Page 27 of Clan and Crave

Dresk rumbled again and mussed Conyod’s hairby licking it. Then he curled his long neck around the youth’swaist and closed his eyes.

Conyod peered at the nearby window and saw itwas still dark. The clock in his head, honed by the rigorousschedule of a successful and busy ranch, told him he had anotherhour before his parents rose and began the ritual of chores andtraining.

He doubted sleep would return for him, but hesnuggled close to Dresk anyway, pillowing his cheek on the animal’salready large shoulder.

He loved the kestarsh, Dresk particularly,but it was Conyod’s increasing sleepwalking episodes that had ledhim to routinely bedding in the yearling’s stall.

His parents were worried, but Dr. Hupsan hadreassured them Conyod was simply working through private “teenissues.” They had to give him room to deal with his situation, thetherapist insisted. Conyod would confide in them if he felt theneed.

The youth had no doubt Vel came in to checkon him, probably several times a night. The Nobek would have beenup and down anyway, given the uptick in his son’s sleepwalking.Lafec fretted and reminded Conyod damned near hourly she was thereif he wanted to talk. Tuher and Sema let him be, but their worrywas obvious.

They had reason. Conyod was aware as theirsole heir he was expected to remain and work at the ranch once hereached adulthood. To take it over someday when they were no longerable to run it. What they didn’t know was the thought of such afuture made Conyod feel physically ill.

He loved the kestarsh. He loved Dresk. Andyes, despite the anguish they’d suffered and inflicted on eachother, he loved his parents. They would no doubt have beenastonished to know the depth of his feelings for them.

Dwarfing his devotion to stock, Dresk, andfamily was his hatred of Mount Evar looming to shadow the ranch,however. He ignored it as best he could, but it was always there inthe background, a dark reminder of the innocence and joy it hadtaken from his family. It pounced on him in his dreams. He wasconvinced he couldn’t live in its shadow for the rest of hislife.

Adding to his desire to leave Evar behind washis growing fascination with psychology. Having been a patient fora couple of years and witnessing the amazing recoveries Dr. Hupsanhad led him and other troubled Imdiko youth to, Conyod foundhimself wishing to help those who’d been knocked senseless by painand tragedy. For the last six months, twice a week, he’d beenassisting Hupsan in the psychiatric center’s youth group. He wasalso a mentor to two younger Imdikos, who also coped with issuesrelated to their parents. His therapist had praised Conyod forhelping the recalcitrant teens open up about the emotionalturbulence they tended to hide from adults, including theirdoctors.

After thinking about the matter for a coupleof months, Conyod had finally broached the subject of his studyingto be a psychologist to Hupsan. Hupsan’s response had indicatedreal pleasure at the prospect.

“You’d be a wonderful therapist, Conyod. Youhave the intelligence and compassion needed. Your own struggleswould work to your advantage as a psychologist.”

“I’m unsure if my parents would approve.”

“Do you require their approval?”

Conyod managed a grim smile. “It would benice, but no. I’d like to do it whether they agree or not. I waslooking at the Klapel Psychiatric School. It’s connected to thehospital in your district.”

“An excellent institution. You’re used tomaking the two-hour trip back and forth, thanks to meeting me hereat the facility. Or would you move closer?”

Conyod noted the shrewd expression histherapist leveled at him. “I don’t prefer it because of it takingme from home, though I’ll admit it’s a plus.” It was also nearSletran’s duty station. Sletran, who’d recoiled at Conyod’sdeclaration of love the year before.

You’re too young, and you have the wrongimage of me, Imdiko. It isn’t possible for us to have such arelationship.

The rejection stung, but after a few days ofdealing with the pain of it, Sletran’s words had solidifiedConyod’s determination to make him see him differently. He wasn’tsure how, since the Nobek now refused to return his coms andresponded only tersely to his texts…but he’d figure it out.

“What’s your main criteria for consideringKlapel?” Hupsan broke into his ruminations.

“In looking at their curriculum, I found theyoffer the widest range of disciplines and allow their students tofind what best fits their personalities. As long as the studentprogresses steadily for the most part, they don’t rush him throughmeeting the standards.”

“I suppose you know that’s where I studiedand received my license.” Hupsan’s eyes twinkled.

Conyod grinned. “If your compliments for mywork with Eroa and Piwa are sincere, I’m hoping you might write arecommendation. Competition to get in Klapel is fierce, and it’lltake more than my basic studies scores, despite how well Iperformed on the tests. Maybe you could tell me what I shouldconcentrate on studying for the entrance exam?”

Hupsan chuckled. “My praise has been sincere.I’ll be glad not only to write you the letter, but coach you forthe exam and entrance interviews. It’s been a few decades since Iwent through the process, but I’ll help as much as I’m able.”

He had. As Conyod settled from his latestnightmare and lay in the curve of Dresk’s neck, a thrill of eagerterror chased through him. His parents had no idea he’d be sittingfor the entrance exam and initial interview in two days instead ofreporting to the psychiatric facility.

He saw no reason to forewarn them. He mightnot pass. If he did…well, they couldn’t argue against him pursuingan important career at such a prestigious school. They wouldn’t behappy, but they wouldn’t stand in his way.

He’d finally escape those damned mountainsstanding deadly sentinel over his life.

“I’ll still find plenty of time for you,” hewhispered to Dresk. “Two hours shuttle flight isn’t far for me tocome home every few days to train you. It’ll help my parents copeif I’m in and out regularly. If I can get in Klapel, I’ll make itwork. It’s my promise to you.”

* * * *

Sletran, age 35

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