title: The Relic Master: A Novel
author:  Christopher Buckley 
description: "An inspired piece of literary gymnastics [that] tumbles into an exuberant adventure caper. . . so tightly written that it holds the reader till the very last page. . . . a smart, tart, well-researched romp into one of historys most irresistibly grubby and outrageous periods of excess. (<i>New York Times Book Review</i>)<br /><br />"We may be in 1517, but this is still a political send-up, and its as rascally and convivial as any that Mr. Buckley has written." (<i>The Wall Street Journal</i>)<br /><br />Buckley hasnt abandoned political satire at all  hes just found a different playing field for his favorite sport. The calamitous 16th century proves a supple mistress for this Washington writer. lively, entertaining and occasionally educational. (<i>Washington Post</i>)<br /><br />"Might be pitched Hollywood-style as The Princess Bride meets Ocean's XIII." (<i>Kirkus Reviews, starred review</i>)<br /><br />A humorous and enchanting adventure. (<i>Bustle.com</i>)<br /><br />"A madcap heist adventure...thats as comical as any in Buckleys modern era tales. Buckleys many fans will be pleased." (<i>Booklist</i>)<br /><br />"This historical novel is part Monty Python and part Ocean's 11. The clever narrative is filled with laugh-out-loud one-liners but, amazingly, doesn't stint on the suspense.... Through the cheeky humor, the author gives readers a very real sense of the early 16th century, when science and superstition held equal sway, and a man was always a swordsbreadth away from a horrible death." (<i>Publishers Weekly</i>)<br /><br />Christopher Buckley has transported his signature wit and irreverence from the Beltway to sixteenth-century Europe in <i>The Relic Master</i>. Think of it as <i>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</i> meets <i>Pawn Stars</i>, which is to say it's hilarious, absurd, and mildly infuriating (in a good way). You really cant go wrong when one of Americas savviest humor writers takes on relic-mongers, artifact forgeries (<i>about</i> that Shroud of Turin . . .), and corrupt religious leaders. In short, <i>The Relic Master</i> is a rollicking good time set in an era just begging for Buckleys biting satire. (<i>GQ</i>)<br /><br />A witty, deft and often surprisingly big-hearted pleasure.Buckley is one of Americas wiliest satirists. (<i>Seattle Times</i>)<br /><br />"Beguiling, funny, and slyly erudite." (<i>National Review</i>)
zlib_text: THE HIDDEN RELIC
  
  By James Maxwell
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Copyright James Maxwell 2012.
  
  All rights to this novel are reserved.
  
  
  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
  mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without
  written permission from the copyright holder. The characters and situations
  are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or
  persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
  
  Cover design by Marc Forbes.
  
  www.JamesMaxwell.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Map
  
  ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  EVRIN Evenstar had given Killian a quest, and now he must see to his own vital
  task. If Killian succeeded in destroying Stonewater's magical machines: the
  harvesting plant, the extraction system, and the refinery; Evrin must work to
  ensure that the greatest relic of all remained hidden.
  
  Evrin followed Killian with his eyes until the younger man disappeared from
  view, vanishing along the pilgrim's trail, heading for St