"Is there anything else I may do for you, Master?"

Norlan glanced down at himself and his impeccably neat attire. "Mirror."

The slave quickly retrieved a hand-held mirror with a bright, gold handle. She smiled as she handed it to the Ambassador.

Norlan took it without glancing at her and peered into it. A steady and slightly aloof countenance gazed back at him. He ran his hand along his thin beard and bushy sideburns. He examined his hair, which the slave had just finished brushing into place.

The Ambassador turned to the slave. For a moment, he was at a loss.

Looking at an Oceanus slave was something of a culture shock. The distinct lack of the metal collar and sex-seal was glaring. The former he could become accustomed to -- and after nearly a quarter moon at the Manor, he had to some degree -- but the latter seemed vaguely perverse to him.

Normally, he would show his satisfaction with the traditional promise of unsealing her later for her proper reward. But even the promise of pleasure was moot, since Oceanus slaves -- as alien as it seemed to a Urisi traditionalist -- were actually encouraged to engage in sexual pleasure while alone.

Norlan let out a sigh through his nose and handed the mirror to the slave. "That will be all."

The slave gave him a sunny smile and turned to put the mirror away.

The Ambassador was admittedly at a loss as to why Oceanus slaves were so valued in his nation. Unless it had to do with their obedience. In this he could find no fault. Oceanus slaves were unfailingly obedient, loyal, and happy. It was as if it were bred into them rather than trained.

Urisi slavemasters had decided that it had something to do with the Draught. They had their own version of the formula, but it was much simpler in nature, and did little beyond wiping past memories. The slavemasters suspected the Oceanus Overlords had added something else to make the slaves easier to control.

But if improving their own formula meant doing away with collars, chains, and seals, then Norlan wanted no part of it.

"Amanda, wait!"

Amanda had not expected Sirinna to follow her out of their quarters. She turned and cast an inquisitive look back. Her skin goosepimpled at the cool morning air, but the first rays of morning sunlight touching her back brought warm promise.

"For today's training, Amanda, I think we should do a sort of review."

"A review?"

"Yes, a review," Sirinna repeated, her lips curling into only a ghost of a smile. "And the sooner we start, the better."

"You don't mean this morning, Mistress?"

"Yes, I do, actually."

"But I'm on my way to Master Vanlo. We always do training in the afternoon."

"It's at my discretion. I can decide if you need to train instead."

"But why do I need a review?"

"Just to check if you're ... if you're deficient in any area."

Amanda's eyes widened. "Deficient? Why? Have I done something wrong, Mistress?"

"Well, no, not at all. Not really. I just thought I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't at least check now and then."

Amanda was dubious. Sirinna had never done something like this before. She simply let Amanda use the skills that had already been taught and corrected on an as-needed basis. As good as Amanda was, this was very rare.

Sirinna sensed her Trainee's confusion. "It is just a precaution, nothing more, Amanda," she said, forcing a smile as she cupped Amanda's cheek. "It is not ... I haven't ... there have been no complaints against you, I mean. None that I know about."

"Why would there be, Mistress? I have not been asked to be of anyone's service, except for Lanno." She paused, looking wary. "Did he ...?"

"Not at all," Sirinna said quickly. "But a merchant clan will be headed to the Manor in less than a moon, and it is best that you remain on top of your training, or Master Roquan could see both of us as lacking and pass over us again."

"Wait. Pass over us? Again?"

Sirinna hesitated. "I didn't quite mean it that way."

"No, I think you did, Mistress. What's wrong? Did Master Roquan say something to you?"

Sirinna was too flustered by Amanda's probing to respond immediately. She finally let out a sigh and said quietly, "Not in words."

"I don't understand."

Sirinna voice was pained. "Amanda, you have to learn how to read Master Roquan's actions as well as his words. And that includes the actions he chooses not to make. Like not requesting your services for someone of importance."

It took her only a moment for the pieces to fall into place. "Mistress, are you talking about the Urisi Ambassador?"

"Yes, Amanda," Sirinna said solemnly. "Master Roquan has asked neither of us to ..."

"Yes, I know he hasn't, and he thought it ... wait, you mean he didn't say anything to you? He didn't explain why he wasn't picking us?"

Sirinna shook her head. Growing anguish turned to puzzlement. "You mean he said something to you?"

"Of course. I thought he would have explained it to you as well."

Sirinna shook her head again.

"Oh, I guess he was assuming that I would tell you," Amanda lied. More likely Roquan had treated Sirinna as simply "just another slave," and there was no obligation to explain such things to a slave. She tried to hide her irritation. "Master Roquan explained to me that he doesn't like how the Urisi treat slaves. They apparently have a completely different system over there, which is why Master Roquan has never traded with them before."

Sirinna slowly nodded. She had a glimmer of a thought, but words would not give it form before Amanda spoke again.

"He's trying to work out some sort of deal with the Urisi, but he doesn't want to include you or me as part of it. And I wouldn't want either of us to go, Mistress, since it would mean being sent across the ocean."

