Father Peterson looked at the older priest. "Can I trust you? he asked.
"What kind of a question is that? Of course you can."
Father Peterson nodded, then reached under the bed and pulled out the box. He stood up, holding it delicately in both hands. There was an elated smile on his face. "I found something today" he said.
He held up the box and Father Larkin sat for a few moments simply admiring the workmanship of it. Finally Father Peterson opened the lid and drew forth the scroll. Father Larkin took it, and inhaled with a sharp gasp as he realized what was written on it.
This can't be genuine, Michael," he almost whispered. "The Drokis is only a legend. This must be some sort of forgery."
Father Peterson took the scroll back, lovingly running his fingers over its surface. "You're wrong." he said. "This is much too old to be a forgery. Feel its texture. This isn't paper or even parchment. It's skin."
"Even if its not a forgery you should turn it over to the Church for study."
"No, Thomas. I won't do that."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Father Peterson got up to answer it. Standing in the doorway was a boy of about fourteen or fifteen, wearing a uniform jacket from the hotel.
"Yes?"
The boy nodded and all but bowed. "Begging your pardon, Father," he said. "I've been sent up to bring you fresh towels and wash cloths."
"All right," Father Peterson said, stepping aside so the boy could enter, "Be quick about it."
The boy carried his bundle of towels toward the bathroom. Father Peterson went back to his chair and sat down. He looked at Father Larkin, who was holding the scroll up to the light, studying it.
"Do you realize what this would mean if it did turn out to be the genuine article?" Father Larkin asked.
Father Peterson nodded. "The final destruction of Satan," he said. "The spell to put away the Fiend forever and bring about the final Glory of God."
Father Larkin stared at the manuscript, his hands trembling slightly. "But we can't be sure," he said. "This could be something entirely different. You must turn it over for study."
"No," Father Peterson said. He reached out and took the manuscript from the older man. "If I were to do that it would only wind up in some dusty archives where it would do no good at all. I was chosen to find it and I intend to prove it's genuine."
"How do you intend to do that?"
Father Peterson looked at the older priest, a strange smile on his face. "I intend to go back to the church and read the spell."
Father Larkin was taken aback. "Michael, you don't know what you're saying," he said. "You can't be serious."
Father Peterson gave that strange smile again. "Oh but I do," he said. "And I am dead serious."
Father Larkin looked at his watch. "Well," he said. "It's getting late and I'd like to get at least some sleep tonight."
At the door he turned and put his hands on Father Peterson's shoulders. "Michael," he said softly. "We don't really know what this thing is. For God's sake don't do anything foolish with it until we find out more about it."
When Father Larkin was safely in his room Father Peterson softly closed the door and turned back to his chair. He started and his heart seemed to skip a few beats when he saw the towel boy, whom he had completely forgotten, standing there staring at him.
"What do you want?" he asked sharply.
The boy's gaze shifted to the floor for a few seconds then, obviously gathering up his courage, he spoke. "Is it true?" he said.
"Is what true?"
"What I heard you and the other Father saying." the boy said, his face brightening as he spoke. "Do you really have something that could destroy the Devil and bring about the glory of God?"
"So you were eavesdropping, eh?" Father Peterson said, giving the boy a small, tight smile. "Well, if you must know, yes it's true."
The boy stood for a moment shifting from foot to foot. His face turned red and he seemed to be wanting to say something more, but was afraid.
"Well?" Father Peterson asked.
The boy looked up and his voice shook as he spoke. "I want to come with you when you read the spell."
Father Peterson was taken aback for a moment. Then his eyes narrowed suspiciously as he tried to decide whether the boy was mocking him or not.
"Why?" he asked.
The boys face turned even redder and he stammered slightly as he spoke. "Well, Father, it's because I love God with all my heart and I want to be there to see the Devil driven from the world."
Father Peterson's face softened and he even came close to a genuine smile at this answer. "And a child shall lead them." he whispered to himself.
"Pardon, Father?"
Father Peterson reached out and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Nothing," he said. "What's your name, boy?"
"Jeffrey, Father."
"Well, Jeffrey, how well do you know your way around all the shops in this village?"
"Very well, Father."
Father Peterson nodded. "All right. Meet me here bright and early tomorrow. We have to get some supplies before we start out."
The next day came bright and clear. Father Larkin woke suddenly when a ray of sunlight fell directly onto his eyes. He got up slowly, thinking back to his conversation with Father Peterson the night before. He hoped the younger priest would show some sense in this matter. He had known how head strong Michael was ever since the boy had come to him at the age of twelve when his parents failed to survive a head-on collision with a drunk driver. He had had to pull the boy out of several scrapes over the next few years and it seemed as if he was the only one not surprised when the young Michael had entered the priesthood. He had been fully aware of the boy's devout religious beliefs, which at times bordered on fanaticism. This trip to see the great churches of the world had been a Christmas gift to the young priest he considered to be a son. If only he had known what was going to become of it.
He got up and quickly dressed, intending to go across the hall and try once more to talk some sense into Father Peterson. When he opened his room door he knew it was too late. As he stood there reading the note which had been tacked to his door tears streamed down his face.
"Father forgive him." he prayed, "Forgive us all."
In the village Father Peterson had Jeffrey show him around several shops which specialized in "New Age" merchandise as he looked for the objects described in the manuscript as being necessary for the spell. When they couldn't find the exact object, Father Peterson substituted another that was as close to it as he could find. Finally they had everything they needed so they made their way back to the hotel, arriving just as the tour bus was loading to leave.
Back at the church they followed the tour as before until they came to the main sanctuary. Nobody noticed that Father Peterson carried his jacket under his arm, or the backpack which Jeffrey wore, no different from any number of students who passed through the church daily.
Once again the tour guide showed the features of the room, then pointed out the secret passage. This time, however, Father Peterson didn't want her to be quiet. He wanted her to finish her speech and move on.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the tour guide ushered the group into the next room. Father Peterson and Jeffrey hung back until they were gone then moved over to the wall behind the pulpit. Father Peterson pressed the discolored brick and the passageway opened, revealing steep stairs leading down.
Father Peterson unwrapped the box from his jacket and handed it to Jeffrey. He then reached into the boy's backpack and took out a large flashlight. With a final nod at the boy he turned and started down the stairs.
