Amanda opened her eyes to a velvet sky growing lighter with the approach of the dawn. A cool breeze blew in the window, chilling her despite the furs drawn over her body. She slipped out of bed and padded over to the window. She gazed over the calm waters of the ocean to the west of the Manor's island and sighed. The ocean seemed symbolic of how she was feeling: far from anything familiar. She might as well be standing in the middle of nowhere.

She unrolled the blinds to block out some of the air. As she turned away, she heard faint giggling. At least two of the Narlassi girls were awake. She heard more giggling, and then soft moans. She shook her head and went back to bed, intending to sleep for a bit more before Sirinna came to get her when the sun rose.

A sudden, shrill scream from Sirinna's chamber jolted her back to alertness.

Amanda bolted out of bed and raced across the chamber. She burst past the curtain just as a second scream rent the morning air, and stopped dead in shock. Sirinna was backed up against the wall behind her bed, her knees drawn up to her body. She was shaking so hard that the bed rattled. Behind errant strands of hair, her eyes stared in stark terror.

Amanda broke out of her shock and rushed to Sirinna's side. "Sirinna! What's the matter? What is it?"

Sirinna recoiled in panic and covered her head with her arms. "Please! No! Stop it! No more! It hurts! IT HURTS!"

"What hurts? What is it?" Amanda looked around frantically, as if expecting to find some terrifying monster or psychotic killer in the room. Instead all she saw were the bemused Narlassi girls standing at the doors to the chambers, looking on in confusion.

"Please! No! Stop! Leave me alone!"

"Sirinna, there's nothing there! What is ...?"

Sirinna tucked her head lower and rocked back and forth. Her voice became something between a whimper and a cry. "Please ... no more ... hurts too much ... please daddy ... don't ..."

Amanda gasped. "Oh no ... oh gods ... Sirinna, p-please, wake up. It's just a dream. It's not happening."

Slowly, Sirinna became still. She raised her head and blinked in confusion. She looked first at the Narlassi girls, then at Amanda. Finally, her eyes filled with tears and she let out a keening wail. Amanda pulled Sirinna towards her and hugged her tightly. Tears splashed against her shoulder.

"It's okay now," Amanda said as soothingly as she could, though her own voice was quavering as well.

"Amanda, I'm sorry, I didn't do what you told me!" Sirinna wailed. "I tried not to remember anything, I really tried, I really t-tried ..."

She broke down into hysterical sobs, clutching at Amanda, her body shaking. Amanda closed her own eyes tightly, but tears leaked from them as well. "Shh, it's all right. I-It will be all right. I'll take you to Master Vanlo."

Sirinna tried to shake her head against Amanda's shoulder. "N-no ..."

"You have to, Sirinna, please."

"Master R-Roquan ... have to take care of the girls ... have to ... have to have something to do, Amanda ... can't be useless ... can't just be a slave ..."

Amanda's eyes opened. WHAT did she just say?

Sirinna dissolved into tears again.

"Sirinna, it's okay. Master Roquan won't be upset with you, I promise. I won't let him," Amanda said. "But you're going to Master Vanlo, or I'm going to bring him here, and that's final."

Sirinna let out a long sigh and finally said in a tiny voice, "All right."

Vanlo gestured to Lanno. "Come with me for a moment, please."

Lanno nodded quickly and left Sirinna's side. Amanda glanced at the two of them with a frown and began to follow.

Vanlo turned. "Amanda, please stay with Sirinna, I would prefer she not be alone right now."

"But you gave her the sedative and she's all but asleep now," Amanda said shrilly. "And I want to hear what you have to say about her!"

"The sedative may not take completely in her current mental state. I need you there to comfort her if she wakes and grows anxious."

"But ..."

"I will not argue this point with you, Amanda. Do as I tell you."

Vanlo left the treatment room without another word and to the reception area. Lanno cast a sympathetic look at an indignant Amanda before following the elder Healer. Amanda was even more incensed when Vanlo drew the curtain closed across the adjoining doorway. The curtain was spelled to prevent sound from traveling through or around it, specifically to afford privacy if needed.

Vanlo turned and pointed to the door to the outside. "If you would, Lanno."

Lanno nodded and closed the door, indicating that they were not yet open for general business that morning. "So what's happened with her?"

