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

“Thank you for saving this group. I’ve been trying to keep them safe, but I didn’t know how to get past these… things,” Alree spoke humbly.

Sedom grunted. “My security? They’re foul, but effective.”

“I say they are,” returned the older man who had gray hair about the chops.

Sedom glanced behind her at the man. He was the same man who she believed had military training. “And you are?” she questioned.

“Terman Croon,” the man introduced.

“Which military did you serve?” she questioned, wondering if he would admit to serving.

“Calanthre,” he returned low.

“Ah, I thought so,” she whispered to the man. “Let’s talk later,” she mentioned. She nodded several times as she attempted to file his name in the back of her mind, but she doubted she’d recall it. She turned her attention back to Alree. “You were an employee of the man who created the virus that destroyed my people. I want to know more,” Sedom mentioned hoping that Alree would take the hint that she didn't rescue him or his people without compensation.

“Employed? Hardly,” he scoffed. “Try indentured servitude. If it wasn't for Waar offering his services as my replacement I might still be stuck...”

“War?” Sedom questioned, only half-listening. “Who is Lord Wyice at war with?”

“No, Waar, he's the nephew of Golentesh Hiylenveer,” he mentioned. Sedom turned to him with questioning eyes. “The Marisheio's leader,” Alree explained.

“The Marisheio overlord who ordered the attack on your people,” Zion said in his native tongue so as to not embarrass her.

“Yes, of course. I have a lot on my mind,” she covered.

Danstu perked up, listening to Zion’s words. His sudden interest caused Zion to turn to him. “You know Calk?” he asked low to Danstu, who gave a sly smirk as an answer.

“Why he wanted to serve as Sidoc’s aid eludes me. I mean, he's next to his cousin, Santurra, to secede the thrown,” Alree continued, muttering off in a mind daze.

Sedom blinked several times, trying to keep everything straight in her mind. Although she wanted war with the Marisheio she knew very little about them. Even the name of their leader was as alien to her ears as peace.

“Do me a favor and write me a detailed account of everything you know when we return to Gathow. It sounds like information I should know, but I haven't the concentration for it right now,” Sedom admitted.

“Chadon, how long will we be allowed to remain in Gathow?” asked Danstu, who continued to walk next to Zion.

Zion and Rosanheer both perked up, waiting to hear Sedom’s answer. “Prove your worth and we’ll talk,” she returned, amusing her two associates.

She would allow them to remain. With so many people in Gathow, though, rules had to be established and rules were not her area of expertise. She walked ahead, leaving the group behind so she could think more clearly and without interruptions.

“Is she often this… aloof?” Danstu asked Rosanheer.

Zion smirked, finding humor in both Sedom’s actions and the man’s choice of words. “I haven't known her not to be,” he returned in a whisper, so the rest of the group wouldn’t hear. “Gathow isn't much further. Cidele will arrange quarters for you until Sortec makes up her mind how to handle this situation.”

“And how long will that take?” asked Alree.

Rosanheer glanced down at the man, smiling deviously. “You? I'd get comfortable. There's no way we're letting you out of our sights. The others, we'll see what she wants to do.” When Rosanheer turned back to Sedom, she was far ahead of the group. She hadn’t heard anything he said nor did she look like she cared.

“You’re a war criminal?” Danstu asked Alree with concern in his almond-shaped, bright sky-blue eyes.

The man hesitated to answer, his eyes constantly shifting back and forth from Zion to Rosanheer. “Um, well, you could call me a man of circumstance, nothing more,” Alree replied cryptically.

Danstu glanced over to Zion, motioning with his eyes to Alree that something wasn’t quite right with the man. Zion grunted. It was as if the two men had a connection, knowing what the other thought. Zion understood this, he had the ability of telepathy, but Danstu was Crehail. How did he know what Zion was thinking? Regardless, both held concerns about Alree.

“Sortec!” Rosanheer called. She waved him on as she disappeared down another tunnel. “Damn it, Sortec!” he grumbled under his breath.

“Yes, aloof is a good word for her,” Zion agreed.

“I guess we’ll handle this on our own,” Rosanheer spoke low to Zion, even though his voice carried in the tunnels.

Zion turned to Rosanheer, questioning Sedom, pausing only when he realized Danstu was watching them. “She has a lot on her mind. She figures we can handle it from here,” Zion covered, knowing that any sane man wouldn’t buy it.

“Let's pick up the pace, in case her snarling friends return.” Rosanheer waved them along, waiting for the entire group to pass him so he could take up the rear.

The group emerged from the tunnel and into the golden lights of Gathow. Beyond the light of Gathow's sun, Zion and Rosanheer could see the extent of the group’s injuries. Suddenly an orb swooped down, scanning each person in the group individually. Three more orbs dropped from the ceiling and surrounded Alree.

“Limited access. Proceed,” one orb spoke directly to Alree.

Alree stepped back, his eyes wide as he gazed into the yellow light of the crystal orb. “Um, guys. What's this?”

“You're new guards. I suggest you don't piss them off,” Rosanheer returned.

“She doesn't waste any time,” Zion smirked low to Rosanheer. “Those who don't need immediate medical attention I'll take to Cidele. Those who do need medical attention, you’re in charge of taking them to the infirmary… unless you want to deal with Cidele?” Zion