick would ferry them back to his home.”

Disengaging from Jira’s embrace, James
sat up on the edge of the cot despite the discomfort such activity
caused.

Kip was immediately at his side and
offered a hand to help him to his feet.

“Show me.”

“Are you sure you feel up to it?” The
look Miko received said volumes. “Very well.”

“Besides, if I collapse, you can
always heal me, right?”

Miko chuckled and shook his head. “Not
necessarily. The power of Morcyth must not be used lightly. Aches
and pains are beneficial in their own way.” He cocked his head to
the side. “They tell you when you are supposed to take it easy and
allow your body to heal.”

James waved the comment aside. “First,
show me my wife and son, then I’ll rest.”

As they made to leave, Miko relieved
his young novice from helping James. “Stay with Jiron, Kip. I can
take it from here.”

“Yes, Reverend Father.”

Miko rolled his eyes at the use of the
honorific but remained silent. They took it slow in difference to
his friend’s condition. Jira, with the resilience of youth, had
already regained much of her vigor. Aside from an ache now and then
where the bullet had struck, she felt fine and her step was
spry.

At the room with the mirrored table,
Miko had Jira move to support her uncle while he brought the image
into being. Meliana and Kenny were no longer in the atrium.
Instead, they were abed as the hour was late.

A tear rolled down his face as James
gazed upon the blissful countenance of his wife. For so long had he
feared the worst; slavery or death. To know they were safe in the
protective care of her father had opened the floodgates of
emotion.

Jira stood at the table, both hands
gripping the edge and looking with keen interest at the sleeping
pair. “Show mama, Uncle Miko.”

The image moved slightly and Aleya was
found asleep in an adjacent room. Her long hair cascaded about the
pillow. Jira reached out and traced her mother’s face.

James laid a hand on Miko’s arm and
the image again returned to Meliana. How he longed to be with her;
to feel her in his arms.

The image shifted again and his island
came into view.

“The manor was not even touched,” Miko
explained. Then the image shifted yet again. “Your workshop,
though…”

James didn’t need for him to explain
further. The devastation revealed within the image was as he
remembered.

Just then, Father Keller appeared and
glanced to his superior. “We have news.”

Miko nodded. “Let us return and allow
our patient a chance to eat and rest.”

As the image disappeared, James took
hold of Miko’s arm.

“Thank you.”

Patting him gently on the shoulder,
the High Priest of Morcyth gave a nod and grin. “You are
welcome.”

Jira grabbed his other arm, and with
all her five year old authority, proceeded to lead him back to his
cot. “When can we go and see my mother, Uncle?”

James glanced down at her. “Once your
father is well enough to travel.”

“Tomorrow?

Chuckling, her uncle shook his head.
“He will need more than a day to recover. Perhaps a week.” James
glanced to Miko who nodded.

“That might be about
right.”

She chewed her lower lip in thought.
“I’ll help him to get better and we can leave sooner.”

Laying his hand upon her head, he
patted her twice. “I’m sure you will.”

Back in the room, they found Jiron
still asleep with Kip sitting next to him, using a cloth to dab
away sweat droplets upon his brow.

Concerned, James asked, “Anything the
matter?”

Coming to his feet, Kip spun to meet
them. “No, sir. Merely trying to bring him what comfort I
may.”

Miko nodded with approval. “Very
good.

They sent Kip to the far side of the
room to his cot with Jira in tow. Since he was their primary
caregiver, as well as the fact they didn’t want him strolling
through the temple and intermixing with his peers, they had him
remain in the room with his patients. He set up the Bones and
Dagger game as Jira was anxious to learn how to play. While the two
were thus occupied, James laid down while Miko and Father Keller
sat nearby.

“Rumors are circulating through the
marketplace that something may have happened to The Dark Mage.”
Father Keller kept his voice low so as not to allow the two across
the room any chance of overhearing.

“Any particulars?” James
asked.

“Plenty, but everyone is saying
something different. One states that the Empire took you out.
Another that your demonic servants turned upon you, and still
another that the gods called down hellfire upon you in retribution
for some perceived offense.”

James had to grin at the last. “Which
one is the most popular?”

Father Keller cast a quick glance to
Miko before returning his gaze to James. “Actually,
none.”

“None? That seems
surprising.”

