"Are you mad?" Gronnus roared.

Jollis stood, calm and implacable, and regarded the Overlord. "Is there a problem with the offer, Overlord?"

"I would say there is a rather large problem with it! My remaining slaves are worth three times that amount!"

"My Masters beg to differ. This is their offer. You have only to accept it."

"I do not accept it!" Gronnus yelled, shaking his fist. "They are cheating me! I paid far more than ..."

"You did not hear me properly, Overlord," said Jollis patiently. "I said you need only to accept it. There is no choice not to accept."

"What are you talking about? It is an offer. I can do what I want with it!"

"The Imperial legions bearing down on your Manor would say otherwise. I am told that they are no more than three days from here. There is no time for alternate solutions. There is no time for negotiations or counteroffers. You accept this amount, and my Master will begin taking your slaves through his Portal. But we must begin today."

Gronnus clenched both hands and teeth. He looked ready to explode, but soon let out a despairing sigh and covered his face with his hands. "What have I come to, Jollis? I started with so little when I took this Manor from my clan, and now I am left with even less than that."

"Forgive my apparent lack of sympathy, Overlord, but I cannot delay any longer. I have many things to do before I, too, must move on."

Gronnus dropped his hands and gave Jollis an imploring look. "You've made arrangements for me, haven't you? You said you would! You said ..."

"I have done so," said Jollis in a tight voice. Watching the Overlord's sniveling, cowardly behavior was taxing his patience to the limit. "As I have told you several times."

"Yes, you have, but you have not been keen on giving me any details!"

"There are few to give. Once the Manor has been emptied and all personal effects accounted for, two Portals will open. One for me. One for you."

"But am I not going to the same place as you?"

"Yes."

"Then why two Portals? Why can I not ..."

"The hand of the Emperor is about to strike, and you worry yourself over little details such as this?"

Gronnus bit his lower lip. "All right. I accept the offer."

Jollis bowed his head. "Very good, Overlord. I will inform them at once. My Cohorts will begin arranging things here."

"Why not you?"

Jollis uttered a tiny sigh. "I have much unfinished business to attend to first."

Gronnus glowered. "I do not like these ... these Cohorts of yours. They frankly make me nervous."

"That is not my concern. Leave them alone and they will not bother with you."

"They already treat me as if I were invisible!"

Jollis could not help but smile. "They simply know how to remain focused on their task. That is most critical at a time like this. Now, I need to take my leave of you. I have a short trip away from the Manor I must make."

Jollis turned away. Gronnus smirked at his back. "Oh, I know where you're going, merchant. I know very well."

Jollis paused at the door and turned. He did not bother to hide his impatience. He would be glad to be rid of this Overlord's companionship. It was becoming more difficult to maintain his usual stoic air around him. "Do you?"

"You're headed off to see Freya."

Jollis folded his hands. "You appear rather confident of that assertion, Overlord."

"All I know is she seemed very interested in talking to you when she contacted me this morning." He shook his finger at Jollis. "Don't you dare attempt to shortchange me by offering her a better deal for all her slaves than you did mine! Hers are no better! I'll know if you did, mark my words!"

Jollis thought to inquire as to why the Overlord thought Freya would be interested in selling off all her slaves as well, but he had no wish to prolong the conversation. "I submit to your superior insight. I will attempt no such deals, knowing your ever-watchful eye will be on my every move. Good day."

Jollis swept out of the room before the Overlord could respond. When he emerged outside, a Cohort was waiting for him.

"Wanderer, we have been contacted by Overlord Freya," he said in a concerned voice. "She wishes to see you at once. In person."

"Indeed, does she?"

"She has even offered to power her Portal for you. She will be contacting me again soon for your reply. What shall I tell her?"

"Tell her she need not bother, that we have been using Gronnus' Portal and thus have one that is already at full charge. I will use an Inonni Portal to go to her today."

The Cohort frowned. "Wanderer, I do not like this. This could very well be a trap, if she knows you were the one that infiltrated her Manor the other night."

"Nevertheless, I am intrigued. Overlord Gronnus appears to believe that Freya wishes to sell all her slaves to me. I do not see what would motivate her to do so."

The Cohort nodded. "Our brethren watching her Manor report that activity has increased to nearly frenzied proportions. Something is happening, but we know not what."

"Then I am further intrigued. Inform me when she contacts you again. Then I will use a Portal to see her."

"I fear for your safety, Master."

Jollis smiled. "And I do not intend to throw caution to the wind. Have the other Cohorts outside her Manor be ready to advance. Freya is not skilled in any sort of combat that I am aware, and her guards are no more than simple men-at-arms."

The Cohort bowed his head. "At once, Wanderer. And if she has not discovered you?"

Some of his smile faded. "Then I will do what I must. I will stop her and her Healer from spreading the new Draught any further by whatever means I can muster. No matter how distasteful it may be."

