Interview with Dramok Erybet of Alien Redemption

Clans of Kalquor 6:  Alien Redemption is the book that just keeps going and going.  With a killer on the loose, a clan falling apart under the weight of their secrets, and a woman trying to join the men of her dreams, it twists and turns like no other book I’ve written.  
 
One of the reasons behind this complicated tale is Dramok Erybet.  Tall with delicate features that make him more beautiful than handsome, plus a high rank and respect from the Nobek-filled military, you’d think this guy’s life would be a walk in the park.  Unfortunately, Erybet’s got his share of problems, which he has grudgingly agreed to discuss.
Q:  Okay, Erybet.  So what’s got that gorgeous face so downcast?
A:  First and foremost, my clanmates.  My Nobek Sletran is having trouble adjusting after all he went through in the war, and our Imdiko Conyod isn’t helping make matters better.
Q:  But Conyod is a psychologist.  I’d think he’d be great at making things better for a veteran returning from the battlefield.
A:  You’d think so.  Instead, he’s being stubborn.  A jerk, if I may use an Earther insult.
Q:  Really?  In what way?
A:  Well, he wants to know what happened during the war to upset Sletran so badly.  I can understand that part.  But our mission was top secret, and we can’t talk about it, not even to him.
Q:  Even though the war is over?
A:  Unfortunately, that’s how it stands.  Instead of accepting this, he constantly badgers me to tell him what happened.  He doesn’t seem to care that I could be court-martialed if I give him classified information.
Q:  It sounds like he’s very worried about Sletran.
A:  I know he is.  But my hands are tied on the matter.  The one thing he could do to help our Nobek, he refuses to do.
Q:  Which is?
A:  We’ve come up on Kalquor’s lottery to pursue a Matara for our clan.  Having a female mate will give Sletran some badly needed goals.  He and I have been placed on a year’s leave to recover from the war, but everyone knows Nobeks don’t do well with unstructured time on their hands and no purpose to pursue.
Q:  But having a Matara would give Sletran something to work on?
A:  Absolutely.  Learning how best to provide a safe environment for a clan childbearer and seeing to her needs would give him something important to do again.  But Conyod keeps fouling up our attempts to attract an Earther female!
Q:  Has he given you a reason for this?
A:  He says Sletran needs to get better before he can be expected to properly care for a Matara.  That he can’t handle the responsibility in the shape he’s in.  I just can’t convince Conyod caring for a woman will make Sletran better.  Every time we meet with a potential mate, my Imdiko does something to undermine my efforts to draw her into our clan.
Q:  It sounds like you’re at a standoff.  
A:  We are.  He frustrates me to no end.  Meanwhile, Sletran only gets worse.  More disconnected.  It’s a mess.  This clan is a mess.
Q:  I’m sorry to hear that, Erybet.  I hope things get better for you soon.
A:  So do I.  We have an upcoming appointment with another Matara, a lovely woman named Marie.  I think she’d be wonderful for our clan, especially Sletran.  If Conyod messes this up, I’ll … I’ll … oh hell.  I don’t know what I’ll do.  Conyod keeps saying we’re not the men he clanned with.  That he doesn’t know us anymore.  I know he’s hurting as much as I am.  He drinks too much, and he works late hours to avoid us.  Every time I try to talk to him, we end up fighting.  
Q:  You guys need help.
A:  I should be able to handle this, to make it right.  I’m supposed to be able to lead my clan, to keep it functioning well.  But it’s falling apart.  If we don’t find a Matara to bring us back together, I can’t imagine what will happen to us.
We'll find out what happens to Erybet's clan in November, when Alien Redemption comes out.