"The remaining elements of the Appalanchian defenders at Talrad Pass have been routed, Wanderer," said the first Cohort.

"Did not the assassination buy more time than that?" asked the second Cohort.

"It bought time. Two more days. It was enough to begin an orderly retreat."

"Then how have they been routed?"

"Because the new commander of that force has a far more brutish approach to warfare. Once he saw the enemy lines thinning, he thrust his legions into the pass and muscled his way through."

The second Cohort blanched. "That is insane."

The first nodded. "Yes. It cost him more lives than were necessary, but it enabled him to disrupt the retreat and overtake the Appalanchian forces. He almost did not recognize the offer of surrender." He turned to his Master. "Wanderer, the legions are racing northward without pause, save for nightly camps in the woods. It will be little more than five more days before they are to the Manor."

"Five days!" the second cried. "That is barely enough time to respond to the latest news from the Mage Guild." He turned to face Jollis as well. "Master, we have word that someone from the Guild Hall has sent a courier with an urgent parcel to Overlord Roquan's Manor. We believe it is a Farviewing pearl."

"I thought the Mage Guild had restricted communications with the outside world?" asked the first.

The second turned to him. "They have, save for normal Mage services. All extraneous communications were supposedly under the tight control of their Guildmaster. It appears this may be an illicit attempt."

"But why? And why Overlord Roquan? He would be the last one they would contact, considering Mage Q'yros' adversarial relationship with him."

"That is the reason for concern. Consider that Roquan is the one Overlord with close ties to the Nobility beyond a simple client relationship, via his friendship with Lord Duric. He is the one Overlord that could summon counsel with many Noble Lords ..."

The first look alarmed. "You do not believe that the Guild has discovered something about the Portals?"

"Or perhaps even the Wanderer's plan itself."

"That is far-fetched."

"But not outside the realm of possibility. We have been told many times that the longer we are delayed, the greater the chance of discovery. I believe if we have not yet reached that point, we will soon."

"This ... this is madness ... how can we expect to ...?"

Jollis rose from where he had been seated quietly in a lotus position upon his bed. "Enough."

Both Cohorts fell silent and turned to face their Master, folding their hands before them.

Jollis resolved not let emotions rule over logic. He turned to the first Cohort. "You said five days. Are they no other fall-back defenses?"

"No, Master," said the first Cohort. "The Appalanchian Lords have abandoned this area. They are creating their defensive line far to the north."

Jollis nodded. He turned to the second. "Can we stop the courier from reaching the D'ronstaq Manor?"

"It is unlikely, Wanderer," said the second Cohort. "He is under heavy protection from other merchants. Ne'land Clan Leader Uridon has close ties to Roquan. It is likely he is intent on insuring it arrives safely."

Jollis nodded again and fell silent.

The two Cohorts became nervous in the quiet. It was unlike their Master to take so long to deliberate. They had no way of knowing -- nor would they allow themselves to believe -- that the Wanderer had no idea what to do next.

"We will have to leave the Manor," the first suggested.

"And go where?" snapped the second.

"Another Overlord Manor. Freya's, perhaps."

"We chose this one because its Overlord was weak-willed and greedy. Freya fulfills only one of those requirements."

The first was about to respond when Jollis held up a hand. "He is correct. We cannot simply move to Freya's Manor. She would not accept me and she would continuously plot against me."

"Unless you eliminated her, Wanderer," the first Cohort said.

Jollis' eyes snapped towards him and narrowed. The second Cohort uttered a small gasp of shock.

The first Cohort maintained a level and calm gaze with his Master, but his hands tightened. "I suggest only that which you had entertained yourself, my Wanderer, when you wished no further spread of the altered Draught."

"I cannot simply eliminate a well-known Overlord in that manner," said Jollis in irritation. "I entertained that notion only as part of gaining enlightenment for a better solution. You should feel shamed at both your cold heart and your lack of forethought of the consequences."

The first Cohort lowered his eyes. "I beg forgiveness, Wanderer. I spoke from passion rather than logic."

"It is understandable given the circumstances."

"What penance shall I do, Master?"

Jollis shook his head. "None. Your quick recognition of your fault and the reason behind it is enough."

"You are most wise. Thank you."

Jollis paused, his eyes growing dark. "But it is unfortunate that I cannot say the same for the Healer. She is the key. She holds the knowledge in her head. I must remove it, or remove her. I will give her no options this time."