"I grow impatient, Lord General!" snapped Emperor Z'haas. "They broke through the pass days ago. Why have they not yet reached the infernal D'yoran Manor?"

"They are moving as fast as humanly possible, my Emperor," said the image of Rithas as it hovered before the throne. "Three more days at the most."

"If you were with them, they would move faster."

"I do not consider myself that inspirational, my Emperor."

"Do not spar with me! Where are you now?"

"In the field, at the northern border."

Z'haas frowned. "And what in the blazing hells are you doing there?"

"Protecting the northern approach, my Emperor. I suspect that the enemy may attempt a strike from the north, believing our best forces to be on the other side of the mountains."

"I have seen no intelligence to this effect."

"It is quite recent, my Emperor. Perhaps a clerical error has prevented you from receiving it, or it simply has not gotten to you yet."

The Emperor frowned. "You seem to have ready answer for everything, Lord General. I put you to the task of commanding my legions, not making excuses for incompetence."

Rithas was making a monumental effort to remain calm, and it showed. Certainly it was not lost on Mage Q'holan, who stood quietly to the side waiting patiently for the Farview audience to end. He shuffled his feet and braced himself for an explosion from his sovereign.

"My Emperor, my battle instincts tell me than a counterattack is imminent," explained Rithas with forced calm. "All the signs are there. I must be ready with a swift response and pursuit."

"Pursuit?" said Z'haas in alarm.

"Limited pursuit," corrected Rithas. "The Imperium will not be left weak."

The Emperor gripped the hand rests on the throne. Knuckles turned white and a vein throbbed in his forehead. "Lord Duric's forces are close at hand, Lord General."

Q'holan's eyebrows rose. He could actually hear the fear in Z'haas' voice.

"Lord General V'gyth is quite competent, my Emperor. And he has strength of numbers. And he has a legion near the north that he can call for reserves. Duric will be no match for him."

"I would prefer you be with me at the Imperial Palace, Lord General. I would feel safer with you in charge of the Imperial Guard."

Rithas paused. "Are you suggesting a demotion for me, my Emperor?"

Z'haas scowled. "Certainly not!"

"That is what such a reassignment would entail."

"Stop putting words into my mouth!" Z'haas shouted.

"My apologies."

Z'haas took a moment to calm down. "Very well. But be close at hand if I need you at a moment's notice."

Lord General Rithas smiled. "Would it help if I had my field command in the rearward legion? The one that could be called in reserve if needed?"

"Yes. Yes, Lord General, that is exactly where I wish you! You can swoop down from the north and outflank any attack from Duric. You and V'gyth will crush them between you."

Rithas' smile widened. "Of course, my Emperor. You are most wise in matters of war."

Q'holan raised an eyebrow. Even he thought that so uncharacteristic of Rithas that it had to be sarcasm, but the Emperor did not seem to notice.

And it had the desired effect. Z'haas relaxed and settled into his throne in a more regal and confident pose. A smile even graced his lips. "That is it all, Lord General," he said loftily.

Lord General Rithas bowed, and his imaged disappeared.

Z'haas peered imperiously at Q'holan. "Yes, Mage, what is it?"

Q'holan stepped forward. "You wished a report on the Portal activity in and around the D'yoran Manor."

"Yes, what of it?"

"Well ... there is nothing to report."

Z'haas nodded once. "Excellent. Perhaps this enemy agent Jollis has exhausted his luck."

Q'holan looked uncertain. "My Emperor, I think ... I think you misunderstand. It is not that I have heard that no Portals have opened, it is that I have heard nothing at all."

The Emperor frowned. "What are you babbling about?"

"I have had no report from the Mage Guild. A request I put in for information has been unanswered. It is as if the Guild Hall has gone completely silent."

Z'haas waved a hand dismissively. "If they are silent, then it is obvious that there is nothing to say."

"But ..."

"Stop wasting my time, Q'holan! The Guildmaster is an ally. He knows not to bother me when there is no need."

Q'holan sighed. "My Emperor, I am concerned because it does not make sense. Why would the Portal activity suddenly go silent unless the agent has left already?"

Z'haas leapt to his feet. The Mage staggered back, despite the ten arm-lengths between them. "He has not left! No, Q'holan, I finally have him. I will spill his blood in the same way that he spilled my brother's blood. I will be my brother's avenger. I will finally see justice done. And I will bring an end to this foreign threat."

Q'holan remained starkly silent, afraid to interrupt the Emperor's tirade.

The Emperor slowly sat down. "Yes. It's all his doing. Jollis is the threat. Once he has been dispatched, Oceanus will again be safe. The Far West will know that my will is indomitable. And then I will remake Oceanus in my image. It will become the nation it was meant to be. Only I can do that, Q'holan. No one else. You will see. It will be a new golden age for our nation. A purification. An ... enlightenment."

