Clan Beginnings: Clan and Crave - Chapter Four, Scene Two

 

Releasing May 31. Pre-order now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, print

A court appearance, desperate parents, and Sletran to the rescue again

* * * * 

Conyod, age 15

“Imdiko Conyod is suffering from extreme anxiety anddepression, stemming from a home environment overwhelmed by guilt and fear,”the psychologist sporting a waist-length black braid told the judge. “Hisnatural need for independence at his age is being suffocated by a parent clanstruggling to put the death of their elder son to rest for the benefit of theyounger.”

“How dare you say these things!” Lafec burst out. “You,who’ve never known the loss of a child! Put Hoslek to rest? We couldn’t findhis body to do so!”

The men of Clan Tuher, sitting across the polishedconference table from Conyod in the closed hearing, looked as affronted.However, their lawyer gave Tuher a pleading look. Conyod’s Dramok father, whomthe boy looked uncannily similar to, took Lafec’s hand to quiet her.

“A poor choice of words, Dr. Hupsan,” he told the therapistwho’d been in charge of evaluating Conyod. “I should hope a licensedpsychologist would be better able to choose his words to a frightened andhurting family.”

Hupsan’s expression was compassionate as he addressedConyod’s parents. “Your loss has indeed been tremendous. However, Hoslekdisappeared, and no doubt died, eight years ago.”

“We’re well aware when he was taken from us,” Lafec fumed.

The therapist, his kind face lightly lined and hair showingskeins of gray, continued. “I understand your grief for a child taken from lifetoo young. Nonetheless, such a long period of existing in a state of continualmourning has had damaging effects on Conyod. He’s drastically underweight. Hedoesn’t sleep more than four hours a night due to frequent nightmares.”

“His brother died! He was the last to see him alive! Ofcourse he’s having difficulty getting over it.”

Hupsan refused to deviate from what he felt was important.“Despite being cold, frightened, and hungry while on the run, Conyod describedtwo weeks away from you, his parent clan, as quote: ‘the first time I’ve beenable to breathe in forever.’”

Clan Tuher stared at Conyod in disbelieving horror. Heglanced away, unable to stand the anguish he’d stamped on their faces. Thesense he’d betrayed them was choking.

His gaze slid to the man standing at the far end of theroom. Nobek Sletran had agreed to his request to remain on hand as emotionalsupport following his testimony on how he’d come upon Conyod fending off theyoung bullies. Though he did nothing but watch Conyod as the proceedingsunfolded, his calm and steady presence was a lifeline. The sense of securityand safety he’d given the young Imdiko remained in force. Conyod clungdesperately to the image of Sletran as his savior.

The Nobek met his glance and dipped the slightest of nods. It’sokay. You’ve got this.

The child protection agent who’d brought charges againstClan Tuher motioned to another psychologist. Dr. Alat had interviewed Conyod’sparents in preparation for the hearing. He stood as Hupsan sank to his chair.Older than Hupsan, his hair was silver shot with white.

“Honorable Judge, Clan Tuher is understandably devastated bythe loss of their eldest son. They’ve found no release from cataclysmic griefin the years since Hoslek’s disappearance. Feelings of tremendous guilt, ratherthan being dealt with in a healthy manner, have been channeled into anoverprotectiveness toward their younger son, Conyod.

“By their own admission, this fifteen-year-old youth issubjected to their constant supervision. He’s unable to go on outings amongfriends his age unless a parent accompanies him…indeed, Conyod has few friendsleft due to the nature of his parents’ overzealous protection.”

Lafec’s defensive anger visibly drained, leaving herexpression devastated. She began to cry.

“No one in this family has sought grief counseling in theaftermath of Hoslek’s death. It’s resulted in an unhealthy home environment forall concerned. While I have no doubt Clan Tuher holds Conyod’s wellbeing inhighest regard…which is obvious from their strict observation of his every movefor the last eight years…his physical and mental health is deteriorating intheir care.

“It is this independent psychologist’s opinion Imdiko Conyodshould be removed from the home, at least temporarily.”

Lafec and Conyod’s Imdiko father Sema both cried out. Velgrowled. Tuher sat frozen, his eyes wide.