Sirinna's eyes widened. "The ocean? That's where their country is located?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes. I mean, I know I still have that Farviewing pearl tied to you, but you don't really want me that far away, do you?"

Sirinna let out a troubled sigh and hugged Amanda. "No, of course not ..."

Amanda smiled faintly as she hugged Sirinna back. The touch of her lover's body and the scent of the dew on the grasses brought back fond memories. She closed her eyes and saw herself making love with Sirinna under the trees in the park. All the nervousness and exhilaration of her first sexual explorations came back to her in a poignant rush.

She longed for those days again, before things grew so complicated. Before she had made a decision she had now come to doubt.

Sirinna broke off the embrace as the words finally came to her. "Amanda, did Master Roquan explain why he was doing business with the Urisi now when he had avoided it for so long?"

Amanda smiled softly at Sirinna. "Master Roquan doesn't like it either. I think the other Overlords are forcing him to do it."

Sirinna did not quite understand the answer, but she nodded just the same. No further ambition for knowledge came to her. She simply accepted her Overlord's wisdom as she felt she ought.

"Do we still need to do a review, Mistress?" Amanda asked.

Sirinna smiled and caressed Amanda's hair. "No. We can simply continue with the lessons as we have been. But we can do that in the afternoon. You better get going so you are not late for your service to Master Vanlo."

Amanda's smile widened. "Thank you, Mistress."

"So it would appear that my first plan has failed," said the Farview image of Lord Duric K'garon. "But to be honest, I did not hold out high hopes for it."

Roquan nodded once. The Overlord was impressed. Despite the still youthful appearance, Duric had finally shed the aura of immaturity that had afflicted him until the start of the war. Now, Roquan felt, Duric carried himself like a proper Lord.

"Then your diversionary tactics were largely a delaying action?" asked Roquan.

"Sort of. I had hoped to goad Z'haas into a reckless southern thrust. Lord Tarras had agreed to present only minimal resistance. I gambled that the Imperial Legions would advance faster than supplies could keep up, and my army could meet him halfway and cut their numbers."

"But you needed time to build a matching force, did you not?"

"Yes, and as soon as we had one, Z'haas decided to do this instead."

Roquan had been apprised of the westward attack from the Imperial-held territories a few days ago. "He is attempting to cut the mainland territory in two."

Duric nodded. "The original idea was based on the premise that the Emperor would be controlling all Imperial forces personally. As paranoid as he is, it made sense. I had hoped to engage him and give the north a chance to build their armies, and then squeeze the Emperor between us."

"Instead, they will turn northward. Or at least this is what Rennis believes is the reason behind this attack."

Duric smirked. "Overlords taking a lesson in military strategy, are they?"

Roquan allowed himself a smile. Despite the Noble Lord's new-found maturity, he still lapsed into bits of odd humor, though they were no longer the source of irritation they once were. "Can I assume that his assessment is correct, then?"

"Yes, it's a classic flank-securing move. Z'haas obviously had enough sense to put an actual soldier in charge of the soldiers. Unfortunately this means I have to go with my second plan, which is not very attractive."

"Because you have to spare forces to defend the north?"

"Even if I had any, Roquan, I have no means to get them up there. No, the second plan involves sacrificing the north."

Roquan blanched. "You cannot be serious, Duric."

"Hey, I don't like it myself, and I'm the one that came up with it."

"You are talking about letting all of Appalanchia fall to the Emperor! You cannot allow that."

"And what is my alternative? March on the Imperial Palace again?"

"Yes. You said yourself that you are ready to confront them."

Duric shook his head. "I said I was ready to confront them down here, where distance and terrain favors us. If I take the army up there, Z'haas will have the advantage."

Roquan wondered now if the Noble Lord had traded his immaturity for foolhardiness. "The Appalanchian regions are very important, Duric. I do not see how you can speak so easily of abandoning them to their fate."

Duric rubbed his chin thoughtfully. That region did have resources that were important in trade, but not for survival or war. What it had was a large number of Overlord Manors.

"Perhaps you should hear my entire plan before you judge it, Roquan," Duric said carefully.

Roquan frowned deeply, but nodded once, folding his arms tightly across his chest.

"First off, there's no way the Imperial forces can take all of Appalanchia quickly. They will have to settle for the territory to the east of the mountains."

"That is the most critical and most populous section."

"I know. Hear me out. The point is, we have the mountains. It can be a temporary bulwark. The people that live there know them inside and out. Imperial forces do not. They can tie down a good chunk of Imperial Legions in occupation duty by staging raids, or simply frustrate their final advance."

"And then what?" demanded Roquan.

"Then my army moves north and hits the Imperial realm hard. Either we break through and take the Imperial Palace, or we cause the northern campaign to collapse and put Z'haas back on the defensive."

"And meanwhile, we have a great many people forced to tolerate the Emperor's tyrannical rule."

Duric raised his voice. "Not to mention all those Manors, right?"

