Page 21 of Clan and Crave

“I was there. I was the only person who wasaround to stop Hoslek, and I failed.”

“You were a little boy, Conyod. What couldyou have done?”

“I don’t know. There should have beensomething.” He hunched helplessly.

“There wasn’t. There was absolutely nothingyou could have done to change the result of what happened. Hoslekhad made his decision, and he was going to carry it out no matterwhat you did. It was a tragedy in which no one was truly at fault.Not Hoslek, who was doing what he thought was right. Not yourparents, to whom it had been proven he was responsible enough toretrieve the kestarsh when they escaped their corral, especiallysince ranch hands were nearby to offer help had Hoslek asked forit. Certainly not you, a mere child who was under no obligation tosupervise his older brother’s actions.”

Conyod raised his eyes at the firm tone. Theconviction Hupsan wore was ironclad.

Could it be true? Had it been no one’s faultHoslek had died due to what was no doubt a chance encounter with azibger?

He wanted to believe it, but his brotherwasn’t coming home. It seemed wrong somehow to hold no one toaccount for the loss.

* * * *

“Arms up, body curled, Conyod. Block, block,block.”

The young Imdiko peered between his forearmsat Sletran, who circled him while throwing soft punches. Thewarrior’s fists were enclosed in foam gloves, which gentled alreadymild blows. Conyod’s forearms kept his head and upper bodyshielded. He protected his belly by hunching low while searchingfor an opening to strike.

It was no use. Sletran had no weaknesses. Hegave Conyod no opportunity to launch an offense.

“Question,” he called.

Sletran halted the barrage at once. Hestraightened and eyed his pupil. “What’s up?”

“What am I supposed to do when my enemyoffers no chance for me to fight back? That’s what’s happening hereunless I’m missing something.”

“You aren’t.” Sletran grinned. “I usuallyleave a gap for you to try the moves I’ve taught you, to see ifyou’ve been paying attention. Which you usually do, I’m glad tosay.”

His praise warmed Conyod, who returned thesmile. “So, you didn’t want me to go on offense this time? Thenwhat’s the point?”

“The point is, my young friend, often youwon’t get an opening to take advantage of. At least, not rightaway. You may end up against an opponent who’s too good to offeryou a lucky break.”

“What do I do if it happens?”

“What you just did. Keep protecting yourselfand hope your enemy tires himself enough to make a mistake. Byconcentrating on defense, you won’t get exhausted as fast, thoughyou might be plenty bruised before he either overcomes you or youcan seize your opportunity to fight or run.”

“Or have a big, brave Nobek save my ass.”

Sletran chuckled. “Naturally. Sometimesvictory is in merely surviving. Failing to win a fight or destroyyour foes but living to see another day with your honor intact canbe reward enough.”

“Has such a situation happened to you?”

“In simulated battles as part of the groundtroops, yes. It isn’t pleasant. Nobeks hate to lose.”

“But it’s sort of pretend, isn’t it? Whatabout for real?”

“I haven’t been challenged yet, which meansit’s always on my mind. If I face an opponent I can’t win againstbut come out alive, will I be content simply to have endured? Ihope so, because as a soldier, it’s a very real risk.”

Conyod was quiet as he considered. Finally,he said, “Hold on until you can’t any longer. That’s thelesson?”

“Pretty much. I had an instructor who retiredas a Global Security officer. He told us of having to battle twomen hand-to-hand for an entire hour. He was jumped by these guys hewas investigating while he was off duty, so he didn’t have hisblaster on him. Just blades against blades, then fists againstfists.”

Conyod was awed. “Wow. Intense. An hour-longfight? I’m beat after fifteen minutes, and you aren’t trying tokill me.”

“Don’t ignore basic fitness, my friend.Endurance training is as important as learning to defend yourself.”Sletran eyed him for a moment. “It can be said the same forpreparing to face emotional and mental challenges too. You’revisiting your parents soon.”

Conyod’s stomach instantly knotted. “Yeah. Idon’t think I’m ready.”

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