Book Two of Cristo's Chronicles

Book Two, entitled The King’s Spies, explains how Cristo and Allard learn to count from their experience developing the time mechanisms. Cristo helps Allard develop the first symbols representing real numbers. Cristo also invents the first abacus. Duke Nextor has revolted against The King and Cristo has been asked to use his new tools and counting ability to assess the strength of Duke Nextor’s army. Cristo is captured and held hostage. Cristo’s ability to count is the key reason that Adolphus is able to defeat Duke Nextor.