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

Minutes passed and still no knock. Sedom reached for her weapon's belt, hanging on a hook near the front door, and removed her pistol. Carefully she opened the door, not making a sound.

Standing at the main door was three figures. Two, she was certain were Lolum with his long beard glistening in the pale street-light and Zion. The other was hard to determine. He was turned away, his back slightly bent and his voice low and raspy. The two were arguing about something, but Sedom could not hear exactly what it was.

“Regardless, she won't listen to you. Sortec will have nothing to do with the Rook after what happened between them. Honestly, I doubt she'd like to hear your back on the planet. You are still Rook,” Lolum spoke harsh, yet with a voice that still spoke with kindness and tenderness.

“Ask my ex-wife and she’ll tell you otherwise. All I need is a few minutes. If she wants nothing to do with me, then I'll be on my way,” the man spoke, near pleading.

“If she wants nothing to do with you, you’ll be dead,” Zion pointed out.

Lolum grunted. “No, they’re old friends. She won’t—“

Sedom frowned as she listened to the man's voice. It was a voice she heard before, but where? She searched through her mind, trying to recall where she heard his voice. It wasn’t until she heard the tapping of the man’s cane was she able to make a connection. “Norton Helli?” she called down. She lowered her pistol, resting it against her hip.

All three men turned to her, Norton a bit slower and with aid of a cane. It had been nearly two years since Sedom saved Norton from the Marisheio. He was a game slave whose collar, the very collar Garric wore, malfunctioned. Because of the malfunction, he was able to recall his memories. With a great deal of effort, Sedom had helped him remove the collar. Without his collar, he was able to remember everything about his life, including that he was the spouse of Tipton Rook, who happened to be the sister of Emperor Jarook… her sworn enemy.

Unfortunately, when Sedom found him, his leg had been badly injured by one of her hunting traps and she had to remove it. His other leg was removed when he was a young soldier with the Rycal army.

“Chadon, good to see you're home. I have urgent business I need to speak with you about,” Norton called up the stairs.

Sedom could not help but smile. Norton had a way of talking that always made her smile. “It's okay. I can handle this.” She walked down the stairs to help her friend. “How about we come up to my place and I'll make you some tea.”

“Kind of you, Chadon.” Norton took hold of Sedom's arm as she led him up the stairs. “People here in Gathow certainly do a lot of climbing.”

Sedom glanced back at Zion, who was watching Norton with uneasiness. She nodded, acknowledging his concern. “How in the name of Nom'kel did you find us?” she asked as they entered her quarters.

“Your man, Zion, found me and my guides wandering around the forest. I guess you mentioned my name in passing and he recognized it. He took pity on me and brought us to Lolum,” Norton explained.

Sedom guided him into the living room. “Doubt there was any pity involved. Zion is a Zalmin, a mind-reader. He probably scanned you and saw that I knew you. Who else knows you're here?” she asked. She went into the kitchen area and proceeded to pour Norton a glass of wine from her grandmother's collection and then one for herself.

“Zalmin, hum? That explains a lot. It’s strange to hear you offering me tea. What are you now, twelve?” Norton asked.

“Hum?” Sedom returned with the glass of wine. “The best kind of tea,” she joked.

Norton's eyes widen with delight. “You are heaven-sent. I didn't know any of your grandmother's wine survived. It was always the best...” He took a sip, letting the flavor tickle his tongue. “Perfect. I can't think of anything more...”

“Perfect?” Sedom took a sip, then settled back onto the sofa. “Grandmother stored the wine in Gathow to help with the fermenting process. I'll give you a case when you leave. Much like the firestones, the Narkoy always had wine in abundance.”

“I would like that, thank you.” Norton glanced over at Sedom, frowning. “Aren't you a little young to drink?”

Sedom swished the glass of red-wine around. “My mother started me drinking this when I was five… to gain a tolerance. She figured if I was going to be Chadon, alcohol was part of the job. This,” she lifted her glass, “is one of the strongest alcohols one can drink. The more one drinks, the more the tongue grows loose... partly why it is used so often. She felt if I grew a tolerance, people would assume my tongue was loose... but I'd actually have control.”

“How much can you drink then?”

“Four to five glasses, then I start to feel the effects,” Sedom joked. “So, how many glasses do you need?”

“Three sips,” Norton joked with a slight slur, making Sedom believe he was not joking.

“So... talk to me. Why risk your life to visit me?” Sedom asked.

“The Marnet… who else?” He began with a deep, shuddering breath. “Rumors have it you've been in contact with him. The Dormin government states they know nothing of his whereabouts. We also can't reach Braum Jasper Daveric, who we know knows how we can reach the Marnet.” He handed Sedom his glass for another refill.

Sedom took the hint and went into the kitchen to refill the glass. “And you think I'll volunteer Rokaa?” She returned, handing him back his glass. “Your Emperor is out of his mind.”

“I'm not here to