"Will Freya not be on the alert for you, Master?" asked the first Cohort.

"I do not believe she saw me clearly enough to recognize me," Jollis said. "But I will put it to the test. I will manufacture a reason to see her during the day and observe her reaction. If she attempts to apprehend me, I will know I need a different approach."

"And what of us, Wanderer?" asked the second. "Where do we go now?"

Jollis again fell silent for an inordinate amount of time. "I will wait, and see if I can devise a new plan. If not, the Cohorts will disperse, and I will return to Inonnus. Then it will be up to the Elders as to my fate."

The two cohorts were shocked. It was an open admission of failure from the Master they had so faithfully served. As part of his plan, they felt partially responsible.

Jollis let out a tired sigh, also uncharacteristic of him. "Is there anything else?"

"Only that Overlord Gronnus is likely to receive the news of the fall of Talrad Pass before morning's end," said the first Cohort. "He will likely disturb you when that happens."

"I am expecting that. If there is nothing else, I wish peace until I need to deal with the Overlord."

The Cohorts bowed and left.

Jollis collapsed into a chair and tried in vain to induce a meditative state. It would not come. Not that it had helped before. Every plan he could conceive left him short. He could not muster up enough targets among the Noble Lords to make the plan work, not without bloodshed and a war that could go on for many moons. How long would it be before the Urisi interfered? Already they agreed to trade arms with the Emperor. Would soldiers and war machines follow?

He thought back to the pearl that the Urisi Ambassador had sent him, proof of the Urisi suspicions. Now the Mage Guild may have cracked yet another secret. It might not be long before the Nobility took security measures to thwart any attempt at a sudden takeover of their Palaces. Or they would shift their places of power somewhere else.

His plan was teetering towards collapse, and no amount of meditation would stop it.

"It is about time there has been progress, Rithas," said the glowering Farview form of the Emperor.

The Lord General resisted rising to the bait. He was not at all happy with how this "progress" had come about. "In any case, my Emperor, the breakthrough has been achieved and the legions are proceeding towards the D'yoran Manor with all haste."

"Perhaps it was well and good in the end that you had to replace your commander of those forces. A complete rout of the enemy! I doubt Pol would have handled it with such alacrity."

"Commander Rol, my Emperor," Rithas said in a tight voice.

"Whatever his name, it is unimportant. What is important is building on the effort."

Rithas took a breath, though it did little to calm him. In his eyes, it had been a debacle. The new Commander used his legions like a dull club rather than a polished sword. Now Rithas could not replace him, as he had apparently found favor with the Emperor.

"The legions will reach the Manor in five days at their current pace," said Rithas. A pace that will waste valuable supplies, he thought vehemently.

Z'haas frowned. "Five days? Can they not make it sooner?"

"No, my Emperor. There are limits to ..."

The Emperor waved a hand impatiently. "Yes, yes, fine, you don't need to lecture me about this point yet again! Now, I have specific orders you are to relay to your field Commander. First: Overlord Gronnus D'yoran is to be executed for treason."

Rithas did not react. He was not at all surprised by the order. The Emperor had already acted as judge and jury once, and a young woman had paid with her life. This was little different.

"Second: There will be a merchant with him by the name of Jollis. He is to be captured and brought to the Palace by Portal. Third: The slaves are to be rounded up and their needs tended to. I will be arranging for them to be provided proper clothing and be taken back to the Imperial Palace for rehabilitation. Under no circumstances are any of the soldiers to touch them in an inappropriate manner! Do I make myself clear, Lord General?"

Rithas resisted the urge to smirk. He had his doubts that mere words from even the Emperor would keep war-weary men away from a bevy of nubile naked lasses who were more than willing to tend to their frustrated sexual needs. "As crystal, my Emperor."

"Make sure those orders get to your Commander word for word, Rithas."

"I will indeed."

Z'haas frowned. "Tell me one thing, Lord General. Why are you not leading this effort yourself?"

"On the contrary, my Emperor, I am very much leading it. I am back at my northern field base."

"Yes, but you are within Imperial lands. Why are you not in personal charge of those legions in the field?"

"Would you have preferred that I had been the one to receive the crossbow bolt?"

"You are not going to suggest that you actually sensed a possible danger to yourself?"

Rithas paused, then seized the opportunity. "No, but some of my adjuncts grow nervous when I take to the field of battle with the men."

