“Yes… Chadon,” Lord Wyice called from the doorway.
Sedom remained silent, unsure what to do. Her hands began to violently shake. For the first time since arriving she truly felt fear.
Inside the doorway, Lord Wyice stood watching her. The bruises on his face were more swollen than before. Sedom's mouth gaped when she saw them.
She slowly rose from the floor and walked over to Lord Wyice. Their eyes locked on each other as she raised her hand to his swollen eye. He flinched as she pressed her cold hand to his cheek, healing his wounds.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He took her hand, holding it to his cheek. “So am I.”
The amount of energy she used caused her knees to buckle. “Sortec.” He attempted to catch her, but her body slipped through his hands. She tumbled to the ground, her cheek resting on his boot.
Waar stood from the sofa, his eyes wide with amazement. “So they can do that?” he asked.
Lord Wyice knelt to Sedom again, tapping her cheek. “I didn’t realize she was thirteen years old,” he told Waar. Carefully, he picked her up and set her on the sofa. “Where do they get off allowing a thirteen-year-old in the arena?”
She could feel Lord Wyice gently stroke her bandaged hand. “Thirteen!” he growled. “I have children older than her. None of them would compare to her,” he grumbled.
“Danstu,” she cried, hiding her face in the cushions. Sweat beaded on her cheeks. Her hands began to quake as her mind spun out of control.
“Sedom, look at me,” Lord Wyice said, forcing her to look at him. She turned to him, tears swelling in her eyes.
“I shouldn’t be here,” she gulped. “My ship crashed… I shouldn’t be here.” She fell over onto his shoulder, weeping uncontrollably.
He wrapped his arm around her, holding her tight against him. “I have you. Sleep and let your body heal,” he whispered. He touched his hand to her temple and her eyes grew heavy with sleep. “Just sleep. You have nothing to fear from us.”
“Now what?” Waar huffed.
Lord Wyice looked away, hiding his frustration. “She’s Narkoy and one of the greatest warriors I’ve ever seen. I thought, if nothing else, she would be ideal to breed with. But she’s not even old enough to be a woman yet. Now that I know how old she is…” he took in a deep breath, filling his lungs. He paused to examine Sedom’s face. “I didn’t know Narkoy could heal,” he mentioned.
“It was rumored that those immune had unique powers to heal,” Waar mentioned. “Genetic abnormality. The Narkoy called them AO, Ancient Ones on the belief that only purebreds possessed this power. The Sortec family was known to possess these powers,” he added.
“Fascinating,” he hummed. “Regardless, I own her. We’ll… wipe her memory again and start over,” he decided.
Lord Wyice left as quickly as he entered. Waar took a pill case and opened the lid when he noticed Sedom’s eyes fluttering. “Take another. It will help you feel better until the doctor arrives.”
Sedom looked inside the case then back up at Waar uncertain. “What are you going to do to me? You’re… you’re going to wipe my memory again, aren’t you?” she gulped.
Waar nodded, unable to hide his perplexed expression. “We’re going to keep you for awhile. The Lord wants you to meet his family. He’s hoping you won’t attempt to destroy him after you get to know him. And with you in our custody, Keriney won’t attempt to destroy us for fear he’d hurt you,” he explained.
Sedom closed her eyes. “The… Chisarel has his orders,” she whispered.
He set the crystal on her tongue. “It’s safer if you go along with it, for now. You’re in no danger.”
“What is it?” she muttered with sleep in her voice.
“Averian. Consider this candy for the soul.” Waar coaxed, placing one more crystal on her tongue. “They’re safe. I use them all the time.”
Sedom took the small crystals into her mouth, almost gagging when she tried to hide them under her tong. Her efforts were wasted. The crystals melted under her tongue.
“It’s better you don’t know what will happen next,” Waar spoke in a whisper.
Within seconds the crystals took full effect over her body. She felt… better, euphoric in a way now after having so many. Her heart was no longer in a race with her mind and she could finally relax and put her situation into perspective. Waar helped her off the sofa and into her bed.
