Zion glanced back at the group, and then ran his hands through his cropped black hair. “We have twelve men, eight boys. I'm not sure who belongs to whom yet. Rosanheer is taking the injured to the infirmary. He's,” he motioned to Danstu who was gazing up at the light source in amazement. “Nokinil's nephew. Do me a favor and take special care of him,” he requested.
“Special? Favor? What is he, royalty?” she tittered.
“I’m not sure yet. I just have a feeling about him. It’s my belief that he’s the only one in the group that shows any signs of significant intelligence. Though, they are all dazed from the attack and it’s hard to tell who’s thinking straight. If you have any issues, talk to Danstu. Alree,” he motioned to Alree, who was standing next to Rosanheer.
“The dusty one?” Cidele asked.
Zion grunted. “He’s under protective custody. It has something to do about being a war criminal and working with the Wyice’s. Sortec knows more. She also ordered the orbs to watch him. Treat him like the others and let Sortec handle him. Rosanheer will take those needing medical attention to the infirmary,” he said motioning to Rosanheer, who was now kneeling on one knee to talk to one of the children.
Cidele nodded, taking in all the information. “Too bad he’s Marisheio. I’m actually starting to like him,” she admitted. She glanced down to her computer again. “She doesn't like to make it easy on us does she?” she muttered low. “I'm running out of furnished housing. She's going to have to wait to play hero for at least a month so I can catch up replicating furniture and bedding.”
Zion chuckled. “The upside is you'll have more help. Do you need me to stick around?”
Cidele shook her head. “As long as they're not dangerous, I'm good.”
Zion turned to the group, clearing his throat to gain their attention. “Everyone, this is Cidele. She'll be handling your housing arrangements until Sortec decides what to do next.” He pointed back to Cidele who shyly waved to the group.
Rosanheer nodded a friendly hello to Cidele, who ignored him. He continued on, gathering six of the men. “I'll take all the children with me and have the doc check them out as well,” he called to Cidele.
“Thanks,” she returned, half-acknowledging him.
Cidele approached the group, her computer pad in hand. “Welcome to Gathow everyone. I'm sure you’re all anxious to get a good night's rest and find your loved-ones.”
One man nudged Danstu then whispered something to him. Danstu nodded. “I'll ask.” He cleared his throat causing Cidele to glance over at him.
“Yes?” she asked.
“Is there a list of…” Danstu paused when he noticed Cidele look up at him with her beautiful blue eyes. Her beauty momentarily took his breath away. “Um… list of um--”
“Of those rescued from the city? Yes, I have one along with their locations. I'll provide everyone with a copy. Please, let me know if you’ll be planning on staying with a person on the list so I don’t double up on the housing assignments,” Cidele requested. She took a plastic card from her yellow smock, swiping it across her computer pad then handed it to the man next to Danstu. “Block seven, housing four-zero-one. There’s clothing, personal care items, and blankets on the tables. Food is served in the cafeteria.” She pointed to the building behind them.
One by one she checked in the people, handing them door cards. She paused when she reached Danstu. “I was informed you’re the smart one in this group. So smarty, do you have a last name?” she asked with a warm, almost flirtatious smile.
Danstu was beside himself. “Um...”
“Are you okay? You might want one of our doctors to look at that,” she asked concerned, motioning to his bruised cheek.
Danstu felt to his head, a trickle of blood seeping from a small cut. His face reddened. “No, it's nothing. Hit my head on a branch when I was running in the forest. I guess I'm a little overwhelmed by all this. It’s been a rough couple of days,” he admitted.
“Gathow does that to you,” Cidele grinned back. “Do you have a last name?”
“Oh, yes, Danstu Keriney. K-E-R--”
“I’ve got it. Strange, you were already in the database. Just to make sure, what’s your age and occupation?” she interrupted. She looked up at him through the tops of her eyes, waiting for him to answer.
“Twenty-six, political advisor,” he returned with pride.
Cidele frowned as she looked at the computer. “Advisor? Yes, that would be you.” She turned her eyes back to him. “Advisor to Nokinil? He’s not registered in the system,” she questioned.
