To Clan and Conquer (Clan Beginnings) Read Online Free PDF

surprised everyone.  Tranis never let the ball’s intermittent protruding barbs vary his accurate throws.  Nor did he flinch from the stampeding Nobeks from the opposing team.  Not an easy task; the opponents were a brutal bunch looking to throw him hard to the ground, with a few punches and kicks added in for good measure.  For Lidon’s part, the Nobek had stood fast on his braced leg to absorb the attacks when he wasn’t throwing himself bodily into the fray.  He seemed to take great delight in proving just how savage he was.
    Even Tranis was impressed with his teammate, though he’d been sure the Nobek’s injury would only spur Lidon to fight all the harder.  The muddy condition of the field had worried him for his left defender, but Lidon’s traction shoes had put him on even footing with the rest of them.
    As they readied to line up for another offensive, Lidon’s gaze swept the intimidating wall of Nobeks ready to stop their march down the field.  “To your right.”
    Tranis’ right flank defender, a ship security lieutenant named Mucod, crouched slightly at his side.  His hands hanging loosely in front of him as he eyed the cluster of defenders tensing in a tight knot.  Tranis was a left-handed hurler, which meant most his throws went in that direction.
    Mucod nodded.  “I’ve got them.”
    Tranis looked over the gang of muddy, bloody, snarling Nobeks waiting to run over him.  His team was ahead and close to scoring again.   One more goal and the game would be theirs.  His ballooning hand and poisoned system just had to hold out.  The Dramok thought he might have half a dozen plays left in him.  This close to victory, he wasn’t about to forfeit.
    He got into position for his throw.  Lidon and Mucod were on either side of him, crouching low, getting ready to launch themselves at the other team.  The runners lined up behind him, tensed to either defend him or take the ball from his hand.  Runner-catchers swept to the sides.
    “Vortex!”  Tranis yelled.  A hurl play.
    His entire line growled and showed their fangs.  The defenders answered with the same.  Every last man was aroused, including Tranis.  Kurble brought that out in those devoted to it.
    Tranis gave his team their directions in a roar.  “Sideswipe ‘board, barricade port, punch center!”
    He dropped back, cocking the ball for his throw.  Lidon and Mucod surged forward.   Three catcher-runners on the right took off in blurs, running around the opposing team.  The remaining two catcher-runners on the left ran at the defensive line, helping Lidon on that side.  The four runners at Tranis’ back ran at dead center, opening a sightline for Tranis to the three catcher-runners now downfield, racing to lose their guards.
    One was clear for a catch.  Tranis set his feet as Nobeks in front of him fought brutally.  Barbs suddenly shot out from the ball, turning it into a spiked nightmare that punctured his hand yet again.  He shrieked as it fed poison into him, but more in defiance than pain.  He threw the ball at the clear catcher-runner just before Lidon and Mucod were trampled over.  As Tranis was brought painfully down to the ground, he saw his teammate catch the still-barbed ball.
    The play ended.  The attackers who’d piled on top of Tranis, four of them, picked themselves up, giving him a few punches for good measure.  He spit out a mouthful of mud and accepted Lidon’s hand up.  Unfortunately, Tranis used his left hand.  He winced as his poisoned, punctured hand was squeezed.
    Lidon scowled, but there was admiration in his look too.  “I see a shitload of pain inhibitors, anti-inflammatories, and poison antidote in your future.”
    Tranis grinned, refusing to acknowledge the throbbing hell of his hurling hand.  “I’m not even close to finished.”
    “I can believe that, but we’re within scoring range again, and one play could finish the game.  They’re going to come at us with everything this