She laid back on her pillow. For a moment, she wondered if she was asleep. Her eyes drifted and closed.
Waar sighed and walked to the door. He motioned for her guard to follow him out. He followed and locked the door behind him. “Make sure this door remains locked,” he ordered. The guard nodded.
Waar continued down the hall towards Lord Wyice's chambers. Lord Wyice was sitting in a plum velvet high back chair, watching a computer pad. On the computer pad was a video of Sedom’s last official public appearance. It was a speech she made when she arrived on Juvin-que three years prior. The video ended and was immediately followed by a recent news clip of Sedom visiting Loos. The images of her were too blurry to tell if it was her for certain.
“Chadon Sedom Sortec,” Lord Wyice hummed. “How is she?” he asked as he picked up another computer.
“Terrified, confused, and in a lot of pain. Whoever short-circuited her collar did a real job on her,” Waar commented back. He shrugged his shoulders. “She’s a girl, regardless of who she is. Keriney has kept her sheltered.”
“Keriney hasn’t been in charge that long.” Lord Wyice sunk back into his seat, staring into the fire. He held his hands over his thin lips, holding back his smirk. “Who would have thought I’d be in possession of the Narkoy’s leader? We’ve come a long way.”
Waar took up the seat beside him, shaking his head. “Yes, well, now what? Keeping her here much longer can be dangerous for all of us,” he asked.
“The collar’s been damaged for a while. She could have killed me, but hasn’t. She’s only threatened, which is a good sign. And the fact she healed me is also a good sign. I’m curious about her, she’s curious about me. She hates me, she absolutely hates me for my role in her people’s execution, but…” he snickered amused.
“Yet she hasn’t killed you,” Waar pointed out.
Lord Wyice nodded. “It’s the leader in her. She’s trying to figure me out. She doesn’t want to destroy me. I’m just a pawn in her eyes. She wants to destroy the Marisheio Empire and she’s willing to hold her feelings of contempt for me to see her mission through,” he surmised.
“So, again, now what?” Waar questioned.
Lord Wyice shook his head. “I’m not sure. Stick with the original plan. Wipe her memory, take her back to the Midossier, and attempt to befriend her. If it doesn’t work, I’ll bargain with Keriney for her life. One way or another I need to be certain the Tasgool won’t attack us. There are rumors circulating that they already have five battleships. It’s only a matter of time before they have an entire fleet. The Marisheio may think nothing of this, but I know what’s coming.”
He stood, walking over to an ornate desk in the corner of the room. He removed a carved wood box from the top drawer, handing it to Waar.
Waar looked inside the box, gasping. “Lord, this must be a million credits in stones here,” he mentioned.
“If asked, Syrok Cantro is nothing more to me than a trophy. No one else needs to know her true identity,” Lord Wyice mused. “Show her kindness. Maybe, in time, she will learn to trust us.”
“Suppressing her memory?” Waar pointed out.
“One step at a time. She needs to realize I’m still in control,” Lord Wyice pointed out.
EIGHTEEN
Jeina searched the halls of the palace, searching for any sign of Rokaa. Laugher erupted throughout the hall from a large group. She followed the laughter into the Cassaus’ study where everyone had gathered for drinks.
Rokaa was standing on the outskirts of the group, watching and pretending to
enjoy the conversation, which was about the recent arena battles.
She tapped Rokaa’s hand softly, gaining his attention. Rokaa glanced over at her but barely acknowledged her.
“Wyice has her in his custody. She’s apparently very ill,” she whispered to him.
“What happened?” he returned low.
“The collar she was wearing, apparently it wasn’t properly cleaned before being reused. She has an infection in her brain. A doctor is seeing her now,” she explained.
“Which means they’ll probably install a new collar,” he huffed. “Great, just great. Is her life in any danger from the infection?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted. She paused abruptly hearing the Cassaus call her name.
“Rasadan Recanda, you’ve had a recent situation involving Cantro. How would you describe her?” the Cassaus asked.
“Brutal,” Jeina called back.
