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

“Norton said you were alone. I thought I'd come up and keep you company. Now I see you had all the company you needed,” Cidele said with a wink.

“Not what you think,” Sedom huffed as she stood.

“Actually, I think it is. And what's this I hear that you're leaving again?” Cidele asked, her hands on her hips.

Sedom rose from the com station, stretching her back. “Zion has a big mouth.”

“Norton said you were leaving. I don't talk to that over-grown haasorth. So how long this time? A week, a month?”

“Now you're sounding like Garric,” Sedom pointed out, knowing how much she hated to be compared to her servant. Cidele gave her a drop-dead gaze. “When we get back. Danstu will be in command until I return.”

Cidele shook her head, walking away. “And that's supposed to rest my mind at ease,” she griped. “Well, whatever you're going to do, I hope it's worth it.” She paused, turning back to Sedom. “What is it that you're doing?”

Sedom’s eyes grew distant. She didn’t want to tell Cidele, but she knew her friend wouldn’t stop pestering her until she told her. “We’re going to track down the Oslo.”

Cidele's almond eyes widened. “Surely not? How? Isn't it across the galaxy in the Domaris system?”

Sedom paused, staring at Cidele dumbfounded. “How did you know that?” Sedom questioned as she stood.

“I’m a tracker. One in my position comes across information. Besides, you had me locked up with Garric in the library. I had to read something,” she hinted.

Sedom frowned. “And here I was worried about Garric learning too much,” Sedom smirked.

“Sedom,” Cidele began with heavy words. “Do you know how dangerous it is to go through the Cha’lan system? You’re risking your life, for what? A ship? We have hundreds of ships already with no one to fly them. Bringing home the Oslo now isn’t going to help us,” Cidele pointed out.

“Having our most powerful weapon docked on our enemy's doorstep isn’t a good idea. What if they did find it and what if they managed to override my grandmother’s commands and take the ship? We’re dead, end of story. I’d feel much safer having the Oslo here,” Sedom explained.

After a long moment, Cidele nodded slowly. “Then I’m coming with you,” she decided.

“No, I need you here to keep an eye on Danstu and your father. I trust Zion and I’m sure he’ll put together a good team,” Sedom said, slightly unsure of her words.

Out of frustration, she grabbed her long braid, which kept flipping over her shoulder, then tossed it back. “Do you think I should cut my hair? Garric mentioned it was getting rather long. I’m just not sure.”

Cidele grabbed Sedom’s knife from her side holster and with two swipes her hair was two feet shorter. “Yep, looks great,” she huffed as she handed Sedom the missing part of her braid.

Sedom’s hand reached to her braid, her eyes widened in horror. “Cidele! I just asked your opinion. I didn’t want you…”

“I don’t want you to go, but you are. Every time you leave Gathow, it’s like there’s a piece missing around here. We need you to stay. What if…” she paused, holding back her sobs.

Sedom turned to her friend, resting her hand on Cidele’s cheek. “I’ll be fine. It’s a simple mission. The only thing we have to worry about—“

“Is being caught by the enemy? Yeah, no need to worry at all,” Cidele spat back bitterly. She slithered into one of the seats at the table, holding her hands out on the table top. “Just… be careful. I’d feel better about this if I could come with you. You might need a good tracker,” she mentioned.

A gentle tap of someone knocking on the doorway echoed into the room. Both turned, noticing Danstu standing behind them.

“Sorry to interrupt, but I was informed we have a member of the Rook here in Gathow. Is that true?” he asked.

Sedom turned her attention to the stack of computer pads before her. “Yes and no,” she answered cryptically.

“Norton is a Rook?” Cidele questioned. “Oh yeah, his wife,” she thought out loud.

“Ex-wife,” Sedom clarified. “They recently divorced. That’s partly why I haven’t killed him yet. That and…”

“You’re old friends,” Cidele mentioned.

Sedom nodded. She could feel Danstu’s eyes focused on her, demanding the story behind her friendship. “I saved him from the Marisheio a few years ago while I was living in the forest. It’s a long story,” she explained. “Now, he’s here on political business. He’s attempting to reach the Marnet.”

“Why come here?” Cidele asked before Danstu had the opportunity.

Sedom grinned devilishly. “Because I know something no one else does,” she said. “Um… Cidele, why don’t I catch up with you later?” she hinted.

“I get it,” Cidele sighed, rolling her eyes.

Once Cidele had left the room, Sedom turned her attention to Danstu. “Have you been keeping up with Mandicien politics much?” she asked seriously.

Danstu leaned against the wall, crossing his thin arms over his chest. “Not since arriving to Matrador. I do know there was quite a controversy over your potential pairing. What I came to understand was your Ardath was signed without the Emperor’s consent.”

Sedom agreed, her eyes growing distant. “He went along with it to lure me to Juvin-que. He figured if I was in his custody, Gathow was as good as his,” she added.

“Teach him,” Danstu smirked back.

“Right,” she grumbled. “The events that he set in motion after the attack forever made him my enemy as much as the Marisheio. In my eyes, anything I can do to make his life hell—“

Danstu held up his hand. “I understand. The Marnet has been a notorious pain in the Rook’s side. If he allied himself with the Tasgool—“

Sedom shook her head. “Not yet. We have to be careful