The Mage could only nod. No words would come to him that he could dare speak.

"Do you have anything else for me, Mage?"

"No, my Emperor. Nothing."

"Then leave me. I must plan for Oceanus' great future."

Q'holan bowed and exited the chamber as fast as dignity would allow. He did not stop fleeing until he was back in his room. He closed the door with a thud and leaned against it. Yet it would not keep out the inescapable conclusion.

The Emperor was insane.

Jollis stood at the gate, not having been allowed any further by the guards. This concerned him, but he remained unperturbed.

It was not long before Overlord Freya came to the gate, walking in her typical, sultry, sashaying fashion, the kind that rewarded anyone watching her with brief glimpses of her sex. She stopped just inside the gate and smiled, tilting her hips provocatively.

"My, but you're fast," she said with a sly grin.

Jollis smiled and bowed. "Ah, but you did give my Cohort a sense of urgency when you summoned me."

"Hmm. One would think you had a Portal device powered all the time just so you can make these deals quickly ahead of the competition. If the local merchants catch wind of that, you could be in trouble."

"It was merely fortuitous in this case. And my secrets of success are indeed just that: secret."

Freya chuckled. "Okay, let him in." The guards lowered their crossbows and stepped out of the way. "Sorry about that. I had a brigand of some sort who managed to sneak into the Manor."

"I am quite sorry to hear that, Overlord," said Jollis as he stepped inside. "These times do not appear to be safe for anyone."

"You have a gift for understatement, considering what I'm facing. Come, I have a deal you would be interested in."

Jollis came alongside Freya as she headed back to her quarters. "Has something happened that I am not aware of, my Lady?"

Freya gave Jollis an odd look. "You're not serious, are you?"

Jollis paused. "My apologies. So much to keep track of these days, and so little time. Could you remind me, please?"

Freya stopped and faced him. "Well, it should be obvious which of those things you're supposedly keeping track of that I am talking about," she said in irritation. "Unless you somehow missed hearing about the Emperor's legions."

Jollis thought carefully, even though it delayed his response.

He wondered why would Freya be concerned about those legions heading to Gronnus' Manor, considering the contempt she felt towards him. Perhaps she was afraid they would turn towards her? But there was no immediate threat, and Freya gave him the impression that she believed herself invulnerable and untouchable.

"Ah, yes, of course," Jollis said. "I have indeed heard of that."

Freya snorted. "I figured that was why Gronnus was all hot to get rid of his slaves, so he can get out of there. Well, I need to do the same, and that's where you are going to help me."

Jollis considered. "If I may ask a question, Overlord. About these legions, where did you hear about them?"

"What difference does that make?"

"Please, humor me. And then I will discuss a deal with you."

"Overlord Trennan first broke the news to me," said Freya. "It didn't make any sense. I never treated with the Emperor in my life, what grievance would he have with me?"

Jollis nodded. "Yes, what, indeed! I have heard the Emperor is not making the most rational decisions of late."

Freya shook her head. "Try mad. Or insane. Or delusional. Anyway, I confirmed it. I already spoke with ... " She paused and smirked. "Well, sort of spoke with Roquan, and then some of the Appalanchian Lords. They all confirmed it. So now I need to get the blazing hellfire out of here in six days, and that's where you come in."

Jollis understood now. "Ah, yes, of course, Overlord. I will help however I can. You wish to sell some slaves to me?"

"I wish to sell a great number of slaves to you, Jollis," Freya said with a sly smile. "And I will expect nothing less than top coinage for them."

"All your slaves, my Lady?"

She shook her head. "No. Some I will be taking with me. I have arranged to travel by Portal to another Overlord's Manor. Once I get this deal done with you and have seen those slaves off, I will power my Portal and leave."

"I would be most happy to look over the ones you do intend to sell to my people, Overlord. I am sure I can arrange for something quickly, as I am already doing a similar deal with Gronnus."

Freya smiled. "Mine are so much better than his, you realize. You could simply break off the deal with him and deal with me exclusively."

"Ah, but I have already agreed to the deal with Overlord Gronnus, I am afraid. And it does not do well for my reputation to break such things after they have been done."

Freya sighed. "A pity. I hope your people know how to do remedial training, because they will need it for those dregs that Gronnus will sell you. Well, come along ..."

Jollis spent the rest of the morning viewing slaves and negotiating hard with Freya. Once he was done, he bid her good day and headed out of the gate. He walked down the road and past a bend, until the Manor was swallowed in the foliage. A Cohort waited for him alongside the road.

"Well, Master?" the Cohort asked. "Is it done?"

"No."

The Cohort looked confused.

"Do you know of any reports of any of the Emperor's forces headed towards Freya's Manor?"

"No, Wanderer."

"You are quite sure of this?"

