Sister Katherine by Tracy St. John Page B

determination and even a sense of fight.  By the ancestors, she was magnificent.  Simdow swallowed.  Was this beauty really to be his?
    Miv muttered in his ear, “They may resist.  They were very upset when one of their number was claimed, Katherine in particular.  She tried to fight her way to Subcommander Osopa’s clan when they claimed their Matara.”
    Simdow regarded his Nobek with surprise.  “She fought?”
    A hint of a smile gentled the fierce visage.  “She is a brave one.  I see no mean spirit in her, yet she is willing to defend others as best she can with all she has.”
    “A fellow warrior and protector,” the Dramok said, returning Miv’s almost-smile.
    Simdow again looked to the Nobek in charge, who nodded.  The lieutenant called to the other guards, “Men, do your best to look like – Imdikos.  Commander Simdow is ready to claim his lifebringer.  We don’t want the Mataras scared any worse than they already are if possible.”
    The Nobeks glanced uncertainly at each other, and Simdow had to restrain a laugh.  The feral breed would follow their orders or die trying, but for them to look like the sweet–faced Imdikos was asking a lot.
    Many looked at Vadef, searching his open face.  Simdow sensed a tremor in his clanmate’s body, as if the Imdiko was holding in laughter of his own.  His smile at everyone was quite gentle, however.
    The small man told them, “Like this, warriors.  Think of these women as your mothers.  Put that feeling into your expressions.”
    That got through, softening the young, wild faces better than anything Simdow could have come up with.  He patted his Imdiko on the back for the marvelous suggestion.
    “Approach her slowly,” he told his clanmates.  He took a step towards the group surrounding Katherine.
    That brought terrified screams from the females, and Simdow and his clanmates immediately halted.
    “Hold a moment,” Simdow said.  In the Earther language English he called gently, “Matara Katherine?  I am the first officer and wish to speak to you.  It is my understanding you hold the highest rank of the women in this room.  If you will come to me, none of these others will be bothered at this time.”
    That brought fearful chatter among the women, but the lovely blonde shushed them as she stood.  “It’s all right.  I will talk to him and you will pray.”
    Katherine faced Simdow.  She was taller than the other women who stood with her and clung to her billowing sleeves, but her face indicated she was so very slight.  As undersized as Vadef was at only slightly over six feet, he still had a small height advantage over Katherine and he was definitely around a hundred pounds heavier.  Simdow thought of how badly the war had gone for his people and experienced a jolt of disbelief.  The Earther race was so small to be doing so much damage to their Kalquorian enemies.
    The Dramok noted the minute tremble that shivered Katherine’s frame.  Yet her expression was resolute.  Simdow was impressed that one this tiny could be so brave.
    She spoke.  Her voice was high and light with an undertone of huskiness. It was also remarkably steady given the terror she must be feeling.  “I am Sister Katherine, Kalquorian.  What guarantee can you offer that the rest of these women will not be harmed?”
    Simdow’s heart stuttered to have her large blue eyes gazing on his face.  To hear her words directed at him.  He bowed deeply to her and saw from the corners of his eyes his clanmates do the same.  “None of the members of the colony are in danger of physical harm from us, Matara.  Any man who endangers an Earther female’s life will answer to me and my Nobek clanmate.”
    Katherine’s gaze flickered to Miv for an instant.  Simdow was well aware of how imposing his warrior clanmate was, as well as how protective of women.  While Katherine could not know the depth of Miv’s determination to keep females safe, she obviously discerned that