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

“Huh,” Sedom thought. She began climbing up the steps. As Tremble followed, three orbs lowered down on her. “She is my guard. Let her pass,” Sedom spoke off-handedly. The orbs moved away.

She continued over to the edge, resting her arms against one of the guard railings. She waved Tremble to her side. “You’ve been a warrior most of your life?”

“Since I could shoot a pistol, Chadon,” Tremble explained.

“I need a teacher. I need someone who can show me how to properly handle hand-to-hand combat. Could you do this for me?” she asked.

Tremble nodded, a flock of her short blond hair falling across her nose. She whisked it aside. “Chadon, I am honored you think of me in such high respect. But, rumors state you are quite the warrior already,” she mentioned.

Sedom nodded. “So I’ve been told, but I could be better,” she pointed out.

***

On the planet of Cariou, Danstu and Cidele stepped off the ship and were instantly surrounded by thirty armed guards. They were quickly escorted into an underground bunker, much like Gathow, but far less impressive. Cidele took hold of Danstu’s hand for comfort. He squeezed it for reassurance, but the reassurance was mainly for him.

Three long tunnels later, the group was led into a massive underground cave, where they were met by hundreds of armed men and women.

“Danstu!” called a booming voice from the crowd.

Danstu sighed deeply in relief as a dark-skinned man with bright silver eyes forced back the guards. He took Cidele by the hand, guiding her over to the man. “Quimbsy, you almost had me going. What’s with this insane display of manpower?” he called back to the man he called Quimbsy. He released Cidele’s hand, embracing the man.

Quimbsy pounded his fist against Danstu’s back as they embraced. “We had our concerns. We don’t want anything to happen to the Chadon’s second in command while in our space. Come, let me show you to a place where you and your friends can freshen up.”

Cidele glanced over her shoulder to see Qilo, Zion and Rosanheer behind them. As they followed Quimbsy, she whispered to Danstu, “Second in command?”

Danstu shrugged. “Someone had to volunteer,” he joked.

“I’m glad it wasn’t me,” Zion spoke up from behind.

That evening, the team was escorted to a large cave where several rows of tables and chairs stood filled with nearly a thousand Underground troops. Two men guided the group over to the main table where Quimbsy and a dark-skinned man sat. Danstu whispered to the group that the other man was Doreel Adrein, the leader of the Underground.

Everyone rose from their seats as their group entered, including Doreel Adrein, who welcomed Danstu with open arms.

“Keriney, an honor to have you and your party here tonight,” he called out in a booming voice.

Danstu paused just before reaching the table and bowed from the waist to the Doreel. “The honor is mine,” he returned. “Let me introduce you to my party…” he paused, turning to his group. One by one he introduced each by name and their position within Gathow. When it came to Cidele, he paused.

Cidele stepped forward, offering the Doreel her hand. “Cidele Rovantas, we met sometime ago.”

Doreel Adrein nodded, grinning wildly. “Yes, of course, you’re Lolum’s little girl.” He softly kissed her hand. “You’ve grown up. And now you’re helping Sortec?”

“I became involved in the AO project and I happened to be the one to save her life,” she mentioned as she took a seat before anyone else. Danstu’s eyes widened in a panic, fearing the worst that the Doreel would take offence. Instead, Adrein chuckled and took his seat.

“Sit, sit,” Adrein insisted to a slightly confused Danstu. He sat followed by everyone else in the room.

Food was brought to the table, yet no one ate at first.

“It was quite the surprise to learn that not only did a Sortec survive, but that it was the Chadon herself who oversees Gathow,” Quimbsy mentioned from beside the Doreel.

“Considering all that has taken place, she’s out for blood. She wants an army and she’s going to get one no matter the cost,” Cidele mentioned.

“No doubt. But does she have the ability to go to war?” Adrein asked.

Danstu took a sip of his water as he nodded. “The Chadon has the funds and the resources, just not the man power,” he explained.

“That’s where you come in,” Quimbsy pointed out. “With all of your connections, it’s no doubt she hired you to do her bidding.”

Danstu nodded. “Honestly, I seemed to have fallen into this position. I was visiting Matrador for my mother’s funeral and my city was attacked. Sortec single-handedly rescued nearly seventy-five percent of the city’s population.”

“You among them, I take it?” Adrein asked, astonished by his story.

“I came later when she found us hiding. My uncle ordered a group of hunters to hide me in the caves near the city. He knew I couldn’t be found by the Marisheio, considering my relations and history,” he explained.

“Seriously, you?” Cidele whispered. Danstu nodded. “Sortec thought—“

“I know what Sortec thought, but Alree is harmless,” he whispered back.

Cidele turned to Zion, her eyes wide with panic. Zion nodded, understanding her concern.

Danstu ignored Cidele’s comment, continuing his conversation. “I need to find a hundred-thousand men by the end of the year.”

Adrein grunted as he began eating. “I noticed your ship is only large enough to carry about a thousand comfortably. We have five-hundred volunteers ready to send with you tomorrow. Your Chadon has arranged for us to transport others in the months ahead. She explained you’re not exactly at your best right now and you need time to prepare,” he explained.

“That is correct. We’re still learning Gathow and her capabilities,” Danstu mentioned.

Cidele raised her hand to her cheek. “Five-hundred members of