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Updated: June 27, 2025
Transformation was a clan matter; they could observe, but not participate. Instead, Ka'ruchaya Yarra and Speaker Daria were there. Hovan bowed his head to them, then looked up and spoke the ritual words. "I bring Esteban Tarlac of Clan Ch'kara to the Circle of Lords. He has given honor to the clan." "We sorrow at his loss," Yarra said, "yet we glory in that honor." She turned to the Speaker.
He was pleased when she welcomed him as she had them, touching the blaster's grip and then his forehead. Still kneeling, he looked up. "Ka'ruchaya, Hovan says you speak English, so I want you to know firsthand that I had to qualify my oath to the clan. I don't want to be accepted under the wrong assumptions.
Hovan dismissed that unseemly question. She was Ka'ruchaya of Ch'kara, not he; such things were the concern of Clan Mothers and Speakers, not of fighters. He obeyed in this as they would obey him in his field though he prayed the need would never arise for them to defend Ch'kara as fighters. But he could still feel wonderment at being empowered to perform the adoption.
Hovan returned the two officers' bows, speaking English for Steve's benefit. "I word from Ch'kara's Mother bear, Honored Ones." "Your Mother's words we hear, Honored One," Arjen replied formally. "Ka'ruchaya Yarra's words to me: That I this man should judge. If he in honor came, and I him worthy found, Ch'kara's shelter was I to offer.
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.
He armed and freely came, as fighter, not captive, and I have him observed. I say she will him as clan-son accept, and I may for her his blood-oath take." There were a few exclamations of disbelief from those of the bridge crew who understood enough English to know what had been said, but they were quickly silenced by Arjen's glare. "Ch'kara's Ka'ruchaya generous is," the Fleet-Captain said.
"By that standard, ruhar, this'll likely be the most successful adoption party in Traiti history! But let's not make it a success too early, okay? I'm hungry." "Food good sounds," Hovan agreed. "And I will with you stay, in case anything must translated be. Ka'ruchaya Yarra and I the only two are, who much English speak."
Dream well, ruesten." "I will, Ka'ruchaya. Farewell." With that, the contact ended, and Hovan went to dreams of the coming reunion that were as pleasant as anyone could wish. Most of the next week and a half saw Hovan and Tarlac together continuously, the Ranger getting a crash course in all the basics of a Traiti clan, from Language to customs and courtesies.
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.
Hovan exchanged glances with his Ka'ruchaya, but the Speaker stood motionless, her expression one of exaltation until the radiance vanished and Steve sat up, his wounds healed, swinging his legs over the altar's edge and standing up. Then Daria bowed, hands formally crossed over her chest, and Hovan and the rest of the clan followed suit.
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