"I have to head over to Master Vanlo's office early this morning, Mistress," said Amanda. "He said he had a new task for me today, and it sounds important."

Sirinna took one of the last pieces of fruit from their shared breakfast platter. She noted Amanda's lack of the usual enthusiasm. "Perhaps he wishes you to help him find out whatever went wrong with Master Vanlo's potion."

Amanda realized that Sirinna likely intended this to be helpful, but it only exacerbated the pain she already felt. She smiled faintly, though her words were at odds with her face. "I'm really sorry about all that, Sirinna. I didn't mean to get your hopes up."

Sirinna smiled and lay a hand gently against Amanda's cheek. "Really, it's okay, love. I told you that I was not upset. Master Vanlo will find out whatever went wrong and fix it. Master Roquan trusts him implicitly."

Amanda just nodded, knowing that Sirinna was simply intoning the "proper" response. She did not try to explain the reasons why she was upset. That might make Sirinna "think too much" and trigger more bad memories. "Did you sleep all right last night?"

"Hmm? Yes, of course." Sirinna withdrew her hand and took a bite of her fruit. She smiled. "You should know, you lay snuggled up against me all night."

"But it was you that woke me up. You didn't have any more bad dreams?"

Sirinna shook her head. "No, love, I'm fine."

"Please, tell me if it happens again."

"Amanda, don't trouble yourself over this so much. I really am fine."

Amanda sighed softly. She could not read Sirinna as well as Sirinna could read her. She could not tell if Sirinna were being honest.

Sirinna glanced down at the platter. The side that Amanda had been eating from was empty. "If you've finished your morning meal and want to get an early start, please go ahead. Don't keep Master Vanlo waiting."

Amanda managed a small smile and slid off the bed. She was actually excited about her new task. He had said it was something rather important for which she would be well-suited. She could only guess at what he had meant.

Sirinna put down her piece of fruit and stood as well. She hugged Amanda. "Now stop worrying so much, love," she said softly into Amanda's ear. "And pay attention to what you're doing."

"I always do, Mistress. Master Vanlo is always pleased with my work."

Sirinna broke off the embrace and smiled. "And surely you have no other thoughts about the Healer Office?"

Amanda blinked in confusion.

Sirinna's smile widened. "Master Vanlo's assistant?"

Amanda's cheeks pinked and she offered a genuine smile. "My thoughts are not always on that, you know."

"I am simply happy that you are on good terms with him again."

Amanda giggled. "Yes, you could say that."

Her spirits lifted a bit. It helped that she had barely given Jollis much thought over the past few days. She hoped this was a good sign that she could move past him. She did admit to feeling guilty that she was somehow using Lanno as little more than a distraction. She did like Lanno. It was nowhere the same depth of feeling that she had felt -- or thought she had felt -- towards Jollis. Her relationship with Lanno was more casual than that.

He was good in bed. She could at least admit to this deciding factor without feeling uneasy.

"See you at the midday meal, then?" Sirinna asked.

Amanda smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'll see you then."

They shared another embrace before Amanda headed out the door and into the cool, moist air of morning, the first warming rays of the sun touching the Manor only now.

Sirinna watched Amanda go. Her eyes clouded.

Amanda's instincts had been right. Sirinna had not told Amanda the entire truth. She did manage to sleep through the night without trouble, but it was the vivid imagery from another vague familiar-but-not scene that dogged her thoughts as she rose to wakefulness at the first glow of pre-dawn twilight.

She had laid awake with the sky slowly brightened outside, struggling to put the dream into context and coming up short. Yet each time she considered these dreams, the sense of fear and pain that accompanied them grew stronger.

Sirinna would have avoiding thinking about them, but somewhere in her head, she had taken the critical intuitive step and reasoned that these were memories from a past supposedly removed by the Draught. Amanda seemed to place great importance on such memories. Why else would she have brought up the subject so many times?

She was determined to make the effort. She wanted to please Amanda, and show that she was not as lacking in intelligence as Amanda seemed to think. She wanted only to make Amanda happy. That was all she ever really cared about since the girl had come into her life. She should not let a little pain stand in the way.

"I have spoken with Lord Duric prior to this meeting," said Roquan as he paced slowly before his small audience. "The Imperial legions engaged the forces of the Appalanchian provinces at Talrad pass yesterday morning."

Rennis let out a long sigh and shook his head. Sitting on the edge of his bed, Doran glowered and wiped his face. Standing unobtrusively off to the side was Vanlo, but fully intending to be very obtrusive if Doran over-excited himself again. Standing demurely next to Vanlo, but with her attention riveted on the discussion, was Amanda.

As of that morning, Amanda was one of Doran's personal slaves while he recuperated, at least for the morning shift. Vanlo claimed that his decision was based on Amanda's need for experience, and her intelligence would serve her well. Amanda wondered if it were simply a clandestine way to keep her informed about current events.

"We knew this was coming," continued Roquan. "So far, it appears that the defenders can hold their ground for no more than another two days, if that much."

Rennis frowned. "Only that long?"

"Duric had hoped it would be longer, but the Imperial legions assaulting the pass are apparently led by a good tactician. He appears more experienced than his counterpart among the Appalanchian forces."

"Hrm," Doran muttered. "If I have any consolation at all, it is that I get to envision what that coward Gronnus must be doing now."

"I don't see the possible destruction of an Overlord's Manor by Imperial forces to be any cause of celebration," Rennis snapped.