"Quite sure, Master. Our brethren would know immediately and would have informed you right away. Both legions that broke through the pass are headed towards Overlord Gronnus. Why do you ask?"

"Because, my friend, it would appear that several people have gone to great lengths to convince Freya that there is indeed a legion bearing down on her Manor."

The Cohort frowned. "But for what purpose?"

"I do not know."

"Did you correct her misconception, Wanderer?"

"No. It may serve a greater purpose. It may allow me to perform my duty in a far less distasteful manner."

"I am not sure I follow, Master, I am sorry."

"Do not be. I will explain it as we head back."

"... why he does not stand up to Q'ixanna? He has more magic in one finger than ..."

"... unconceivable that he could allow himself to be retired ..."

"... is ludicrous, I tell you. He cannot possibly stand for ..."

"... and haven't I said all along that Q'ixanna wields too much ..."

"... refuse to believe that! Q'yros would not cow to Q'ixanna just for ..."

"... anyone could stand up to him, it's Q'yros, by the gods! So why ..."

Uroddus did his best to pick up whatever snippets of conversation he could as he threaded his way around groups of older Mages moving slowly in the halls. They were everywhere to be heard. Not a single Mage of Master level was for lack of urgent, whispered debate among at least one other of his peers.

Uroddus heard everything from shock to frustration. No one liked this recent turn of events. He had grossly underestimated -- and he imagined the Guildmaster had as well -- the amount of resentment that was felt against Q'ixanna.

The crowd finally thinned by the time he reached the far end of the Guild Hall, where the residences of those of Master level resided. A private room was one of the perks of Mastership. Journeymen had to share three to a room, and Apprentices lived in a dormitory.

Uroddus came upon the door to Q'yros' room. A blue pearl was mounted to the center of the door. It glowed faintly as Uroddus drew close.

"Journeyman Uroddus Q'garra," he said in an even voice, adjusting his spectacles. "Personal business."

As soon as he spoke, the pearl glowed brightly as the guard spell upon it was activated. A moment later after he had finished, it turned red for a few moments and then went dark.

Uroddus frowned. "It is urgent. It may be a matter of life and death for Master Q'yros."

The pearl remained dark for a long time. Uroddus was about to speak again when it burst again into brilliance, this time flashing green before winking out. There was a metallic squeak and a thud as a latch released. Uroddus pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Q'yros' room was only lightly adorned. Not exactly spartan, but the few decorative items he could see appeared to be carefully chosen and arranged around the periphery of a room that was impossibly neat and tidy.

The dim lighting gave the chamber a sepulchral look. Low flames crackled in a fireplace, sending shadows dancing along the opposite wall. A single plush chair was turned towards the fire and away from him. Uroddus could see an arm lying sedate against an armrest, and a staff leaning against the side of the hearth.

"Master Q'yros," Uroddus said in a low, urgent voice.

A tired sigh came from the chair. "I allowed you in simply to tell you how much I abhor such blatant lies," came Q'yros slightly wheezing voice. "Especially when used for something so trivial as to breach a Mage's private residence when he obviously did not wish to be disturbed."

"But, Master Q'yros, if you would just listen for ..."

Q'yros raised his arm. The staff quivered, then flew towards him. He snatched it in his raised hand and flicked the staff backwards. At once, the door opened wide and a hurricane-force wind drove Uroddus towards it.

The Journeyman stumbled but recovered quickly. He thrust a hand forward, palm out. There was a flash of light as the wind struck the shield he had conjured. Both spell and counterspell canceled each other, and the room was still again.

"I did not lie to you, Master Q'yros," Uroddus said. He flicked a gesture over his shoulder, and the door slammed shut. "I admit that I am unsure as to whether circumstances will be detrimental to you, but ..."

Q'yros raised his staff. His chair neatly turned to face the younger Mage. As it did, Uroddus caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a discolored glass orb sitting on a small ornate pedestal.

Q'yros seemed to have aged a decade in just over three days. The anger in his face drew every ancient line into sharp relief. "There is nothing that will threaten me here," Q'yros said. "The Guildmaster has seen to that. Unless you are unaware of my retirement."

"I am quite aware of it. As is the entire Guild, and that is the problem."

"You are not making sense."

"Perhaps you do not realize how many people at the Guild regard you highly. They are not at all pleased to hear of the Guildmaster's actions. There is much anger and complaining from the elder Mages."

Q'yros narrowed his eyes. "And why would this be a concern to you? Or to me?" Despite his attempts to hide it, there was an unmistakable nervous quaver to his voice.

"Master Q'yros ... I know of the Oath that you are under."

Q'yros' eyes widened in shock.

"I do not know enough about this type of magic. I have attempted to research it, but much of it comes from rather ancient scrolls that are difficult to interpret."

