Page 22 of Clan and Crave

“It’s tough because you’re fighting yourbattles, your parents are fighting theirs, then you end up fightingeach other though you don’t mean to.”

“Dr. Hupsan says they’re doing better. MyDramok and Imdiko fathers are, anyway. I’m…” His voice died out,unable to admit the worst to Sletran.

“Scared?” The Nobek squeezed his shoulder.“It isn’t anything to be ashamed of, you know. Returning to theranch is a big step, even for a few hours.”

“I wish you could come with me.” It was theclosest Conyod had dared to admitting his adoration for theNobek.

“You can do this, Conyod. The small Imdikokid who stood up to a bunch of bigger, battle-trained Nobeks canhandle anything. You don’t need me to defend you from yourparents.”

It wasn’t fear making Conyod want his hero athis side. Protection had nothing to do when it came to why hewanted Sletran there. However, he hadn’t missed his hero hadreferred to him as a “kid.”

He’d laugh at me if I admitted I’m in lovewith him. Maybe when I’m eighteen he won’t see me as a child.Especially if I stop whining how scared I am.

Two years seemed forever to wait, though.

“I’m good.” He gave Sletran what he hoped wasa self-assured smile. “Don’t worry about me. I can do this.”

“Damned right you can.” Sletran assumed anoffensive stance. “Okay, this time I’ll give you an opening. Itcould be soon, or it could be minutes from now, so stay alert andkeep your head down.”

* * * *

Conyod left Dr. Onbal’s shuttle. His parents’court-appointed therapist had volunteered to bring him home to theranch, since he was to be on hand for the visit. An orderly fromthe psychiatric facility where Conyod currently lived, DramokCotra, followed behind him as he stepped through the hatch.

Conyod’s parents waited in various stages ofanxious anticipation a few steps from the home’s front door. Onlythe front wall was visible, as the rest of the abode was nestled ina small hill. Much of it was underground.

His heart lurched to see his mother Lafeclooking somehow shrunken next to her taller and bulkier clanmates.She’d cut her midnight black hair shorter since he’d last seen her.Her braid reached to her waist instead of mid-thigh. Though shewore the usual work pants and blouse suited for mucking stalls andtraining kestarsh, her clothes were scrupulously clean. Her brownboots appeared new.

His fathers were also dressed for duty, alsoimpressively clean for mid-morning as if they hadn’t been up beforesunrise. He knew it was for show. He wondered if their spotlessstate was for his benefit or Dr. Onbal.

Tuher stepped forward first, Lafec on hisheels. Though they’d visited Conyod regularly at the mental healthfacility, they appeared hesitant. Did they think he’d try to runoff at the slightest wrong move? It seemed they did.

Conyod convinced his feet to carry him towardthem. When Tuher held his arms to him, his smile hopeful, the youthfelt a weight slide free. He stepped in the enveloping hug andrested his cheek against his Dramok father’s chest. His eyes shutto hold in the tears as Tuher pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Thank you for coming, my son. It’s wonderfulto have you here.”

“I’m glad to be home.” For a precious moment,Conyod was.

“Conyod.” Lafec sobbed his name, and Tuherreleased him so he could turn to accept her embrace.

He was surprised to find he was an inchtaller than his mother. He was still smaller than the averagesixteen-year-old, but he was eating better than he had in a longtime. Lafec noticed too as she released the crushing hug she’dgiven him. “You’re growing up, my son. Look at him! He’s getting sotall!”

Conyod heard the note of reproach in hertone, as if he’d done something wrong by maturing beyond herpresence. He also caught the warning glance Sema and Tuherexchanged. The Imdiko tugged their son close, forcing Lafec toreluctantly step aside.

“Indeed, he is growing up. I’m glad you lookso healthy, my son. Is the food that good?” Sema chuckled as heclaimed a hug.

“Nothing beats Mother’s cooking, but I’vestarted an intense exercise regimen, so I eat like a ronka. I can’tshovel enough food in my face lately.”

Conyod didn’t mention his increased appetitehad largely resulted because the anti-anxiety medication he tookkept his stomach from the upset he’d suffered at home. It was easyto eat well when food wasn’t forced to move past the knots tied inhis gut.

“Taller and filling out. I’m glad.” Vellooked him over as he pulled Conyod in his arms. Vel’s embraceswere rare, which made them special…but the youth experienced a noteof fear his Nobek father wouldn’t let him leave later. Lafec wasthe clingiest, but Vel was a close second…and he was willing andable to fight physically for what he wanted.

Conyod managed to refrain from sighing inrelief when Vel released him after a couple of beats. He looked athis parents. They looked at him. Awkward seconds passed.

Distinctive animal rumbles sounded behindConyod, and he swiveled toward the huge corral several yardsdistant. An uninhibited smile burst forth as he noted over half adozen kestarsh standing at the rails looking at him. He recognizedeach of the mares and the stallion Guhof, his curly black fur andmane gleaming in the sunlight.

“It looks as if they’re glad to see you. Sayhello, or they might kick the paddock’s posts down,” Tuherchuckled.

Conyod didn’t need to be invited twice.Laughing, he ran to the corral and its six-legged inhabitants.

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