Danstu looked away, grinning uneasily as a tinge of pink crept across his pale white skin. “No, he wouldn’t be. I was registered to the Narkoy under the Windrit council on Loos,” he explained.
The computer pad tittered in Cidele’s hand as she stared at Danstu. “Windrit council? A Crehail? I thought only colors were allowed to serve on the council?”
Danstu shrugged. “Yes, well, not always. Um… you haven’t caught me at my best,” he said as he pulled at his dirty shirt. “I was here for my mother's funeral. I left the council recently to help my uncle with family matters. Just bad timing, I guess,” he mentioned.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your mother,” Cidele returned, her eyes gazing into his. “I’m surprised Sedom didn’t recognize you,” she mentioned.
“Why would she?” Danstu questioned.
“Uh… just figuring if you’re in the system she’d know you. Narkoy were funny like that.” She handed him a keycard. “Welcome to Gathow, Danstu Keriney. Your housing is over there,” she pointed to a green building. “I saved you the best one, being that Zion likes you and all. And if Zion likes you, that’s saying something. There are very few people he likes.”
“Zion?” Danstu questioned.
“The big Zalmin with the bad attitude,” Cidele described, motioning towards the direction she last saw Zion walk to. “Your housing is on the third floor, room thirty-seven. Clothing and supplies,” she pointed to the tables, which were empty now. “Well, they’re available in the shopping district. I’ll see what I can dig up for you, in the meantime.” She pointed down the street to her right. “Replicators are only available for two hours a day, for now, so we all have to make do. I’ll be replicating an assortment of clothing this afternoon.” She tugged on his white, button-up shirt, which was covered in dirt and had several holes. “I’ll see about getting a replacement.”
“These aren’t mine,” he spoke in rushed words. “I mean--”
“You’d rather be naked?” Cidele questioned.
“Only if you join me,” he flirted back. Cidele rolled her eyes. “No, no, um, yes some new clothing would be appreciated.” He paused looking into Cidele’s eyes. “Um... Cidele, right?”
“Um hum?” she asked, her voice showing her annoyance.
Danstu shook his head uneasy. “Before I cause myself any more embarrassment, would you know where I can find my uncle? The Chadon mentioned he was here,” he said, his voice humbled.
Cidele pointed behind him as she walked away. He continued in the direction she pointed, turning back to look at Cidele every few feet. One last time he turned, he didn't see where he was going and ended up stumbling into Lolum and his uncle.
“Danstu?” Nokinil exclaimed, wrapping his arms around his nephew. “Thank the heavens you're all right.”
“Uncle!” Danstu hugged back. “When we saw the city being attacked we expected the worst. Our group was attacked in the forest. We lost a couple of good men, but we did manage to find a few children who had run from the city. Thankfully we found that cave to hold up in last night. If it wasn't for Sortec and her men, we weren't sure what we were going to do.”
From behind Nokinil, Lolum cleared his throat to make his presence known. “Lolum Rovantas. Your uncle has been telling me things about you, boy. You have a mighty impressive background for one so young,” he said, offering Danstu his hand.
Danstu accepted his hand. He pau
sed looking down at Lolum's scarred hands. “Rovantas? As in the Rovantas? This is an honor, sir. I heard about your work with the Windrit during the Valley of Fire incident. That was some fine thinking on your part.”
Lolum waved the man's praise away. “That was a million years ago, son.”
“Regardless, you're in the history books.” The three continued to walk. “I want to say thank you for sending Sortec after us,” Danstu added.
“He says that like I have control over that girl,” Lolum smirked to Nokinil. He glanced around the now quiet city street. “Which is where?”
“She left once we entered the city. Zion… I believe his name is, said she had more important matters to tend to.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Nokinil grumbled under his breath.
Cidele rushed over to Lolum, her eyes darting around in a panic. She grabbed Lolum’s arm. “I can't find Alree. He was with Rosanheer then he vanished.”
“Sortec order the orbs to guard him,” Danstu mentioned.
Cidele turned to Danstu, flustered. “She did?” Cidele gasped, dashing off. To where exactly? None of the men knew for certain.
