permit. Would you summarize what you told the lady
Kelly and the student warrior Haley?"

"Gladly." Medart did so, thinking that he preferred something like the
Mjolnir Conference, where he could see that he was talking to a group.
This was like talking to a camera, he supposed--but it felt decidedly
peculiar, speaking to one person and knowing hundreds of others were
watching and listening through that person's eyes and ears.

"That's it," he said at last. "Now what?"

"Now what, indeed," Ryan said. "I think that determination will be
primarily up to you, Highness. Bryan of Alanna wishes to speak to
you." His eyes lost focus for a second; when they regained it, Medart
knew it was the Alanna addressing him.

"I am Bryan of Alanna," Ryan said, confirming that. "Are you aware
that we have been following your training, Highness, as one of the most
important events in this sphere?"

"I've been too preoccupied to give any consideration to my news value,"
Medart said. He didn't particularly enjoy being on public display,
even after a lifetime of it--especially when he was at his worst. But
he'd been there before, and if he survived he'd be there again; he
could handle it. "I suppose it does make sense, though. What about
it?"

"Your efforts have done you great honor, and earned you more regard
than I can recall being given any other Terran. We understand your
motive is to win our friendship or alliance as well as peace--but do
you really believe one person can achieve that after three years of
war?"

"I don't know," Medart admitted. "All I can do is try my best and
hope. I know you from my universe, remember, and I achieved it once,
even though the circumstances were drastically different."

"Dell, of Raynor," Ryan said, his voice changing as another chief
spoke. "Why did none of this universe's Terrans make such an effort?"

"You didn't give them a chance. They know you the way we knew the
Traiti--as ferocious, bloodthirsty killers. It took the Traiti asking
one of my colleagues to take their Ordeal of Honor for him--and later
the rest of us--to learn about them as they really are. I know that
about you from home, so naturally I'm willing to take the same sort of
chance to give you and this Empire the opportunity to become friends."

"Gareth, of Levva," was the next introduction. "I believe your
acceptance of such a risk, and your willingness to endure such painful
training, have earned that op