Off to the side, Foron shifted his weight.

Z'haas nodded. "Very well. You will contact me the moment that the legions reach the Manor. I wish to know when this mission is completed."

Rithas was almost amused. Did the Emperor seriously believe that the two men he sought would actually remain at the Manor once they knew of the Imperial legions approaching? Did he forget that each Overlord Manor had a Portal device? There would be no deterring him, however, and likely no way to cool his fiery wrath once things did go wrong. By then he hoped that another distraction would come into play.

"Yes, my Emperor," said Rithas dutifully.

"There will be no deviation from these plans," said Z'haas. "No creative interpretations. There is only one clear path, and that is mine."

Rithas would have laughed if he did not think it was so pathetic. "Of course, my Emperor."

"I will contact you every day for status reports. Good day." The Emperor faded before Rithas could respond.

Foron cleared his throat. "Yes, what is it?" said Rithas without turning.

Foron stepped up to him. "You wished to be informed when the last of the ammunition for the catapults had arrived."

Rithas turned to him. "Good. So the legions are ready."

"As ready as they will be for conducting a secret attack. At least for as long as it will remain secret."

"Hmm?"

The adjunct glanced towards the door for a moment. He lowered his voice. "The Emperor has people directly loyal to him among the ranks. They will inform the Emperor once you begin your advance."

"Do you have men you can trust? Ones loyal to me rather than Z'haas?"

"Yes, a few."

"Gather them. Task them with this: manufacture a reason for war."

Foron frowned. "I don't understand."

"Stage an attack. Or an act of sabotage."

"Against our own soldiers?"

"Yes. Then we can respond to this outrageous act and pursue them across the border. We pick our first target as one that is moderately defended, so we can claim that is where they retreated to."

Foron looked distressed. "Lord General, I am not at all sure about this."

"You worry too much," said Rithas with a small smile. "It will work. And we can get on with the incursion as originally planned. A real campaign this time, and not this nonsense the Emperor has foisted upon us."

"But surely he will not tolerate you taking the second legion!"

"It is largely in a supporting role. I hope to get back a legion from the two that took Talrad Pass."

Foron nodded uncertainly. "Very well, my Lord. But before we begin the attack, you need to attend to straightening out a supply mix-up. The second legion has way too many supplies for its support role. Some of those must have been intended for the first legion."

"Do not concern yourself with the issue," Rithas said firmly.

Foron paused. "You will take care of it, then, my Lord?"

"I said, do not concern yourself with the issue."

Foron gave him a dubious look.

Rithas placed a hand on his shoulder. "I ask you to trust me. I have gotten us this far. This will be a glorious campaign. We will be hailed as heroes to the Empire."

This appeared to mollify Foron. His lips curled into a tiny smile. "I'll get on that, ah, special task right away."

"Very good. Carry on."

The adjunct nodded and left.

The situation was fragile. It relied on him keeping his secrets a little longer. One of them -- the hoarded supply -- had already escaped somehow. Fortunately, the most vital secret, that of the true intelligence concerning Duric's encroaching forces, had not been disseminated. Since all such reports came through him before going to his men, he had control of that information. He did not want his adjuncts to know of the real danger.

Even then, there was the timing. Duric's forces had to be allowed to wear down the Imperial legions just enough, and hope that they received casualties in return, enough for Rithas to sweep them aside and turn against the remnants of Z'haas' defenders and his Imperial guard.

Then Rithas could take the throne for himself and end this madness.

Freya shot out of bed. "Get out!" she shouted to her slaves. When they looked at her in bewilderment, she turned frantically to her Trainer. "Taya, take them out of here. Now!"

"Yes, Mistress, at once!" said Taya. She quickly shepherded the now trembling young Narlassi slaves out of Freya's quarters.

Freya let out a sigh of exasperation. She hastily smoothed her dress so that it fell down over her exposed sex as she turned back to the Farview image of Trennan. "Surely ... surely there's been a mistake!"

Trennan shook his head slowly. "There is no mistaking this, Freya. My intelligence was quite clear. The legions that broke through Talrad Pass separated. One is continuing on to the D'yoran Manor, the other is crossing the forest to your Manor."

"It makes no sense!" Freya cried. "Why would the Emperor want with me? What have I done to cross him?"

"I am not the one to ask, Freya. I know nothing of the Emperor's motivations. However, his disdain for the slave trade is well known."

"He cannot just ... just take matters into his own hands like this!"

