The two Overlords stood at the edge of the Circle under the decorative stone archway that marked one of the paths away from the grassy clearing. Rennis watched Sirinna as she assisted in some "refresher training" for a graduated but still rather young slave. He was as rigid as a statue, his eyes fixed and intense.

Roquan looked relaxed by comparison, his hands folded behind him. "I have heard that a breakthrough is expected at Talrad Pass within a day. Lord Duric indicated that the rear elements have already prepared for an orderly retreat."

Rennis gave a mere nod of his head.

"He thinks he may have most of the Appalanchian Lords willing to participate in the ruse on Freya. Have you heard from Overlord Trennan?"

Rennis did not respond. He continued to stare straight ahead, watching Sirinna.

"Rennis, did you hear what I said?"

Rennis jerked his head towards Roquan. "What? Oh, yes, Trennan ... I have to contact him later today."

"And did you hear what I said about Talrad Pass?"

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry, Roquan, my mind is on other things at the moment."

Roquan glanced towards the Circle. "Are you still concerned about Sirinna?"

"Oh, is it that obvious?" Rennis snapped. He let out a sigh a moment later. "I apologize for that."

"Amanda has strict instructions to inform me or Vanlo if she notices Sirinna showing any signs of recalling those traumatic memories."

"I am trying to learn to trust Amanda. It's hard."

"I know. I wish I could put your mind more at ease."

"Only by selling her back to me."

A very tiny smile touched Roquan's lips. "Only if you would purchase Amanda as well, but I am loathe to give her up as well."

Rennis looked towards Sirinna again. "She and Amanda really are that inseparable?"

Roquan paused. "Yes."

"That's insane, you know. No two slaves should be that attached to each other."

"Or an Overlord to his slaves. But we both appear to be guilty of that."

Rennis nodded. "There's something else that's been bothering me, Roquan." He turned and faced Roquan. "It's something that seems to have fallen through the cracks."

"And that is?"

"Gronnus."

Roquan caught himself before he could let the disdain show on his face. "Does he matter anymore, Rennis, when there are more important things to worry about?"

"I agree, what he has done in his collusions with the Emperor was inexcusable," said Rennis. "But he is still an Overlord, and now we stand by while his Manor is about to be overrun."

"We don't really know that yet."

"Oh, come off it, Roquan!" Rennis declared, taking a few steps down the path away from the Circle. "Why else would Z'haas be sending his forces that way?"

"What would you have us do in either case?" Roquan asked. "We command no troops. We have marginal influence over where and when the Noble Lords deploy their soldiers. We cannot beg them to defend a Manor."

"If it were your Manor, Roquan, they would. If it were Doran's, or Trennan's, or, hellfire, even Freya's."

"You truly believe that Gronnus is worthy of being saved in any way?"

Rennis stared, momentarily shocked. His face twisted into a scowl. "I want someone to at least acknowledge the loss. This is a terrible precedent. Yes, I know, it will end when Z'haas is removed from the throne. But we seem to be using the Emperor to take care of our own little 'problem.' That's what I don't like."

Roquan sighed. "My apologies to you, Rennis. I find it difficult to summon the sympathy for him."

"Then maybe play on another emotion instead: suspicion. Or did you forget about the mysterious influx of platinum that Gronnus received? Did anyone bother to investigate that?"

Roquan shook his head.

"Well, I did. Since everyone else seemed to drop that on the floor, I decided to do some asking around. He's been spending platinum like a Noble Lord with the merchant clans. You'd be astonished at some of the high-priced goods he's bought."

Roquan frowned. "Where did he get that sort of funds from?"

"Exactly what I would like to know! He can't get a good contract from a Noble Lord to save his life. And he has no other goods or commodities in the peasant lands beholden to him. So that leaves only one thing that could produce that much platinum, and that's selling off his slaves."

"Perhaps he decided that he no longer wishes to be an Overlord," said Roquan. "It is an Overlord's right to decide how to dispense with his slaves if he voluntarily chooses to dissolve his Manor. He may wish to do his own dealings before opening an auction for the rest."

"Yes, I know that. But I asked around many of the other Overlords. None of them reported doing any dealings whatsoever with Gronnus. And if he had sold to all of the ones I had not contacted, that would have been a lot of slaves and would have been noted somewhere. So who is he selling them to?"

Roquan paused thoughtfully. "Perhaps we are overthinking it. Perhaps he continues his collusion with the Emperor and the platinum is his payment."

Rennis was already shaking his head. "No, Roquan. The merchant clans have been starving off funds to the Imperium. Even the treaty with the Urisi will not refill the Imperial coffers for another half moon."