For his part, Conyod felt lightheaded. He seemed to floatfrom his body to watch the proceedings from afar.

“My recommendation is for Clan Tuher to enter grief andparental counseling. Depending on Dr. Hupsan’s recommendations for Conyod, ClanTuher should be denied custody until they have completed therapy anddemonstrated they can provide a stable and supportive environment for theirson.”

Alat resumed his seat. Conyod’s Nobek father half-rose, hisenraged gaze skewering the therapist. Tuher grabbed Vel’s arm. Shaking, heeased down.

The judge, his broad, impassive features patient as hewaited for emotions to be brought under control, finally deemed they were readyto continue. “Dr. Hupsan, your recommendations for Imdiko Conyod?”

Hupsan stood. “Honorable Judge, it’s my opinion Conyod wouldbenefit from inpatient residence where he can receive daily counseling. Thefacility I work in specializes in Imdiko youth. As I’m now familiar with hiscase, I’d personally work on his rehabilitation.”

“The end result being?”

“Grief and trauma counseling will help him gain perspectiveon his brother’s disappearance. Conyod was the last to see Hoslek alive andcarries guilt he was unable to stop him from riding out to capture the escapedkestarsh. Treatment and teaching him coping skills for his anxiety anddepression would also be an imperative…as well as giving him the opportunity togain the independence skills he’s been denied. Once Conyod has exhibited theability to maintain emotional equilibrium and established himself in his ownmind as a self-determining individual, he’ll be allowed to rejoin his parentclan, provided they meet the requirements Dr. Alat has named.”

Hupsan had already outlined his plan to Conyod, telling himtherapy would only work if he were on board. The youth, his focus on escapingthe smothering atmosphere of his parents’ home, had agreed without reallythinking it through.

Realization he’d be committed to a psychiatric facility andthere was no clear date of departure shook him. What if Hupsan determined hewas too damaged to release? What if his parents couldn’t stop beingoverbearing?

Panic sent his heart racing. Tears stung his eyes. He lookedfrantically at Sletran again. Did the Nobek think he should go through with it?Would he save Conyod if it was a bad idea?

Sletran offered him a smile and a nod. It’s okay, hemouthed. Breathe.

Conyod inhaled. His heart didn’t return to normal, but itcalmed enough for the instant of terror to quiet.

He still had the sense he was outside his body as the judgeasked his parents’ lawyer if he had anything to add. Something was said aboutConyod’s welfare being their sole concern, that they’d do better and go forfamily counseling if their son was returned to them immediately.

The judge ruled against Clan Tuher, opting for thepsychologists’ recommendations. Vel was warned when his fists repeatedlyhammered the table. Court security guards came in to make sure he offered nothreat to anyone. Lafec broke down completely. Sema held her, whispering in herear as he shed silent tears. Tuher confronted his lawyer, demanding howstrangers could take custody of his son simply because the boy had done whatboys were known to do throughout history…run off for a few days on a high-spiritedlark.

“I was hoping they’d allow you to say goodbye before theseparation, but I fear it would cause more trouble in your parents’ currentstate,” Hupsan whispered to Conyod. “Let’s go to another room. Perhaps in acouple of minutes, when they’ve calmed a little, we can manage a properfarewell until your first visit.”

Conyod couldn’t feel his legs, but he somehow managed torise as the psychologist tugged him to his feet. The drama was far fromfinished, however. When he realized Conyod was leaving, Vel roared, “You can’ttake my son from me!” and raced around the table. The court guards rushed afterhim, but it was clear the Nobek would reach Conyod before they could stop him.

Sletran was abruptly there, standing between Vel and Conyod.“Go quickly,” he told Hupsan. An instant later, he and the irate father werenose to nose.

Hupsan shoved Conyod through the door as shouts filled theair. It closed behind them, cutting the mayhem off.

“In here,” Hupsan said, approaching a door directly acrossthe hall from the hearing room.

It was another hearing room, identical to that which Conyodhad just left, minus the scattered computers on the conference table. Thewindow vids were blank, whereas in the other room, a tranquil view of ronkasgrazing on the plains had been depicted.

“Sit down, Conyod,” Hupsan invited in his gentle tone. Hepulled a hover chair from the table for the teen.