"Perhaps he is using the cover of war for his own aims."

"He cannot move against the Overlords!" Freya shouted.

Trennan sighed impatiently. "I suggest you tell him that yourself. Perhaps he will turn back."

Freya sneered. "Do not get that attitude with me, Trennan, I'll have none of it."

"And I will not have you dictate my feelings on the matter," said Trennan coldly. "I have warned you about this before. Do not attempt to intimidate me. I do not fall sway to you as so many other Overlords might."

"Oh, you were perfectly willing to go along with me regarding Roquan."

"Because you brought up a legitimate grievance against him. I am not in this to peddle influence. Do not insult me by suggesting that I am."

Freya ran a hand through her hair, her eyes desperate. "How long until they're here, Trennan?"

"I would say about a quarter moon."

Freya shook her head. "No, this cannot be happening. Trennan, your intelligence must be wrong. The old forest road is too narrow for legions to advance. They would have to clear ..."

Trennan frowned. "Fine. Ignore it then, and be overrun by the Emperor's soldiers."

"I don't mean that! I mean I cannot believe that the Emperor would be so foolish. I haven't heard anything about it from ... well ..."

Trennan's eyes became ice. "Your little clandestine spying operation on Roquan?"

Freya glared. "Yes, that."

"Likely Duric has not contacted him yet. I imagine he is a very busy man."

"I have to check this out. I have to see if anyone else can confirm this."

"Do as you wish. But I would suggest that you make arrangements to leave as a contingency."

Freya nodded. "Yes, I have to find somewhere I can go. I ..." She looked up. "Trennan, could ...?"

"Absolutely not."

"Hellfire, Trennan, be reasonable!"

"I am. And practical. Within a moon, either one of us would be ready to kill the other. You will have to find your sanctuary somewhere else."

Freya frowned. "There are plenty of Overlords that would take me in."

Trennan issued an exaggerated sigh. "I grow weary of this. I have done my duty to a fellow Overlord, now I take my leave. Good day."

"Trennan, wait, don't ... you bastard ..."

Freya uttered the last two words after Trennan's image had faded from sight.

It took every last bit of self-discipline that Jollis possessed to remain calm and not lash out physically at the Overlord. Had he wished, he could have executed a move that would have dislocated at least two joints and knocked Gronnus out cold, all the time it took a normal man to inhale and exhale once.

Instead, he left his hands folded almost demurely before him, eyes steady and fixed upon the Overlord as he alternately ranted against the Emperor and pleaded with the same as if Z'haas could somehow hear his supplications and stop the advance of the legions.

Finally, the Wanderer's patience came to an end. "I am most sorry to interrupt, Overlord, but what is it you wish of me?"

Gronnus stared and sputtered as he tried to speak again. "I-I ... the legions ... the Emperor ... Jollis, you have to help me!"

Jollis should have expected this. Nevertheless, he felt a surge of rising indignation. He carefully quelled it, though channeled some of its strength into conviction. "I am unclear as to what you expect me to do about this unfortunate development."

Gronnus stared in abject horror. Even he had grown used to Jollis having a ready answer. "But ... but you're threatened as well! The Emperor is coming for both of us!"

Jollis did not believe that Gronnus truly knew of the Emperor's motivations. Even Jollis himself was unsure. All circumstantial evidence pointed to the possibility that he was the true target. He doubted Gronnus understood this point.

Jollis offered the Overlord a small smile. "Ah, but I have had no direct dealings with this Emperor of yours. It is unlikely he even knows my name. But you, my dear Overlord, you have colluded with him. Perhaps you are no longer in favor with him."

"Stop playing games with me, merchant!" Gronnus sneered. "You know that I had already fallen out of favor with Z'haas!"

"Then I would say he was merely delayed in dispensing what he considers to be justice."

Gronnus looked stricken. "He cannot possibly hold a grudge against me for this long!"

"It has been my experience, Overlord, that Emperor Z'haas has a long memory. It is likely that he never forgot and never forgave. Like most men of great power, he has no need to do either."

Gronnus swallowed. "Jollis ... please ... please find a way to help me! Find a way to keep me safe! The Emperor will kill me!"

Gronnus' voice became increasingly shrill, like a child having a tantrum. Jollis felt his stomach turn at the man's cowardice. "I suggest you use whatever connections you have with the other Overlords to get away. You have a Portal device. All you need is a willing focus."

