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

from having to guess and possibly look ill-advised if she was incorrect in her assumptions.

A knock came to the door, followed by the hesitated footsteps of Danstu. He peeked around the corner into her dining room, finding Sedom surrounded by stacks of information pads.

“You sent for me, Chadon?” he asked, anxiously, standing a fair distance away.

Sedom looked up from reading. “Why should I trust you?”

Danstu blinked nervously, unsure how to respond. “I could give you reasons, but I doubt any would do me any good. You’re someone who learns from experience,” he answered.

Sedom grinned, setting aside her computer pad. “You know Narkoy?”

Danstu nodded, stepping into the room further. “I’ve had the pleasure, on a few occasions, to attend social gatherings with my previous employer.”

“Social gatherings?” Sedom questioned. Narkoy didn’t simply invite any off-worlder to their functions. You had to be of great importance in order to be even considered, let alone invited. “You knew my grandmother?” she huffed.

“Didn’t everyone?” Danstu joked back. He raised his hand, wishing he hadn’t said what he did. “Irool.” [sorry]

“No, you’re correct. She knew everyone that could be of importance to the Narkoy,” she continued in Celibec, just to see if he understood her.

“She was quite social and made a point to get to know everyone she came in contact with,” he continued also in Celibec. “Very lovely woman,” he added.

“Who failed miserably,” Sedom growled, causing Danstu to take a step back. “Huh,” she mused, finding it rather interesting he knew how to speak the Narkoy’s language so fluently. She continued to speak in Volk. “Her social gatherings, her friendships, her love of her people… what good it did for us, hum?”

“I’m certain she didn’t know what was coming,” Danstu attempted to comfort.

Sedom smiled, chuckling to herself. “That’s the sad part, she did. She had the time to prepare. Instead, she sent me away and allowed all others to be slaughtered. She was as spoiled and as sheltered as I was and she was completely unprepared.”

Danstu crept further into the room, realizing Sedom wasn’t going to attack him. Her heated words were only spoken in frustration at her situation and in no way aimed towards him.

“At least she had the forethought of sending you away,” he mentioned, hoping she was finally allowing him to join a conversation.

Sedom nodded. “Yes, well, in her mind, I suppose she thought a ten-year-old child was better suited to lead the Narkoy… if any had survived,” she pointed out. She removed a keycard from her front jacket pocket. “Here, you’ll need this to get into key areas, including your new office. You can give Lolum back his card now.”

Danstu took the keycard, grinning. “You approve of my office choice?” he asked, more to be certain of his title than anything else.

“It’s the office of the Chidiil or Chisarel, whoever happens to be second in command of Gathow. I’ve given you level eight security and operations clearance, which will grant you access to pretty much anywhere in Gathow that I can go. Just to mention, Lolum only has level five, so I’m putting a lot of faith in you.”

“Thank you, Chadon.”

Sedom sat up in her seat, feeling the muscles in her back start to ache. She would have to back off punching her bag so long tomorrow. “I also spoke to the Underground regarding your arrangement. Good work. It sounds like you arranged quite a bargain. It’s hard to come by trained personnel.”

Danstu took the card, a sly grin on his lips. “Uh… thanks.”

“Qilo has agreed to take you tomorrow. Be back in two days.” She handed him a computer pad. “I’ve also sweetened the deal to make sure we have a lasting relationship.”

“Why the change of heart?” he asked, surprised at her sudden change in demeanor.

Sedom leaned back in her seat. “Typical Narkoy leader,” she joked, not meaning to. “You’re attempting to give me what I want. I understand that. So, from now on, just ask. I know what everyone says about me. I may be young and naive when it comes to governing Gathow, but I know I’m a good judge of people. You’re smart to be fearful of me, but if we’re going to work together you’re going to need to understand me.”

He read over his manifest, grimacing. He hesitated to speak for a long moment, slowly letting out a forced breath. “Why am I taking Cidele? I don’t know how much help she can be to me.”

Sedom glanced up at him, shooting a quick grin. “History, my new friend. You can learn from it and you can use it,” she returned cryptically. She believed Cidele would be useful from her previous conversations. It was hinted at that Cidele spent a good deal of time working with the Underground. She was also Sedom’s insurance. She had seen the way Danstu looked at her. There was no way he would do anything to jeopardize their possible relationship.

Danstu continued to watch her for a moment more, realizing that their conversation had come to an end. “Very well then, I’ll see you in two days.”

As he left, Zion entered. The two met each other at the door, nodded their greetings and Danstu left.

“Sortec,” he called.

“Buried back here. Bring a shovel,” she called back.

He followed her voice to her dining room. “Redecorating?”

“Hardly.” She handed him a computer pad. “Congratulations, you’re our new head of security. You’ll  need this,” she said.

He took the computer, looking it over. “Orb command codes? What do you want me to do with these?” he questioned.

“Memorize them. In this computer is every security code used to control the three levels of security orbs within Gathow. In the future, they can also be used to control the orbs patrolling the forest. I’ve given you level seven security clearance… for now. You, personally are in control