"Do you need to ask?" Vanlo said, folding his hands before him.

Lanno sighed. "I suppose not. So what triggered her memories?"

"It is likely multiple causes. Just making her aware of the fact that she has memories that were repressed could have been the start."

"Well, she always knew that she had a Draught that removed her memories, Vanlo."

"Yes, but she never dwelt on it until Amanda made a point of talking about it."

Lanno frowned. "Now wait a moment, Vanlo, you can't say this is Amanda's fault."

Vanlo gave Lanno a stern look. "For once, Lanno, curb your emotionalism and your knee-jerk reactions. It certainly was not intentional on her part, and she had little idea that it would lead to this. And she assures me that she has been actively dissuading Sirinna from attempting to recover her memories ever since she learned from Overlord Rennis about her unfortunate childhood."

"So what happened? What went wrong? Sirinna should have simply done what she was told, right? Or at least did it in deference to Amanda."

Vanlo stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It appears that it is not just her memory that is coming back, but her intelligence as well. I would guess that it was actually her intelligence that was being exercised by Amanda well before her memories emerged. The fact that Amanda was so eager to have the counter-agent given to Sirinna suggests that she has been trying to engage Sirinna in more intellectual stimulation."

"Now, hold on," said Lanno. "Overlords have been using this Draught for two centuries. In all that time something like this has never happened before?"

"On the contrary, I imagine is has, but simply has not been recorded," said Vanlo. "Think for a moment. Would it be in the best interests of an Overlord to admit that the Draught may not work as effectively as they had thought?"

Lanno sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right. I guess I keep assuming that most Overlords have as high a sense of ethics as Roquan."

"I have heard anecdotes of slaves that have been given more education reporting strange dreams or brief images flitting through the heads that seem familiar. So it is likely that it has been happening and the connection was never made. No record is generally kept of what a Captive's life was like before coming to the Manor. There is no way to know whether they were flickers of past memories or simply random imagery."

Lanno folded his arms and looked towards the curtained entrance to the treatment room. He felt another surge of sympathy for Amanda and the urge to go back inside and comfort her. "So now what?" he asked, turning his gaze back to the older Healer. "Now what do we do?"

"I do not know. I can give her the standard tinctures used to treat nightmares, but it will not suppress the underlying memories. I will be treating the symptoms and not the illness. Except that this is technically not an illness."

Lanno looked thoughtful. "How about giving her the Draught again? No, wait, that would wipe her mind of all her experiences to date, dammit. Any way that you could ..."

There was a gentle knock at the door before Roquan allowed himself in. He paused upon seeing both Vanlo and Lanno in the reception area.

"Your timing is impeccable, your Lordship," Vanlo said.

"Is there a problem?" said Roquan.

"Sirinna is remembering her past and has had a traumatic episode as a result."

Roquan looked alarmed. "Is she all right?"

"For the moment. She is sedated and Amanda is with her."

Roquan let out a sigh and looked towards the treatment room. "Hellfire," he muttered. "Can I see her, Vanlo?"

"Not just yet. I wish to see if she remains calm after coming out of the sedation," said Vanlo. "Did you come for another reason, your Lordship?"

"Yes, but I believe I ought to do this alone and leave you here in light of what has happened."

Lanno raised an eyebrow. "Leave him here? Were you intending to have Vanlo go someplace?"

"I do not believe I am up to travel of any sort these days, your Lordship," Vanlo said.

"It would have been by Portal. Apparently the Mage Guild wishes testimony on Jollis' visit. They are seeking proof of this new Portal technology. I was intending to have you come along with me to furnish your view of events. We would be back by evening."

"The Mage Guild?" Lanno said in surprise. "I'm not so sure I'd want to go there."

"Really, your concern is misplaced, Lanno," said Vanlo. "It is actually a rather pleasant place filled with learned men. And quite peaceful and quiet most times."

"You've been there before, Vanlo?" Roquan asked.

A tiny smile graced the Healer's lips. He stroked his beard idly. "I did a small bit of Healer work there, yes. But I would rather not leave under the circumstances. Surely they would take the word of an Overlord? Or I could provide information by Farview if it is so critically needed."

"It will have to do. I would rather you be here, as much confidence as I have in Lanno."

