WIP Wednesday – Clans of Kalquor 7: Alien Refuge (WIP)

Tears were already flowing as Thomas shrieked with heartbroken horror.  “Train is broken!  Train is broken!”

Iris picked up the pieces and looked at them.  Fortunately, this one was made of interlocking blocks, so it was an easy fix.  

“It’s not broken, sweetie.  See?”  

Still bent down so Thomas could see, Iris snapped the two parts back together.  She handed it to him and he looked it over.  He immediately quieted.  “Train is fixed.”

Iris looked up as she began to straighten.  The hand raised over her was huge, looming before her face.  Iris jerked away instinctively with a cry, shoving Thomas behind her.

She cringed.  When the expected blow didn’t come, she looked up to see a wide-eyed Ospar offering his hand.

He said, “Matara?  I only wished to shake your hand in your traditional Earther way.”

Iris’ pounding heart slowed.  She flushed and stood up straight.  “Oh, ah, sorry.  I was – I was—”

Jol’s thunderous voice filled the room.  “Who has hit you?”

The Nobek’s expression was as furious as his voice was loud.  He looked ready to take the house apart with his bare hands.

“No.  It’s nothing.  I just – you see—” she stuttered, not sure what she could say to calm the huge Kalquorian.

Rivek’s tone was gentle, but his eyes sparked with anger.  “Jol is right.  That was the reaction of someone expecting to be struck.”

“Tell me his name.”  Ospar’s smile had disappeared.  There was something very dangerous in the governor’s attitude.  Iris had the sudden idea that crossing this man would be a monumental mistake.

Jol’s fists were clenched, and long, slender fangs had appeared behind his squared teeth.  “Is it someone on this colony?  This is not acceptable, Matara.  I will not have it.”

Iris had the crazy urge to throw her arms around the Nobek’s neck, to hold him still and calm him down.  She couldn’t imagine why she would want to do such a thing, nor was this the time to think about whatever her motives might be.

Instead she told him, “It’s okay, Jol.  He’s not here.  My husband is dead.”

The three men stared at her, waiting for more.  They were all angry.  All three ready to protect her.  The realization stunned Iris.

They don’t really know me, and yet they are prepared to jump to my rescue.  Is that normal for Kalquorian men?

Again, there was no time to consider what was going on behind the surface situation.  Iris needed to talk the enraged trio down.  Thomas was beginning to whimper, ready to go into a meltdown because of the tension in the room.

Iris made her voice quiet and soothing to calm her son down.  “He didn’t survive Armageddon.  He can’t hurt anyone ever again.”

“Good,” Ospar snapped.  Iris didn’t have to guess if he meant her abuser’s death or his inability to cause further harm.  

The men spent the next few seconds obviously forcing themselves to settle down.  When the worst of the tension had bled from their bodies, Ospar twitched a forced smile.  “I believe we will stick with Kalquorian traditions of respect from now on.”

He bowed to her, and the other two followed suit.  Ospar said, “I look forward to our next meeting, Iris.”

She wondered if there would be another meeting.  The thought made her warm.  “So do I.  Thank you all again for your kindness.”

Releasing March 15