“There you have it,” the Cassaus chuckled. “It’s a good thing Lord Wyice is removing her from the arena. If we allow her to fight much longer, we’re apt to lose all of our players,” she pointed out.
“Why would Lord Wyice purchase such a brutish killer?” Rokaa spoke up, causing the surrounding group to turn to him.
“I was wondering the same thing,” called another man from the other side of the room.
The Cassaus shrugged. “All I know is he was willing to pay a great deal for her. He hasn’t applied for any documents that would allow her to fight under his ownership, so I doubt he’ll return her to the arena.”
“That’s good to know,” Rokaa whispered low.
“What was that, Marnet?” the Cassaus called out.
“Yes, it’s a good thing. She’s too wild for the sake of your games,” he covered.
“Someone will take her place, there always is,” the Cassaus mentioned. She went onto a new subject, allowing Rokaa a moment to speak to Jeina.
She slipped a piece of paper into his pocket. “Have your guards drive you to this address. Your team will meet you there,” she explained.
He quickly glanced at the note then shoved it back into his pocket. “Tell them good luck for me.”
She nodded.
___
The lights of the city blinked on one by one as Danstu walked down the busy street. For some reason, no one was bothering him. A few people acknowledged him with a head nod, but nothing more than that.
He wasn’t certain how to get to Lolum’s unit exactly. When he first arrived in Gathow, it was easy to find. There were very few people, so he would just head in a direction and if there were a light on in a unit, it was most likely occupied.
Thankfully, he recalled a light Lolum kept on his porch. It was also one of the only ground level units. It was then he noticed the light on the very porch that he was looking for. He adjusted the bottle of wine he brought with him against his upper arm and proceeded to knock.
The door slid open to one of the most amazing smells that ever visited his nostrils. It was sweet yet spicy. A kind of smell he would remember for years to come.
“Come on in. Father will be right out. I’m still cooking,” Cidele called out from a room hidden from the doorway.
Danstu set the bottle of wine on the coffee table and removed his jacket, resting it across the blue sofa.
“Your cooking smells delicious,” he called back.
“It’s tof. Just don’t tell Sedom,” Cidele called back.
“WHAT?” Danstu screeched.
Cidele emerged from the other room carrying a platter of orderves. “Just joking. Relax,” she teased. She set the platter on the coffee table. “Here, start on these. Father wanted to cook tonight, but I decided to spare us both.” She whispered.
“I heard that,” Lolum called from the bedroom.
“You only think you heard me. It’s all in your mind,” she called back.
Lolum emerged from the bedroom. His long white hair was still wet from his shower. “I know what I heard and I know my own damn mind. If you’re trying to drive me crazy, you’re going to have to try harder.”
He swiped the bottle of wine, scanning over the label. “Does Sedom know you stole this?” he accused Cidele.
Danstu raised his hand. “I brought it. Part of my contract with the Chadon allows me six bottles a month. I’ve never taken one, so I figured it was about time.”
Cidele took the bottle from her father, smirking at the label. “Wow, I didn’t know that a wine ration option was available. When she returns, I think it’s time to renegotiate my contract,” she mentioned.
Lolum grabbed the bottle back. “Don’t you have cooking to do?”
She rolled her eyes as she returned to the other room to finish their late-meal. This allowed Lolum a moment to open the bottle of wine.
“I thought I heard you didn’t drink,” Lolum mentioned as he handed Danstu a glass.
“Not when I’m on duty, which is almost all of the time,” Danstu pointed out. He took a sip, reeling back from the shock of such a wonderful taste. “This is good.”
“Sortec’s best. This is what she uses to sway diplomats and world leaders. So…” he raised his own glass to toast, “thanks.”
“I didn’t realize,” Danstu grumbled low.
Cidele rushed into the room, setting a large dish of noodles mixed with meat and vegetables onto the dining table. She hurried back into the room to grab their table settings.
“She’s not used to doing this,” Lolum mentioned.
“I noticed,” Danstu admitted.
Cidele took a step back, looking over the table. “Okay, time to eat,” she called out.