“Uh, not really.” Miko gave him a
crooked grin.

“Why?”

The two priests cast glances between
them.

“What aren’t you telling
me?”

“Well, it’s because the events
everyone is speculating about happened over a fortnight ago,”
explained Miko.

“So?”

“The people find those events hard to
believe since you were seen in the City not two nights
ago.”

James looked skeptical. “I
was?”

Father Keller nodded. “You were in
your usual black outfit while visiting your, uh, regular
haunt.”

“My
regular
haunt?”

“The Pits.”

“The Pits? I’ve been nowhere near
there. I hate everything…” Realization suddenly dawned. “Scar and
Potbelly?”

Miko grinned and nodded. “They have
this one fighter that looks sort of like you. Once a week or so, he
makes an appearance at the Pits as you. Scar says the nights he’s
there they make a killing.”

James was dumbfounded. They hadn’t
even asked his permission. “I don’t suppose the guy does
magic?”

“Actually, he does.”

“You’re kidding. How did they pull
that off?”

“Tricks mostly. Slight of hand, that
sort of thing. He is rather convincing.” Miko met James’ gaze
unflinchingly, wondering what sort of reaction he would have. “They
did not think you would mind, thought it would bolster your
notoriety.”

Sighing, James shook his head, then
chuckled. “Those two always have an angle going.”

Father Keller looked relieved. “You’re
not angry?”

“No. I doubt if it would cause me any
problems.” He glanced to Miko. “They don’t know I’m here, do
they?”

Shaking his head, Miko replied, “No.
Only my priests and I know your whereabouts.”

“Good. Let’s keep it that
way.”

“I remember very well your scoldings
time and again during our exploits on how you did not want anyone
to know your business. And, considering the manner and condition in
which you arrived, thought discretion to be prudent.”

James laughed. Maybe it was the fact
he was on the mend, or perhaps a euphoric rush coming on the heels
of knowing his loved ones were safe, but he couldn’t help
it.

“You should rest,” Miko said. “Your
body still has a ways to go before being fully healed.”

Stifling a yawn, James nodded
agreement. “I think you may be right.”

“Kip will remain here and keep Jira
occupied.”

James turned his gaze to the pair
hunched over the game board. “He seems competent.”

“I have a feeling about
him.”

Returning his attention to Miko he
asked, “Oh?”

“Nothing like that. It is just that he
is smart and very devoted. I figure he will make Acolyte quickly if
he maintains focus.”

Once a Novice showed an aptitude and
temperament for the priesthood, they were raised to Acolytes. After
a period of study, and provided they retain their zeal for the
work, they become Brothers.

Brothers were the workforce of the
temple. To them fell the chore of training the Novices and Acolytes
as well as being sent out as Recruiters. From Brother, one went on
to become a Father who would then become a leader of the Faith, as
well as one of Miko’s Inner Circle. It was after being raised to
Brother status that martial training began, usually with swords or
maces.

After Father came Reverend Father, or
High Priest. Miko had gradually worked out the tiered system based
on temples he had known during his younger years. Though, if the
number of Morcyth’s followers continued to swell, he may have to
institute a sixth tier either between Brother and Father, or Father
and himself. But that decision was years away. He had far too much
on his mind to worry about it now.

James nodded. For even in the short
time he’d known the lad, Kip had shown intelligence and no small
amount of spunk. Trying in vain to stifle another yawn, James laid
his head back on the pillow.

“Get some sleep, my
friend.”

“Might be a good idea at
that.”

Sleep came quickly and lasted long
into the next day.

Jiron didn’t regain consciousness for
another two days. And when he did, he was as insistent as James had
been in seeing his wife when Jira told him the good news. But
unlike James, he had to be practically carried by Kip and Miko.
James had offered, but Miko wouldn’t allow it, saying how he was
still recovering.

Jiron openly wept upon seeing his
lovely Aleya as she sat with Meliana in the atrium with Kenny on
the ground before them. Wiping away tears, he sought, and failed,
to get his emotions under control.

“Such unexpected expression of emotion
is expected,” Miko assured him. “Especially considering how your
spirit had departed your body for a short time.”

Eyes wet with tears turned upon him.
“Yeah. Thanks for that.”

“I could not very well allow Jira to
lose her father now, could I?”

He shook his head. Laying an arm
across his 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.