"No insult taken here, my Lord," Lanno said. "This stuff about memories and the Draught is over my head. I'd just as soon have Vanlo here as well."

"Very well, I will go alone. I do not like leaving under the circumstances either, but Mage Q'garra was quite adamant that this was critical."

"I should not need you for anything, your Lordship," said Vanlo. "I will give you a full report when you return."

Roquan nodded once and left.

Visitors of any kind to the Mage Guild were a rare occurrence. It was not so much the Guild being insular as it was that many were intimidated by so much power concentrated in one place. It was an almost instinctual fear, hence calling an outsider in to testify at a court proceeding was even more rare.

Overlord Roquan D'ronstaq, however, was not an average person. When the great double doors opened, he strode confidently into the hall, his even, steel-like gaze never wavering as he walked with crisp footfalls towards the podium. He gave the assembled Mage Elders barely a glance, and then only to bow his head as he took his place before them.

He settled his hands gently along the sides of the podium and greeted their inquisitive and assessing looks with a level, cool gaze of his own.

Q'land rose. "I am Mage Elder Q'land. I am spokesperson for the Mage Elders. Please state your name and title for the record."

"Roquan D'ronstaq," he said smoothly. "Overlord."

"We are given to understand, Overlord, that you witnessed not one but two Portals open without the aid of a focus."

"To clarify, I witnessed the second actually open before me. The first was opened in my absence, but was detected by my Healer."

There was an exchange of looks among the other Mage Elders. "Forgive me, Overlord, but did you say your Healer detected it?"

"Yes. He is a Portal sensitive. He detected the Portal opening and summoned me immediately."

"And can he tell the difference between one that is opened without a focus and one that is?"

"No. But in the time between when it opened and when I arrived, there would have been no time for an abettor to have escaped and removed the evidence of a focusing pearl. However, the second Portal was indeed witnessed by me. It opened directly in front of me, and at no time was a focusing pearl being held by the one that summoned it."

Murmuring broke out among the Mage Elders. Q'land waited for it to pass before continuing. "Could not the person have had the focusing pearl in his pocket?"

A Mage Elder rose. "Now, one moment, Q'land, you know perfectly well that ..."

Q'land waved him silent before turning back to Roquan. "Well, Overlord?"

"As I am sure your colleague was about to state," began Roquan, "it is well know that a focusing pearl is held away from the body for reasons of safety. It would be excessively dangerous to leave it close to one's person, as the energies of the Portal can be deadly if encountered before the Portal has stabilized."

Several Mage Elders nodded, clearly impressed with Roquan's knowledge of Portal mechanics.

Q'kollan rose. "I have a question for the Overlord. Are you quite sure of the time that elapsed between when the first Portal was opened and when you arrived at the scene?"

"Quite sure, Mage Elder," said Roquan. "The distance from his quarters and mine is quite short."

"And you do realize, Overlord, that Portal sensitivity is a very rare trait, even among Mages? And your Healer possesses it?"

"Yes, I understand this. But the fact of the matter is that he does have this trait."

"Then if he supposedly has this wondrous trait, Overlord," Q'ixanna's voice rang out. "Why is he not here with you now to testify on his own behalf?"

Roquan turned his gaze to the Guildmaster. "He has a critical patient he cannot leave. He is willing to give testimony via Farview if needed."

"Which prevents us from testing him to validate your claim!"

Roquan eyes became ice. "Are you questioning my truthfulness in this matter, Guildmaster?"

"I most certainly am!" Q'ixanna left the chair. "I find this all very convenient! You just happen to come along as a witness to prove this Empircist's insane theories. You just happen to have a Healer that has Portal sensitivity to warn you of this supposed invader in your Manor."

Roquan frowned. "With all due respect, Guildmaster, I have no reason to lie for a Mage or for anyone else."

"Not even to support a play for power or influence?"

"I have zero interest in whatever politics you play at the Guild Hall. I reject your accusation and challenge you to prove it. If you cannot, I respectfully request that you drop your insulting attitude towards me."

"Enough!" Q'land declared, interposing himself between the two of them.

"I must admit that the Guildmaster has a point," said Q'kollan. "Not that the Overlord is lying, of course, but there are varying degrees of Portal sensitivity. Then there are people that believe they have it but do not, and are simply detecting some other side-effect that may or may not be present at all times."

