end the
war."

"But he did," Chavvorth said calmly, "and we took our proper place in
your Empire as we did here." His expression became taut. "Have you
encountered the Sandemans?"

"Yes, sixteen years before the Traiti War. A century and a quarter
ago." Medart frowned, scanned the Bridge crew. That was what he'd
thought strange earlier--there were none of the small, dark-skinned
blonds who were such a significant part of Alpha Prime's military.
That, the phrasing of Chavvorth's question, and a major threat to this
Empire came together in a conclusion as frightening as it was suddenly
obvious. Medart allowed himself a quiet, intense, and uncharacteristic
oath. "Holy Creator and all the gods! You just met them!"

"Yes," Ariel said, her fatigue seeming to vanish in eagerness. "You
were able to defeat them?"

"We could've, but it wasn't necessary," Medart said. "I was able to
use persuasion instead--along with five battle fleets to show them the
alternative to peace. They'd managed to take over almost half of
Sector Five by then, but they accepted annexation as a Subsector, and
they've been loyal citizens ever since."

"You missed a Sandeman war," Ariel said thoughtfully, "and we missed a
Traiti war. Steve Tarlac avoided or ended the Traiti war in both, and
my spell summons the one who avoided the Sandeman war in his. I think
that for the first time in three years, I can dare to hope."

Captain Chavvorth turned to her. "I also, Ranger. But with respect, I
suggest you go rest. While you are doing that, I can begin teaching
Ranger Medart to use his mage-power."

"He is a magician, then!" Ariel exclaimed in relief. "My spell said he
should be, but when he denied it-- How powerful?"

"The strongest I have ever felt, sir." The Traiti smiled at Medart,
gestured as he murmured something, and was holding a candle. "You have
had no instruction, but your raw power should be adequate to light this
if you concentrate."

The equivalent, Medart thought, of someone with PK Talent exciting the
molecules of the wick to ignition temperature. He'd never shown any
trace of that aspect--his only Talents, besides the basic mind-screen
and telepathy, were healing and darlas--but this was supposed to be
magic, not psionics; he had no reason not to try. He focused his
attention on the candle, following an impulse to point at it as he
willed it to light.

He felt a sensation of warmth flow into him and channel alon