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

the treetops. Two orbs hovered twenty feet above her, constantly scanning the area for threats. One orb’s dome glowed yellow followed by the other as they turned to the stairs leading up to the tower. Both orbs quickly turned back to blue.

“What the hell am I going to do with a base so close to Gathow? It’s going to be impossible to stay hidden for much longer,” she asked herself out loud. One of the orbs beeped. It was the kind of beep that signaled someone was approaching. Sedom glanced over her shoulder to see who it was.

Lolum lumbered up the steps, his cane knocking on each of the rises as he climbed. “Why couldn't you pick an easier hiding place to get to?” he asked.

“I'm not hiding.” Sedom turned back to the city. “I'm thinking.”

“Can't you think someplace with fewer steps?” he grumbled as he tapped his cane against the wood flooring. Sedom didn't respond. “Okay, you’ve been up here a long time. What have you thought about?”

“War,” Sedom replied vaguely.

Lolum nodded, he too watching the burning city. “What about it?”

“You can't start one without an army,” Sedom replied.

“Typically, just as you can't win without losing. There is no real winner in war, only victory and change,” Lolum pointed out.

She nodded, her eyes distant. “I want change. To get change I must go to war. To go to war, I need soldiers that will fight for my cause. I have a military base and a fortune in firestones, but I have to admit other than me personally battling the Marisheio, I haven't a clue how to rage war. I need help, but again I have no concept where to look for it. My grandmother had a military advisor, a political advisor, a government advisor, an advisor…” she paused closing her eyes to hold back her frustration and tears. “She had many advisors. I have you and no offense, you’re not enough.”

“That's very adult of you and none was taken,” Lolum said. His comment was returned with a scolding look by Sedom. “We need good people, we both know that. We have close to three hundred new faces in Gathow... all which are frightened over what the Marisheio did, uncertain what they're going to do and all upset over losing their loved ones. If we allow them to stay we can, at least if nothing else, start to build a platform to work from.”

Sedom shrugged away his comment. “Let them stay. As you said, we need them. Inform Nokinil to regain his position as city’s mayor and give him an office fitting for his position. You will handle the non-military internal operations of Gathow. He’ll report to you as will Cidele. I want her to continue preparing units for more residence. I don't have the time to deal with city politics. My concern is gathering a military.”

Lolum nodded. “I’ll see to it. Also, I want to mention Danstu Keriney. I believe he would be an asset to our community in a leadership role. I’m going to first speak with him this evening about helping us find the right positions for all our new citizens.”

Sedom was already lost in her own thoughts. She nodded without listening to what Lolum said. Lolum hugged her against his arm. “We'll figure this out.”

“I only hope it isn’t too late. A lot of people died in the Crowarl attack… people I could have saved if I had an army.”

“There’s a lot you saved too,” Lolum pointed out. “You’re still young and a child, as much as I know you hate to admit it. Let other’s help you. You are our leader, but no one expects you to do this alone.”

Sedom rested her head against Lolum’s shoulder. It’s not something she would normally do, but in this case, it felt right. “Then why do I feel so alone? I feel like I have to be constantly on guard, constantly making decisions. And you know what I really want to do?”

“What, Sedom?” Lolum asked.

“Play kickball,” she sighed. “Just play kickball. Not have to rescue doctors from military compounds. Not to have to shoot Marisheio in the back of their heads to keep them from killing an innocent child, who, like me, only wants to play kickball.”

“Then take the time and play kickball,” Lolum said.

Sedom pulled away, looking at Lolum as if he lost his mind. “Right. Leaders lead. Children play kickball. I can’t have both. The day my grandmother died was the end of my kickball days,” she said. “I’m tired. I think I’ll head home. Arrange a meeting tomorrow evening with Nokinil to go over what I expect of him and his people. Also, figure out what kind of advisors I need. It would help to know what I’m doing and when I should be doing it.”

“And Danstu?” Lolum asked.

“If you deem him an asset, I’ll be open to using him. He does have me curious. It’s not every man who would attempt to go hiking in the forest with shined skins,” she mused. Lolum gave her a questioning glance. “Fancy leather shoes. Narkoy thing… I still consider them taboo,” she clarified.

“You Narkoy always did have your quirks about leather,” he joked. “I’ll mention it to him.”

***

Cidele bumped into the door of the apartment she had assigned to Danstu. In her arms, she carried bed linen, a nice blanket, a pillow and a bag of toiletries. The giant bag holding his linen was draped over her left arm, making it nearly impossible to knock on the door.

“Oh! I can’t believe this!” she cried as she struggled to reach the door. The door opened, allowing Cidele to enter. “Thank goodness,” she huffed. Without knowing who she was talking to, she heaped the blanket onto him. “Picked up some of the items we were out of. I hope you’re not allergic to