Roquan's hands gripped opposing arms and squeezed, as if to contain his anger.

"Roquan, we have to think of the big picture here," said Duric. "You said it yourself. The Nobility and the Overlords have to work together. Unfortunately that means sacrifices have to be shared as well. Hellfire, Roquan, Tarras was willing to let his sizable province be overrun. And Handlon is preparing an orderly evacuation of his Palace."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "Lord Handlon K'yonna?"

"The very same."

"He is still holding out against the western attack?"

Duric grinned impishly. "Holding out? Try kicking the Imperial forces in the pants and you have a good start. The Imperial Legion wasn't prepared for Handlon's forces to make such a good stand in that valley. Might have even held them off another few days if they had not launched that sneaky catapult volley at the start."

"Finally, some good news after all," Roquan said, though the sour tone said otherwise.

"But this is what I mean, Roquan. It's terrain that doesn't favor the soft Imperial forces. They may have at least one good Lord General, but they're still fair-weather soldiers. They're not seasoned yet. I think this plan will work."

"Lord Uras cannot possibly be pleased with this."

Duric smirked. "Oh, he reamed me on it. Never saw the old boy turn that particular shade of red before. But he put me in charge of the Noble Armies, and I have to do whatever it takes to win."

"I just hope that there is something left to actually win in the end."

Duric grinned. "That's what I like about you, Roquan. You're still such an optimist. Good day to you, Overlord."

"Good day, Lord Duric."

Duric's still smiling image faded out.

Mature and wiser he may be, but he is still an insolent whelp. Roquan turned towards the door. "You may enter."

Ambassador Norlan let himself in and clasped his hands behind his back. The muscles along his arms tensed for a moment, and his voice was taut. "Good day, Overlord."

"Apologies for the delay, Ambassador. It was a Farview that I had to take."

Norlan raised a hand in dismissal and shook his head once. "Considering the impasse that we had come to, what is another small delay?"

Roquan's jaw tightened as he caught the very faint hint of sarcasm in the Ambassador's words. He marched to his desk, leaving the air icy in his wake. "Very well, I shall attempt not waste your time any further, since you believe progress to be so lacking."

"I will admit to a hope to seeing some more progress, yes. That does not mean I see the proceedings as a failure. On the contrary, it has been very useful in continuing to highlight the points that need to be addressed."

Roquan picked up a parchment from the desk and turned to face the Ambassador. "I must admit, you have been rather ... unyielding in your position."

"Perhaps that is a matter of perception, my Lord. Some would say the same about your position."

"Like you, for instance."

Norlan smiled. "That is the lot of Ambassadors, Overlord. We are the convenient one to blame when things do not move fast enough to suit one or the other. I simply state perceptions. It is up to us to shape the reality."

Roquan stepped up to Norlan and thrust the parchment at him. "Here is some reality for you, then, Ambassador. As much as I protest how my hand is being forced, I have committed to a number of concessions in order to bring these proceedings to a close."

Norlan took the proffered document. Roquan snatched his hand back and headed away. The Ambassador watched the Overlord's back curiously before dropping his eyes to the parchment.

Roquan folded his arms as the Ambassador read. When it was clear to him that Norlan was reading the same words multiple times, his patience waned. "Really, I would think it quite straightforward. Surely this will satisfy you."

Norlan nodded thoughtfully. "Concession on the use of collars and chains. Concession on re-trading of slave contracts. Concession on some slave re-training."

His eyes roved across the page now for a third time.

"Well? Is this not sufficient to close the deal?" Roquan prompted.

The Ambassador looked up and gave Roquan a small smile. "You are to be commended, Overlord." He stepped up to Roquan and handed the document back. "An excellent start."

"A start? You expect more?"

Norlan laced his fingers together. "My Lord, you have made a great stride in understanding the Urisi culture and mindset. This will truly go a long way towards better and closer ties between our nations once this nasty business of your civil war is resolved. You have started to think in a more worldly manner."

Roquan's eyes hardened. "But what you are saying is that it is not enough!" He tossed the parchment to his desk. "Really, Ambassador, with all your talk of understanding your nation's culture, perhaps it behooves you to understand ours."

"Ah, but I do, Overlord. I have spent a great deal of time studying it once I had heard of my assignment here. And realize that, where I keep company with the High Lords, the Oceanus slave market is always on their lips. I understand a great deal."

"Then you also understand why further concessions are out of the question."

Norlan shook his head. "What I do understand is that other Overlords have made concessions. This shows me that there is a greater flexibility on your side than mine. I wish only for you to have the foresight to do the same."

Roquan stiffened. "Perhaps, then, my philosophy differs from theirs."

Norlan looked thoughtful, then nodded once. "I concede on that point. I do admit that the Urisi sometimes feel as if we are negotiating with lots of little kingdoms rather than one nation."

"Overlords have traditionally been very independent. It is rare that we come together as one, except in times of dire need."

"I suggest, then, that this may be one of those times."