Q'yros thumped his staff to the floor and gripped it tightly in his bony hands. He grimaced as he pulled himself to his feet.

"So I do not know if this recent rebelliousness among the Mages would be construed as undermining the Guildmaster's authority. Perhaps accepting the retirement was worse than ..."

"BE SILENT!" Q'yros thundered, his magically-amplified voice shaking the walls like a small earthquake.

Uroddus immediately quieted.

Q'yros trudged over to Uroddus, favoring one leg and using the staff as a walking stick. "I told you of no such thing! You have no business coming to such ridiculous conclusions!"

"You indeed told me nothing, Master Q'yros. I state that emphatically and truthfully. My peers and I have come to the conclusion without any help from you at all."

Q'yros sneered. "Stop talking as if you have another audience besides me."

"But I do not fully understand how the Oath works, therefore I must take all precautions, even if ..."

"I said stop it!" Q'yros shouted. "There is no Oath! You are delusional! And if there were one, I would certainly not tell you! I would never tell you! I would ... would never ..."

Q'yros wheezed and coughed explosively, gripping his staff tightly and staggering towards the fireplace. Uroddus swiftly stepped forward to help, but with a single flick of a finger, Q'yros sent Uroddus' hands flying away from him.

Uroddus stared at the older Mage in realization. "You are already affected by it, are you not? I have never seen you do such casual displays of magic. You've charged yourself with magic to stave off ..."

"Shut up," Q'yros said in a weak voice. He stumbled over to the chair and sat down heavily, panting.

Uroddus craned his neck, then walked around to the other side of the chair. He gingerly picked up the glass orb from the top of the pedestal. It was charred and cracked down the center. There was a faint acrid odor.

He turned to Q'yros. "This is a Life Orb, is it not?"

Q'yros glowered. "Do you always avail yourself of a fellow Mage's personal effects when you pay him a visit?"

Uroddus looked down at the orb. He had never held one himself. A Life Orb was a sphere of Mage Glass that could be infused with magical energy over many years, until it built up a respectable charge. It could be used to sustain the body during prolonged illness or to further hold off a final reckoning with old age.

Their use was discouraged. It was another reminder of ancient days when Mages once commanded great empires and used Life Orbs to maintain themselves indefinitely.

Q'yros reached up and snatched the orb from Uroddus' hands. He tossed it into the fire with a crystalline report. The shards glittered in the fire light.

"It's true, isn't it, Master Q'yros?" Uroddus said somberly. "You're dying because of this Oath."

"Would it make you happy if I agreed with you?"

Uroddus shook his head gravely. "It would not. Not in the least."

Q'yros looked up at Uroddus. His gaze softened and glistened. He heaved a tired sigh and settled back in his chair. "So what are the others saying about my retirement?"

"That they do not understand why you do not stand up to the Guildmaster. That he wields too much power. That it is time for a change in leadership. There is much resentment towards Master Q'ixanna, and it has come to a head."

Q'yros snorted. "Serves the Guildmaster right," he mumbled, his words dissolving into a paroxysm of coughing and a knife-like pain in his side.

Uroddus slipped his spectacles off, looking contrite. "I feel this is partially my responsibility."

Q'yros raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You were not there when the Oath was taken. You were not there to tell me how foolish I was."

"But I have done things that may be construed as your implied complicity with the actions of an associate that could be interpreted as deleterious towards the Guildmaster's leadership."

Q'yros shook his head. "You Empiricists have an annoying habit of using five times as many words as needed." A look of resignation came over his face. In a low voice he said, "This became worse soon after I was forced into retirement. I suppose we both believed the spell worked differently than it does."

Uroddus could sense the fear in the older Mage's voice, but he was compelled to know the details. "I am not sure I understand, Master Q'yros."

"The Oath, my dear boy, was to deliver terrible, painful death upon me if I were to break it. The Guildmaster and I believed it would be more or less instantaneous once I did something to defy him." He uttered an exhausted sigh and turned towards the fire. "Obviously, we were both wrong."

"This is why this ancient magic it no longer used," said Uroddus, tapping his spectacles against his hand. "Too unreliable. Too many ambiguities. It is little wonder there have been several attempts to ban ..."

"Spare me the historical lecture for once, if you would."

Uroddus paused, then slipped his spectacles back on, feeling a bit embarrassed. "My apologies. But what are we to do about this?"

Q'yros stared at Uroddus. "Do? What is there to do? You cannot simply wish away an Oath, Q'garra!"

"But as I said before, I feel responsible, I ..."

"No." Q'yros staggered to his feet again. "This was all my doing. I defied the Guildmaster every step of the way. Not openly. Not blatantly. But enough."

"But could that be construed as undermining ..."

