Page 46 of Claimed By the Alien Barbarian

We continued across the village, only stopping a few times to show Kerry the shops where we collected vegetables the gods provided for us, furniture, and other goods. Our last stop was a shop where we could collect clothing.

“When you say the gods provide these things, you don’t mean it literally, do you?” she asked, obviously skeptical.

“The gods are kind to us,” the clothing shopkeeper, Melwarn, said with an indulgent smile. “For example.” He studied Kerry’s frame before leading her to the back of the shop, where he pulled a few dresses off a rack and held them up in front of her. “This color looks nice on her, doesn’t it?”

“It’s cream,” she said. “It’ll show every stain.”

“The gods will take care of that as well,” he said.

Firion leaned against the entrance door frame, his arms crossed on his chest, watching us. “Take a complete wardrobe,Kerry. Whatever you’d like. Tunics and pants, dresses, or even simple loincloths like my brother seems to enjoy wearing.” He snorted as he studied my frame.

“I wear furs and leather tunics and pants most of the time,” I said with a huff.

“Furs are hot.”

“Actually, they’re not, and it’s cool in the forest. Fur provides warmth in the winter and protection from the heat in the summer. However, I’ll be happy to take clothing home for the rest of my clan, plus some items for myself.”

“Give me their body builds and a list of what you need before you leave,” Melwarn said. “And I’ll put together a packet for you to take with you.”

“Thank you.”

“Alright,” Kerry said, taking two dresses, plus a few tunics and pants that would most likely fit a youngling, but she was tiny compared to a Zuldruxian.

“Watch,” Melwarn said.

Clothing appeared on the rack to replace what she was taking.

She leaned close. “Where did it come from?”

“The gods do a wonderful job keeping my shop stocked, don’t they?” Melwarn said with a boisterous laugh. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that’s plenty.”

“Please come take more before you return to your clan.”

“I will, thanks.” Kerry blinked and shook her head. “If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it. There’s got to be some kind of trick.”

“Just the gods’ indulgence,” Melwarn said.

“What’s the cost?” Kerry’s concerned gaze met mine. “There’s always a price. Nothing is ever given out for free.”

“Here, there is no cost,” Melwarn said, patting her shoulder in a fatherly way. “If you remain on the island, you’ll come to accept it just like we have.”

“Maybe.”

Melwarn packaged her clothing, adding shoes and undergarments, plus a gown she could wear to bed, before handing it to her.

I took it and added it to her pack, swinging it onto my back.

Molly had decided my brother was appealing. She’d initially waddled over and sat, peering up at him while he watched Kerry select clothing. But after she peeped a few times, he lifted her into his arms and held her like a youngling while she purred.

I had a feeling the village would soon be overrun with grundar pets much like ours. Since they hunted mevarns, a pest that sometimes got into cupboards and nibbled on your food, grundar pets might be very welcome.

We left the shop and approached a long flight of stairs that would take us to the upper level of the buildings built along the back wall of the village.

“This way.” Firion led Kerry up the stairs. He stopped at the top and grinned at me as she gaped at the view of the sea stretched out below us and the other islands dotting the sky. A few ryvars soared far above, one spiraling down to spear into the water and emerge with fish in its beak.

“It’s amazing,” Kerry breathed, sharing her smile with me. She took my hand and squeezed it. “The ocean’s beautiful. Our seas are green and dark blue, though with the same white peaks. Here, you have all the shades of purple imaginable, plus a few more. It’s glorious. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of looking at it.”

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