Roquan's gaze narrowed. "I beg your pardon?"

"It is my understanding, Overlord, that your peers require this additional trade to remain solvent during the war if it becomes a protracted one. No matter who prevails in this conflict, it is obvious that internal trade will become disrupted, since merchants do not broker the slave trade, either in terms of merchandise or payment."

"And you point this out in order to force my hand."

Norlan spread his hands and shook his head. "Not at all, Overlord. This is simply the way things are. More reality for you, as it were."

Roquan answered with silence. He had no more words of protest. The Overlords would pressure him to accept the Urisi terms, and the Ambassador was simply stating that he knew this full well.

Sensing a possible victory, Norlan stepped forward and lowered his voice to something more conversational. "Two more concessions, Overlord. Or rather ... more like one and a half. Concede fully on the re-training. And then concede on the use of sex seals. We will concede on full ownership rights, as much as that will chafe the High Lords."

Roquan was shaking his head before Norlan was done. "Absolutely not. My slaves do not require more training ..."

"It is merely to educate them in the protocols of ..."

"And I do not and will not approve of the use of the seals. It is against everything that my slaves understand. They are taught to revel in their own sexuality. Their very psyche demands it."

One of Norlan's eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly. It was the closest that any Overlord had come to openly admitting the presence of the special ingredient in their Draught.

"Really, Ambassador, if you would think about it for a moment, you would see that this keeps the slave happy and content, and in turn, she is much more motivated to please and remain obedient."

"Ah, but we find our methods to be just as efficient, Overlord." Norlan resisted the urge to add "if not more so." Naturally, the Urisi did it better. Theirs was much more a reward-based system than that of the Overlords.

Norlan owned and traded slaves as well, as many high-born men did, and he rigidly upheld tradition. He unsealed and pleasured his slaves if and only if they had pleased him in return. But he did it every time. Reward always followed good behavior. He never arbitrary withheld it. The system worked for him.

Norlan knew that some Urisi slaveowners could be cruel. They unsealed a slave only on a whim. A few never unsealed them. He understood would be a problem for Oceanus slaves.

"My Lord, I will make one small concession in this matter," Norlan announced. "With regards to the seals, I will stipulate that it must be removed at least once a day for a proscribed period of time to allow for any needed sexual relief."

Roquan sighed. "You do not understand. The mere presence of the infernal thing is an anathema to the slave."

A high-born Urisi would have bristled to hear such a staple of their slave trade so rudely disparaged. Infernal thing, indeed! But as an accomplished Ambassador, it had little effect on Norlan. Yet is still represented an impasse.

"I believe we have made some excellent progress, Overlord," said Norlan. "We are not quite there yet, but we are close."

"It appears to me that we will be there only when I concede on all your remaining points," Roquan said sourly.

"Only one more, Overlord. But I suspect you need time to contemplate. I will partake of a morning meal, a walk, and I will meet with you later if that suits you."

Roquan wanted to say that the only thing that would suit him would be to forget about this deal completely. Yet both of them knew he had little power to do so. "Yes, that will be fine," he said in a curt voice. "Good day to you."

Norlan nodded once. "Good day, Overlord."

Vanlo suppressed a sigh as he held the flask up to the light. Much of the fine, hand-blown glass was so pristine that it sparkled in even the milky late-morning radiance of the skylights. But it was marred by several stains of sinister charcoal black. He reached a spotted finger inside and scraped at one with a nail. It seemed imbued into the very substance of the glass.

"I'm sorry, Master Vanlo," said a chagrined Amanda. "I scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed at it, but I can't get those last bits off."

From the doorway, Lanno stood with his arms folded, curious.

Vanlo nodded once and lowered the flask. "You have done well, my dear. It is not your fault. Occasionally, bad reactions will leave a permanent impression upon the vessel."

"Does this mean the experiments are not going well, Master Vanlo?"

"On the contrary, Amanda, failure is progress in this case. It is quite useful for determining what will not work and allow us to narrow the focus on things that potentially will."

Amanda managed a small smile, feeling faintly reassured.

Vanlo handed the flask back to Amanda. "Over in the second cabinet, you will fine a blue sack. There should be a pinkish-purple powder in it. Try applying some of that. Sometimes that will lift the stain out of the essence of the material."

"Right away, Master." Amanda put the flask down by the basin and trotted over to the cabinet.

Vanlo's gaze lingered for another moment. He took a quick, deep breath and headed towards the back room.

Lanno stepped aside for him, still watching Amanda. She returned to the basin with the bag of powder. She glanced his way and gave him a tiny smile. He offered a weak smile in return before heading inside after the older Healer.

He caught Vanlo just as the man sat down heavily before his apparatus. Two more flasks sat with the same charred, coal-black mess inside it that the first had before Amanda had cleaned out all that she could. The outside of one was streaked with ash-like marks, spreading out into what looked very much like a scorch mark on the table itself.