"I think it matters only what the Guildmaster would think, Q'garra. Had he known half the things I had done, he would have come to see them that way. His perceptions matter as much as the reality. For the sake of the gods, look past the formulas for once! Magic is about shaping reality! The Guildmaster shaped reality into what he wanted it to be through that Oath. You are not to blame. No one is."

Uroddus looked distressed. He could not see it all coming down to this, not after all they had accomplished together.

"It matters not," said Q'yros as he turned away. "I got what I wanted. I got the foreign Portals investigated. I got a warning out."

"Master Q'yros, perhaps you should not say ..."

Q'yros glared at him. "Stop it, Q'garra! You do not seem to get it. I am ready to die. I have done all I can."

Uroddus felt helpless. "But ... but we don't know for sure that your theory ..."

"Then come up with new one!" Q'yros exploded, and then winced in pain. He paused until it passed. "You will have to carry on. You and your friends. But find someone among the other Mages to help. You need a Traditionalist! Don't let your friends mire you in numbers and probabilities!"

Uroddus was close to a panic for the first time he could remember.

Q'yros frowned. "What is it now? Out with it."

"Perhaps ... perhaps if you made a statement."

Q'yros looked at him oddly. "I beg your pardon?"

"A statement," repeated Uroddus with more confidence. "That you agree with the Guildmaster's assessment. That you retire willingly and ... and you are confident in the Guildmaster's abilities ..."

Q'yros actually laughed. "My boy, if I did that, I would die from a total loss of dignity far more painful than what this Oath can do to me."

"I just don't want to see you pass on!" Uroddus exclaimed.

Q'yros paused. He stepped closer and gazed into the younger man's eyes, then clasped Uroddus' shoulder. "Finally I see some passion in you. You're not just facts and figures after all."

Uroddus let out a heavy sigh. "I am sorry."

"No need. You are what you are. But let that passion out sometimes! And listen to me carefully, Q'garra. When you know you're right, when you're absolutely sure of it, when you are confident that you know the right action to take, do not hesitate, and do not let anyone stand in your way."

Uroddus nodded quickly, for once at a total loss for words.

Q'yros let go of his shoulder and settled back into his chair, moving a little more smoothly and in less pain than he had a few moments ago. "Who knows, Q'garra? Perhaps this wave of rebellious sentiment will pass, and the effect of the Oath will ease. Then perhaps I will take exile again, and settle somewhere nice to live out a true retirement."

"Of course," Uroddus said hollowly.

"I am quite tired, Q'garra. Please, show yourself out, and let me rest."

Uroddus bowed his head and left without a word.

"I have made arrangements for my remaining slaves, Wotan," said a smiling Freya to the Farview image of the young Overlord. "Once they have been transported away from here, I will power up my Portal and arrive at your Manor."

"I daresay that you may not get the peace and quiet that you wish here," said Wotan. "We are along the likely route that Lord Duric's armies will take on their way to the Imperium."

"Lord Duric is hardly about to ravage your Manor. In fact, I would recommend striking a deal with Duric as he passes. Perhaps provide a few slaves for his generals."

Wotan folded his arms, his gaze growing cool. "I tend not to let my slaves go to the common rabble."

Freya simply shrugged. She just had an opportunity present itself. If Wotan was not interested in making such a deal, then she would do one herself. In fact, Freya was no longer as anxious as she had been. With the platinum that Jollis would pay her, and with the newly formulated Draught, she would populate a new Manor in very little time at all. The Emperor had handed her a large opportunity.

"And I may add, Freya, that I do expect some ... compensation ... for providing for you."

Despite the other Overlord's cool tone, there was an obvious lustful look to his eyes. Freya returned it with a sultry smile and a tilt of her hips. "Oh, I am sure that something can be ..." One hand drifted to her abdomen and pulled her dress upwards just enough to reveal her pussy. " ... arranged."

Wotan's eyes flicked to the prize between Freya's legs. "Hmm. Yes, I am quite sure it will be an equitable arrangement as well."

"Let's just say I know a few things that a slave would never do." She licked her lips and winked.

Wotan drew in his breath and let it go as a slow sigh of anticipation. "You will arrive when, Freya?"

She let her dress drop. "I am hoping no more than three days."

"Overlord Gronnus' Manor will be overrun by then."

"Yes. A pity, I suppose. But I am sure he has made his own arrangements. I would not worry about him."

Wotan shook his head. "I still find this unconscionable. And unbelievable."

"Gronnus supposedly had some dealings with the Emperor."

"Only rumor, Freya."

"Oh, but it sounds believable to me. He always was a scheming one. There was talk that he was partially responsible for the attempted assassination of Roquan."

"That's never been proven, either."

Freya smiled and shifted her weight, making sure that her breasts jiggled visibly under her dress. A flick of his eyes in that direction proved that she was successful. "Regardless, there's enough evidence to suggest that the Emperor is quite upset with him. Seems a bit damning to me."

"But why you? That's what puzzles me."