"But none of the other Overlords will even barely speak to me anymore!" Gronnus wailed. His face twisted into a feral scowl. "It's all Roquan's doing, that bastard. He told the other Overlords to ignore me. To ostracize me!" He suddenly clasped his hands together and staggered towards the merchant. "Jollis, please! You gave me my fortune back. These slaves, they're all I have. Even if I go, I can't just leave them behind. I'll be destitute! I'll have nothing!"

Jollis was unable to repress a look of disgust on his face, not just for Gronnus' total lack of dignity, but his callous attitude towards his slaves. They truly were no more than objects, commodities, numbers in a ledger. At least Roquan showed a level of care for his slaves above that of their mere value on the open market. "I am under no obligation to help you."

Gronnus looked shocked, then on the verge of tears, then furious. "I gave you food and shelter!" he bellowed. "I gave you a base of operations! For all I know, that's the real reason the Emperor's legions are upon us!"

"And I have more than paid for your time and effort, lest you forget the platinum that was so recently yours."

"Yes, and taking away half my slaves to do it! I cannot just abandon the rest. Not as valuable as they are!"

Jollis could tolerate this no longer. "Enough with your duplicity and your lies, Overlord."

Gronnus staggered back as if physically struck.

"You stated that your slaves were experienced. This has proven not to be the case. They have not been contracted to as many Lords as you claim."

Gronnus grew red with rage. "And where is your proof of that outlandish claim?"

"I have neither the time nor the patience to explain it to you, but suffice it to say that I know the truth."

"I told you the truth! There are experienced! How could they not be, with as many Overlords as I have purchased them from?"

Jollis paused. "Please explain."

"I figured out a long time ago that it took a lot less effort to let other Overlords train slaves, and then purchase them for my own use. I have not had to train my own slaves from Captives for nearly ten years!"

Jollis understood now. Gronnus' misfortunes were of his own doing. Roquan simply had finished the job. It appeared that the other Overlords had caught on to Gronnus' scheme and started selling him less experienced or problem slaves.

And the oaf had never caught on.

Gronnus smiled maniacally. "See how I got one leg up on them? I could go to a client and tell them I could furnish them a slave just like one Roquan would send them. Or Rennis. Or Trennan. Or Freya! Or Doran! Easy platinum!"

Now something else was dawning on Jollis. It was the vague form of an idea. He could almost grasp it.

"My slaves come from every Manor in Oceanus! Not a single one is unrepresented! Only the best! Or so I thought! So they told me!"

And thus Jollis was enlightened. A new plan had sprung into his mind nearly fully formed.

It was difficult. It would take a great deal of effort. He had little time to execute it, but it could work. Could work. There was no guarantee of success, but he knew if he did not attempt to implement it, failure was indeed all but guaranteed.

He had finally figured out how he had been the fool, and how he could be the wise man instead.

"Overlord," Jollis said solemnly. "It is imperative that we devise a means for your escape."

Gronnus stared, trembling. "You mean ... you'll help me? You can really help me?"

"I may. I need to make contact with my brokers in my homeland. They may provide a safe haven for you. It is also possible they can acquire your remaining slaves."

"Wait, you don't mean to just take them from me!"

Jollis held up a hand for silence. "You will be well-compensated. I daresay with enough to start a new Manor at a later date."

Gronnus blinked. "A new ...? Yes ... Yes, that's right. A new Manor. I-I could do it. A new start. Maybe I could change my clan name, so no one knew it was me. I could buy some of their slaves, and use them to ..."

"Yes, this is well and good, Overlord," said Jollis impatiently. "But please save your plans for later. I must make preparations. I will contact you very soon."

"We don't have much time, Jollis!" Gronnus called out after him as he headed for the door.

"I am well aware of this. I will act with haste. I bid you good day."

Jollis quickly exited the office before the Overlord could call him back.

Q'yros was already irritated at having woken up with his joints rather stiff that morning, so the summons to the Guildmaster's office had not helped his disposition any. Now his growing disability was visibly apparent. He used his staff as a walking stick as he trudged down the corridor to Q'ixanna's office.

Upon Q'yros' entry, the Guildmaster looked up. At first he was surprised, as if he had not expected the Mage to answer the summons, but then appeared quite angry that he had.

