Page 51 of Cherished By the Alien Outlaw

I suspected Aizor who'd once mentioned that a large Zuldruxian had taken it from him when he was searching for his mate who was in danger. “The Indigan Clan lives with the crystal gods, so I think it came from there. Aizor, their traedor, once had a sword like that. I could take it with us and offer it to him. If it’s not his, he could ask around to discover who it belongs to.”

Davon shook his head. “I want to deliver it myselfalong with my apology. When the season is over, and before we journey to our winter oasis, I’ll travel to the Indigan Clan and offer Aizor the sword myself.”

“Alright.” I’d keep the information to myself the next time I saw Aizor. But I’d mention that Davon might be visiting the clan soon and explain how helpful he’d been with us. I’d ask Aizor to treat him kindly. Aizor wasn’t a traedor who acted on impulse. If this was his sword, he’d recognize it and be rightly angry.

As the day waned, we sat with the small clan of fifteen members in the shade near the pool. The storm had taken its fury out on the surrounding area before it left, but other than the light dusting on some of the vegetation and some limbs downed from the trees, I could almost believe it hadn’t happened. It would take time to shove the fear I’d felt and the sound of the howling wind from my mind, plus the feel of sand pelting us relentlessly.

One of the clansmales had lit a fire. I saw only one female in the clan, their elder, the mother of one of the members. This was common with small clans, especially in the recent years. Very few females were born. Our future was at stake. The clan clearly revered and doted on her, bringing her drinks and snacks before she could voice interest in such things. She sat in the only true chair, and I assumed they carried it with them when they traveled. On the far side of the huts, I’d seen a fenced area holding enormous beasts unlike any I’d seen before in my life. He told us they packed their belongings on the creatures and rode or led them across the desert, that thebeasts could survive for days on little water and food, though they pampered them when they stayed at the oases. Like the pool, the gods had protected the creatures, somehow covering them with an unseen shield that kept the sand and wind from reaching them.

“I want to extend an offer,” I said as the sun dropped close to the horizon. We’d leave soon, and Davon had insisted he’d travel with us until we reached the edge of the desert, stating that if we took two of the beasts, their loping strides would make it possible to bring us to the edge before dawn.

The elder peered my way through rheumy eyes, and I saw only openness there. These people were as kind and welcoming as my own, and I hoped they’d listen and consider what I had to say.

“Your way of life is quite admirable,” I said. “But have you considered leaving the desert and living among the other clans?”

The elder spat, her gaze sharpening. “Why would we do such a thing? The Browze Clan has always lived here, and we always will.”

“I want to hear what Firion has to say,” Coovik said, his gaze full of longing. “Tell us what you mean.”

Davon grunted but said nothing, only slanting a long look his brother’s way.

“Many of the clans are small,” I said, and the elder nodded in agreement. “Some have chosen to live together. The Ulistar Clan, for example. They’re only eleven or so people, and they love living in their shrooms.” I explained what they were to Talia, andCoovik listened with equal interest. Had he ever traveled beyond the desert? I suspected he hadn’t.

“They sound like huge mushrooms,” Talia said in awe. “And they live inside them?”

“I’ll show you when we visit the Indigan Clan, where the Ulistars have now settled. They planted spores and their homes grew quickly.”

“Do the Indigans live inside these shrooms as well?” Coovik asked, his face screwing up with confusion. “I can’t imagine such a thing.” He glanced at the huts clustered together a short distance away. “They can’t be as nice as our homes.”

“You’d be surprised,” I said. “They’re large and quite comfortable, and the gods within the shrooms care for those who live within them, crafting furniture, clothing, and some of their food. Never meat. Our stone gods don’t provide meat either.”

“Vegetarian gods,” Talia mused, her lips twitching.

“The Indigan Clan lives inside crystal structures that sprouted long ago near a huge crystal cave system full of steaming hot pools where they bathe.”

Talia’s breath caught. “Hot pools? It sounds amazing. I’m trying to picture crystal homes, but I can’t.”

“They’re large and they gleam in the sunlight, much like Davon’s sword,” I said.

Her attention wandered to it before returning to me. All the clan watched me intently, and I suspected many were seriously taking in my words. I was sure they treasured their way of life, but their clan was small. With nofemales, they’d die out and that would be the end of the Browze Clan.

“As I said, clans have started to gather together,” I said. “They maintain their original way of life, but they share resources and skills. For example, Aizor’s mate enjoys cooking.”

“Their crystal gods don’t do this for them like your stone gods?” Davon asked.

“Their gods do, but she enjoys preparing food. She often cooks things unlike anything you’ve eaten before, various things she enjoyed on her home planet, Earth.” I smiled at Talia. “Cookies and bread. Cake, even. I’ve tried it, and it’s wonderful.”

“Cake? Count me in,” she said with a laugh. “I figured I’d never taste those things again, though it’s a worthy tradeoff to be with you.” She leaned into my side. We sat on the ground near the fire, but the sand was soft, and it was comfortable visiting in this way.

“She’s not the only human female living with the gathered clans,” I said.

Davon and the other males leaned forward, intently listening.

“The gods collected females from Earth and brought them here to be our mates. If they choose.” I stressed the last. “None would ever be forced into such a relationship. But at least three of the humans have mated with clan traedors.” I showed off the mating mark on my hand, and Talia revealed hers as well. It had appeared after we made love this morning, and I’d marveled about it all day long and couldn’t stop kissing it, to her amusement.

“Only traedors have been given mates?” one of the males asked, his lips twisting. “Davon may be lucky then, but what about the rest of us?”

“They brought many females, and they keep them on the central god island. It’s said they will send them to their prospective mates when the time is right.”

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