"Then what would you suggest?" Roquan asked. "An Overlord can sell slaves only to another Overlord."

"Well, that's what's supposed to happen, but ..."

Roquan nodded. "Yes, but this is Gronnus. Hellfire. I should have looked into this sooner. I've been too distracted by the Urisi and Freya."

"And now we won't have much of a chance to find out anything, since his Manor will be gone in less than a quarter moon from now."

"Perhaps we do not need to worry about it, then. This will take care of the problem for us."

Rennis gave his friend a cold look.

Roquan stiffened. "I withdraw the statement."

"And I'll remind you, we have no idea how the Imperial soldiers will treat the remaining slaves at the Manor."

Roquan frowned. "I have been trying not to think about that. I am sorry I have been so short-sighted."

Rennis clapped him on the shoulder. "No, I should not expect you to handle everything, Roquan. Handling the treaty was a big enough task. I can only hope that some good will come out of it."

Vanlo placed the flask upon the table beside Overlord Doran's bed. It was filled to the brim with an olive-colored liquid. Doran looked at it warily. Amanda looked on with interest.

"You are quite fortunate, your Lordship," said the Healer.

"Hrmph. I'll decide that when I see how it tastes," muttered Doran.

"Then you are doubly fortunate, in that case."

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

"You are fortunate in that your own Healer was good enough to send some of her personal stock of herbs to make this elixir when I did not have sufficient amounts," said Vanlo. "And you are doubly fortunate in that she is not the one that mixed it."

Doran frowned and looked at the Healer oddly.

"She said, and she wished to be quoted, 'If he is not smart enough to follow my advice, then he deserves to have it taste like, ah, something from a sanitary bowl.'"

Amanda clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.

"Ahem. She used, ah, rather more frank language at that point, but you get the point."

Doran rolled his eyes. "Oh yes, that's my Healer all right! Her cures are worse than the ailment." He picked up the flask and wrinkled his nose.

"But as I said, you are fortunate in that she did not make this potion."

Doran looked back at Vanlo for a moment. He peered into the flask and took a small sip, scrunching up his face as if preparing for the worst. Instead, his eyebrows shot up when it hit his tongue. He drew the flask back and smacked his lips. "Vanlo, this is actually tolerable," he said in amazement.

"I have infused it with liberal amounts of gastrilla, an intestinal calming herb, and peppermint. It should be quite palatable."

"I should get you to talk to my Healer. Perhaps if she made her concoctions half as good as this, I would take them more often!"

Vanlo smiled faintly. "She is a bit, ah, old-fashioned from what I understand, your Lordship."

Doran down another mouthful from the flask. Amanda thought it amusing to hear someone of Vanlo's age refer to anyone as "old-fashioned."

"Drink that over a period of a day and a night," Vanlo instructed. "Even with the infusion of additional herbs, it could still cause some distress if taken too much at once. Within a quarter moon it should sufficiently reduce the blockages in your blood vessels for you to head back to your Manor for more long-term treatment."

Doran put the flask down. "Thank you, Vanlo, your efforts are greatly appreciated."

Vanlo bowed his head. "Is there anything else I may do for you, your Lordship?"

"Yes. You could allow me visits from Roquan and Rennis again!"

"Please give it another day or two, your Lordship, for the elixir to work. It is best to keep you away from stress."

Doran glowered. "Bah! It is stressful to remain ignorant of what is going on!"

"Master Vanlo?" Amanda called out. "Master Roquan wishes my company this evening. He usually takes that time to inform me what's going on. Would it be okay if I relayed that information to Master Doran?"

Doran looked surprised. "He informs you of everything?" the Overlord asked.

Amanda nodded. "Yes, Master, he does."

"I will allow it if you can keep his Lordship calm or otherwise distracted," said Vanlo.

Doran's eyebrows knitted. "Otherwise distracted?"

Vanlo stroked his beard. "Ah, yes. Ahem."

Doran looked mystified.

Vanlo shuffled his feet. "Ah. Well. I had assumed that Amanda would fulfill, ah, whatever needs you had."

Amanda figured it out first. "Master Vanlo, wouldn't that be too, well, exciting for him?"

"Oh, that!" Doran said. "For the sake of the gods, man, why didn't you just come out and say that you were talking about sex?"

Vanlo scratched his cheek absently. "Well, ah ... anyway ... the stress of not satisfying the need is often greater than the stress of doing it. So please feel free to indulge yourself, so long as you let Amanda do most of the, ah, physical labor involved. Yes. Is there anything else, your Lordship?"