"Well, I didn't mean it that way! Blazing hellfire!" Doran paused and forced his voice to calmer tones. "Please allow me to find some modicum of good from this, Rennis. Things are bad enough as it is."

Rennis looked about to retort, but Vanlo sent him a silent plea. He let out an exasperated sigh through his nose, his lips drawing to a thin line. His gaze flicked over to Amanda for a moment before turning away.

"The reason I bring this up is not for us to lament over it, or debate the disposition of Gronnus and his Manor," said Roquan. "It is because I wish to use this to our advantage in dealing with Freya."

Rennis frowned. "Dealing with Freya?"

"I assume Doran briefed you on what Freya has been doing."

"Yes, I'm aware of all that. But as bad as that is, what can we possibly do about it? We are not in a position to call a Conclave."

"My concern right now is not to bring her to justice. I simply wish her to stop using her Draught on Narlassi peasants."

"Rennis, she's already done this to no fewer than ten young maidens from the village near her Manor!" Doran exclaimed. "And this comes directly from Trennan. Despite the fact that he still wants Roquan's head on a platter, I trust him implicitly when it comes to information."

Amanda shifted nervously. She was only beginning to understand that somehow word of her exploits at the Conclave had become public knowledge among the other Overlords.

Rennis' again shifted his eyes accusingly towards Amanda for a moment. "Then give that information to the other Overlords and let them sort it out. They will call for ..."

"They will drag their feet and nothing will be done," boomed Doran. "And in that time, who knows how many more slaves Freya will take from among the peasantry!"

"Your Lordship ..." Vanlo said in a soft but warning voice.

Doran sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine," he said in a lower voice.

"Amanda, prepare a dosage of the calming draught to be safe," Vanlo said.

"Yes, Master, right away," said Amanda. She started towards a small table in a far corner, where a flask containing an amber fluid and several small vials lay.

"Oh, stop fussing over me, Vanlo!" Doran snapped.

"It is necessary until I can secure the proper herbs for a potion to clear the plaques from the vessels around your heart," explained Vanlo. "Until then, it is best that ..."

"Roquan, does she really need to be here?" Rennis suddenly spoke up, pointing.

Silence fell. Amanda had just picked up the flask. Now she paused and looked uncertainly back at the others.

"Vanlo required her presence as part of his duties to Doran," Roquan said.

"And you can trust her to keep quiet about anything she hears?"

"She is loyal to me."

"That's not what I asked."

"It was your answer, Rennis," said Roquan. "Whatever view you or anyone else has on her past exploits, I remind you that it was done for me and no one else."

"Unlike what she tried to do for Sirinna."

Amanda's face fell. She tried very hard not to react any more than that, but it was terribly difficult.

Roquan frowned. "Whatever issues you have with Amanda in any regard, you will take up with me in private. This is not the time to air them. And her loyalty to me is not to be questioned."

Rennis' jaw tightened. His eyes flicked over to Amanda again and back.

Roquan stepped forward and dropped his voice to a more conversational tone. "Rennis, please. I know you are still upset about Sirinna. But your anger is misdirected. Amanda would no more harm her than you would."

Rennis blinked a few times, his mouth dropping open slightly. He looked at Amanda again, but this time some of the edge was gone from his eyes.

Amanda felt the need to say something, even if it were technically talking out of turn. "Master Rennis, I never wanted to hurt her. Please believe me. I love her too much. I really thought this was going to be something good for her."

Some more of the anger faded from his eyes. He simply nodded, no words coming to him. Part of his problem was that he was having to adjust his thinking about Amanda. Roquan was not treating her as a typical slave anymore, and it was hard for him to let her presence fade from his mind like he might do with a more "conventional" slave.

"Coming back to the original subject," said Roquan. "Doran has a point. It will take far too long for the other Overlords to react. Trennan realizes this, hence the conversation that Doran had with him last night."

Rennis raised an eyebrow and looked at Doran.

Amanda trotted over to Doran and handed him a vial filled with the potion from the flask. "Yes, Trennan contacted me, and essentially gave Roquan leeway to do anything he wanted to stop Freya," Doran said. He tilted his head back and downed the vial. He made a face. "Argh! Blast you, Vanlo, is it a damnable requirement of your profession to make every potion taste like something from a dirty corner of a sanitary?"

Amanda hid a small smile as she turned away with the empty vial.

"That's all well and good, Roquan," said Rennis. "But short of gathering our own soldiers and forcibly removing her from the Manor, I don't see how we can do anything."

"I have an idea that may allow her to remove herself from her Manor," Roquan said.

Both Rennis and Doran stared at him. "Did I hear you right?" Rennis asked. "How do you expect to accomplish this?"

"By, unfortunately, resorting to her own main tactic: deception."

By now, Amanda had returned to Doran with a goblet of water. Doran smiled in appreciation, not having specifically asked for it but needing one at the moment to get the bad taste from his mouth.

"I wish to create a ruse that will force her to leave her Manor," Roquan explained. "It is not the ideal solution, but it will at least delay her use of the reformulated Draught and protect her slaves from further abuses."

"It will take something truly catastrophic to make her abandon her Manor," Doran said darkly after downing the water.

"We will provide it. Or rather, we will make her think that such a thing is happening. We will take advantage of the fact that she is listening in my conversations. Doran had confirmed with Trennan that Freya was still doing as such and had not caught on to our knowledge of her actions."