"If you don't mind me saying so, Vanlo," began Lanno. "I think you were being a bit optimistic with her."

"Actually, I do mind. And you will keep your voice down so she does not hear."

Lanno glanced at the door. "Sorry. I guess she's really interested in seeing you succeed, too, given her thoughts about slavery."

Vanlo looked at him. "Oh? She has shared her thoughts with you on this matter?"

"Oh, yes." His lips curled into a small smile. "Don't get me wrong, Vanlo. She really is a sweet girl. She just has some interesting opinions about how things work in Narlass."

"Did I hear you say that she was a sweet girl?"

"Yes, why?"

"It is about time you realized it. I do hope you are treating her well in your ... trysts with her, Lanno."

Lanno smirked. "Considering the trysts as you call them were her idea? Yes, I think I treat her well enough." Lanno had the pleasure of seeing Vanlo look surprised. "But seriously, I think Amanda could handle the truth."

"It is not a matter of that. It is a matter of ... of a foolish promise I made to her."

Lanno said nothing, but his face clearly demanded an explanation.

Vanlo sighed. "I mistakenly told ... or implied rather strongly ... that I could develop something that would reverse the effect in someone already Draughted."

Lanno stared. "You're not serious."

"I am, unfortunately, quite serious."

"Can you even do that?"

"I do not believe so."

"May I ask why?"

"Why it cannot be done, or why I made the promise in the first place knowing it cannot be done?"

"Now that you mention it, both."

Vanlo leaned back in his seat. He looked at the apparatus as it prepared another version of the Draught formula for him to test. "It cannot be done because of the nature of the action on the mind. All side-effects -- both the intended and unintended -- stem from reactions similar to the one that produces the original effect, that of removing memories."

"Okay, so?"

"Removing is the key word here. They are erased from the mind. It is a permanent change. Thus any effects that are related are themselves permanent. I can ... " He paused and swept an arm towards the damaged flasks. "... or so I hope, cancel the effect in a new Draught, but not in a slave that has already had it."

Lanno nodded. "Okay, I think I get it. So then why did you tell Amanda you could?"

Vanlo was quiet for a long moment. "Because, Lanno ... she is a very sweet girl."

Lanno had suspected for some time that Vanlo had a soft spot for Amanda, but this just confirmed it. At least now he understood why.

"So what now?" Lanno asked.

"We continue as we have. We experiment, we see what does not work, and we focus on the remainder."

Lanno nodded and glanced between the dirty flasks.

"Yes?"

"Er, nothing, Vanlo."

"Come, come, do not play games. I know you too well. You have something on your mind. I insist you reveal it."

Lanno scratched his chin. "Well ... I've seen your failures before. Or when you tell me they're failures. It's usually never obvious to me. But this ..."

Vanlo nodded solemnly. "Yes."

Lanno looked at him. "So what's wrong?"

"I fear my approach is what is wrong. But I do not have a clue as to where to pursue a new one."

"There is no one at the Healer Guild you can call on for assistance?" Lanno asked, even though he knew what the answer likely was.

"No one of my experience level, anyway."

Lanno noted the wording and looked at the older Healer inquisitively.

Vanlo paused to make a minute adjustment on the apparatus when he saw part of the mixture dripping just a bit too fast from the condenser. "Chemistry is a much ignored study. There have been few who pursue it seriously. I have heard of only one person who chose to do so, and that was only fairly recently. I do not hold out much hope that she will learn much from the Guild."

"Her? You know who it is?"

Vanlo leaned back, his eyes tracking the flow of fluids carefully to see if things were in balance again. "By name only. Evella G'weena."

Lanno's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, I know that name! She was ahead of me by two seasons at the Guild Hall. Pretty girl. Wouldn't let me bed her, though."

Vanlo gave him a measured look. "Hmm, yes, trust you to remember that about her."

"Well, wait a minute. I also remember she was rather bright, too."

"So I have heard as well. I hold out hope that she will excel at chemistry if she pursues it. But she is not useful to me as a resource."

"Because she would have to study it on her own, and even if she became a Master at the same pace as I did, she would only now be learning it."

"Precisely."

Lanno shrugged. "I don't know. She's really pretty smart and liked to have her nose in a book all the time. I'll bet she learns fast."

"Nevertheless, it is unlikely I can pull her away from whatever posting she is at, and I have no idea what that is. My knowledge of extant postings is through whatever hearsay I happen to obtain."

"I could contact ... the Guild Hall for you. And ask them where she's posted so you can get a message to her."

Something had changed in Lanno's face, but it was gone as quickly as the pause in his words.

Vanlo appeared to consider, his hand on his beard. He shook his head. "No, I feel it would be chasing shadows, Master Lanno. It is better we persevere here in hopes of a breakthrough."

Lanno shrugged again. "All right. I'll go see how Amanda is doing."

He headed back into the treatment room. Amanda glanced up at him, dutifully scrubbing away at the inside of the flask.

"Any luck?" Lanno asked.