Amanda tried not to smile, not wishing to embarrass the Healer any further. She thought it amusing that he could talk perfectly well about sex in a purely clinical sense but was at a loss otherwise.

Amanda wondered if she had been doing the Overlord a disservice. It did seem that whenever she did his bath, or had to touch him in any way for some length of time, he quickly sported a sizable erection.

Doran shook his head. He was amused as well, though he let it show as a gentle curling of his lips. "Nothing for now, Vanlo. Thank you."

Vanlo bowed his head and quickly left.

Doran allowed himself a short laugh. "Vanlo is an interesting character, I must say." He took another quick sip of the elixir and swung his legs from the bed. "So Roquan tells you everything that's happening, does he? All about the war?"

"Yes, Master," said Amanda. "It's been awhile since he updated me, but I think it was only because he was so busy."

Doran stood, and Amanda was immediately to his side. "Do you wish me to prepare your morning bath, Master?"

"Yes, please do."

Amanda nodded and trotted off.

Doran followed slowly behind, but paused halfway through the chamber. He realized only then what he had done. He had said "please." It was not a word generally used with a slave. It was not a desire to be unkind, but simply a reminder of their subservience. "Please" was deemed unnecessary.

He entered the bathing chamber and silently watched Amanda prepare the bath. When she was done, he slipped off his robe. His manhood was already half-engorged. Vanlo had put the thought in his head, and now that another opportunity had arisen, he was already flush with anticipation.

Doran entered the water. Amanda followed, and soon he felt her skilled hands upon his back and shoulders.

"So, does Roquan give you more freedom in other areas?" Doran finally asked, feeling the need to break the silence.

"I am still a slave," said Amanda. "So I perform my normal duties as a slave. But Master Roquan acknowledges that I'm different from the others."

"There are not a great many accepted alternatives for a slave," Doran commented neutrally.

"I know, Master. But I hope that will change."

Doran chuckled. "If you had been owned by any Overlord other than Roquan, I would tell you not to waste your time!"

Amanda smiled faintly. She did hope that Roquan would ease her restrictions further. But she knew it would not sit well with the other Overlords, and it seemed he was already in trouble with them for what he had already done. Yet Doran spoke of the very same thing, and he did not seem to mind. She was not sure whether she should dare take this as a hopeful sign.

"Others know you are Draughtless, Amanda," said Doran solemnly.

Amanda finished with his back and came around in front to start on his arms. "I know, Master. I'm sure they don't like it."

"No, they do not."

Amanda continued bathing his arm for another moment. Her eyes flicked up to his. "May I ask a question, Master?"

Doran nodded. "Certainly."

"What do you think about it?"

Doran let out a windy sigh. He gave her a bit of a sardonic smile. "Interesting question, Amanda. Very interesting."

"You don't have to answer if ..."

Doran shook his head. "I will answer it. I thought Roquan the fool for doing it."

Amanda continued her task without missing a beat. She simply nodded once and looked at him expectantly.

"And now, I am not at all sure. Amanda, training slaves that are Draughtless is not the way of this world. It is not the way of the Overlords. Draughting will not stop. It should not stop. We believe it is for the best. It is the only sane way to handle Captives."

Amanda nodded her understanding. After a pause, she asked, "The taking of Captives from other words will go on as well, then, Master?"

"Yes, of course it will. There is no reason to stop it."

Amanda's thoughts were in a sudden tailspin. She had never given much thought to what other Overlords did, not since she had agreed to stay. It was part and parcel of being a slave. It was simply not questioned. Now she was examining it from another step back, as if she were on the outside looking in. For a moment, it felt alien to her again.

They lapsed into silence. Amanda finished with his arms and began on his legs. As before, when she reached his thighs, his manhood was stiff and pulsing with his heartbeat.

Amanda paused. She stared at it for a long moment. Conflicting emotions lay tangled in her mind.

She reached under the water and cradled it in her fingers. She told herself she was not doing this as a slave but as a kindness to the Overlord. She heard the slow intake of breath as she gently massaged his shaft, the soap making her fingers slick. They glided over hard flesh tinged purple in excitement.

Amanda withdrew her hand and smoothly slid forward. Doran's hands clamped themselves around her waist. For a very brief moment he had become rigid, as if he were intending to hold her at bay.

He relented. She drew close. Her hips slipped forward and down and unerringly speared her sex with his manhood. Amanda let out a sultry sigh and closed her eyes as she let him fill her. As always, her tunnel was wet, tight, and perfect.

The two remained silent, the only sounds in the room their soft pants as Amanda rode him. His hands remained about her waist, but he let her do all the work. It was not just Vanlo's orders. It simply seemed appropriate to let her set the pace.