As soon as the three sat though, she jumped back up. “The bread,” she squealed, rushing back into the other room again. After some time the two men were beginning to wonder what happened to her. Just as Lolum started to rise, she rushed back to the table with a basket of bread.
“I couldn’t find the basket,” she explained, taking her seat on the opposite side of Danstu. Both men waited a moment, just in case she jumped up again. “What? Eat, eat!” She insisted, motioning to the food.
Danstu took a spoonful of noodles, plopping them onto his plate. “This is nice. Thank you. I haven’t had a home-cooked meal in a long time.”
“Glad to have you. Without Sortec around, you’ve been running around like your heads been removed.”
Cidele kicked her father under the table. “We’re not supposed to talk about that,” she grumbled.
“Trust me, no amount of wine or noodles are going to keep me from thinking about tomorrow. But I do appreciate the attempt,” Danstu said as he grabbed a piece of bread.
“What’s their plan?” Cidele asked casually.
“Classified, even to me,” Danstu returned. “We have a lot of people working on the inside. We don’t want to jeopardize their positions. I’m completely in the dark over this one,” he explained.
“Strange feeling, isn’t it? I honestly know what you’re going through,” Cidele returned.
It was then it sunk into Danstu. “Oh.”
NINETEEN
Sedom woke in a soft bed. Her mind was still fuzzy from the night before. The same tingling feeling over her body faintly remained. Then she realized, she couldn’t remember her name. She closed her eyes tightly, searching through her memories. Her mind was blank.
Her shaking hand touched her neck, finding something new had replaced her old collar. She jumped from the bed, running to the wall to a floor length mirror. To her horror, there was a new collar around her neck made to look like a beautiful crystal choker.
“Do you like it?” Waar asked from behind Sedom, startling her. “Lord Wyice spent a fortune for that little trinket around your neck. It cost almost as much as you.”
Sedom closed her eyes, attempting to keep her tears from entering them. She was so close to knowing who she was. She sniffled back her anxiety, opening her eyes.
“What am I now?” she asked.
“Lord Wyice’s trophy.
It could be a lot worse. All he wants is your happiness.” He grew closer, releasing her long white hair from its binds. “We were told you were starting to remember who you were. It’s a good thing we replaced the collar when we did,” Waar explained. He took her arm, forcing her to turn to him. “Or you would have learned the truth,” he continued sternly. He took her right hand, tapping on the bandage that hid her tattoos, and slipped a piece of paper into her hand.
“Sedom Sortec,” he whispered.
All breath left her lungs in a fit of panic. Sedom Sortec was her name. She knew it as soon as the words left his lips. A flood of memories washed over her. But then she realized Waar knew who she was. The cousin of the Cassaus, the second to Lord Wyice, and he knew who she was.
He watched her expression for a long moment, keeping her in that small dungeon of panic and fear. He squeezed her hand tenderly. “Too bad we’ll never know who you are or where you came from. Such a shame,” he said with a wink.
“Why?” she gulped.
He returned with a wayward grin. “Not everything is as what it seems,” he returned. “I took the liberties of placing your clothing in the restroom. You can freshen up in privacy,” he glanced down at the note in her hand. “Take your time. The parade doesn’t begin for a few hours. Lord Wyice would like you to join him for first meal.”
She nodded, understanding what he meant. Everything was quite confusing, but if there was a clear path being offered for her, she wasn’t about to ignore it.
She hurried inside the restroom, closing the door behind her. To her astonishment, a beautiful white dress with shimmering stones hung on a hook behind the door. At first, she was overwhelmed by the dress’ beauty. It had enough sparkles to blind the noon sun. Then suddenly a wall of dread hit her.
“I hate wearing dresses,” she muttered. She paused, thinking. “I hate wearing dresses,” she repeated to herself.
The note dug into her palm. She opened it, reading: “I pray you know who I am and that you can trust me. In two days, they will move you through the main gardens as a tribute. We need you to attack the guard to the Cassaus’ left as you pass. Do not kill him. We’ll handle the rest.”
The Last Narkoy_OSLO Page 18