"A little. Some of it is still not coming out," said Amanda.

Lanno nodded and leaned against the counter. He smiled. "I'd love to have you come to my quarters again this evening."

Amanda allowed herself a tiny smile in return. "You've had me for several nights in a row now."

"Getting tired of me already? Or am I wearing you out?"

Amanda matched Lanno's impish grin with a look of mock-indignation. "You only think you can wear me out."

"Really now? Is that a challenge?"

"You can take it for whatever you wish," Amanda said loftily.

"You're just begging me to do you even harder. To see just how much you can take."

Amanda felt a little shiver of arousal. She loved this. He seemed to need her to tease him aggressively, as if seeking justification for the intensity of their lovemaking.

But it did give her more a feeling of control. She could argue that she was simply doing as a slave would do, which was cater to the needs of her Master. She doubted, however, that many Draughted slaves could go this far.

And it was the same feeling of a desire for control that forced her to turn him down.

"I would love to, Lanno, but ... I would like to spend some time with Sirinna this evening."

"Oh? Oh, of course, I, um, understand."

Amanda touched his hand. "Tomorrow night, Lanno. I'll gladly share your bed then."

Lanno slowly smiled. "And well you should. Make sure you are not late, slave."

Amanda smiled. "Of course, Master."

Lanno pushed himself from the counter and headed into one of the storerooms. Just as he was about to cross the threshold, his face changed again.

"Amanda, if Master Vanlo asks for me, tell him I will return shortly," said Lanno.

Amanda nodded, faintly curious. "Of course."

Lanno jogged back to his quarters. He searched through his affects and came up with a Farviewing pearl. He waved his hand over it and dropped it to the furs covering the floor before him.

"Come on already," he muttered impatiently.

Finally, a form shimmered into view. "Yes? How may I help you?" said the Guild Hall items merchant.

"I need you to get a message to someone at the Hall."

The merchant sniffed. "I am not a messenger service."

"All you need to do is tell someone to Farview me."

"There is such a thing as a postal service among the roving merchants. Surely you can compose a missive to send ..."

"Blast that, I need a quick response!"

The items merchant tapped his quill on the desk with an imperious air. "Really."

"Just tell Master Yarlo G'slan that Lanno wishes to speak to him again. It is vitally important."

Tap-tap-tap. "Hmm. And am I to be offered recompense for this interruption?"

Lanno rolled his eyes. "Yes, fine, whatever. Five platinum."

"Ten."

Lanno sighed. "Okay, ten. Robber."

"Robber? Hardly. That is the market value of my time. At any rate, I will inform Master G'slan of your desire to speak with him. Good day."

The Farview image faded quickly from sight.

Violet darkness floated down in the wake of the fading afterglow of dusk, the coalescing shadows held at bay by flickering blue lamp-light beside Sirinna's bed. A dim, delicate sheen of light touched the writhing bodies on the furs, shimmering on naked and rippling flesh.

Moans and whimpers rose from the coupled bodies, increasing in desperation as much as their movements increased in defiance. Amanda lay on top, her breath heavy into her lover's sex. Her tongue and lips played in frenzied but sensual dance against Sirinna's wet folds. Thighs quivered with straining need against her cheeks.

Beneath her, Sirinna panted, perhaps a touch faster. Her arms were wrapped about Amanda's legs, holding them open as she plunged into the girl's tight depths. Her young lover shuddered and squirmed, but she pressed her tongue to greater advantage, lips closing on their quarry and sucking Amanda's helpless womanhood into her mouth.

Amanda barely held back a whimper as she strained hard and trembled with the effort to hold back her orgasm. She lashed at Sirinna's nub without mercy, licking at it just so, in that way that she knew drove Sirinna incoherent with lust.

As playful as their little game was intended to be, Amanda's confidence had soared so much in recent days that she was determined to "win" this little contest, something she had never managed to do. She had been content to use this simply as a means of spending time with her lover. Now she was sure she could best Sirinna.

Amanda faltered for a few moments, her attention diverted by the need to keep herself from climax. Finally, she wriggled her body against Sirinna, and pushed her sex into Sirinna's face, throwing her off her stride for just a moment.

It was all she needed. She sucked hard at Sirinna's womanhood and then gently nibbled on it, her tongue poking it at the same time.

Sirinna lost. She let go with a shrill cry into Amanda's pussy, her body shuddering from the intensity of her orgasm.

Amanda gasped as her concentration was broken. It no longer mattered. Her hips jerked, and she let out a series of sharp cries. Both recovered enough to attend to each other once more, drawing out their orgasm into a shared ecstasy.

As the last glimmering embers of both their orgasm and the day faded, Amanda lifted herself from Sirinna. "Oh gods ..." she heard her lover murmur as she turned around and snuggled against Sirinna's body.

"I finally did it," Amanda said breathlessly. "I finally made you cum first."

Sirinna wrapped her arms around Amanda and embraced her, sharing a lingering kiss. Their tongues slid past lips, tasting each other and themselves. After the kiss, she looked into her young lover's eyes and smiled. "You had an excellent Trainer, I understand."