"And Trennan won't tell her, not after what he knows about her now," Doran declared.

"The Imperial legions will eventually break through Talrad Pass," said Roquan. "It is likely they will continue north towards Gronnus' Manor."

"Well, yes, but we still don't even know if the Manor is really the target," Rennis said. "I hope to blazing hells that it's not!"

"I agree. But it is crucial to the deception in either case. We need to convince Freya that the Imperial forces have split up after breaking through the pass. One legion is continuing towards Gronnus, but another is headed directly for her Manor."

Doran laughed out loud. "Oh ho! Now I would give all the platinum I have ever made in my life to see the look on Freya's face when she heard that!"

Amanda had to admit that she would not be unhappy to see Freya in distress, especially after her experience with the Overlord. Either way, she was quite intrigued now. She returned to Vanlo's side, keeping an eye on Doran, but also listening intently.

"Wait!" Rennis called out, stepping forward. "Okay, great idea as far as it goes, but do you seriously think she will trust that information? I sincerely doubt she will leave based on a single overhead conversation."

"Yes, Rennis, I know," Roquan said. "She will check other sources. In order for this ruse to work, we have to contact as many people as we can that Freya might contact herself and convince them to go along with this deception."

"That is an incredibly tall order."

"But if it will stop Freya, I believe it is worth it."

"Rennis, this could work," Doran said. "Freya does not have as many close friends as she likes to make people think she does. She'll likely try to go to sources that she would trust. All we really have to do is convince Duric, maybe Lord Uras, the Appalanchian Lords, and Trennan."

"If she asked anyone else, Rennis, they would have to tell her that they just don't know," Roquan said. "They would not reveal the deception simply because they are not in a position to have definitive information either way."

"And what of the merchants?" Rennis said. "They are information brokers. They will surely tell her that ..."

"Not if I get in touch with Uridon first."

Rennis fell silent, looking intensely thoughtful. Amanda thought it was brilliant. She wished she could say something in support of the idea. Rennis finally sighed and shook his head. "And you expect to get this set up in only two days? I just don't see that happening, Roquan!"

"I will have no trouble with Duric, and he can talk to Lord Uras," said Roquan. "Uras will talk to Appalanchia."

"Assuming they will even do this for us!"

"Duric is a close friend, and we have both been through a lot. He will do this for me. I may even arrange for him to Farview me with the 'news' that the force has split up."

"And Uridon?" said Rennis.

"He gave me a Farview pearl," Roquan said. "I can contact him directly."

Rennis looked incredulous. "He actually let you bind a Farviewing pearl to him?"

"That is how much he supports this effort against the Emperor, Rennis. And it is likely he can quickly contact the other clans as well."

Rennis frowned. "That's going to be some hefty platinum. I mean, we're telling the merchants to give false information. Even if Uridon goes along with it, the other clan leaders ..."

"I will provide the platinum," Doran called out. "Anything to stop that witch from plying her new Draught on others!"

"... and we assume that they even want to do anything for the Overlords," Rennis concluded in a louder voice. "They may not care about our internal squabblings."

"I am aware that are chances for success are not very high," Roquan began.

"Oh, that was an understatement."

"But if it has a chance to work at all, we need to exploit it. The alternative is to do nothing and let her continue her crimes. And continue to plot against me."

"Well, I certainly don't have any better ideas myself. But what do we do about her Manor? Do you really think she would just abandon her slaves like that?"

"To save her own skin?" Doran sneered. "Most assuredly!"

"Freya knows as well as we do that a well-organized Manor can run itself for a short while," said Roquan. He swept his arm before him. "Witness the two of you on extended leave from your Manors."

"And you're making the assumption, Rennis, the Freya cares for her slaves beyond what profit they can bring her," said Doran.

Rennis made a face. "I suppose I was being too optimistic in that area. All right. Fine. Tell me what you need me to do ..."

Ambassador Norlan looked over the long parchment scroll for perhaps the third time that morning since the Overlord had dashed off his signature and planted his seal in a most perfunctory way. Which meant something else had come up, and Roquan wanted to attend to it as quickly as possible.

Norlan wanted to find out what it was. His sources told him that the Emperor had made a new move in the civil war, but it apparently defied military logic. He was puzzled as to why this might concern the Overlords, unless it was somehow tied into the power struggle between Roquan and Freya.

His eyes traced the neat, cursive black ink. He had everything he wanted in that treaty, save for two things. First, he never got a chance to speak with Jollis again. Second, Mandas was already back at court, and likely touting the intelligence work he did to anyone that would listen. And they would listen, since he was the straight and narrow one and Norlan was the maverick. Without that connection to Jollis, Norlan had only this treaty, which ultimately would mean nothing.

And he did not get Amanda.

Norlan suppressed a sigh as he re-rolled the scroll. He understood now why owning a Draughtless slave was called "the enticing taboo." The allure was not so much the platinum as it was the sense of dabbling in a forbidden pleasure. It was more of a thrill sealing and unsealing Amanda than any other slave he had ever owned.

Norlan tied a formal ribbon about the scroll, thus making it suitable for presentation to the High Minister for his approval. He would linger at the Manor for another three days. That was about as far as he could push it under the explanation that he was simply enjoying the Overlord's hospitality.

The Ambassador set the scroll aside. He gestured to the slave and let her dress him. He would set off for the island port again. Perhaps he could find someone else that had more information on Jollis' whereabouts.

