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

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.”

“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