“Is this a typical day in Gathow?” Danstu asked Lolum as he watched Cidele rush away. His intense eyes on Cidele's rear forced Lolum to take notice.
Lolum grunted uneasily. “It’s becoming more so every day. Sortec’s determined to make something of this place,” he explained.
“Reopen Gathow? That would certainly shift the power in this section of space. No wonder the Marisheio are so desperate to find this city,” Danstu mentioned.
“She would like to, but we’re short personnel,” Lolum hinted. “We’re in a unique situation in which a man of your experience and background might be able to lend a hand with,” he implied to the two men, but his words were aimed at Danstu.
Danstu pulled at his shirt. “I’d be happy to lend my assistance. But…” he paused, glancing around the city, “could I clean up and eat first? It’s been a hell of a night,” he mentioned.
Lolum patted Danstu on the shoulder. “Sure, sure, I understand you need to rest. How about both of you join me in my quarters this evening for a drink. We have much to discuss,” Lolum stated. “The cafeteria is that building over there,” he pointed to the cafeteria to their left. “Now if you'll excuse me, I have to help find Alree… and Sortec.” Lolum hurried off after Cidele leaving Danstu and Nokinil behind.
Nokinil immediately smacked Danstu on the back of his head once Lolum was out of sight. “Ten years of school with the Windrits didn’t teach you a damn thing, did it? His daughter? Come on, Danstu. Could you be any more blatant?”
“What? Her? Cidele?” He glanced in the direction where Cidele ran off to. “Oh hell, I didn't know. That’s his daughter? He’s Mandicien, she’s Crehail,” he protested.
“I believe she’s adopted. I didn’t ask,” Nokinil mentioned.
The two started towards the cafeteria, but as Danstu turned the corner he ran directly into Zion. He backed away, pointing to Zion. “You’re Zion,” he announced. Zion paused, stared down at Nokinil and then continued on without so much as an apology.
“Yes, that’s Zion. What I’ve come to understand he’s Sortec’s protector. That man scares the hell out of me,” Nokinil admitted in a whisper to Danstu. “After she rescued us, he really laid into her about risking her life. She got right back in his face and—“
“Sortec rescued the city? The child?” Danstu interrupted.
Nokinil nodded grimly. “Yes, pretty much single-handedly. She must have killed fifty Marisheio last night. It was a real bloodbath,” Nokinil said, his eyes distant. “I’m glad I had the sense to send you away before all hell broke loose. Who knows what the Marisheio would have done to you.”
Danstu released one long, deep gasping sigh. “I know what they would have done to me and it wouldn’t have been pleasant.”
Zion continued to the infirmary. Inside the infirmary, he looked around for any signs of Ratisha. Evolanc and Noral were busy helping patients they had rescued. Rosanheer sat on one of the beds, holding a small child to his shoulder. He glanced over at him, who motioned for Zion to join him.
“What’s with that?” Zion asked.
Rosanheer rubbed the child's back. “Orphan. He’s the boy Sortec gave you to rescue. He was scared and needed a hug. Let’s say I have a soft spot for damaged children. Everyone secured?”
“Cidele was running around, frantic over losing Alree. I happen to know he went to the arboretum,” he explained. “I figured it would give her something to do for awhile.” He grinned, his lips puckered into a half-moon shape.
“You’re bad,” Rosanheer laughed. “I don’t know what prompted the war between you two, but neither of you fight fair.”
Evolanc wandered over to Zion, a scowl to her coffee-colored lips. “Tell Sortec to stop bringing us injured. I'm starting to forget what my bed looks like.”
“You'd have a better chance convincing her to hire more medical staff. Where's Ratisha?” Zion asked. Evolanc pointed to Noral's office. “I’ll catch up with you later,” he told Rosanheer and hurried off to the direction Evolanc pointed.
To his surprise, she was in Noral's office, sitting in a hover chair. Next to her sat a stack of computer pads. Zion cleared his throat, causing Ratisha to jump.
“Oh, it's you,” she gulped. “Zion, right? I haven't seen you since I came here.”
