Page 62 of Clan and Crave
Unwanted guests, Conyod corrected inhis mind. Sema and Tuher might have presented the least oppositionagainst his life choices, but they’d make clear their sharedopinion he belonged on the ranch under their watchful eyes,nonetheless.
Erybet hadn’t reacted to his parents’ obviousresistance to his presence. He smiled, spoke of his delight to meetthem, and complimented the ranch. “This country is beautiful. Itmakes this military brat wish he’d had the opportunity toexperience life off the base more.”
Which had elicited Vel’s comment hinting aDramok had no place in the ground forces.
“My whole family was a part of Kalquor’sdefense. They forcibly retired my mother, of course, but we love itanyway. There’s no more fulfilling career to my mind. This ranch ischallenging my assumption, however. Conyod says your kestarsh arethe most sought after on the continent.”
“We’ve worked hard for our reputation. Conyodhimself is an excellent trainer. We wish he’d chosen that route.”Tuher’s features were frozen.
Erybet met the other Dramok’s gaze. “If I’mfortunate to win your son as my clanmate, I have no intention ofkeeping him from you. He’ll visit as much as he chooses, no less. Ihope to add to his life, not subtract others he loves from it. Myfirst thought, my only thought, is to do right by Conyod inevery area of his life I’m capable of.”
Conyod’s stomach churned as he waited for hisparents’ response to the bald statement. For a couple ofheart-stopping seconds, there was none.
Then Lafec’s shoulders sagged, as if she’dbeen handed an expected defeat. Her tone wasn’t friendly, but therewas no antagonism either when she motioned to Conyod, Erybet, andSletran to follow her to the house. “Come in and let us offer you aproper greeting and refreshments, Dramok Erybet. We can take a fewminutes from our chores.”
* * * *
Dusk found the trio riding a trail beyond theborders of the ranch. Conyod and Sletran rode, at any rate. Erybethad to settle for clinging desperately to his saddle as his mount,a typically sedate mare named Adwal, let her displeasure known tobe ridden by someone who had no idea what he was doing.
Conyod stifled a laugh as Erybet rockedprecariously when Adwal’s smooth gait was interrupted by a coupleof kicks from her middle pair of legs.
“I know!” the hapless Dramok shouted at themare. “I’m like a sack of gusasp, and you aren’t a pack animal. Iswear, I’m trying.”
Dresk, whom Conyod rode, bumped his muzzleagainst Adwal’s neck. Conyod sensed Dresk was offering bothsympathy and a warning to the mare. Then the kestarsh stallionoffered his head to Erybet to help steady him.
“Thanks,” the Dramok said. He scratched Dreskbetween his pointed ears. “At least you accept me.”
Dresk tossed his head in a nod.
“If the guys at the base could see you now,”Sletran chuckled to Erybet.
“I’m glad they can’t. My pride is taking abeating.” He laughed though, in good spirits despite Adwal’shijinks.
Conyod believed between his parent clan andthe kestarsh, if Erybet did decide to stick around, he was adefinite keeper. Clan Tuher had maintained a polite distance whilethey and Erybet had gotten acquainted at breakfast, then during theriding lessons in the corral in the afternoon. Conyod consoledhimself they’d treated his intended Dramok no worse than they didSletran. As far as the beasts had been concerned, none of the mareshad taken to Erybet’s clumsy attempts to ride. As irritable as shewas, Adwal had been the least troublesome, so when they’d decidedto hit the trail for an hour, she’d drawn what she no doubtbelieved to be the short straw.
Erybet had remained cheerful throughout theordeal. When the kestarsh’s tricks during the riding lesson hadelicited laughter from those who watched, he’d laughed loudest ofall. His acceptance as the butt of the animals’ abuse showed nosign of being forced. Conyod was certain his amused patience hadgone a long way to earning Dresk’s accord.
“How does it compare to combat training?”Conyod asked as Erybet held the grip hard when Adwal danced fromside to side the moment Dresk turned away.
“Let’s just say I’m glad this lady isn’t ableto shoot a blaster.”
Conyod and Sletran howled as Dresk stared atAdwal until she steadied her stride again.
Sletran suddenly sat up straighter on hismount. “Who…what’s that?”
Conyod gazed in the direction of his stare. Asmall shape in white flitted among the rocks in the foothillsahead, then disappeared.
He drew Dresk to a stop, and the othershalted too. His heart pounded. “It was small.”
“It looked like a child to me,” Erybet said.“Who lives in this area?”
“No one. The ranch is the closest place formiles.”
“If it is a child, it’s late for him to be inan area where he could be hurt. Maybe he’s the ghost boy the ranchhands told me about? Here’s our chance to solve the mystery.” Farfrom nervous, the Dramok appeared excited to glimpse the locallegend.
“We should find out, especially if a kid’sinvolved.” Sletran spurred his mount and raced forward.
“Come on, Adwal. If you run fast, you mightget your wish of me falling off,” Erybet urged. Tossing her head,she took him up on the challenge and galloped in Sletran’swake.