I am trying to find a short story that I read in my youth. I unfortunately can't remember anything of the title. I thought it had been written by Arthur C. Clarke, but a search of his short stories turns up nothing for me so far.
What I remember:
At least the first part of the story involves one or more conversations between two aliens of the same species, who had been childhood friends but then grew apart. One went off to become involved in a military struggle against other aliens on the same planet, who I believe were the same or a related species. I believe the aliens were quadrupeds, or perhaps a centaur type (four-legged with arms, anyway). I believe they had long bodies.
The friend who had gone to aid the military effort was describing telepathy as a weapon to his initially incredulous friend, I believe. That friend then remembered at one point when he and the military one had played together as children, pretending that the other had taken control of their bodies, and how he had sometimes really felt powerless.
I'm sorry, I know this is not a lot to go on, but it would help me tremendously to find this story. Thanks for reading and any help you can give me.