"Master Doran?" Amanda called from the doorway to the spring chamber. "Your bath is ready."

"Hrm. I do hope you put nothing but ordinary cleansing soap in there," Doran muttered as he rose from bed.

"Master Vanlo had me add some Ressalla, just a little, to help you relax."

"Ressalla, eh? Is there any hope, my dear Amanda, that it will smell a bit better than the entrails of a diseased animal?"

Amanda could not suppress a small smile. "It actually smells rather pleasant, Master. The aroma itself is soothing as well."

"If any other slave told me that, I would suspect she were only telling me what I wanted to hear," Doran declared. "At least with you I know that I am getting the truth."

Amanda considered this a compliment, and her smile widened.

Doran stepped away from the bed and followed his temporary slave into the chamber. It was built much like Roquan's, though a bit smaller. It ran like Roquan's, a set spell keeping the water warm and flowing. Light suds formed along ripples in the water. Steam rose lazily from the surface, carrying an aroma similar to lilac.

Doran sampled the air for a moment, nostrils flaring, before he stepped fully inside. "I suppose that will do," he said loftily. "That infernal Vanlo will always find some way to slip me more of his noxious nostrums."

Amanda nearly giggled.

Doran paused at the edge of the pool and looked towards Amanda. "So you remember everything of your life before Narlass, do you?"

"Yes, Master. I have memories that go back pretty far."

"Tell me, did your world have ridiculous ailments like mine?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes, Master, unfortunately. But it sounds like Master Vanlo will be able to help you."

Doran made a face. "Now you really are just saying something to make me feel better."

"Oh, no, Master. If Vanlo says he can do it, he's generally right. It's better than what they would have to do back in my home world."

"Which is?"

"Probably perform surgery to physically bypass the clogged artery."

Doran looked confused. "Surgery? Just what is that?"

"It's basically cutting into the body to get at the heart and ..."

Doran looked aghast. "Blazing hellfire, you're not serious?"

"We don't have magic on my world, Master Doran. It's the only way we can do it."

"I should say they would be better off if they got some magic!" Doran huffed. "Sounds like their cure is worse than the ailment."

Amanda did believe that there were some things Narlass did better than Earth. It seemed that very few worlds beyond Narlass had magic. It was one of the reasons the Overlords were so successful plucking Captives from other worlds. No one could match their magical prowess.

Doran let out a sigh and looked towards the bath. "Anyway, it is time to see what Vanlo is afflicting upon me this time."

The Overlord undid the sash and shrugged off his robe. Amanda swiftly drew it into her hands, leaving the man naked. Amanda was surprised. She had thought Doran heavyset, but much of it appeared to be a large frame rather than corpulence. He was simply a big bear of a man that lacked some healthy muscle tone.

Doran eased himself into the water. Amanda neatly folded his robe and fetched some more powdered herbs and soap. By the time she returned to the pool, the Overlord let out a long sigh of contentment as he sank into the warm water to nearly his shoulders.

Amanda placed the items at the edge of the spring. She slipped into the water and behind Doran. She lathered her hands with the water and the soap powder and spread them across Doran's back and shoulders, working her fingers into the muscle. Amanda's assessment had been right. All he really needed to was to tone himself up and he would be just as hardy as Roquan.

The skin grew slick, the thin film of soap glistening in the milky sunlight that glowed from smoky skylights. She watched his lungs swell against his back as he drew in a deep breath, and listened to the contented sigh that followed. When she ran her hands over him again, the muscles had unclenched.

"Would you believe this is the first time I have relaxed in a moon?" said Doran with some amusement in his voice.

"I think the Ressalla is starting to work, Master," said Amanda.

"No, I believe it is you that is starting to work. You have a most excellent touch."

Amanda marveled at how his speech seemed to vibrate under her hands. "Thank you, Master. I learned how to do this while I was abroad to Master Duric."

"Ah, yes! He is one, I have heard, that demands the comfort befitting his position."

Amanda smiled slightly, but did not reply.

"You may speak freely with me, Amanda. You do not need to wait until I have asked a question."

"Yes, he does enjoy that sort of comfort, Master," said Amanda. "Tanyee taught me how to tend to him, since she had been there longer."

The Overlord fell silent, letting Amanda's hands roam over his shoulders and neck, and then down his arms. He closed his eyes, letting out another pleased sigh. He felt the tightness that had lingered in his chest since his first episode finally loosen.

He eventually heard a gentle splashing sound from his side. He opened his eyes to see Amanda positioning herself in front of him. She drew close, straddling his legs and gently pushing him back against the edge of the pool. She lathered her hands again and spread them over his chest.

"Roquan tells me you chose to stay in Narlass," Doran said in a softer voice. "That you chose to become a slave."

"Yes, Master," she said in a neutral voice.

"That is a rather extraordinary decision to make. I doubt very much any of the Captives we take would choose as such if given the chance."

Amanda looked the Overlord in the eye. Her gaze was serious, perhaps a bit challenging, but not hostile. "No, I don't suppose many would, Master," she finally said in a low voice.

Doran was not sure how to take that response. If a normal slave had looked at him like that, even with overt hostility absent, it would be a cause for disciplinary action. He might not be so hesitant had it not been for Freya's machinations. He was seeing a side to the Draught that he not considered.

