Page 32 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

“My grandfather died not long after I was banished,” Nevarn said. “And my older brother took over.”

Banished byfamily, another sad brick to add to this growing wall.

“Traedors sound like clan royalty,” I said. “Like a king.”

He shrugged, and I could tell he didn’t quite know what I meant. “Some clan elders choose a new traedor when one dies. In other clans, males battle for the honor of leading. In the Dastalon Clan, any surviving youngling of the current clan traedor will take the position when the elder has died, assuming they’re old enough to assume the role. If they’re not, they’re raised by elders, taught how to be a good leader.”

“That is a bit like a royal line. I can’t believe your grandfather didn’t believe you when you told him you didn’t kill her.”

“He was a strict male, and the evidence made me look guilty. When no one could find signs that someone else had been near, they accused and banished me. I left with only my weapons and the clothing I wore when I found her.”

“They accused you of murdering her and banished you the very same day? No trial or any kind of hearing?”

He frowned. “They could hear me well. I protested and explained that I found her mortally wounded, but they didn’t believe me.”

“Did you tell them she was trying to tell you something, maybe even the name of her murderer, when she died? That might’ve swayed your grandfather’s mind.”

“It wouldn’t have brought her back, and it wouldn’t have pointed to who killed her, so I didn’t mention it. I wasn’t allowed to take anything else with me, not even my ryvar who I raised from the time he hatched from an egg.”

“What’s a ryvar?”

“They’re very large birds the Dastalon Clan members ride through the sky.”

My snort of laughter faded fast. He was serious about this. A spark of excitement shot through me. Maybe hewasalso serious about islands floating in the sky. How amazing was that?

I walked faster, eager to see. “Your large birds sound like a dragon, which is cool, because I love them.” I tipped my head back and peered at the sky. “Do they breathe fire?”

“No.”

“Snatch up people and eat them?”

“They do eat meat, but it’s rare for them to attack one of us.”

“What about humans?” I asked with a shiver. I hefted my bow and tapped the ends of the new arrows I’d made last night resting in their sheath.

“Not so far.”

“I’ll remain alert then.”

“Is a dragon a large bird on your planet?” he asked.

“Not really. Some say dragons existed long ago, but we’ve found no evidence they did. They’re stories told around a campfire and something we read about in fantasy books. We had large birds the size of dragons in the past, but they all died.”

“There are many large predators here,” he told me in a hushed voice. “Be on alert at all times.”

Nodding, I kept my bow close.

“You said you were banished. Did you find your new clan after you left?” I asked.

“Fourteen males left with me. They didn’t believe I’d done it, but like me, they couldn’t prove it. It caused a rift in my old clan, one that has only partly healed since my grandfather died. I recently saw my brother, and he told me my banishment had ended, that I could return to live with the clan, but I refusedhis offer.” He stared forward as we walked. “I’ve created a new home, and I’m happy there.”

“Where are the other Earth women you mentioned?”

“Two live with their mates—both clan traedors.”

“Willingly?”

“Adoringly.”

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