Amanda giggled. For some reason, she was feeling more comfortable again with Sirinna. It was like those days of their first intimacy back on Earth. A small measure of happiness and solace to push back the doubts.

"I almost got you," Sirinna said, caressing Amanda's head. "You almost came for me first, just before you did that last bit."

"I guess I am getting good, aren't I?"

Sirinna smiled. "You are good, Amanda, I've always said that."

"I mean I haven't been thinking that much about my slave duties recently. At least not in that way."

Sirinna's hand stopped. She stared into Amanda's eyes for a long moment.

"What is it?" Amanda asked in mild concern.

"You're good in other ways, too, Amanda," Sirinna said. Her words were hesitant, as if she were not sure herself from where they had come.

Amanda gave her lover a tiny smile. "I know. I do my duties to Master Vanlo well, also."

"No, I ... yes ... yes, that's what I meant, love."

"Is something wrong?"

She almost had it. Just like before, but now when she was awake. A deeper understanding of Amanda's desires and ambitions had appeared in her head. But it was weak and filmy like a soap bubble. It popped and was gone. Some of the sensation lingered, enough to tell her that she had touched something larger than herself, as nonsensical it seemed to her now.

Sirinna cupped Amanda's cheek and smiled. "Nothing, love. Everything is just fine. I do love you so, Amanda."

Amanda hugged Sirinna tightly. "I love you, too, Sirinna."

Joy and relief flooded over Amanda in equal measure. The words had meaning to her again. She could say them again and know her own heart was behind them.

She wasn't sure what had triggered it. Her rapprochement with Lanno? Her work at the Healer Office? The prolonged absence from Jollis?

Her heart still lurched at the thought of the merchant. The pain was still there, but it was a bearable ache. She thought she had fallen out of love with Sirinna. She wished she could do the same with Jollis.

She was back to where she was before, still in love with both of them, but for different reasons.

"Sirinna, can I ask you something?" Amanda heard herself say.

"Of course, love. What is it?"

"Do you think Master Jollis will ever Farview me again?"

Amanda was not sure what made her ask such a thing. Perhaps she was looking for some sign of what Sirinna really thought of him without having to ask it directly.

Sirinna had hoped not to hear that name again from Amanda. She only barely understood Amanda's feelings for him, but jealousy this was not. She was more worried about Amanda's welfare than anything else.

"Amanda, love, why would you want him to call on you again?" Sirinna asked as gently as she could.

"I don't know. I guess ... I guess I want to see if he's forgotten about me or something."

"Perhaps he has."

Amanda just looked at her, eyes intense.

"I don't mean that as a mark against you, Amanda. I only meant that ... that perhaps he has ... other reasons."

It had happened again. Sirinna had made some sort of connection she hadn't made before. Before she could pursue it, an image flickered through her head too fast for her to grasp before it disappeared. It was a hazy blur, but even that small glimpse had been enough to send a shiver through her body. It was gone as quickly and as mysteriously as it had come.

"Sirinna, are you ...?"

"Amanda, I think it's best that he doesn't call on you again," Sirinna said in a more confident voice as she fell back on something more familiar and far less frightening. "Master Roquan believes he has done something very wrong, and that is enough reason for us to wish no part of him."

Amanda sighed. "You're probably right," she said in a subdued voice.

"I know you liked him a great deal. He seemed a sweet man."

Amanda wanted to protest that he didn't just seem that way, he was. But it rang hollow to her. Roquan would not have invented all those accusations. She had to have enough trust in him to believe that much.

She knew what she really wanted now. She wanted to end it with him. She didn't care for the reasons behind his actions anymore. It didn't matter.

"Here, snuggle with me a little longer, Amanda, before we have to go off to sleep," said Sirinna.

Amanda smiled faintly and lay down next to her lover. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about Jollis anymore.

She might as well have told herself to stop breathing.

A sliver of moonlight was the only illumination in the room in the deeper part of night. A figure stirred in the darkness, uttering a soft moan. A arm shot out, and pale red light chased the darkness back.

Lanno swung his legs over the side of the bed and ran his hand through his disheveled hair. He muttered a curse and stood up, grabbing his robe draped on the back of a chair. He slipped into it hastily, only just barely tying it closed before he called out, "All right, all right, I accept the summons."

An image shimmered into being before him. "What is it, Lanno?" it said a bit sharply.

Lanno yawned. "Good evening, Master G'slan. Good of you to drop in about now," he said tonelessly.

"You insisted on this contact, not I. So you take what time I can dole out, as I am very busy."

Lanno blinked in surprise at the Healer's recalcitrance. While Yarlo was never considered to be a socialite, Lanno did not expect him to be this testy. "Sorry. I needed to ask you something."

"And you could not have sent a letter for this?"

"It's important. I need to know where Healer Evella G'weena is right now."

