The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2

by Elizabeth Price

  “I’ll stick to the soup,” Zion joked back. He paused, feeling Danstu standing next to them. Zion turned, giving him a quick nod.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your meal, Sir, Madame. I’m Danstu Keriney,” he offered his hand to Ratisha and then to Zion.

  Zion took his hand to shake. “We met in the tunnels. And yes, I am Zion. This is Ratisha Augars. She’s one of our doctors here in Gathow.” He motioned for Danstu to sit at the table with them.

  Ratisha’s dark eyes scanned over Danstu as if she were probing him like a science experiment. “Is Gathow to your liking?” Ratisha asked Danstu.

  Danstu sat, his thick pasty-white skin wrinkling around his eyes. “It… has potential.”

  Zion glanced over at Ratisha with an “I told you so” grin. “Potential?” he questioned. “How so?”

  “Could I ask you a somewhat personal question?” he asked Zion. He waved for Danstu to continue while he ate. “How many people, beyond those from Crowarl, live here?” Both Zion and Ratisha glared at Danstu. “Not to come across as intrusive. You are obviously limited on manpower and we have an army hunting us. The only reason why they haven’t found us is the city’s depth and your orbs. There is a great amount of potential here. Potential that I can help mold into something… well, something that can defeat those sons-of-faas above. They took many of my friends and honestly I don’t care much for that.”

  “What makes you think you’re capable of--” Ratisha started.

  “I’ll talk to Lolum,” Zion interrupted, cutting Ratisha off in mid-sentence.

  Danstu sat back in his seat, trying to create the illusion of being comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. “What about Sortec?” Danstu asked.

  Ratisha laughed. “Be my guest, but you won’t get anywhere with her. She’s a brick wall and just as dense.”

  Zion shook his head no. “She doesn’t know you. People she doesn’t know frighten her and if she’s frightened you’re apt to die. It’s best we go through Lolum, let him introduce you slowly so she grows comfortable with you. She listens to him and values his judgment. Besides, you start introducing new ideas to her to quickly, Ratisha’s right, she’ll turn to stone and she won’t budge.”

  “It’s honestly surprising us she’s allowing those from Crowarl to stay,” Ratisha mentioned.

  “You’re her friend. Doesn’t she listen to you?” Danstu questioned directly to Zion.

  His question caused Zion to cough up his soup. “Right,” Zion grumbled as he wiped the soup from his chin. “Sortec listens to my advice, but seldom takes it. In her eyes, I am only her protector…” he paused, looking away to hide his frustration, “…and even then, well.”

  “Running headlong into a city overrun by Marisheio kind of proves how much she listens to any of us,” Ratisha pointed out. “She’s a bit of a loose wire,” she mentioned low.

  “If she pays you, you’ll be treated the same way until you’ve earned her respect,” Zion added.

  “I thought you had her respect?” Ratisha spoke low.

  Zion grimaced. “Not really. When we first met, I tried to kill her. She’s still a little ticked at me for that. But, I think she’s warming up to me,” he admitted low.

  Danstu nodded several times, absorbing the information. “Well… ah, wow. She sounds like a typical Narkoy leader who happens to be a hell of a warrior. I’m… starting to understand how things work around here. I’ll talk to Lolum. Thanks for the information,” he said as he stood from the table.

  As he was leaving, Ratisha whispered to Zion. “Is he desperate for a job or just insane?” she asked.

  Zion raised a dark eyebrow, questioning her comment. “Like I said before, I can tell the man’s ambitious. I’ll be curious how Sortec takes to him.”

  EIGHT

  The city of Crowarl still glowed from the flames of a thousand destroyed buildings. For most of the night, Sedom watched the flames as they died down. Thankfully, they were growing dimmer than the night before. Soon, nothing would be left except ash and memories; both good and bad.

  Sedom leaned against the railing of her lookout tower, gazing down at the treetops. Two orbs hovered twenty feet above her, constantly scanning the area for threats. One orb’s dome glowed yellow followed by the other as they turned to the stairs leading up to the tower. Both orbs quickly turned back to blue.