Water rippled around them as Amanda quickened. She leaned forward and shifted her hips, increasing his contact with her womanhood. She moaned softly, Doran's fingers squeezing her waist as his pleasure rose with hers.

Amanda timed it well. She wanted it to be perfect. She tensed her muscles at just the right time and just the right amount. When he began to throb inside her, she let go, and her pussy responded in kind.

Amanda slowed. Both their orgasms wound down together.

She slipped out of his grip and let him fall from her. She gently cleaned his manhood as it softened.

"Amanda."

Her eyes rose to his.

"That was most appreciated," said Doran.

Did she do it because it was her duty, or because she wanted to? And why did the question come to her mind? She had settled such things a lifetime ago.

"Thank you, Master," she said.

Overlord Trennan's image shimmered into view before Rennis. His face was drawn into a tight frown, his eyes sharp and cool.

"I am sorry to disturb you, Trennan," said Rennis. "But Roquan wishes to know your progress."

Trennan folded his hands behind his back. "None."

Rennis hesitated. "I beg your pardon?"

"None. I have not contacted any other Overlords."

Rennis suppressed a sigh, but the exasperation was obvious on his face. "With all due respect, we really don't have a lot of time."

"Nor will I be contacting them."

"Trennan, please, I know how you feel about this duplicity, and I don't care for it either, but the alternative is not something either of us wants."

Trennan's eyes burned. "I have built a reputation among the other Overlords, Rennis. There is a reason why others trust me. It is because I do not peddle misinformation to them. I do not wish to start now."

"I wish you had informed us of this before. We could have ..."

Trennan raised a hand. Rennis fell silent. "I did not say I would not help, simply that I would not force others to participate in the deception."

"I don't understand."

"I will speak with Freya directly when the time comes. I will break the 'news' to her of the Imperial legion coming her way. You only need to inform me when the breakthrough at Talrad Pass happens." Trennan sighed. "She will believe me. Or at least enough not to consult another Overlord. Roquan should go ahead with his part afterward. She may perhaps contact a Noble Lord in the Appalanchian provinces, but I assume that Roquan has that covered."

Rennis nodded. "Yes, he does. Trennan, thank you. This will be a big help."

"Do not thank me!" Trennan thundered. "I am not sure who or what I hate more, Freya for her foolishness, the Overlords for the ease with which they will connive and conspire against each other, the Emperor for failing as a leader in the first place, or Roquan for stirring up sentiment against him! Or, for that matter, myself, for letting Roquan purchase my vote at the Conclave."

Rennis spread his hands. "All I can say is I think this is the right thing to do."

"The problem with you and the others, Rennis, is that you failed to see how Freya could be provoked into actions that now require such a drastic response. It could have been avoided if that understanding were there from the start."

Rennis stared. "Wait a moment. You can't possibly be suggesting that we're at fault for her crimes?"

"What am I telling you is that had you understood that Freya's very nature is one of extreme competitiveness and ambition ..."

"Roquan has had personal experience with that! I remind you of the underhanded deal she tried to do for Amanda."

"Yes, and what did Roquan do after that? Did he try to engage her and keep a dialog open? No, he chose to turn his back on her, to relegate her to the fringe, to marginalize her. And because at the time Roquan wielded great influence, nearly everyone followed suit. Ignoring Freya is possibly the absolute worst thing one could do. And now see the result."

Rennis did not think it was fair that Roquan should be blamed for Freya's actions. No sane Overlord should have done what Freya did. Not even Gronnus, who's ostracized status no one appeared to question, never resorted to such actions.

But he was reminded of the question he himself had posed. Who is he selling his slaves to? Was Gronnus involved in something potentially as heinous as Freya's machinations? Had he been pushed too far by Overlords that sought to distance themselves from him? Was Roquan right after all, that Gronnus was still colluding with the Emperor?

Rennis ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Roquan is not a gods-damned Seer, Trennan. He could not have possibly foreseen ..."

"He could have exercised what is considered normal protocol among Overlords. No matter what disagreements we have, no matter how we may vie with each other for clients and prestige, we always maintain a united front. We are Overlords first, businessmen second."

"Roquan only wanted to do what he felt was right."

"And I will give him that. I do not believe him to be malicious, just severely lacking in foresight and common sense. Look back on it, Rennis. Really look at his actions from the very start, when he first made noise about the Emperor's cancellation of the trade treaty with Colos. He has been on a personal crusade to reform the Overlords into his own image of what they should be, while ignoring the realities of what we are and will continue to be."