Though he had to wonder how much frustration Roquan had experienced with Amanda before they settled into the rapport that they now shared. He would not be surprised if Roquan had wished on several occasions that the Draught could be given after the fact.

Amanda was unsure what to think herself. She was not angry with Doran. He was a product of his culture. He could not be expected to understand her thoughts, or how she felt caught between two worlds.

The Overlord said nothing more as Amanda finished his chest and started on his legs. It did not take more than a few gentle touches along the insides of his thighs to swell his manhood, until it rose nearly to the surface of the water.

Amanda cast a lingering, admiring gaze at it. It was in proportion to the rest of him: large, thick, and quivering with vitality despite his condition.

She shifted her hips in the water. Her sex grew warm in anticipation. By the time she had finished washing him, her folds were slick and wanting. Yet when she reached a hand to him, Doran gently stopped her.

"Much as I would love to, Amanda," said Doran in a softer and slightly husky voice. "You have managed to relax me more than I have been in a long time. This would only excite me again, though admittedly in a more pleasant way."

Amanda smiled gently and nodded, withdrawing her hand. She certainly did not want to be the cause of him having another attack, especially not that way. Even though it left her pussy aching, she could take care of that matter herself when she had a moment.

She started to rise. Doran placed a hand on her shoulder. "Yes, Master?"

Doran offered her a soft smile, the first time she had seen as such. It made him look far more attractive than his form and demeanor would otherwise suggest. "You are in need. Allow me to take care of that for you."

Doran leaned forward and slid an arm around her waist. She let go a small sigh of anticipation as he drew her close. As his manhood passed under her, she had to resist the urge to descend upon it.

His free hand reached between her thighs. Amanda closed her eyes as his thick fingers touched wet flesh. Her breathing became a soft pant as his finger stroked her firmly. She rocked her hips gently against his hand, her pleasure ascending slowly. He was in no hurry to conclude, and he seemed to enjoy giving her pleasure.

When his strokes suddenly eased and stopped, Amanda opened her eyes and looked at him with a mixture of disappointment and inquisitiveness. A moment later, she felt something at the entrance to her tunnel, and when it pushed past her willing labia, her eyes widened in surprise. Had he had second thoughts about ...

Then she realized it was not his manhood but his fingers.

Amanda moaned, eyes half-lidded as her hips sank against three of his fingers. She panted in earnest as her hips rocked faster. She was humping them as if it were his manhood, and felt almost as good.

She burst into orgasm and squeezed his fingers. She let out a cry, pants becoming gasps as his thumb toyed with her womanhood, sending renewed waves of pleasure rippling through her body.

Doran let her down easily, as if loathe to end it. Her orgasm seemed to flare up again a few times even as it faded, until he had finally withdrawn from her. She let out a long, contented sigh. "Thank you, Master."

"It was a pleasure, Amanda," said the Overlord. "As was your company."

Amanda smiled.

The image of Lord Duric scratched at the stubble under his chin as he contemplated Roquan's words. Finally he broke into a wide smile. "Well, I would never have thought. Overlord Roquan D'ronstaq, the Radical Thinker of Oceanus!"

Roquan sighed. "Oh, really, Duric ..."

"And so sneaky, as well! Are you sure no one helped you with this idea?"

Roquan gave the Noble Lord's Farview image a stony glare.

Duric laughed. "Now what did I tell you about your sense of humor?"

"I really am mystified as to how you can maintain such a level of humor yourself."

"Because it helps me retain my sanity when it seems that all around are losing theirs," said Duric in a more somber voice. "Trying to keep the other Noble Lords in line is proving difficult."

"I thought that was more Lord Uras' purview."

"He's one of the ones I have to keep from flying off the handle." Duric rolled his eyes. "It's a bit of a madhouse sometimes among the Noble Lords. But what matters is the army, and Lord Tarras has added his own men-at-arms to ours, and they're rather good."

Roquan nodded. "But what you're implying is that you doubt you can fulfill my request."

"Well, I didn't say that. Nothing is impossible."

"But it will be difficult."

"Of course it will be, Roquan," said Duric earnestly. "We already have so much to keep track of as it is. It doesn't look like Appalanchian forces are going to hold out as long as I thought they might."

"That is not good to hear."

"Tell me about it. So the Appalanchian Lords are a bit upset, to say the least, especially if the latest intelligence is true. Seems that there might be another legion preparing to enter the battle along the original route we thought an invasion would take."

Roquan frowned. "A two-pronged attack?"

"Yes, but with only one legion? Even with Appalanchian forces depleted by the battle at Talrad Pass, they could delay the Imperial forces significantly. They have a lot of ground to cover before they can capture anything of strategic value up the coast."

"Unless Z'haas is planning to use more than one legion."

Duric shook his head. "Not with as paranoid as the Emperor is about securing his southern border. But we've been marching northward, and should be in a position to start launching attacks against Imperial lands in another half moon. I doubt we'll advance far, but it will keep up the pressure and hopefully blunt the attack to the north."

"But not before they overrun at least one Overlord Manor."

Duric spread his hands. "It can't be helped, Roquan. I have to pick and choose what I defend. I hate to be blunt, but Noble Lord lands are more important."

Roquan's jaw tightened, but he nodded in agreement. "I do not envy you in the decisions you must make."

"I don't envy myself either." Duric paused. There was a palpable change in his demeanor. "Or the role that some people seem to want me to take when this is over."

Roquan's eyebrows rose questioningly.

