t part. It's in that order?"

"It may be, yes. The first it not my place to discuss is, and the
Scarring always last is. The other three parts may in any order be. I
cannot you of one of them tell, because it would by foreknowledge
influenced be."

Tarlac could understand that, though it didn't quiet his curiosity.
"At least I know more about it now than I did when I agreed to take
it."

"The Fleet-Captain you nothing told?"

"Oh, sure. He told me that according to the First Speaker, if I did
take it and live, I'd be able to bring an honorable peace for both
sides. That didn't leave me much choice."

"The Lords this of you asked?" Hovan said, impressed. "I knew that
not."

"If that's what he meant, yes." Tarlac didn't believe in the Lords,
but Hovan did; it wouldn't hurt to agree.

Hovan smiled widely. "So you us life in honor bring. That good is."

"If I live." Tarlac frowned. "Hovan . . . I don't think I will live.
I haven't thought so since I boarded your ship, and since the fight,
I've been certain of it. This Ordeal's going to kill me." He paused
and shrugged, wondering at his own calm. "Oh, that won't keep me from
trying. Maybe just trying will be enough to do what the First Speaker
said, I don't know. Hell, I don't even know how I'm supposed to bring
peace if I do live!"

"Since the Lords this asked," Hovan said calmly, "you should not so
many doubts have. They nothing ask unless it possible is. And after
you the fight won, I certain am that they intend not for you to fail."

"I won the fight by a trick," Tarlac said bleakly. "I won't live
through the Ordeal by a trick."

Hovan stopped and took Steve by the shoulders. "Why did you not all
this say when it first you troubled? I your sponsor am."

"I couldn't. It was something I had to come to terms with by myself."
Tarlac found himself suddenly wishing he had mentioned it that night,
had given in to his urge to seek comfort. "I . . . I've been a Ranger
for fifteen years, Hovan. Almost half my life. I just . . . I
couldn't--"

Hovan shook him with controlled ease, just enough to silence him. "You
of Ch'kara now are, Steve, and in-clan. Yourself be, not another's
image. That not a weakness is."

"What? I--"

"To me listen, ruhar. Everyone help needs, sometimes. That does not
weakness show, or shame bring." Hovan released Steve's shoulders, and
put his arms around the man instead, giving Tarlac the feeling of bei