I also learned the limits of my
strength. I could not bear the burden of the Decision you must make.
That it is asked of you shows you can bear it."

Tarlac had to smile at that. He felt himself no equal to Hovan's calm
strength, but it was reassuring to know Hovan had that kind of
confidence in him. "I think I'd rather have that choice to make.
Dammit, Hovan, I've had to order people mindprobed, others killed, and
that was bad enough. Those were criminals. How can I tell innocent
people something that'll disturb all of them and probably kill a lot?
That's genocide, as surely as what the Empire'll do if I fail."

"Are you sure that will happen?"

"How can I be sure? I'm a Ranger, not a god--but I know how it
affected Kranath, how it affected me. There's a chance it wouldn't
hurt, I guess--Traiti might not believe me. That might cushion the
shock, let 'em realize gradually that it is true." He paused, feeling
the dilemma. "Do I have the right to take that chance, though? Just a
few words . . ."

It was difficult for Hovan to remain outwardly impassive, hearing the
strain in the man's voice. Inwardly, it was impossible. By all the
Lords, Hovan thought angrily, this was wrong! Why should Steve be
given such terrible responsibility for a people with whom his own were
at war? Steve didn't even know what Kranath's Vision meant!

He wasn't supposed to help in the Decision at all, not give even the
slightest hint of what he thought was right, and he had no intention of
doing so--but every youngling knew about Kranath's Vision and its
significance; there could be no harm in telling Steve that much.

"Steve, ruhar . . ."

Tarlac looked up. "What is it?"

"A story of the end times, ruhar, when all hinges on one man, for good
or ill."

"Me. I've known that since before I landed on Homeworld. So what? It
looks like whatever I do, Traiti die." Tarlac was being rude and knew
it, but he didn't particularly care. He was too caught up in an awful
private vision of Ch'kara gone mad.

Hovan spoke quietly, picking his words with care. "Yes. You have
known for some time that you will bring peace or die in the attempt,
and if you fail we also die. You chose that burden freely, and it does
you much honor. But you have been given another burden, unasked.
Kranath's Vision, it is said, brings the end of this cycle, and he who
has it will determine the next cycle, for good or ill. That is you,
ruhar . . . an