Duric hesitated, then let out a windy sigh. "There are some people here crazy enough to see me on the Oceanus throne."

Roquan's head drew back a bit, the only reaction of surprise that he allowed himself. "Indeed," he said simply, though there was an undertone of intrigue to it.

Duric smirked. "That's all I get? No other comments?"

"Is it really my place to say anything, Duric? It is a matter for the Noble Lords."

"Yes, nice safe answer, Roquan. Except I'm not looking for one, any more than you're looking to let Overlord Freya continue to do her evil deeds. I'm asking you as a friend, Roquan, not as an Overlord. Tell me what you really think."

Roquan folded his hands before him. His expression was cool but not hostile. "If you really wish to know, Lord Duric, I have always considered you to be a bit of an insolent whelp."

Duric flinched. "Really," he said neutrally.

"But you have changed since then," Roquan continued. "You have listened to others. You matured. You adapted. And now you are a leader of men."

"But not that great of one. A lot of my initial plans came to naught."

"But did you continue to pursue them when evidence mounted against them, or did you stop and seek the counsel of others?"

Duric smirked. "Seriously, Roquan, did Lord Tarras get to you first?"

"I have had no direct contact with him since the last time he was a client nearly three seasons ago. Why, has he said the same thing?"

Duric hesitated a long moment. "Yes."

"Perhaps you should listen to him. After all, you appear to be good at that."

"You know, Roquan, this is amazing. It seems that everyone is trying to convince me to take a job that I don't want in the first place."

"Even more reason for you to take it."

"Yes, I knew you were going to say that."

"Then perhaps you do not need any further convincing."

"And you don't think the other Overlords would object to someone like me on the throne?"

Roquan looked askance at Duric. "You really need me to answer that, Duric?"

Duric looked confused.

"If you take the throne, and become Emperor Duric Z'garon the First, do you believe you will take Tanyee with you?"

Duric looked surprised. "Well, of course I will. Hellfire, if anything, I'll probably want more slaves from you. A proper Emperor is supposed to keep his advisers and officers happy, not to mention the Imperial guard, or provide entertainment for visiting dignitaries."

"I doubt I could supply your need alone."

"Well, then, I'll have to contact the other Overlords and see what they can offer. I ..."

A very tiny smile tugged at the corners of Roquan's mouth.

Duric laughed. "Oh, I see now. They see me as a new market!"

"Overlords have traditionally had a lucrative relationship with the Imperium. It is only under Z'haas that this changed."

Duric smirked. "Well, far be it from me to dash the hopes of the Overlords. But I do have one request. Would you consider sending Amanda to the Imperial Palace on occasion? I would see to it she was matched with someone more appropriate for her, ah, status."

In the course of explaining to Duric what Roquan wanted from him, he had to confess that Amanda was Draughtless. Roquan considered, and nodded slowly. "If she is willing, yes."

Duric laughed. "There goes that radical thinking again. Very well, Roquan. And as to your request, I will make every effort I can to fulfill it, but I cannot promise you anything."

"Understood, Duric. I realize that the odds are against us."

"But that is never reason enough for me to shy away from it," Duric said. He smiled. "Good day to you, Roquan, you radical."

"Good day to you, Duric, insolent whelp."

Duric laughed again as his image faded from sight.

"Rennis, I will tell you the same thing that I told Freya," said the glowering Farview form of Overlord Trennan. "I do not care for all this deception. I did not like it when Freya did it to Roquan, and I am not enamored of him doing it back to her!"

"Look, I don't like it either," Rennis said earnestly. "But frankly I don't see any other option here. I mean, you agree that she should be stopped, don't you?"

Trennan sighed. "I implied as much when I last spoke to Overlord Doran, yes."

"Then all we want is your help in trying to accomplish that."

"I never said I would agree to help. I simply said that I would not stand in the way. Hellfire, Rennis, I spend my time these days trying to distance myself from politics and here you are trying to pull me back in again."

"It's not politics. It's stopping Freya from committing a huge crime against everything that the Overlords stand for."

Trennan frowned. "You're starting to sound like Roquan did at the Conclave."

Rennis avoided making a sharp retort. He was getting tired of being compared to Roquan. Surely he had not picked up that much from his friend. "Be that as it may, Trennan, and despite what you feel he did to achieve his goal, you can't deny that Roquan was right about the Emperor."

Trennan paused. "I suppose that is true. Not that I approve of this war, you understand."

"Regardless, you were on Roquan side, at least in principle."

"Perhaps."

Rennis narrowly avoided a smirk. He loved how much Trennan claimed not to practice politics, but some of his responses were crafted with hidden political "wiggle room."

"But more to the point, Rennis," Trennan continued. "Does he really expect he can communicate with enough people to prevent Freya from finding out the truth?"

"I know, but it's the only thing we could come up with that has a chance of working."

Trennan narrowed his eyes. "You could simply let the Overlords handle it by calling a Conclave."

"And meanwhile, she gets free reign and uses the Draught on more Narlassi."

A visible shudder of disdain went through the Farview image, which put Rennis' mind at ease about where the Trennan really stood. "It makes me sick to think about it," Trennan muttered.

"As it does me. Or any respectable Overlord."

"Why are you taking this to me, Rennis?" Trennan asked. "Why are you burdening me? You could have avoided telling me, and I would simply report to Freya that I had no reliable intelligence to confirm or deny it."