Q'yros picked up his staff and forced his protesting joints to obey him. He refused to show any weakness before the Guildmaster, even to the point of channeling a small bit of magic to shore up his body. This was generally considered risky, as the body could grow too accustomed to the constant assist. It was not the same thing as merely storing energy in the body to stave off the effects of age.

"You wished to see me, Guildmaster?" asked Q'yros in a respectful, if tired, voice.

Q'ixanna frowned. "You are not dead."

Q'yros offered a sardonic smile. "Good of you to notice, Guildmaster. I will take that as a compliment and thank you for it."

"Do not play that game with me."

"Then perhaps you would be kind enough to explain to me why you made that comment."

"You know perfectly well why I did!"

Q'yros sighed. "Guildmaster, it is one thing for me to avoid undermining your authority, it is quite another to expect me to tolerate these implied slanders when I have no idea how I am supposed to have wronged you this time."

The Guildmaster slammed his hand on the desk and stood. "Someone from this Mage Guild used a courier without my authorization!"

"Ah. I can assure you that it was not me, Guildmaster."

Q'ixanna narrowed his eyes and stared hard at Q'yros.

Q'yros spread one of his arms. "And as you see, I am still not dead."

"I do not care for your flippancy, Q'yros!"

"And I do not care to spar with you uselessly, Guildmaster."

"Then make it useful! Tell me who used the courier and what was sent!"

Q'yros had a very good idea. It was obvious that something had tipped off Q'ixanna, but the Guildmaster did not yet know the whole story. Q'yros would be forced to lie to the Guildmaster. They may be the last words he uttered. Then it would be obvious that Q'yros was associated with whoever had used the courier. "I am sure that I have no idea, Guildmaster."

Q'yros trembled, though not enough for Q'ixanna could see. His joints seemed to ache more. But his breathing was normal, and his heart continued to beat sure and strong. Nevertheless, the Guildmaster paused and stared, as if waiting for something.

Q'yros finally uttered an exasperated sigh. "Really, Guildmaster, I tire of you waiting like a vulture over a dying man every time I answer a question. Get on with your interrogation of me and be done with it!"

"You cannot speak to me that way, Q'yros."

"I will speak to you any way that I please. It is not, by any conceivable stretch of the imagination, either yours or some Oath spell, an undermining of your authority, so long as it stays in this office. Stop using this Oath as a blanket to smother my opinions."

The Guildmaster glared at Q'yros, as if hoping that this alone would be enough to strike the Mage dead. "There are many ways that you could undermine me, Q'yros, and one of them is withholding information. Tell me who sent the courier! Tell me what was sent and to whom!"

"Asked and answered, Guildmaster. Move on."

Q'ixanna's hands clenched. "That's it. I have had it with you. You will cease to be a thorn in my side. You are relieved of all Mage duties."

Q'yros' face darkened. "I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me! You will cease all normal Mage duties at the Guild Hall. You are now officially retired."

"You cannot force me into retirement!"

"Oh yes, I can! Go seek your Empiricist friend. Have him cite chapter and verse at you about in the Guild Charter. He will tell you that the Guildmaster is free to enforce retirement if he feels that the Mage in question cannot fulfill his duties."

Q'yros frowned and gripped his staff tightly. "You would be hard-pressed to prove that."

"I do not have to! You cannot dispute it, as that would force you to speak out against my leadership, as all protests of this matter are made public knowledge at the Guild Hall."

Q'yros clenched his teeth. "You, Guildmaster, are a conniving ..."

"Shut up!"

"... scheming ..."

"Shut up!"

" ... little dictator with delusions of grandeur ..."

Q'ixanna's arm shot forward. A gale slammed into Q'yros and knocked him off his feet, his staff clattering across the floor.

"Get out!" Q'ixanna roared. "Get out of my office!"

Q'yros lay quivering, wheezing as he fought to catch his breath. He crawled painfully across the floor and took his staff in hand. He closed his eyes, resisting the urge to whip the staff towards the Guildmaster and blast him through the wall. Instead, he used it to push himself shakily to his feet.

The elder Mage drew his head high, refusing to appear as if the Guildmaster's blow had cowed him in any way. He leveled his gaze with Q'ixanna and said simply, "As you wish."

The Guildmaster fumed as Q'yros turned with almost unnatural calm and slowly exited the office.

Kyllos listened patiently as his Wanderer explained the new plan. Off to the side, the first Cohort listened as well, silently marveling at his Master's ingenuity, and relieved that a solution was reached at last, even as radical as it seemed.