“Sorry. I wanted to stop by sooner. Nice chair,” he mentioned as he continued further into the room.
Ratisha rolled her eyes. “Don't remind me. Sedom won't let me have the surgery to fix my legs until I cure this damn disease.”
He leaned against the desk next to her. “Think you can cure it?” he asked.
Ratisha shrugged. “I was just out of med school when I was assigned to Lord Wyice to create it. Half the compounds I can't even remember anymore,” she sighed, rubbing her eyes. “I need some fresh air. You want to join me?”
“Food?” he grunted. “I can handle that. Come on, I'll take you.” He grabbed hold of the handles of her chair, guiding the chair to the main doors.
“Now that we’re alone, I have to know, who did I remind you of?” she asked as he guided the chair into the streets. Zion frowned uncertain of what she meant. “On the way here, you said I reminded you of someone dear. Who was she?”
“A lover. My first, actually,” Zion spoke softly.
“She died?” she asked.
Again Zion grunted. “Took her own life when her father refused our pairing,” he replied distantly.
“He risked his own daughter's happiness because he didn't like you?” Ratisha gasped.
Zion shook his head. “No. He liked me. My family was wealthy and had some governmental power. When I asked for her hand, he returned with a request for a large sum of money.”
“You're Zalmin? I didn't think Zalmin's paid for their women,” Ratisha mentioned.
Zion nodded. “We don't… it's considered demeaning and not to mentioned illegal. But without payment, he denied our marriage… and she took her life. For a long time, I blamed myself until I learned the truth. He had numerous gambling debts. To repay some, he offered her services as a concubine to a Marisheio Lord. One way or another he was determined to sell her.”
“What happened when you found out?” Ratisha asked.
“There was a price on his head for not paying his debts. I collected on the bounty. It’s what led me to where I am today.” He guided her chair into the cafeteria. “The best and the only food in town.”
“Working for Sedom?” she questioned.
“Working as a hired gun,” he corrected. “My family didn’t approve of my choices and denied me any inheritance. I served in the Dormin military for a time, but when it was time to renew my contract, I was offered a more lucrative opportunity by Braum Daveric’s house. I took it.”
“Sad story,” Ratisha admitted solemnly.
“Yes, well… I do ask you don't mention it to the
others. It would be a shame to learn that I have a history and emotions like everyone else,” he said behind a grin.
He rolled the chair up to one of the dining tables. The cafeteria was filled with refugees from the city. Across the way, he noticed Danstu and Nokinil. “Danstu...” he mentioned, motioning for Ratisha to look. “He’s an… interesting man. He’s more than he looks. I can honestly say he unnerved Sortec.”
“Unnerved her, how?” Ratisha asked amused.
Zion shrugged. “Something about the group he was with. They weren’t hunters. I’m not sure what they were. Sortec’s more observant than I am. I’m sure she noticed something was amiss. I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep an eye on him.”
“A good eye or a…?” Ratisha asked with hesitation.
“The same eye I watch Sortec with. Whoever he is, I have a feeling he’s sticking around. I see it in his eyes. He’s like an animal with a fresh kill. He’s not going to give up a good opportunity,” he muttered. “I only wish I knew what he had in mind.”
“A takeover?” Ratisha gasped.
Zion shook his head. “No. He reminds me of Sortec. And between you and me, we need solid leadership. I see Sortec growing into a good leader, but she’s young and inexperienced. We need someone to help mold her.”
Ratisha took his hand, holding it tight. “You're a good man.”
He grinned, blushing slightly. “What can I get you to eat?”
“How about food?” Ratisha flirted back.
Zion nodded, feeling the slight attraction between them both. “I can handle food. Let’s see what I can dig up.” As he turned to walk to the food replicators, he noticed Danstu watching them. He thought little of the man other than a passing curiosity. Moments later, he returned with a tray of soup, salad and a thick piece of meat. Neither of them knew what the meat was from.
He dared Ratisha to take a bite. She did, taking in the deep flavors of the meat. “Gawain,” she hissed. “It’s a little stringy, but not too bad.”
The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 Page 14