"Because I need you to talk to the other Overlords for us."

Trennan let out an exasperated noise. "You not only want me to participate in deception, you want me to abet others in it! Why do not any of you do this task?"

"Because right now, Trennan, you are the most respected Overlord in Oceanus."

Trennan raised an eyebrow.

Rennis nodded. "It's true. Roquan has fallen into disrepute because of Freya's accusations. Doran is not the statesman he once was, not with his heart ailment acting up again. He just does not have the stamina for it. And I have very little influence, and likely am not viewed very well due to my association with Roquan."

Trennan made a noncommittal noise.

"Look, you want to do the right thing and convene a Conclave. Why not do both? Ask the other Overlords to participate in this ruse and at the same time call for the Conclave."

"If I do, it will be because of both Freya and Roquan's transgressions!" Trennan declared.

"Fine. Roquan accepts that. His main concern is stopping Freya. You don't have to contact every one. Like you said, the ones that don't know about it will just report that they can't tell her one way or the other. Just hit the ones that Freya would most likely contact."

There was another long, silent pause. Finally, Trennan nodded slowly. "All right. I will do this. I do not like it, but I like what Freya is doing even less."

Rennis started to smile, then thought better of it. "Thank you, Trennan, it is very much appreciated."

"We will see how thankful you after I determine how many Overlords will believe the accusation in the first place," Trennan said sourly. "Good day, Rennis."

"Good day, Trennan."

Clouds rolled in with the waning afternoon, chasing the sun across the sky. The dusk was obscured by a gray-white blanket that hung sodden over the Manor. Evening simply grayed the light further.

The moist air was spitting rain as Amanda crossed the Manor grounds. She was not in a great rush despite her skin and hair glistening with cool moisture. Was she in too much of a rush to trust Lanno this far? Was she making the same mistake that she had made with Jollis?

She tried to convince herself that this was different. Amanda had been rather vulnerable when she had encountered Jollis. He had provided her what she had so desperately needed. With Lanno, it was different. She chose to have this relationship. Her relationship with Jollis simply happened.

Amanda came to Lanno's quarters and slipped inside without announcing herself. She found Lanno kneeling next to a small locker in the corner of the room. He pondered something that he held in the palm of his hand.

Amanda closed the door behind her. The noise made Lanno's head snap around. "Oh, Amanda, I didn't hear you ... um, just a moment ..." Looking flustered, he threw the item into the chest and slammed the lid shut. "Um, sorry," he said sheepishly as he stood up and straightened his robe.

"I'm sorry, did I come at a bad time?" Amanda asked.

"No, not at all, I was just ... uh, well, never mind." He managed a small grin. "Isn't sneaking in like that against slave rules or something?"

"It might be. I guess I was naughty again."

Lanno paused. "I suppose I need to do something about that," he said, a very slight inquisitive tone to his voice.

Amanda's lips curled. He was actually asking her permission. It made some of her anxiety abate. Now there was only the tingle of anticipation in her loins. "That's what a good Master would do," she said in a silky voice.

Lanno drew close and slid his arms around her. Amanda felt a rush of heat come over her body despite the chill to her skin from the evening air and rain. Lanno inhaled deeply and smiled. He loved the fresh smell of rain, and mixed with Amanda's own natural aroma, it was nothing short of a delight.

He pulled her gently into an embrace. Amanda let out a slow sigh of contentment at his warmth. His hands roamed down her back and over her rear. He squeezed it, then drew back one hand and gave her a light swat.

Amanda gasped and flinched in his arms. She let out another sigh of deepening desire. He repeated with the other cheek, a little harder this time. Amanda clutched at him, her heart thumping hard.

Encouraged, Lanno continue, alternating between the two cheeks. His blows barely caused any pain. Just a brief, sharp flare that faded quickly, but the accumulated blows left behind a small tingling buzz that cause a slow burn in her sex.

After about five more blows, he stopped and kneaded both cheeks with his fingers. She panted into his ear.

"You're getting excited by this?" Lanno asked incredulously.

Amanda swallowed. "Y-yes ..."

"Then I think I need to do this right."

Lanno separated from her. Amanda already felt a moist heat gathering in her sex. She never became this quickly aroused from it before. Lanno sat on the edge of his bed. "Over my knees, my little naughty slave."

Amanda quickly stepped over to him before she could lose her nerve. She bent over his parted legs. She could see his swelling manhood tenting his robe. It sent a small shiver through her.

Lanno's hand alighted on her rear. Amanda shivered again and let out a sultry sigh. Her body quivered in both anticipation and trepidation. He massaged her cheeks, bringing excited sighs from Amanda. Finally, he drew his hand back.

"Uhn!" Amanda cried as his hand impacted with a loud slap. The blow stung hard, but only for a moment. By the time it started to fade, however, his hand had come down again, and again, in a steady, quick rhythm.

Amanda grunted and gasped through the assault. The buzzing sting in her cheeks grew until her sex was swimming in sodden warmth. She closed her eyes and uttered a whimpering moan, her nipples hard and taut and begging to be touched along with her sex.

After twenty blows, Lanno stopped. Amanda panted heavily, her cheeks glowing bright pink. Her pussy felt swollen and achy.

Lanno slapped his hand against her tender cheeks, making her hips jerk once. She shuddered as his hand slid between her thighs. Fingers sank into her folds with a wet sound. Amanda squirmed and fought to stop from impaling herself on his hand. Her movements made her cheeks flare again, which only intensified the sensation. She trembled in rising pleasure, silently begging for him to grab one of her breasts as well.

