ore
help than they consider essential. If they think there is any
possibility you can do it without them, success or failure is up to
you. We must learn, they say, by our mistakes."

"It wasn't your mistake that started this war," Tarlac said. "It was
the Empire's, but you're the ones paying for it." He had a sudden
thought, frowned again. "Fleet-Captain Arjen said the Supreme and
First Speaker invited me here. That 'invitation' really came from the
Lords, didn't it?"

Daria nodded. "Yes; all the Speakers know. But do not let that make
you over-confident of their help. It is quite likely that having you
brought here and teaching you Language is all they intend to do."

She sensed a question he hesitated to ask, and smiled. "No, Steve,
your adoption was not dictated by the Lords. The Speakers were
informed of your need to take the Ordeal, and we in turn informed our
respective Clan Mothers--but the choice of offering adoption or not was
theirs. Ka'ruchaya Yarra, in her wisdom, chose to offer it, and I am
glad."

"So'm I. And it may mean I do have a chance of finishing." Tarlac
grinned, unable to suppress a short-lived surge of hope. He'd been
prepared to die to bring peace; just the thought of living to enjoy it,
as Hovan was confident he would, was enough to make him reach out and
take Daria's hand even as it faded. "Thanks, ruhar. I was--"

"I know," Daria interrupted, putting her other hand over his. "That
you continue when you feel certain of death does you honor. You are so
intense, Steve. Relax, let the chovas soothe you."

"I can now, I guess. But I'm still worried. From what Hovan's told
me, the Ordeal's no picnic, even if I do get help from the Lords."

"That is true, es'ruhar, but be easy. Worrying will only make it
worse."

Tarlac was touched by her concern, and even more by what she called
him--though her intonation, combined with her use of the male
signifier, made that term . . . intimate. It was almost embarrassing,
and he didn't know how to respond. "Speaker . . ."

"I am Daria, es'ruhar."

"Daria, then." Tarlac was acutely aware of her tone and her touch.
The gray skin, despite its dense toughness, was soft and supple around
his hands. This was a little too much closeness. "Uh, I think the
Traiti and Empire have a lot to offer each other. For instance, you--"

"Steve, es'ruhar . . ." Daria interrupted again, smiling gently as
she ran the backs of her claws up a