"That is what I wish to do," said Jollis in conclusion. "I await your wisdom."

He bowed reverently and stood demurely before his Master's Farview image.

Kyllos considered for a long moment. "Quite intriguing, Jollis. And quite bold."

Jollis did not respond immediately. He was not sure whether he should thank his Master for the compliment or for pointing out the plan's inherent flaw.

"It will take some time to coordinate," Kyllos finally said.

Jollis looked hopefully at Kyllos. "Do you believe it will work, Master?"

"The question really should be, do you believe it will work?"

"I believe it has a chance to work. It is better than the old plan, which simply will not work at this point. A small chance is better than no chance."

Kyllos nodded. "Agreed."

"But can we arrange to take on the remainder of the Overlord's slaves? Can the Portal accommodate it?"

"I will call upon all the resources that our Mages can muster. It will get done. That is not the main concern."

Jollis nodded. "Yes, I understand. Our warriors will need to be taught new tactics. A new approach."

"And you are adding a new layer to the already complex plan," said Kyllos. "Simplicity is better than complexity, my Wanderer, but I see no other way around it."

"I have tried, Master. I have spent many days in contemplation. I have formulated all possible means to alter the original plan to fit, but it would not work." He allowed himself a small smile. "And only the fool continues with a plan simply for the sake of having a plan."

"Exactly."

"But I do have one more concern, Master, one thing I have not yet reconciled, and I wish your wisdom in the matter. It is the Imperial Navy."

"Ah, yes."

"It was not a problem with the first plan because it would be executed faster than the navy could come into play. But with this two-tiered approach, it leaves the Emperor time to use the navy to his advantage."

Kyllos considered. "How goes the civil war, Jollis?"

"I believe a strike by Lord Duric is imminent. They are waiting for an opportunity to catch the Imperium in a moment of weakness." Jollis paused, but there was no immediate answer from his Master. It was as if Kyllos were waiting for his apprentice to conceive of the answer himself, as if it were a test. "You wish us to wait until that battle is engaged, and launch our invasion at that critical moment."

"It would seem prudent, yes. There is again the inherent risk that the new plan will be discovered in the interim."

Jollis shook his head. "No, Master. I will insure that it will not be revealed. I will take no chances. But will timing alone be a solution?"

Kyllos smiled. "Excellent, Jollis. As always, you take nothing for granted. No, it will not be enough. We will be forced to engage directly."

Jollis looked surprised. "Master, that would require a Portal of proportions which ..."

"Our Mages have not been idle. They continue to improve on the technology. It will be a huge energy expenditure, but it will be necessary. I will authorize it."

Jollis bowed. "I am most humbled by your faith in my plan, Master. I pray to the gods that I will have the wisdom to execute it."

Kyllos was quite pleased. This was the Jollis he knew. He had worried that his apprentice may have finally reached his limit and returned in disgrace. He was happy that his worries had been unfounded. "Go and make preparations on your end, Jollis. We will prepare our Portals."

"Thank you, Master."

"May the wisdom of the ancients guide you, my Wanderer," said Kyllos.

Jollis smiled one last time as the image faded from view.

The first Cohort stepped forward. "I am here to serve, Wanderer. Please tell me what I can do to bring your new plan to fruition."

Jollis turned, once more inspired and confident. "The first thing you must do is maintain the secrecy of the plan from the other Cohorts."

The first Cohort paused, confused. "Master? I don't understand."

"We cannot take any chances. We cannot afford the slightest risk that the Overlords or the Nobility will discover any details."

The first Cohort was shocked. "Surely you trust the Cohorts to remain loyal to you!"

"I do. But even the staunchest of men can break when someone of sufficient skill is applied to the task. So tell no one. You will act as if the original plan is still in force, and that we are attempting to make the best of it."

"Yes, Wanderer, I understand. But ... what of my knowledge of it when you leave?"

"You will be coming back to Inonnus with me."

The Cohort looked chagrined, but bowed his head just the same. "Of course, Master."

"I am sorry to remove you from here, where you have done such good service to me, but it is necessary."

"Yes, I understand. Personal glory is secondary to the greater good."

"Exactly. Now, we must speak with the Overlord, and begin preparing his slaves for transport."

"Yes, Wanderer. But what of the Overlord himself?"

"What of him?"

"You have all but promised him sanctuary, but you made no mention of it to Master Kyllos."