Rennis said nothing. He wanted to keep defending Roquan, but he knew that Trennan had a point that he could not refute. Trennan had put to words what had been in the back of Rennis' mind all along. Roquan often spoke of wanting to be just an Overlord. But he had his own ideas of what made a good Overlord, and he tended to project it onto others.

Trennan sighed and shook his head. He spoke in a softer voice. "Rennis, perhaps some of Roquan's ideas are on the mark. If there was one thing I did admire about him at all, it was his lack of politics. But he took that to an extreme. I disdain politics, but I accept that they exist and I work within that framework when I deal with our brethren. Because that is how things get done."

Rennis took a deep breath and let it go. These were some of the same things that he had told Roquan. Later, Doran reiterated and punctuated them at the Conclave. Somewhere, however, both Rennis and Doran were swept into Roquan's crusade.

"Yes, it's how things get done," Rennis said tightly. "So much so that Roquan was forced to violate a very basic tenet of Overlord beliefs and use a slave as a spy. Just to work in that political framework that you tout as the way things get done. I doubt very much that Roquan would have 'got things done' had he not resorted to that."

"And we would not have this war."

"And the Emperor would continue to interfere and spy on the Overlords," Rennis countered. "Say what you want about the war, or the way the other Overlords gripe about it, but there is absolutely no dispute over what precipitated the crisis in the first place. The evidence that an Imperial spy was planted in an Overlord Manor is irrefutable."

Trennan's jaw tightened. "Not all Overlords believe that as firmly anymore."

"What about you, Trennan? Do you still believe it?"

A long pause. "I have seen no evidence to the contrary."

"Trennan, I will give you that Roquan has his faults. I have taken him to task myself many times. But there is one thing that Roquan is not. He is not a criminal."

"Perhaps not a criminal," said Trennan in a tired voice. "But he is certainly an agent of chaos."

Rennis decided not to debate the point. He would have referred to Roquan as an agent of change rather than chaos, but he supposed that to the other Overlords the two were one in the same.

"I grow weary of this," Trennan said. "I will do my part in this ruse. Inform me of the time, and I will execute my role."

Rennis nodded once. "Thank you, Trennan."

"I would then suggest that that be the last time we speak formally, at least until a Conclave is convened. I do not wish to spar any further with you. Good day to you."

"Good day."

Trennan faded from sight.

Amanda jogged down the path towards the Overlord's quarters. Everything around her glistened with moisture, and the air smelled sweetly damp. Drops of rain still clung to leaves. The clouds in the west had only just begun a final retreat, allowing a glimpse of the feeble purple glow of dusk before it was swallowed by the encroaching twilight.

The path was damp as well, but not muddy. The sandy soil was enchanted to sluice away water quickly, where it was added to the lush greenery that edged either side. A faint breeze blew from the ocean, fresh and cool. It hardened her nipples further than her own anticipation had.

Amanda was not sure what excited her more, the sex or hearing an update on what was going on in Oceanus.

She followed protocol to the letter. She awaited his invitation, then slipped inside. She made her customary greeting to him and assumed the subservient position on her knees. It was all second nature to her, as was his response.

So when the Overlord did not say anything for what appeared to be an inordinate amount of time, Amanda grew concerned. She kept her head bowed and her eyes lowered. This was when she was supposed to be a proper slave for him. Anything else would wait.

"Amanda," Roquan finally spoke. "For this evening, you will not say a word. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will act as a true slave ought. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Master," Amanda said dutifully, but with a faint tone of confusion.

"Rise."

Amanda stood. She gave Roquan an inquisitive look but otherwise did not react. Roquan looked impassively back and took her hand.

"Not a word, Amanda," Roquan said in a low voice. "Remain silent as I would expect a slave to do."

Amanda hesitated, as if part of her actually did want to disobey. Instead, she nodded.

Roquan took her into his bed chamber. He gestured towards his bed. Amanda took one last look at the Overlord before stepping away from him. She climbed atop the furs and stretched herself out on her back.

The Overlord let his robe fall. Amanda's gaze dropped to his manhood, already engorged. When he approached, she immediately spread her legs.

Roquan placed his hand firmly upon one of her thighs and shook his head once. "Not yet."

Amanda looked at him oddly. She opened her mouth to say something without thinking, but stopped herself at Roquan's warning glance. She slowly closed her legs.

Roquan crawled atop her, but stopped with his head level with her breasts. The Overlord gazed down at one of them, then lowered himself upon it.

Amanda drew in her breath sharply as his tongue touched her. She let it go as a husky sigh as he traced little swirls around her areola, her nipple growing even more taut. Each swirl brought him tantalizingly closer, until it was tingling with excitement.