  “What the hell am I going to do with a base so close to Gathow? It’s going to be impossible to stay hidden for much longer,” she asked herself out loud. One of the orbs beeped. It was the kind of beep that signaled someone was approaching. Sedom glanced over her shoulder to see who it was.

  Lolum lumbered up the steps, his cane knocking on each of the rises as he climbed. “Why couldn't you pick an easier hiding place to get to?” he asked.

  “I'm not hiding.” Sedom turned back to the city. “I'm thinking.”

  “Can't you think someplace with fewer steps?” he grumbled as he tapped his cane against the wood flooring. Sedom didn't respond. “Okay, you’ve been up here a long time. What have you thought about?”

  “War,” Sedom replied vaguely.

  Lolum nodded, he too watching the burning city. “What about it?”

  “You can't start one without an army,” Sedom replied.

  “Typically, just as you can't win without losing. There is no real winner in war, only victory and change,” Lolum pointed out.

  She nodded, her eyes distant. “I want change. To get change I must go to war. To go to war, I need soldiers that will fight for my cause. I have a military base and a fortune in firestones, but I have to admit other than me personally battling the Marisheio, I haven't a clue how to rage war. I need help, but again I have no concept where to look for it. My grandmother had a military advisor, a political advisor, a government advisor, an advisor…” she paused closing her eyes to hold back her frustration and tears. “She had many advisors. I have you and no offense, you’re not enough.”

  “That's very adult of you and none was taken,” Lolum said. His comment was returned with a scolding look by Sedom. “We need good people, we both know that. We have close to three hundred new faces in Gathow... all which are frightened over what the Marisheio did, uncertain what they're going to do and all upset over losing their loved ones. If we allow them to stay we can, at least if nothing else, start to build a platform to work from.”

  Sedom shrugged away his comment. “Let them stay. As you said, we need them. Inform Nokinil to regain his position as city’s mayor and give him an office fitting for his position. You will handle the non-military internal operations of Gathow. He’ll report to you as will Cidele. I want her to continue preparing units for more residence. I don't have the time to deal with city politics. My concern is gathering a military.”

  Lolum nodded. “I’ll see to it. Also, I want to mention Danstu Keriney. I believe he would be an asset to our community in a leadership role. I’m going to first speak with him this evening about helping us find the right positions for all our new citizens.”

  Sedom was already lost in her own thoughts. She nodded without listening to what Lolum said. Lolum hugged her against his arm. “We'll figure this out.”

  “I only hope it isn’t too late. A lot of people died in the Crowarl attack… people I could have saved if I had an army.”

  “There’s a lot you saved too,” Lolum pointed out. “You’re still young and a child, as much as I know you hate to admit it. Let other’s help you. You are our leader, but no one expects you to do this alone.”

  Sedom rested her head against Lolum’s shoulder. It’s not something she would normally do, but in this case, it felt right. “Then why do I feel so alone? I feel like I have to be constantly on guard, constantly making decisions. And you know what I really want to do?”

  “What, Sedom?” Lolum asked.

  “Play kickball,” she sighed. “Just play kickball. Not have to rescue doctors from military compounds. Not to have to shoot Marisheio in the back of their heads to kee
p them from killing an innocent child, who, like me, only wants to play kickball.”

  “Then take the time and play kickball,” Lolum said.

  Sedom pulled away, looking at Lolum as if he lost his mind. “Right. Leaders lead. Children play kickball. I can’t have both. The day my grandmother died was the end of my kickball days,” she said. “I’m tired. I think I’ll head home. Arrange a meeting tomorrow evening with Nokinil to go over what I expect of him and his people. Also, figure out what kind of advisors I need. It would help to know what I’m doing and when I should be doing it.”

  “And Danstu?” Lolum asked.

  “If you deem him an asset, I’ll be open to using him. He does have me curious. It’s not every man who would attempt to go hiking in the forest with shined skins,” she mused. Lolum gave her a questioning glance. “Fancy leather shoes. Narkoy thing… I still consider them taboo,” she clarified.

  “You Narkoy always did have your quirks about leather,” he joked. “I’ll mention it to him.”

