The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (find a book to read txt) 📕

“What is a Coppy?” Zion finally had to ask, he too curious.

Sedom frowned unsure if she heard Nokinil correctly. “The name of a fat fish in Volk. If I recall correctly, it’s quite vile,” Sedom smirked. “Meet me in the morning by the tunnels again. We're going hunting. Tell Rosanheer to join us.”

“You're allowing me to come with you this time?” Zion grumbled.

Sedom turned to Zion, her hands on her hips. “What do you want from me? You know the kind of person I am and I'm not about to apologize for it. If you feel the need to protect me, then I suggest you learn to keep up.”

Zion glared at Sedom then continued to walk away. “See you in the morning.”

***

At daybreak, Sedom paced by the mouth of the tunnel’s entrance, waiting for Zion and Rosanheer. Both were heavily armed as they hiked up to her. Sedom only carried her side arm and a canteen.

Rosanheer shook his head amused as she waved them to follow her. “I understand she's different, but I didn't think she was insane. What was that last night, fifty, sixty Marisheio?” Rosanheer asked as the two followed Sedom into the tunnels.

“I was too busy to count,” Sedom joked. She tossed them both two light sticks.

Rosanheer snatched the light stick in midair, snapping it as it connected with his hand. The tunnel suddenly glowed a greenish-yellow.

“You do realize that the Marisheio are looking for you? After a stunt like that, I wouldn’t be surprised they order a fleet to take you out.” Rosanheer asked, keeping his distance from Sedom. Her mood was volatile and even he didn't want to chance a violent reaction to a wrong question.

Sedom shrugged, finding their conversation ordinary. In a way it was. How long had the Marisheio chased after her? She lost track. Though, it seemed like every few hours someone had to bring up the fact the Marisheio were after her.

“Let them try to find me. Marisheio are comprised of half-wits and numb-brained faas. Come, we've got people to rescue.” She motioned to the men to follow her down the tunnel. She continued to walk on ahead.

Zion snickered to himself as he flicked his own light stick. “Present company included?” he joked. Rosanheer rolled his eyes.

Within the tunnel, the two men started down the path towards the entrance of the forest. Sedom whistled, causing them to turn to her. “Down here.” She waved for them to follow her.

Zion glanced down the tunnel where Sedom stood. “It's a dead-end,” he called through cupped hands.

“Come on,” Sedom called back, waving them to follow. Quickly, she disappeared into the darkness, leaving them behind.

Rosanheer's eyes widened with his panic. “Oh hell, what did she do now?” he huffed as he ran after Sedom. “Sortec!”

Sedom pressed her body against the dark wall, waiting for the men to follow her. Rosanheer searched the darkness in a panic, whereas Zion simply turned to face Sedom, regardless of being able to see her.

“This tunnel is the main artery to all the tunnels and caves within this area,” Sedom explained as she shined her light down what looked to be a dead-end. The sudden light caused Rosanheer to jump. “If people are hiding in the caves, this tunnel will lead us directly to them.” She shone her light, illuminating an opening in the wall which could have been easily overlooked. “Come on.”

The next tunnel was illuminated by several glass stones embedded in the ceiling. Although dirt covered many of them, light still managed to peek in through the cracks. “It’s called an assinal,” she explained as she pointed to the walls.

Exquisite paintings of ancient Narkoy adorned the walls of the tunnel. Glistening gold paint shimmered in the pale light. Rosanheer paused, examining the rare and beautiful paintings. “These paintings are amazing, Sortec. They should be in a museum.”

“They’re nearly five-hundred years old.” She paused to shine her light on one painting in particular. It was an image of three figures, a female child, an adult woman and an old woman, all holding the exact same staff passed down to her from her grandmother. “My ancestors painted them as map markers. It was meant as a way to guide us back to the city… and to remind us of our history,” Sedom explained.

“What keeps people from using this tunnel?” Zion asked as he adjusted his weapon over his shoulder.

Sedom flashed her light down the tunnel, illuminating a snarling, hairless Hoviss, only footsteps from their location. The animal resembled the offspring of a six-foot tall gray hound mixed with a rhinoceros.

“Those,” she smirked. She forced the two men behind her as the animal approached. “Stay back,” she whispered. She stepped forward, her left hand raised to ward the beast back. “Alka eminas sorta Sortec!” she called out. The creature hissed and growled as it continued towards them. “Alka emina! Esha Manun!” she screamed again, shooing them away with her light. “Esha Manun. Go now.”

The Hoviss sniffed the air, snarled and ran off down the tunnel. The three could hear the Hoviss howling as it ran away.

She turned back to her macho friends, noticing their eyes wide with fear. “Bet you didn’t think you’d see one of those today, hum?” she said, her hands slightly shaking. She had run into the Hoviss a few times and she knew they wouldn’t attack her, but they still unnerved her. “The Narkoy call them Hoviss. They’re nasty creatures that feed on the flesh of those who are foolish enough to take refuge in these tunnels. My ancestors brought the Hoviss here to Matrador to serve as security for the city and our firestones.”

“And us?” Zion asked, fully on alert, his weapon drawn.

“I'm Sortec,” Sedom answered cryptically. “Sortec’s blood tastes horrible. You, on the other hand, may want to stick close,” she