Amanda let out a soft moan. She writhed, her pussy hot and confined between her closed thighs. When his lips closed about her nipple, she had to fight the urge to open her legs in silent invitation.

One of his hands alighted on her thigh. Amanda uttered another deep moan and eagerly spread herself. His fingers teased the inside of her thigh and flirted with the edge of her labia. Amanda squirmed in a frenzy, having to bite her lip to stop from begging him to touch her sex.

Roquan let her nipple pop from his mouth and shifted to the other one. His fingers lay very lightly against her folds. Amanda panted harder, her pussy aching. Her body trembled with the desire to lift her hips and shove herself into his hand.

Finally, Roquan drew back from her breasts. A breathless Amanda trembled with desire. Her eyes gazed up at him, dark and sultry. Her legs spread wide under him in a silent plea.

Roquan retreated, much to Amanda's confusion and consternation. But when he stopped with his head between her legs, she understood. She let out a ragged gasp when his tongue slipped into her folds.

Amanda had no idea how Roquan wanted her to handle her orgasms. In the end, it didn't matter. He was so incredibly skilled with his tongue that there was no way she could hold back. All she could do was writhe and moan at the sensual assault. Her pleasure mounted on its own, regardless of anything she could do.

Amanda's hands clenched into fists. She threw her head back and let out a cry as her pussy soared to the edge and went over. There was no way she could control it. Roquan's tongue drew out her climax until she gasped for breath.

So caught up in it that she was barely aware that Roquan had drawn back from her until her orgasm actually started to fade. She looked up at him and opened her mouth simply to say "Thank you, Master," but he waved her back to silence before she could speak the first syllable.

Roquan slid his hands along her thighs, coaxing her legs apart again. His fingers teased her slit until she was again rising gently, pussy aching from both the aftermath of her previous orgasm and renewed need.

He descended upon her again, and this time covered her with his massive frame. Amanda's eyes were half-lidded, her hands playing over the hard muscle of his upper arms and shoulders.

Amanda felt him at her entrance, the head of his manhood thick and insistent. She drew in a single long breath as he parted her folds and popped into her tunnel, and let it go as a single excited sigh as he entered her fully.

For the moment, her ordered silence was forgotten. His hips rocked against her gently, sending a spike of pleasure through her each time it stroked against her swollen nub. Amanda's fingers curled, pressing into hard, tensed flesh. Roquan breathed low and hard, the pace increasing so slowly that Amanda was not aware of it until his body slapped against hers.

Amanda again did not try to control her response. She let her pussy climb, until it strained at the edge. She resisted the urge to nudge it along, and several excruciating moments later it let go. She cried out, shuddering and writhing under him.

Roquan did not relent. If anything, it spurred him onward.

The dull ache that spread over her sex in wake of her orgasm was quickly overcome when her pleasure rose once more. She clung to him, her body rocking with his thrusts. Amanda closed her eyes and willed her body to move with his. She wanted to experience this last orgasm with his, and he was nearly there.

Her muscles rippled. Roquan's pants grew more intense as her sex suddenly clenched about him. Muscles in his backside flexed as he pushed into her harder. The sudden squeeze of his manhood against her already sensitized nub made her nearly lose it. She strained, her body trembling with the need to release. She had to clamp down on her muscles hard to stop it for just a few more moments.

Finally, Roquan let out a loud groan. Amanda felt him pulse against the sides of her tunnel. She relaxed her muscles, setting off her own orgasm like a bomb. It crashed through her body, overwhelming her other senses.

Slowly, their moans faded to pants. Roquan withdrew and fell heavily onto his back.

Amanda paused to catch her breath before she moved. As soon as she did stir, Roquan gathered her in his arms, drawing her close.

With the haze of pleasure from their shared orgasm fading, Amanda's mind turned to other matters. Now he would talk to her since their mutual need had been satisfied. Yet he remained silent. When Amanda thought to say something to him, he sensed it immediately and gently squeezed her silent.

Finally, Roquan nudged her. She drew away from him. When it was clear that he was getting out of bed, she followed and stood demurely to the side, an obviously frustrated look in her eyes.

"That is all I will require of you this evening," said Roquan.

A flare of indignation burned in her eyes. "Master, don't you ...?"

"Do not talk out of turn, Amanda."

"I don't understand, Master, you ... oh ..."

"That is enough," said Roquan sharply. "I will not tolerate disobedience from you, regardless of your unDraughted status. I will escort you back to Sirinna and suggest a suitable punishment for you. Now, do not dawdle and we will go."

Amanda already understood, and her cheeks glowed with embarrassment. I'm so stupid, she thought. Freya is still listening on his conversations. Of course he can't talk to me freely in here.