  ***

  Cidele bumped into the door of the apartment she had assigned to Danstu. In her arms, she carried bed linen, a nice blanket, a pillow and a bag of toiletries. The giant bag holding his linen was draped over her left arm, making it nearly impossible to knock on the door.

  “Oh! I can’t believe this!” she cried as she struggled to reach the door. The door opened, allowing Cidele to enter. “Thank goodness,” she huffed. Without knowing who she was talking to, she heaped the blanket onto him. “Picked up some of the items we were out of. I hope you’re not allergic to falthom feathers.”

  Danstu took the items from Cidele one at a time, a look of amusement on his thin face. “You… didn’t have to.”

  “And what were you going to use to bathe with or sleep on?” she replied motherly, looking into his eyes. For a brief moment, they found each other caught in their gaze. Cidele shied away. “Um… it’s my job to keep everyone comfortable. And I hear you all will be staying her longer than we all thought. You might as well be comfortable.”

  “How comfortable?” Danstu questioned flirtatiously as he set his bedding on his bed. He turned back to Cidele, who was staring at him with stern eyes.

  “Ah, yes, well,” she paused to release a grumbling sigh. “Sedom calls me her welcoming committee. I’m in charge of housing, so I’ve recently been informed,” she explained. She went to his bedroom door, watching him make his bed. She grabbed a pillow case, stuffing his pillow into it. “Also, I was informed we’ll be working together placing everyone in positions around Gathow. I thought we could meet in the library tomorrow morning and get a jump on it.”

  He set the bag she gave him on the coffee table and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I’m not exactly sure what you’re talking about. This is the first I’ve heard of anything. What else have you heard?”

  “Oh…” Cidele giggled. “Oh, my father hasn’t spoken with you yet. So, um, forget what I said. I’m a bit excited having so many new people in Gathow. On another note, Dranium has finally fixed the power to the food replicators in three restaurants. As soon as we clean them up, we’ll have more food options,” Cidele replied excitedly.

  “Restaurants?” Danstu asked amused.

  Cidele half-grinned, realizing how silly she sounded. “Well, when you’ve had to eat in that cafeteria long enough, anything sounds like a better option. I better go before I say anything else stupid. Enjoy.” She rushed out just as fast as she came in, leaving Danstu standing by the doorway dumbfounded.

  “Ah, bye,” he whispered.

  Nokinil hurried down the hall from the same direction Cidele had come from. He turned to watch Cidele leave as he approached Danstu’s unit. “I have to say, she’s just the right amount of crazy. No wonder you like her. She reminds me of your mother.”

  “Uncle, we’re seriously having this conversation? Your city is in ruin—“ Danstu began to argue.

  “Our city, Danstu, our,” Nokinil corrected.

  “Okay, our city is in ruin. The last thing I’m thinking about is…” he paused, turning away, blushing. “Okay, maybe I was thinking about it a little bit. But she was only here to drop off some bedding,” Danstu grumbled back.

  “Sure she was,” he returned with a wink.

  “Are you ready for this?” Danstu questioned.

  Nokinil shrugged. “He does have me curious. If Sortec gives us any opportunity to remain here, I’m going to have to take it. I saw the city, there’s nothing left. And if the rumors are true, we won’t have any land to rebuild on. We’re at the Chadon’s mercy.”

  Danstu closed the door behind him. “After a rather strange conversation with Cidele, something tells me Sortec will allow us to remain here. But at what cost, I’m not certain.”

  They continued down the hall of the building, both noticing that no one else was present in the building. “At least you could return to the Windrit council. No-nee will take you back,” Nokinil pointed out.

  Danstu released a deep, body-quaking sigh. “Yes, but I don’t think my knees would last long with the amount of groveling I’d have to do. There’s always the Underground or head north. Well… let’s hear what they have to say. After, we’ll decide what to do.”

  NINE

  Inside Lolum's quarters, Cidele plopped down on the sofa. She looked around the spacious apartment for signs of her father.

  “Father, you home?” she called out.

  “Shower,” Lolum called back. “You find Alree?”

  Cidele laid back again, wrapping her arms around a pillow. “Oh, that? We found him in the arboretum. Noral helped me get Alree to the infirmary. Apparently, he's not quite level, you know, in a mental way. I guess whatever lord he served did a real number on his head. He was talking to a tof when we found him.”

