curiously at Joste.
"Ruesten, you have won the Honor scars; what problem can you have so
serious that it requires my intervention?"

"Ka'ruchaya, it is a matter of adoption."

"Ah, I see. Go on."

Joste did as he was told, describing the human's torment, memory loss,
and what the female Marine had told him. "Maybe he was being honest
when he said the females volunteered for combat. Certainly the one I
spoke to showed pain at his hurt. And he did prove himself honorable,
sacrificing his mind--himself--as he did. Ka'ruchaya, he needs help,
and I think that once he learns our ways, he will be a credit to
N'chark."

"He lost only his memory?"

"Yes, Ka'ruchaya, according to the female Marine."

"And she called him your 'child,' your esten." Jarna paused, thinking.
"No, Cor'naya Joste. Under the circumstances, I do not think adoption
either possible or necessary; he cannot take the blood-oath if he
cannot understand it. He is a Terran, and apparently newborn by their
ways, regarding you as chaya. I accept him as es'ruesten, a clan-son
of N'chark by birth. Care for him, see that he gets the medical help
he needs--including regrowth treatments if they are available there--
and bring him home as soon as he is able to travel. If you wish, I
will arrange for his naming ceremony."

"Thank you, Ka'ruchaya. Let him be named Horst, of Clan N'chark."

"So be it, Cor'naya Joste." Jarna turned to Kunnos. "I will send a
ship for them, Group-Leader. Will you need a linguist to replace
Joste?"

"If you please, Ka'ruchaya. Stanek, if he has recovered."

"He will be on the ship." Jarna's expression became grim. "But hear
my words, Group-Leader: none of my n'ruesten will force another to this
living self-destruction again. I will not have them dishonor
themselves so."

"I would not ask it, Ka'ruchaya," Kunnos said. "I will report this to
the Supreme, with the recommendation that he order any found to have
similar conditioning questioned no further." He extended claws to
emphasize his determination. "I have no wish to be part of such
dishonor, either."

"Well said, Group-Leader." Jarna inclined her head. "Now if you will
excuse me, I must return to my duties."

The two males bowed, then when the screen cleared, left the
Communications section. Joste made his way back to the hospital to
check on his child, wondering at the Lords' ordering of things. The
human and he had met as enemies, and Joste had t