Q'land nodded and turned to Roquan. "Overlord, is there any way of having your Healer come to the Guild Hall?"

Roquan sighed. "I am sorry. But unless you can delay these proceedings a few days, there is no way Vanlo will be available."

There was a sudden stir among the assembled Mages. One of the rose to his feet. "Overlord, did ... did you say your Healer's name was Vanlo?"

"Yes, I did. Vanlo G'tort."

The Mage's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. He turned to Q'land. "I vouch for the integrity of the Overlord's Healer right now. His word is beyond reproach in my mind."

Another Mage Elder rose. "I second that."

And another. "Here, here!"

Roquan raised an eyebrow, but made no other overt reaction.

Q'kollan looked quite nonplussed. Other Mage Elders were now staring at him, as if defying him to call it into question. He glanced towards the Guildmaster, then looked back at the Overlord. "Yes, well," he finally said in a subdued voice. "I believe I withdraw my statement doubting the statements of the Overlord's Healer."

"Well, I do not!" the Guildmaster shouted. "Stop treating the man as if he were one of the gods sent from the sky!"

"It is not up to you, Guildmaster, it is up to us!" one of the Mage Elders declared. "If the Council is willing to accept this testimony, then it will stand!"

"And I would remind you that you were one of the Mages whose life he saved when ..." began another.

"And that has no bearing on these proceedings!" Q'ixanna exclaimed. "What he has done in the past means nothing now!"

Several Mage Elders looked quite askance, a few giving Q'ixanna a look of disgust.

"Guildmaster, you are free to question the witness further if you ..." Q'land began.

Q'ixanna approached the table and pointed an accusing finger directly at the Overlord. "I know your kind, Overlord, do not think that I am fooled. Do not think I have not heard about you from the Emperor! Oh, yes, that's right, he's told me all about you. How you fomented rebellion in his own Palace, how you browbeat the Noble Lords into starting this war, how you have ambitions well beyond your own station. And this is just more of the same! Another little grab for power! How much were you promised, Overlord, to say these lies before the Mage Elders?"

"Guildmaster! That is uncalled for!" a Mage Elder called out.

"Really, Guildmaster, this is quite unnecessary," said Q'land. "Surely you ..."

Roquan held up a hand. Q'land paused, then to the surprise of the observers, went quiet. The Overlord looked squarely at the Guildmaster. "I am sure you have heard a great many things from the Emperor. I refuse to be baited by them. I have no cause to defend myself against these accusations. If you believe them to have merit in these proceedings, then I put it to you to offer proof of my supposed machinations and duplicity. Then I will answer them, and not a moment before."

Q'ixanna's teeth clenched in frustration. He thumped his fist on the table again and turned away.

"Does anyone else have any further questions for this witness?" Q'land asked.

There was no answer. A few Mage Elders shook their heads. Q'kollan looked intensely thoughtful, then shook his head as well. His eyes were troubled.

"Very well. Overlord, you are dismissed. You may freely utilize our Portal to return to your Manor."

Roquan bowed his head and left the podium.

"I believe we should call for a recess," Q'land said. "We will reconvene after the midday meal."

Vanlo placed a hand on Sirinna's shoulder and smiled. "Feeling a bit better, my dear?"

Sirinna nodded and managed a weak smile. She sat on the edge of the treatment table, looking a bit harried with a somewhat haunted look to her eyes, but otherwise in a much calmer state. She looked around. "Where's Amanda?"

"She is back in your quarters," said Vanlo. "She needs to look after the four Narlassi girls in your absence."

Sirinna's eyes widened, and she tried to stand. "Master Vanlo, I need to go back to them. Master Roquan entrusted them to me."

Vanlo squeezed her shoulder and gently pushed her back down. "You need to stay here for a little while longer, Sirinna. Amanda has things well in hand at the moment."

"But ... but Master Roquan ..."

"He is the one that wished this arrangement until he returns."

Sirinna's eyes shimmered. She took a deep breath and let it go as a shaky sigh.

"This is no reflection on you, Sirinna. His Lordship simply wished to see to it that you are well and calm before you return."

"I-I barely remember what happened, Master Vanlo. All I really remember is being really scared. I've never been like that before."

"Do you remember what it was that triggered this fright?"