Freya shrugged. "Perhaps Gronnus thought he could implicate me as a means of diverting attention away from him. Who knows? I am not going to waste time in speculating. This war is for the Nobility to fight, not the Overlords. I will contact you in a few days regarding my arrival."

"Very well. Good day to you, Freya."

"Good day, Wotan."

Freya gestured towards the Farviewing pearl. Wotan's image disappeared. "So, what news do you bring me, Taya?" she said as she picked up the pearl.

Freya's Trainer had been dutifully standing near the door, hands folded demurely before her. She stepped forward and bowed her head. "Your newest slave does well after her collaring, Mistress. She is settling in nicely."

"She is fully tractable? No sign of remembering her past?"

"Not at all, Mistress."

Freya smiled. "And horny?"

Taya smiled in return. "Oh, quite so! She was so delightfully wet by the time I got her to my quarters. I believe I made her cum about three times before she was finally sated."

"And how did she feel after that?"

"Very content, Mistress. She's eager to do it again."

"Excellent. Now, I wish you to do something else for me." Freya headed over to a cabinet and opened it. She withdrew two goblets and a flask of red-amber fluid. "Fetch Evella and bring her here. Then you are to wait outside my quarters until I summon you again."

Taya bowed her head. "Yes, Mistress, at once."

Freya poured some of the contents of the flask into one of the goblets, grinning wickedly.

"Please, sit down," said Freya, gesturing.

Evella drew her robe nervously about her and sank into the cushions.

"I summoned you because I have something important to discuss."

"What about, Mistress?"

Freya made sure that Evella's eyes were on her, then turned and strolled towards the cabinet. "I am sure you have heard rumors about the Emperor's forces sweeping into this area?"

"Um ... yes ... y-yes, I heard something about ..."

She trailed off as the Overlord opened a cabinet. Her eyes widened.

Freya took the two goblets within and placed them on the small counter before the cabinet. "It is unfortunately no rumor," said Freya. She stepped slightly to one side, just enough to put the goblets and the cabinet in full view of Evella. "The Emperor has sent a legion to this Manor. It will arrive in another five or six days."

Evella swallowed. "That's ... that's terrible, Mistress," she said distractedly. Her eyes were riveted to the Overlord's actions.

Freya casually withdrew a gourd from the cabinet. The flask that had occupied it previously was nowhere to be seen. "Yes, isn't it? But not half as terrible as it would have been had not Overlord Trennan been kind enough to warn me."

Evella's heart pounded. She watched Freya pour fruit juice into each goblet. It did not dawn on her that Freya poured less into one than the other.

"So I have made arrangements to leave the Manor," said Freya. She picked up both goblets and swirled the contents of both. She crossed the room back towards Evella. "And you will be free to leave as well."

Evella tore her gaze from the goblets and stared at Freya. "What? You ... you mean ... you mean I can go?"

Freya smiled and offered Evella one of the goblets. Evella accepted it without thinking, still stunned by the Overlord's suggestion. She had very nearly raised it to her lips before she stopped.

"I have what I need from you," Freya said as she sat down opposite Evella, cradling her goblet in her hand. "I kept you here only so I could preserve the secret for as long as I could. The fact that someone tried to take the formula from you the other night proves someone already knows. So much for secrecy."

Evella did not reply. Her hands trembled, rippling the surface of the fruit juice.

Freya raised her goblet to her lips and tipped it back. Evella's stared as the Overlord took several large gulps of the juice.

"I will no longer feed you the sex enhancement herbs," continued Freya. "It should wear off by the time we all need to leave here. I will return your clothes to you. You have done a good service to me, Evella."

Evella was too relieved to think much on what she had actually done. "Thank you, Mistress!" she gushed.

Freya smiled. "Please, try the juice, it's a new variety."

Evella stared into the goblet. "Um ... I, uh ..."

Freya took another drink of hers. "It's been the dry season around here lately and I always get so parched. And it is considered polite to share a drink with the Overlord. You wouldn't want to risk falling out of my good graces again, now would you?"

Evella's eyes darted from the Overlord, to the cabinet, to her goblet, then to Freya's. It was from the same gourd, she thought. The very same gourd. I was watching her the whole time. And she's going to let me go.

The Healer took one last look in her goblet, then raised it to her lips and drank. One corner of Freya's mouth tugged upwards.

Evella had taken about three mouthfuls before she realized that the juice had a slightly off taste. There was an odd, bitter tang. When she lowered the goblet, she saw the juice cling to the side of the goblet.

Evella gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks. She shot to her feet as the goblet's remaining contents stained the furs with red-amber poison.

"Oh gods ... oh gods, you didn't ... " Evella moaned. Tears flooded her eyes.

Freya took another drink of her juice and casually put the goblet aside. "Do what, my dear?"