Yarlo's lips parted, and his eyes widened. A moment later, his face became stone. "And why do you think I would know such a thing?"

Lanno had noted the look of surprise on Yarlo's face. "Well, if you don't know, I would consider it a favor if you could have someone look it up for me."

"And why do you wish to know this?"

"She's an old friend of mine. I got to thinking of her lately and I want to see what she's been up to."

Yarlo frowned. "I am not a mate-finder, Lanno."

Lanno smirked. "Well, I didn't mean I was thinking of her in that way ..."

"I seem to recall you having problems in that area. You seemed to be more interested in chasing anything with bright eyes and pretty legs than in studying for your exams."

"Never mind that!" Lanno snapped, his cheeks growing pink. "That's not why I'm interested in her. I want to know if she is still studying chemistry."

Yarlo narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

Lanno rubbed his chin. He could not understand why Yarlo was acting so suspicious. He had to make up something and make it sound good. "Well, if you must know, remember how I told you that Vanlo was working on something to help Roquan's slaves? He, um, hit a bit of a snag and thought it might be useful to seek advice."

This did not seem to assuage Yarlo in the least. If anything, it made him more upset. "And do you now still claim that Master Vanlo G'tort is not indeed dabbling in things that is not his business?" Yarlo thundered. "If nothing else, this proves that he is involving himself in matters that should not be touched. And now that the Healer Guild has been alerted to this, we will be watching him very closely as well. You would be well to advise him of this!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Lanno cried. "Great gods, what brought that on, Yarlo? I ask a simple question about a former colleague and you go nuts. I don't know where you get the idea that ..."

Lanno trailed off as he realized what Yarlo had said.

(We will be watching him closely as well.)

"You can also be sure that we will be seriously reconsidering what we teach of chemistry at the Guild Hall," Yarlo said. "Thousands of potions are already tried, tested, and true, working from well-established principles of medicine and magic. There is no need for research. There is nothing further that it can tell us. Vanlo is a fool for furthering it."

Lanno looked scandalized. "Master G'slan, that was uncalled for!"

"I will decide what is called for and what is not!" cried Yarlo, his face growing red. "You would do well to remember that! No more talk about Evella. She is a foolish girl who ought to be stripped of her Master title. Never had an ounce of sense in her body."

Lanno's hands clenched.

Yarlo shook a finger at the younger Healer. "You can be assured that if I have any influence whatsoever with the Guildmaster, we will be placing tighter restrictions on particular potion ingredients. It is high time we start enforcing standards and keep Healers from interfering in areas that have been traditionally off limits to them."

"Yarlo, this is ridiculous! I have been trying to hold my tongue as I have a great deal of respect for you, but now you ..."

Lanno trailed off again.

"What? What is it?" Yarlo demanded. "Finish your sentences, or stop wasting my time!"

"Evella is working with Overlord Freya D'yros, isn't she?"

Yarlo's eyes held the answer, even as his mouth remained closed.

Lanno slowly nodded. "It makes sense. You told me the Guild suspected Freya was doing something she shouldn't with the Draught. Evella is a budding chemist. Then Vanlo innocently requested some ingredients that made you suspicious."

"And you still claim it is innocent?" Yarlo asked in a lower voice.

"Yes, I still claim that," Lanno said quickly. "That's not the point. The point is, you weren't this upset over it last time. What happened since then?"

The anger drained from Yarlo's face. His shoulders slumped. "I discovered that Freya was being abetted by my own blood, that's what, Master G'sallan."

Lanno's eyes widened. "Evella is your daughter?"

Yarlo nodded once.

Great gods, no wonder he got so pissed off at me when I tried to pursue her, Lanno thought in amusement. He realized his confusion now. Yarlo's clan must be one where they allowed children to take either the father or mother's clan name, instead of using the clan name that both parents had decided on when they were married.

His amusement did not last long. "I'm sorry, Master G'slan," Lanno said.

Yarlo lifted his head. Lines creased hard around his lips and eyes. "Do not be. She made her decisions. But now she is treading on dangerous ground. We do not know what Freya D'yros is up to, but we don't believe it to be anything good."

"Have you tried to Farview her? Perhaps she can explain ..."

"I have tried once. She refused to accept it. That is the extent of my obligation to her."

"Then perhaps I can warn my Overlord."

"No! I should not even be speaking of this with you! We are keeping this as quiet as we can. The Guildmaster has claimed sole discretion in whether to inform the other Overlords or not. He is carefully considering all options. We must trust his wisdom in the matter."

Too bad I don't, Lanno thought. "All right, Yarlo, I won't say anything to the Overlord."

Yarlo nodded once. "Very good. Now, I must take leave. Good day."

"Good day, Master ..."

The Farview image disappeared.

Lanno sighed and shook his head. Then one corner of his mouth rose.

He intended to keep to his word and not inform Roquan of this matter. But he never promised not to tell Vanlo. And if Vanlo happened to tell Roquan himself, that wasn't Lanno's fault, now, was it?

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