rse."

"I'd be skeptical too, in your position," Medart said. "Even the fact
I came here alone, deliberately, could be a trick. It isn't, but it
could be. There's a way to convince you, though; I'm sure you have some
way of questioning people and being certain you get truthful answers."

The Warleader frowned. "We do, Prince. I could question you under a
compulsion spell, but your magical defenses are strong enough that
doing so would be the equivalent of torture--which I may not honorably
have you subjected to if you did indeed give one of my clansmen Last
Gift."

Medart winced at that. Sandeman customs allowed enemy warriors to be
tortured for information, and having warriors as battle-companions made
him the closest possible non-Sandeman equivalent of a warrior. As Ryan
said, giving Last Gift had made him immune from that particular
unpleasantness, at least as far as Clan Vader was concerned--but it
also looked like telling his story under that compulsion spell was the
only way he'd be believed. And for his already-uncertain plan to have
any chance of success, he'd have to have more than belief; he'd need
active cooperation from at least one of the two clan-chiefs who owed
him life-debt. Which in turn depended, of course, on whether they'd
consider that debt binding in a universe other than the one where it
was incurred.

"Since you're not certain I did," Medart said at last, "and since
that's the only way I can prove I'm telling the truth, does the
prohibition have to apply?"

"That question has never come up." The Warleader frowned again. "Your
claims cannot be disproven if they took place in another universe, so
you must be given the protection they grant you, though not payment of
a debt that may not exist. But I would also judge it dishonorable to
deny you the opportunity to prove those claims, if you choose to waive
that protection."

"Consider it waived." Medart managed a partial grin. "But don't
bother asking any tactical or strategic questions; once I realized I'd
have to put myself in your hands, I was careful to avoid any such
information."

The Warleader stared at him for a moment, then chuckled. "Were our
circumstances reversed, Prince, I would have done the same. I will ask
only what is necessary to establish the truth of your claims. And you
may consider yourself a guest of Clan Vader."

Medart bowed. "Thank you for your courtesy, Warleader. How soon can
we take care of the