Jollis paused for only a small moment. "I will take care of things at the appropriate time. If he suggests that he will be coming with us, say or do nothing to dissuade him from that thought."

"As you wish, Wanderer. But I have one more question. What of the Urisi? The original plan called for complete surprise. That will be lacking once your new plan commences. There will be time for them to react."

Jollis reached into a pocket and withdrew the pearl.

The first Cohort's eyebrows rose. "You intend to court the Urisi Ambassador to the Overlords? We do not know exactly what he wants."

"The wise man takes opportunity when it arises if it is to his benefit," intoned Jollis. "Only the fool gets bogged down worrying from whence it came."

"Of course, Master, but how much of the plan do you intend to relate to him?"

Jollis considered. "Perhaps all of it."

"But my Wanderer, is that prudent?"

"If the Urisi are to interfere with these new plans, I wish to know that now rather than later. It would better to cancel this plan than attempt to execute it and have it thwarted."

"It is a big risk."

"Yes. It is." His hand closed around the pearl. "But we accomplish nothing if we do not try. Now, come along. There is much work to be done ..."

"I had my men confirm it, Roquan," came Lord Duric's somber voice. "The Emperor's legions have indeed split up and are pursuing paths that will lead them towards two Overlord Manors, namely those belonging to Freya D'yros and Gronnus D'yoran."

"And there is no mistaking this at all?" replied Roquan. "There is no chance that this information is in error?"

"Not as far as I can tell."

"Because this represents a very grave turn to the war. The Emperor is using it as an excuse to wipe out the slave trade that he so hates."

"You are not the only one discouraged by this turn of events."

"Discouraged is a very mild word for what I feel."

"So noted. But while the Emperor continues to use the military as an instrument of his foolish vendettas, he will not engage our forces, which frustrates my men to no end."

There was a sigh, likely Roquan, as he spoke next. "Is there anything that can be done to defend those Manors, Duric?"

"I can spare nothing, Roquan, I'm sorry." A pause. "Though I understand you're not exactly on good terms with either Overlord."

"That is not the point," came Roquan's irritated voice. "My feelings towards them is irrelevant. If I have grievances against them, I take it up with them myself, or bring it to a Conclave. The Emperor has no right -- yet again -- to interfere."

"I understand. I wish I could do more. The Noble Lords have a vested interest in seeing the Overlord Manors thrive, but we had no idea the Emperor would do this. We did not believe the Manors would be involved at all in the war."

"It is not your fault, Duric. We all underestimated Z'haas' insanity."

"I must take my leave of you, Roquan, I have other matters to attend to."

"Certainly. Thank you for informing me, Duric. I trust that Freya and Gronnus will be alerted to the danger?"

"It is my understanding that they both already know, yes."

"Good. Please contact me again soon when you have more. Good day to you, Lord Duric."

"Good day, Roquan."

Freya waved her hand over the pearl. The bright glow faded to a dim one. It would flash bright again if it detected more being spoken in Roquan's quarters.

She swallowed hard and closed her fingers tightly around the pearl. It still made no sense to her. She did know of Z'haas' disdain for the slave trade, but other Emperors in the past held similar views and it had never amounted to this.

Freya did not want to accept that all her carefully crafted machinations were to be destroyed in one fell swoop. She was not so concerned with finding a way out of the Manor. She was sure she would find an Overlord willing to accommodate her. But without a Manor, without slaves, she was an Overlord in name only. She would cease to have influence over the others.

She would not let her slaves go so easily. She would find a way to retain at least some of them. One of the other Overlords must allow her to take some of them along.

Freya stood up and crossed her quarters to her desk. She opened one of the drawers and extracted the scroll that Evella had given her, the one with the newly formulated Draught.

She opened the scroll for the first time since it had been given to her. She read it and nodded slowly to herself. She could mix this. It was more complex than the original formula, but she was no slouch when it came to chemistry. All Overlords had to have at least rudimentary knowledge in that area.

Freya let the scroll roll back up. Already someone had attempted to obtain the formula from her by kidnapping Evella. She was already facing competition. She could not afford letting another Overlord have access to Evella.

Her lips slowly curled into a smile. She believed Evella would make a good personal slave. She was already gaining the skills needed to please her Overlord. All the girl needed was the proper attitude and motivation.

And here was a simple way to achieve both.

Freya put the scroll back and turned away from her desk. She had a lot of work to do.

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