As if responding to her mental plea, she felt his free hand rise to her dangling breast. His fingers toyed with the pliant flesh, weighing it in his hand, squeezing it. Amanda writhed, panting wildly. His fingertips found the nipple and teased it, flicking, squeezing, and tugging. Amanda writhed under the sensual assault, the buzz of the lingering sting in her rear making it all the more intense.

Lanno suddenly withdrew his hands from her. Before she could whimper in disappointment, she caught the sound of his own labored breathing. She turned her head and glimpsed the bulge against his robe lightly pulsing with his quickened heartbeat.

"Sit up in my lap, Amanda," Lanno said in a low voice. "Facing me."

Amanda straightened up as quickly as she could. Her tender rear twinged, sending another ripple of pleasure through her sex. As she turned towards him, Lanno undid and parted his robe. His manhood rose, purplish from the intensity of his erection.

Lanno took Amanda's arms as she straddled him. Her parting legs stretched the muscles under her rear, making them flare and sending a shiver through her. He pulled her towards him, his eyes dark and lustful. Amanda's shimmered in anticipation and need.

His arms slid around her. She was drawn to him, and then downward. She let out a small gasp as his manhood strained at the entrance to her tunnel before popping inside her. She slid down his length, her body fetching up against him with a renewed flare from her tender cheeks.

Lanno panted in his excitement, his hand circling her waist. Finally his arms flexed, and he lifted her up, cock sliding back, only to thrust hard back into her when he let her fall upon it again.

Amanda let out a tiny yelp as the bit of lingering pain from her rear followed in wake of pleasure. Lanno gripped her again and repeated, until Amanda understood the pace and worked her own body into it.

"Oh gods ..." Amanda moaned, pain following pleasure with each descent, until the pace increased to the point where the two seemed indistinguishable.

Her fingers curled hard into Lanno's shoulders until the nails nearly scratched the skin. It was a single rolling sensation, intense beyond words. Her desire became frantic. Her hips slammed down faster than his hands would move. He relented and let her set the pace. Perspiration beaded on her forehead, her breath heavy and desperate.

Lanno trembled with approaching climax. Amanda uttered a strained moan and clutched hard at him, hugging her body to his and setting herself on his manhood like a piston.

She was only vaguely aware of his sudden loud moaning, until through the haze of her own feelings she sensed the pulsing of his manhood against her tunnel. It was only then that she realized she had tensed her own sexual muscles, keeping her from peaking. She let go and soared over the top. She threw her head back and let out a shrill cry.

Lanno's hands gripped her tightly and forced her to slow down. Amanda writhed in his grip, her pussy still throbbing against the fullness in her tunnel, until her climax finally relented. He reeling senses slowly came into focus again. She opened her eyes and looked at him, still panting, her rear aching.

Lanno smiled and wrapped his arms around her. Keeping himself coupled with her through his flagging erection, he guided them more fully onto the bed. Amanda let out several soft, gasping sighs as her rear twinged with each movement. Finally he rolled them onto their sides and let go, pulling back from her. Amanda let herself collapse into the furs.

"Sorry if that was a little too much," Lanno said, still a bit breathless. "But I didn't want to try to explain it to you ahead of time."

Amanda opened her eyes and lifted her head. She slowly smiled. "So that was a specific technique? Spank me and then have sex with me like that?"

Lanno nodded. "It's supposed to make it more intense. Or so I was told. I've, um, had trouble finding a woman that was willing to let me spank her before sex so I could show her."

"Oh, so you waited until you had a slave you could try it on?"

"Well, I didn't mean that! And you're hardly like other slaves. I mean, other slaves would just let me do it and enjoy it because they have to. It's different with you."

Amanda giggled. "I was only kidding. But thank you."

Lanno smiled and drew her close. His slid his hand down her back and pressed into her rear without thinking about it. Amanda reacted with a flinch.

Lanno snatched his hand away. "Oh, sorry if I overdid it."

Amanda smiled. "You didn't. I can always get some salve at the office if I need it."

"I didn't really think you were that serious when you said I could do it. I didn't know you were actually excited by it."

"Well ... I wouldn't want to do it all the time. But sometimes is nice." Amanda grinned. "Just when I've been naughty."

"Here, please snuggle with me."

He rolled onto his back. Amanda draped herself over him and closed her eyes, letting out a sigh of contentment. "Can I ask you something, Lanno?"

"Sure."

"I was curious about what you were looking at when I came in."

Lanno hesitated. "Oh, that," he said in a subdued voice.

"You don't have to tell me if it's too personal."

"No, it's just ... well, let's just say it's something I really should have forgotten about a long time ago."

Amanda raised her head and looked at him questioningly.

A debate briefly raged in his head. He finally shook his head. "Maybe I'll tell you about it later. Right now, I just want to lie here with you."

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all. I just don't know when to leave well enough alone sometimes."

This left Amanda more confused and curious. But she nodded in acknowledgment and lay her head against his chest.

Lanno made a face. He really should have stopped thinking about Evella the moment he finished Farviewing her. He was annoyed at himself for having any lingering feelings for her in the first place. It was not like they were compatible anyway. Not in personality and certainly not sexually.

Yet think about her he did, even with Amanda lying close.

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