Conyod fell in it rather than sitting, his nerveless legsdone supporting him. He stared at the therapist, the strange dislocation in hishead dissipating.

“I’m sorry it became so emotional in there,” Hupsan began.“You did well considering—”

Conyod’s harsh, braying sobs cut him off. The youth foldedhis arms on the table’s surface and burrowed his face in them as overwhelmingfear and grief took hold.

He had no idea how long he sat there and cried. Long enoughto visualize his mother’s and Imdiko father’s tearstained faces in his mind’seye. His Dramok father’s shattered expression as disbelief gave way to therealization Conyod wasn’t coming home. And over and over, his Nobek father’sinfuriated, despairing yells as he reached vainly for his surviving child.

Conyod had destroyed his family, who’d only wished toprotect him from the same end Hoslek had suffered. Their agony was his fault.

He slowly became aware of a hand rubbing slow circles on hisback, offering comfort. Of two voices conversing.

“…I’m sorry Nobek Vel can’t be trusted to speak to the boyand say goodbye.” Hupsan, a few feet to the right.

“He’s upset, which is understandable. I’d be tempted to saythey love Conyod too much, but such a notion is ridiculous.” It was Sletranstanding behind him, offering what consolation he could.

“No, you can’t love your children too much. It’s onlyproblematic when love turns into an obsessive effort to guard them from theslightest hint of trouble. Dr. Alat said in this case it’s particularly acutewhere the Nobek and Matara are concerned.”

“I feel for them. It’s a shame their grief has caused somuch damage.”

“Indeed. He’s quieting. Conyod, are you calming down?”

Sletran’s warm breath and voice were close to Conyod’s ear.“Hey, buddy. When you feel up to it, your mother and a couple of your fatherswant to speak to you before you go.”

Conyod rubbed his eyes on his forearms. Sletran had heardhim bawling and would see his reddened eyes, but he didn’t have to show him hischildish tears. When he’d brought himself under control, he met the Nobek’sgaze.

Despite the ache in his chest, pleasure shivered through himat Sletran’s compassionate regard. “I made such a mess of everything.”

“You did what you had to in order to survive. There’s noshame in it, Conyod. Your parent clan needed a wakeup call. You may not believeit right now, but life will get a lot better. It may take a few weeks, butyou’re on your way.”

Conyod sat up, his gaze never wavering from his hero. “Doyou really think so?”

“Absolutely. Hey, Dr. Hupsan says I can be on your visitor’slist. I’m stationed close to where you’ll be staying. What do you think of mestopping by every couple of weeks, maybe teach you some defensive skills?Hopefully, you won’t have to fight off jerks from training camps again, butit’s never a bad thing to be able to fight back.”

He’d get to see Sletran again? A spark of brightness woke inthe dark threatening to eclipse him. “Yeah. I’d like that a lot.”

“Then we’ll do it.” Sletran grinned.

Conyod wished he could fling his arms around the Nobek. Ilove him.

* * **

Heneeded a hero and found two. Can love rescue him again?

NobekSletran never took Imdiko Conyod’s infatuation seriously when he rescued himyears before. When Conyod shows up in his life again as a strong and successfulman instead of a traumatized victim, Sletran has to reconsider the one he oncerejected and now can’t imagine life without.

Conyod hasnever given up on the man he considers his hero. Sletran is all he’s everwanted for a clanmate, and he’s determined to win him at last. But the past refusesto be laid to rest. When Conyod convinces Sletran to see him for who he’sbecome, will who he was resurface and destroy the love they’re building?

Sletran’scommanding officer Dramok Erybet is instantly fascinated by Conyod when thesoldier brings his love on base for a visit. However, Sletran isn’t the NobekErybet feels is right for him. When he rejects the Nobek, he risks losingConyod too.

Againstthe backdrop of heartbreaking childhood tragedy, a ghost who haunts Conyod andhis grief-stricken family, and military brass determined to oust Erybet fromthe rank he’s worked so hard to reach, three men must come to terms with whothey are. When tragedy strikes, the nightmares of the past must be faced andburied once and for all. Conyod, Sletran, and Erybet must dare everything tofind redemption and hold on to each other.

Releasing May 31.  Pre-order now: Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Apple, Kobo, Smashwords, print