"You didn't ... you ... I-I ... I can't ..."

"Can't remember?" Freya said with a sly smile.

Tears trickled down Evella's cheeks. "I d-don't ... I can't ... wh-when did I come in here? Oh GODS ...!"

She collapsed into a heap on the floor and wailed into the furs, her body shivering.

Freya slid from her seat and knelt beside Evella. She stroked the girl's hair. "Now, now, no need to be upset," she cooed. "Soon you won't have anything to worry about."

Evella shook her head violently as she struggled to hold on to her memories. Bit by bit, they were peeled back and detached from her mind, where they vanished into an encroaching hazy mist.

"This is for the best, Evella," said Freya. "While others may know about the existence of the formula, I can't have you going off and making it for them."

She curled a hand into a fist and pounded it against the floor. She was still horribly cognizant of what was happening to her. Her life continued to unravel, sealing itself away behind a veil she could not breach. She was not even sure she had created the Draught that was just used against her. She had only begun to research it ...

But what was it she was researching ...

She wasn't researching anything, she was still being taught back at ...

She was going to leave her family soon and head to the Healer Guild, so where was ...

Evella's crying had stopped. She was still panting, her mind lost in a confusing haze as her sense of self slipped away with her memories.

"Evella?" Freya called out.

The girl stirred. She lifted her head and wiped her face in bewilderment, wondering why it was wet. When she realized her eyes were wet as well, she was even more surprised. Had she been crying? Why? She finally looked at the Overlord. "Excuse me? Did you call me something?"

Freya smiled. She caressed the girl's cheek. "I had called you Evella."

"Is ... is that my name? Why can't I remember that?"

Freya considered. "Actually ... I think Eveena has a better ring to it. Especially for someone like you."

"Someone like me? I don't understand," said the newly christened Eveena.

Freya helped the girl to her feet. "Yes, someone like you."

"I don't know what I'm supposed to be. I can't remember anything. Please, help me!"

"Shh. No need to panic my dear," Freya said, stroking Eveena's cheek. "Of course I will help you. Now ... do you remember putting this robe on?"

"Huh?" She looked down at herself. "No, I don't."

"Then perhaps you should remove it."

The girl looked up, then nodded. She opened her robe and let it drop from her body. She stood shamelessly naked before the Overlord.

Freya smiled. "Oh, so much better, Eveena. Why would you want to cover up this body of yours anyway?"

Freya ran hand lightly down Eveena's side. The girl smiled slightly. "Mmm. That kind of feels nice."

"Does it? What about this?"

Freya slid her hand over the girl's rear. Eveena's smile widened. "Yes, that's nice, too."

Freya lifted a hand and cupped one of Eveena's breasts. She squeezed it and teased the nipple.

Eveena let out a soft moan. "Yes, that's very nice ... oh my ..."

Freya smiled. "Yes?"

"I'm feeling something ... something strange ... between my legs."

The Overlord dropped her hand downward and slipped it between the girl's thighs. "About here?"

Eveena gasped as fingers touched warm and wet flesh. "Oh my! ... I-I don't remember feeling anything like this before."

"Do you enjoy it?"

"Mmm, yes ... "

Freya teased Eveena's womanhood for a few more moments before withdrawing her hand. The girl gave her a disappointed look.

"Let me tell you exactly what you are, Eveena," said Freya. "You are a slave."

Eveena's eyes widened. "A slave? But ... but that means, I have to do what you tell me?"

"Everything I tell you to do. And you will call me Mistress."

Eveena slowly nodded. "But ... but is this right? I mean ..."

Freya covered Eveena's sex with her hand and fingered the girl's slit. She moaned and squirmed.

"You'll get to feel this a lot more, Eveena, for doing what I say."

Eveena panted. "Yes ... yes, of course ... what do you want me to do, Mistress?"

Freya smiled and withdrew her hand. She strolled to her desk and returned with a collar. "Hold still."

Eveena nodded. She remained where she was as Freya closed and locked the collar about her neck. The Overlord then attached the slim chain, stood back, and gave it a swift snap. "You are now my slave. My property. And now I will give you to my Trainer."

"Trainer, Mistress?"

"To teach you how to give pleasure like I was giving you now. And she'll give you plenty of pleasure as well."

"Oh, will she, Mistress? I still feel all warm and wet down there. And it sort of aches. Like I need something."

Freya chuckled. "Taya?"

Taya entered. Eveena gazed at her as if she had never met the woman before.

Freya handed the end of the chain to Taya. "Another new one. Her name is Eveena. Train her well for me, or at least what you can do with her before we leave."

If Taya made the connection between the slave that stood before her and the Healer she had brought to her Mistress not long before, she did not show it. She smiled and took the chain. "Of course, Mistress." She snapped the chain and looked at Eveena. "Come along."

Eveena dutifully, even eagerly, followed.

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