Amanda nodded, the anger having disappeared from her eyes. Roquan gave a single nod of his head in return before he marched her out of their quarters and into the cooling night air. A breeze blew strands of hair before Amanda's subdued eyes.

Finally, just as they turned down another path, Roquan called out. "Stop."

Amanda stopped and turned to him, a contrite look on her face.

"I wish to apologize, Amanda, for the ruse back in my quarters."

Amanda shook her head. "No, Master, it was me, I forgot that Freya still had your quarters bugged."

Roquan tilted his head. "Bugged?"

"Oh, sorry, it's a term from my homeworld, Master. It means someone put a listening device in the room without you knowing about it."

"Yes, this pearl would qualify as a 'listening device' as you put it. She cannot learn that I have uncovered her deception until we can put our ruse into operation. I had hoped that your assignment to Overlord Doran would allow you to keep abreast of current events, but I did not expect Vanlo to sequester him."

"I didn't either, Master," said Amanda. "But I should have remembered ..."

Roquan held up a hand. "You gave me a convenient excuse to leave my quarters with you. Thus I can now update you ..."

He then explained to her how the battle of Talrad Pass was close to conclusion, and how the Appalanchian Lords would participate in the ruse.

"Master, I did think of a question concerning your plan. What's to stop her from going somewhere else and setting up her operation again?"

"It is not a permanent solution to the problem, I will admit. But the important thing is to disrupt her plans now, and give time for the overall crisis to pass. A Conclave will be held and Freya called to task for her crimes."

Amanda nodded. "So this is just a stalling tactic, in a way?"

"Yes, precisely. I wish there were a way to stop her permanently until the Conclave can deal with her, but at this point I will take whatever opportunities present themselves. Do you have any more questions for me, Amanda?"

Amanda shook her head. "No, Master. Thank you for keeping me informed."

"I believe enough time has elapsed that Freya will believe I truly did escort you back," said Roquan. "I will return to my quarters to retire for the evening. But before I go, I wish to thank you, Amanda."

Amanda looked at him questioningly.

"For remaining loyal to me. For trusting me."

Amanda's cheeks pinked. She was not sure she was as trusting as he was making her out to be, not from the way she had reacted to him when she had forgotten about Freya's listening device. Nevertheless, a small smile tugged at her lips. "Thank you, Master."

Roquan offered a smile in return. He turned away and headed back to his quarters.

Half a world away, eyes peered over spectacles and flicked back and forth as they tracked the flowing script across the parchment. When they reached the bottom, a sigh issued forth, and the parchment was dropped to the desk. Hands folded atop it, and eyes rose to the maddeningly confident form standing before him.

"I believe you will find everything in order, Your Excellency," said Norlan. "A fair and equitable trade treaty."

The High Minister's eyes were like diamonds, hard and unyielding. "There is nothing in this treaty to like, Lord Ambassador."

Norlan remained silent, but gave Erodon a speculative look.

"The Lords had enormous expectations of you. I suspect you have let them down."

Norlan caught the undertone of glee in the High Minister's voice. "The Overlords have conceded on several key points."

"But not all of them, Ambassador! Not nearly all. And it would seem that they were under the impression that you would work a miracle for them."

"That was a false impression, then, Your Excellency."

Erodon peered imperiously over his spectacles. "Oh? Do you question His Majesty's faith in you? I believe it was he who reassured the Lords that you would do whatever it took to secure a treaty that was exactly to their specifications. Exactly. Oh, they were quite happy to hear that! I daresay that His Majesty has not enjoyed this good a relationship with them in many years."

Norlan's jaw tightened. He was hearing only what he expected to hear, despite his hopes to the contrary.

The High Minister picked up the parchment. "What you have given me, Lord Ambassador, I am sorry to say, falls short."

"Then it will have to stand on its own merits, Your Excellency."

"Ah, that would be a first, would it not? A treaty of yours that must stand up on its own and not have its acceptance forced down His Majesty's throat due to a silver-tongued devil."

"This is assuming that His Majesty will accept it, of course, Your Excellency."

Erodon frowned. "What are you talking about, Norlan?"

"Let us be candid, Your Excellency. The King did not expect me to return with a treaty in hand at all. He was counting on the Overlords to remain obstinate."

"You presume to know His Majesty's mind? How typical of you." He dropped the parchment to the desk again and slammed his hand on it. "But it is no secret that His Majesty thinks little of the slave trade! It is a distraction. He will not like this treaty, either, but he will not stand in its way."

Norlan nodded once. "Yes, Your Excellency, I am aware of that."

