Page 17 of Clan and Crave

Hupsan had already outlined his plan toConyod, telling him therapy would only work if he were on board.The youth, his focus on escaping the smothering atmosphere of hisparents’ home, had agreed without really thinking it through.

Realization he’d be committed to apsychiatric facility and there was no clear date of departure shookhim. What if Hupsan determined he was too damaged to release? Whatif his parents couldn’t stop being overbearing?

Panic sent his heart racing. Tears stung hiseyes. He looked frantically at Sletran again. Did the Nobek thinkhe should go through with it? Would he save Conyod if it was a badidea?

Sletran offered him a smile and a nod.It’s okay, he mouthed. Breathe.

Conyod inhaled. His heart didn’t return tonormal, but it calmed enough for the instant of terror toquiet.

He still had the sense he was outside hisbody as the judge asked his parents’ lawyer if he had anything toadd. Something was said about Conyod’s welfare being their soleconcern, that they’d do better and go for family counseling iftheir son was returned to them immediately.

The judge ruled against Clan Tuher, optingfor the psychologists’ recommendations. Vel was warned when hisfists repeatedly hammered the table. Court security guards came into make sure he offered no threat to anyone. Lafec broke downcompletely. Sema held her, whispering in her ear as he shed silenttears. Tuher confronted his lawyer, demanding how strangers couldtake custody of his son simply because the boy had done what boyswere known to do throughout history…run off for a few days on ahigh-spirited lark.

“I was hoping they’d allow you to say goodbyebefore the separation, but I fear it would cause more trouble inyour parents’ current state,” Hupsan whispered to Conyod. “Let’s goto another room. Perhaps in a couple of minutes, when they’vecalmed a little, we can manage a proper farewell until your firstvisit.”

Conyod couldn’t feel his legs, but he somehowmanaged to rise as the psychologist tugged him to his feet. Thedrama was far from finished, however. When he realized Conyod wasleaving, Vel roared, “You can’t take my son from me!” and racedaround the table. The court guards rushed after him, but it wasclear the Nobek would reach Conyod before they could stop him.

Sletran was abruptly there, standing betweenVel and Conyod. “Go quickly,” he told Hupsan. An instant later, heand the irate father were nose to nose.

Hupsan shoved Conyod through the door asshouts filled the air. It closed behind them, cutting the mayhemoff.

“In here,” Hupsan said, approaching a doordirectly across the hall from the hearing room.

It was another hearing room, identical tothat which Conyod had just left, minus the scattered computers onthe conference table. The window vids were blank, whereas in theother room, a tranquil view of ronkas grazing on the plains hadbeen depicted.

“Sit down, Conyod,” Hupsan invited in hisgentle tone. He pulled a hover chair from the table for theteen.

Conyod fell in it rather than sitting, hisnerveless legs done supporting him. He stared at the therapist, thestrange dislocation in his head dissipating.

“I’m sorry it became so emotional in there,”Hupsan began. “You did well considering—”

Conyod’s harsh, braying sobs cut him off. Theyouth folded his arms on the table’s surface and burrowed his facein them as overwhelming fear and grief took hold.

He had no idea how long he sat there andcried. Long enough to visualize his mother’s and Imdiko father’stearstained faces in his mind’s eye. His Dramok father’s shatteredexpression as disbelief gave way to the realization Conyod wasn’tcoming home. And over and over, his Nobek father’s infuriated,despairing yells as he reached vainly for his surviving child.

Conyod had destroyed his family, who’d onlywished to protect him from the same end Hoslek had suffered. Theiragony was his fault.

He slowly became aware of a hand rubbing slowcircles on his back, offering comfort. Of two voicesconversing.

“…I’m sorry Nobek Vel can’t be trusted tospeak to the boy and say goodbye.” Hupsan, a few feet to theright.

“He’s upset, which is understandable. I’d betempted to say they love Conyod too much, but such a notion isridiculous.” It was Sletran standing behind him, offering whatconsolation he could.

“No, you can’t love your children too much.It’s only problematic when love turns into an obsessive effort toguard them from the slightest hint of trouble. Dr. Alat said inthis case it’s particularly acute where the Nobek and Matara areconcerned.”

“I feel for them. It’s a shame their griefhas caused so much damage.”

“Indeed. He’s quieting. Conyod, are youcalming down?”

Sletran’s warm breath and voice were close toConyod’s ear. “Hey, buddy. When you feel up to it, your mother anda couple of your fathers want to speak to you before you go.”

Conyod rubbed his eyes on his forearms.Sletran had heard him bawling and would see his reddened eyes, buthe didn’t have to show him his childish tears. When he’d broughthimself under control, he met the Nobek’s gaze.

Despite the ache in his chest, pleasureshivered through him at Sletran’s compassionate regard. “I madesuch a mess of everything.”

“You did what you had to in order to survive.There’s no shame in it, Conyod. Your parent clan needed a wakeupcall. You may not believe it right now, but life will get a lotbetter. It may take a few weeks, but you’re on your way.”

Conyod sat up, his gaze never wavering fromhis hero. “Do you really think so?”

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