sened steadily. By the end of
that time, Medart had lost close to twenty kilos, and the constant pain
allowed him only the sleep his body absolutely had to have.

He'd given up even trying to eat breakfast, beyond the hot chocolate
that contained the caffeine he needed as a stimulant; he ate only after
his afternoon practice sessions, when he was too tired to gag.

And he'd wondered how long Ryan would keep supporting him, so he wasn't
surprised when the clan-chief joined him, Kelly, and Haley--both of
whom had taken to remaining close except when Haley was at his own
training sessions--at the evening meal.

Medart endured the clan-chief's scrutiny, certain he knew what was
coming, so he wasn't surprised when Ryan spoke. "Prince James, will
you admit I have done my best to teach you as you asked?"

"You have, Clan-chief," Medart replied. "My inability to benefit by
more than the most basic instruction cannot be laid to your lack of
effort." He took a deep breath, rubbed his aching eyes. "You've done
your best; I can't hold you to a repayment I'm incapable of absorbing.
As far as I'm concerned, that part of Clan Vader's life-debt has been
discharged."

"I thank you for your generosity, James. I will have you returned to
the Empire; perhaps they can heal you where we cannot."

"No. My job's not done, and you still owe me one thing--I have a duel
to fight, as soon as you can arrange a meeting."

"In your condition, I cannot permit that."

"You don't have any choice, Clan-chief." Medart pulled himself
together as well as he could, reminding himself that these peoples'
origin made them Imperial citizens whether they knew--or liked--it or
not. He didn't have any enforceable authority over them, true, but
sometimes that wasn't essential. "You issued the challenge on my
behalf and implicitly agreed to arrange the duel, without specifying my
physical condition. The only criterion was that I be trained to use
Sandeman magic as well as I could, which has been done."

"It has, and I did issue challenge for you--but I did not agree to send
you to certain death."

"It isn't--I'm running about fifty-fifty minimum power and maximum.
That gives me a reasonable chance, better than the Empire'd have if I
don't even try." Medart felt himself weakening, summoned his remaining
resources. "You'd do the same if it were the Sandeman race at risk; I
know that from personal experience. Even if you knew it'd cost you
your