Norlan knew it was in the King's best interest to let the treaty stand. It will cast doubt on his abilities among the Lords and give the impression that his politics were shifting into the King's camp. But the King had expected him to return empty-handed. When he did not, he had to work with what he had, which meant allowing Norlan to be cast into as bad a light as possible among the Lords.

"And His Majesty has weightier things on his mind," said Erodon, folding his hands before him again. "I do not need to remind you what they are."

Norlan considered detailing his attempts to contact Jollis, but without the actual contact or information therein, it would be listed as another failure on his part.

Erodon peered. "Do you have something to say, Norlan?"

"No, Your Excellency. I was unfortunately unable to obtain any additional information about this foreign influence in Oceanus."

"His Majesty will not like hearing that. Not at all."

"With all due respect, Your Excellency, I was given no such orders."

The High Minister shot to his feet and glowered. "And why do you need specific orders? You know as well as I that an Ambassador is expected to dig for more information! You knew that Mandas had been sent with such orders. You knew what his task was from the start!"

Norlan had not known until Mandas had Farviewed him. But he was sure that Mandas had been back at court long enough to spread the falsehood that he had been informed earlier. There was little Norlan could do to counter it.

"The simple fact of the matter is that, once I present my report to His Majesty, serious doubts will be cast upon whether you are qualified to continue in your capacity as Lord Ambassador. You should consider yourself suspended of your duties until such time that the King issues a final decision. And I am sure he will solicit the advice of the High Council of Lords." Erodon's lips twitched into a small smile. "After they have had a chance to peruse the treaty, of course."

Norlan maintained his apparent equanimity, much to Erodon's disdain.

The High Minister sat down. "That is all. Now get out."

Norlan bowed, turned stiffly, and exited the chamber.

In the small anteroom at the other end of the long corridor sat Mandas, sipping a small nearly empty glass of brandy. He looked up and smiled. "Ah, if it is not the most illustrious Lord Ambassador Norlan."

Norlan bowed his head. "Mandas."

Mandas finished the last of his brandy and waved. A servant stepped forward. Mandas placed the empty glass upon the servant's tray. "Shall I request something for you? It may be the last time you can indulge yourself."

Norlan shook his head. Mandas waved away the servant. "I find it ironic, actually."

"Do you?" said Norlan, his voice carefully neutral, though his eyes burned slightly.

"I come with perhaps one of the worst, most unbalanced trade treaties in hand that the Urisi Nation has seen in all its existence, yet I have received praise for it. You come with a well-balanced treaty in hand, just the right amount of give-and-take on both sides, and you appear to have fallen out of favor for it."

"What I find fascinating, Mandas, is that you already seem to know all this only moments after I have stepped out of the High Minister's office. One would think you had some foreknowledge of today's events."

Mandas sighed and rose to his feet. "Oh, really, Norlan, stop acting as if you are ignorant of the way things work in the real world."

Norlan folded his hands behind him and gave his cohort a tight, humorless smile. "I am well aware of such things, Mandas, as I am of how you shamelessly manipulate them."

Mandas raised a finger. "Ah. You see now the point. Shamelessly. You are right, I have no shame. Because there is none to be felt. It is the way the game is played, Norlan, and I am afraid you have lost."

"That remains to be seen."

The smile slowly faded from Mandas' face. "What is it?"

Some humor crept into Norlan's smile. "What is what?"

"I know that look. That insufferably smug look you get when you think you have something over me. When you think you just scored a petty victory for yourself with the High Council!"

"Oh no, my career is likely over. You were right. As always."

Mandas frowned. He stepped up to Norlan. "I demand to know what it is. I demand to know what secret you're hiding, what little surprise you're going to pull."

In a way, Norlan did have something. He still held out some hope that he would be contacted by Jollis. The last he had heard, Imperial legions were about to advance in his direction and disrupt his operation. Surely he might wish a means to cut his losses by opening a backdoor dialog to the Urisi.

But mostly he wanted to get under Mandas' skin. It was ridiculously easy to do.

Norlan looked innocently at Mandas. "I am sure I do not know what you are talking about."

Mandas sneered. "Fine. Keep your secret. It will not do you any good. Unless you can somehow hand His Majesty the key to the mystery of the foreign influence, you are as good as gone. Good bye, Norlan. Forever."

Mandas turned on his heel and rushed away.

Feedback

Did you like this story? Hate it? Printed it and lined the birdcage with it?

Please take a moment to send me some comments about this story. Your comments may remain anonymous if you prefer, or you can include an email address in your comments if you wish a reply.

Since this is a multi-part story, you may wait until the last chapter to send feedback about the story as a whole if you wish.