  Lolum emerged from his bedroom dressed in a loose shirt and slacks and brushing his long, white beard. “What I hear, Alree spent six years as Lord Sidoc Wyice's advisor. Lord Wyice is known for his abilities to manipulate the mind. So it doesn't surprise me that Alree’s a little off.”

  Cidele sat up, the pillow still on her lap. “I wonder if he and Ratisha know each other?”

  Lolum scooted off towards his kitchen, setting his brush on the counter. “I never realized that the two might have worked together. I'll ask Ratisha. It’s a small galaxy. Important people do tend to run into each other now and then. And speaking of important… have you seen Sedom?”

  “The orbs informed me she wants to be alone,” Cidele grumbled. “It’s typical of her to leave behind a huge mess for us to clean up.”

  “I’d rather clean up a mess of finding three-hundred lost people new homes than battle a hundred Marisheio. Especially having seen the way you fight,” Lolum pointed out as he sat.

  “Hear tell it was only fifty. Regardless, I just wish we had more control over Sedom. She's going to get herself killed,” Cidele grumbled. “I know Zion is really upset with her right now, not that he’d actually tell her. I understand why she does it, but does she have to personally save everyone?”

  “Nokinil and Danstu will be stopping by soon. I’m going to talk to them about our situation, get some advice. Maybe I can convince them to stay on and help, especially Danstu,” he said as if he were still in a conversation with Cidele, but she could tell he was thinking out loud more than talking to her.

  “What could a political advisor do for Sedom?” Cidele asked, suddenly interested.

  Lolum reached for his pipe by his chair and proceeded to pack tobacco into the end. “Advise. Something we desperately need. I researched his background. Danstu has an impressive record with the Windrit High Council. We could use his expertise to help build Gathow.”

  A knock at the door caused Cidele to jump up from the sofa. “Well, I wish you luck. First, you'll need to convince Sedom to allow a stranger control over her and her city, which won’t be easy.” She opened the door, revealing Nokinil and Danstu. “Good evening, gentlemen.” She smiled, this time looking
directly at Danstu. “I'll leave you to business.” She brushed past Nokinil then Danstu, pausing to look at him. “Run while you can.” She half-joked to Danstu than gave him a flirtatious wink.

  Nokinil grabbed Danstu, forcing him into the house before he had a chance to lust after Cidele.

  “How is it you came to have such a beautiful daughter?” Nokinil joked, his attempt to break the ice with Lolum, who was standing near the door as if waiting for Danstu to make a move on his daughter.

  “Unlucky, I guess. Gentlemen, if you’ll come inside. We have much to discuss. I must apologize in advance. Unfortunately, Sortec is detained on other matters,” Lolum began. “May I offer you two a drink?”

  A short time later Nokinil and Danstu exited the house, both scowling. “Cidele wasn't joking, was she?” Danstu asked his uncle.

  “Nope, I don't believe she was. We’re going to have to think about his offer,” Nokinil said, his pale face drawn. He glanced over to Danstu, noticing his normally pale face a rosy pink. “Let me rephrase that, I’m going to have to give my answer some thought. You’ve already made your decision.”

  Danstu flinched. “Have I?”

  “You’d be lying to yourself if you said this isn’t everything you’ve always wanted,” he pointed out. “Gathow? That man in there is basically offering you the keys to the universe. You’re telling me that you’re not going to take him up on that offer?”

  Zion walked past the two men, thinking nothing of them at first. He suddenly paused and turned back to Danstu, offering him his hand. “Welcome aboard. If you ever need a good place to scream out your aggressions, the ship bay is a good place. Good sound control. Or level seven has a sound-proof observation room,” he half-joked, gave Nokinil a nod and continued on.

  Both men turned to each other. “Is Sortec really as horrible as they make her out to be?” Nokinil asked.

  “I guess we’ll find out. She does have a reputation as being a spit-fire. I’ll catch up with you later,” he said with a pat on his uncle’s shoulder. He hurried after Zion. “Hold up,” he called.