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?