The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

“Won't help,” Lolum added as Sedom chased after Cidele. He waved for Rosanheer to take Cidele's seat. “Her sister was raped and murdered by a group of Clove Marisheio last spring. They fought over Sedom allowing Garric to remain here in Gathow. Now Sedom brings you and Ratisha here… Cidele isn't taking it well,” he explained to Rosanheer.

Sedom chased Cidele into the arboretum. “Cidele, wait up. We need to talk.”

“What's there to talk about? You made your decision,” Cidele barked back. “I'm only wondering if you're going to allow the entire Marisheio Empire to enter Gathow. If so, why the hell are we hiding?”

“I understand you're frustrated,” Sedom called back, still unable to keep up with her.

“Frustrated?” Cidele paused, turning to Sedom. Tears streaked down her cheeks. “You didn't see your sister violated and murdered by those creatures!” She screamed, pointing in the direction of where they came from.

“No, my mother was,” Sedom stated calmly. “I am the last of my people, primarily because of the Clove and the Marisheio. But I can also blame the Mandicien and the Dormin, and any other race that fights alongside the Marisheio. I could even blame you for being Crehail because one Crehail man tried to turn me into the Marisheio for a ransom. We can blame and blame, but it won't get us anywhere. Ratisha saved my life and because of that, she was tortured. Rosanheer helped me save her and risked his life for me and our cause. I am beyond the color of one's skin or what planet they were born on. What concerns me most now is honor and character.”

Cidele slapped her hand across a tree to vent her frustration. “I can't. I'm not strong like you. I look at them, their cold eyes, their harsh voices and all I can see is my sister's body lying in a puddle of blood in the street. She was so kind, so beautiful and… and she was my best friend. She was the last real family I had and those monsters took her away from me.”

“And what, Cidele? She's gone. So are a lot of people. I've killed hundreds now, none of which will ever return to their families. Their families feel the same about me as you about them. We are at war… and war knows only hatred, regardless of if it’s true or right. Less than a full-turn ago I would have gladly killed Garric. Now, I find that he's not such a bad man after all. People choose these paths and force others to follow.”

Cidele forced herself away from the tree and walked over to Sedom. “Like I said, what choice do I have? You want them here, they're here. Forgive me if I'm not exactly happy about the situation.”

Sedom shrugged. “That's your choice,” she muttered. If her friend wanted to live in the past, then why waste her energy forcing the issue?

***

Inside her quarters, Sedom settled into her com station and dialed Jasper’s number. A dark-skinned Dormin man appeared, wearing a military uniform. “You have reached the office of the Braum Daveric. How may I assist you?” he asked.

“I’m Chadon Sortec. I am looking for the Braum. Is he available?” she asked.

The man stared at her for a long moment and then nodded. “He’s in a meeting. It will be one moment,” he said. Sedom started to say she would call back, but the screen blanked before she could force her words out.

Moments later, Jasper appeared, sweat glistening on his forehead. “Sedom!” he exclaimed. “I apologize fully in advance. My people had no means to know that you had a cloaked sub base on Terilan Tro. I was just informed and I was about to send you a full report.”

Sedom flinched. “Terilan Tro?” she questioned. “Now tell me, why would the Dormin need to go there? It’s a dead moon,” she questioned amused and befuddled by his statement.

“I was given reports of a downed vessel. We believed it might have been my cousin, Borik Ornool’s, ship. He went missing several weeks ago. All I do know is its Narkoy, impressive, and we’re staying clear, as promised,” he offered.

“Kind of you and I’m sorry to hear about your cousin,” Sedom replied. She sat back, taking in a deep breath. “You wouldn’t happen to know how many ships are housed there, would you?” she asked, hinting she didn’t even know of the base’s existence.

Jasper licked his thick lips, allowing a small grin to form. “Fourteen-hundred and seventy-two. You didn’t know about the base, did you?”

“I do now, thanks,” she said with a wink. “Now, on to the question I called you about,” she began.

“I can’t believe…” Jasper huffed. “What’s your question?”

“I’m looking for a background check on someone. How do you handle these matters when you want to look into them personally?”

“Former employers?”

“Your sister, the Underground and the Marisheio Empire,” Sedom replied straight-faced.

Jasper chuckled. He leaned closer to the monitor. “Sedom, seriously? He must have done something impressive to cause you to give him a second look,” he asked. She nodded. “Name?”

“Rosanheer—”

Jasper’s eyes widened with surprise. “Torreh, Rasadan Rosanheer Torreh? Is that the man you’re talking about?” Jasper returned amused. “Talenvanc’s son?”

Sedom stared at the view screen for a long moment, searching through her memory, trying to recall some of the conversations she had with Rosanheer. “You’re joking, right?” Sedom gasped. Her skin suddenly lost all color and her toes began to tingle. She thought back to their conversations in the forest, recalling a few comments that could have been construed as hints about his background. “That explains a few things.”

Jasper nodded. “Not that it’s a bad thing. I’ve hired him a few times to work alongside Qilo when we were looking for Narkoy survivors. I’m simply surprised you’d be