A novel. The second book in the series about the planet Rades. A new deadly illness is sweeping through children near the old city of Natol three decades after a nuclear explosion destroyed it. Chand believes his alien friend, Vitora, may have a cure onboard the remains of her spacecraft. If only she can find it. Her ship broke up on entry into Rades atmosphere. Parts of the Atardil landed within the vast Dithmark Swamp. The urgent mission to find the drug places Vitora, Delph and Ghyle in jeopardy. Humans living within the Dithmark have established a strange religion centering around their new altar. An altar disturbingly familiar to Vitora. Will she have the courage to face her greatest fear in order to save the children who so desperately need her help?

Centuries ago, the planet Rades was nearly destroyed when nuclear weapons brought by human colonists exploded. The native Endemi people have never forgiven the invaders for the holocaust that followed. As a result of the radiation, some male humans developed enhanced physic abilities and established the order of mystics. Now, the mystic Ghyle realizes an old enemy has found a cache of the ancient weapons and is threatening to use them. Unable to risk open confrontation, Ghyle gathers a team to help him defend Rades from a second nuclear holocaust: Rayl, a master of disguise; Dain, a martial arts expert; Chand, a healer; and Captain Tallock, a battle veteran. He even secures the aid of Delph, the Endemi crown prince. Ghyle's hope for their survival rises when his team gains one final member: Vitora, a mysterious woman with magical abilities unlike anyone else.