Sirinna shivered. "Only tiny bits, Master. It was like someone was hurting me and I couldn't figure out why." She lifted her eyes to his. "Is this about what I overheard Master Rennis say once, about me being abused before I was taken to Narlass? Is that what I am remembering?"

Vanlo paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "It is quite possible, yes."

Sirinna's lips parted. "But that's not what Amanda told me!"

Vanlo suppressed a sigh. It was obvious that Amanda had tried everything she could to dissuade Sirinna from trying to remember her past. Unfortunately she had erred in lying to Sirinna.

It was also clear to the Healer now that Sirinna's intelligence was increasing. She saw the contradiction in Amanda's words, and she set upon the path to truth on her own. "Amanda made a mistake," Vanlo said gently. "She is not versed in these matters, but she tries her best. Please do not hold it against her."

Sirinna's mind was in a tumult. All she could see was that Amanda had deliberately kept something from her. She did not believe it was a simple mistake. Amanda had known the truth, but now Vanlo was trying to say otherwise. He was compounding a lie with another.

Sirinna could not help but ask herself how many other lies had she been told? She immediately felt a surge of guilt. Why should it matter? She was a slave and was told what she needed to hear and nothing more. Then she thought that Roquan had lied to her, and that he truly did not trust her anymore to fulfill her slave duties. Then she felt even worse guilt over thinking ill of her Master and owner.

Sirinna finally placed a hand to her cheek and shook her head. "Master, I don't know what I'm supposed to think anymore. Please, where is Master Roquan? He can tell me what I'm supposed to do."

Vanlo heard the sheer desperation in her voice. "He will be returning shortly, my dear, and I imagine he will be anxious to see you when he does."

Sirinna swallowed and nodded. For the first time since she had been a Captive, she felt lost. Nothing was clear to her anymore. She needed Roquan to reassure her of her purpose and her importance. She wondered if he would punish her for her doubts.

For a very brief moment, images of the way she had been "punished" in her nightmare flitted through her head. She shuddered violently.

Half a world away, the ruddy light of sunset bathed the bed chamber in a crimson radiance. Bare skin glowed under embers of sun fire, as if mirroring the rise of Shella's pleasure as her body rocked under Jollis' thrusts.

She panted heavily, her legs splayed around his lean body. As she rose to her peak, she wrapped her legs around him, crossing her ankles behind him. Her hips jerked upwards to meet him each time, eliciting increasingly shrill cries of ecstasy.

Jollis' lovemaking was as driven as was his attention to every detail of his new plans for Oceanus. It was all he could do not to let those plans creep into his mind while his attention was supposedly focused on his Companion and temporary lover. Whenever his plan intruded into his mind, thoughts of Amanda were often not far behind.

Jollis felt guilty. He was using Shella as a distraction and little else. It seemed wrong, despite that Shella had remained a Companion of her own free will. Shella was also smart enough to know exactly why Jollis kept her, and why he trysted with her at least two or three times a day.

Shella let out a loud moan, throbbing hard around his manhood. He let out a long sigh and let go moments later, shuddering as his seed spilled into her. He wondered if she were still suppressing her fertility.

Once a Companion was of age, she could decide for herself when to bear a child. She could choose to bear one from a tryst with her Master, or she could wait until she was no longer a Companion and chose a life partner. If the male that provided the seed consented to the child beforehand, he was bound by duty, honor, and law to provide for the child. If he had not, it was his choice.

Jollis thought he would choose to provide for it, were Shella to do such a thing without consulting him first.

Jollis embraced her and rolled them onto their sides, his manhood still buried inside her until her orgasm had waned. Even after he withdrew, Shella pressed her hips to him, seeking to feel his lingering touch against her folds.

"I find I must apologize to you, Shella," said Jollis in a contrite voice.

Shella laughed softly. "Why is that? Did I not cry out loudly enough in pleasure?"

Jollis smiled despite himself. "My mind was not completely with you. You received a body that was dutiful towards your pleasure, but a head that was elsewhere. You deserve a whole and not parts."

Shella kissed him lightly on the lips. "You worry too much, my little Wanderer. You always did."

Jollis let out a small sigh. He squeezed her affectionately. "You are likely correct. It is said that any great man is only one third himself but two-thirds his Companion or mate."

Shella grinned mischievously. "So you are a great man now? Is that how history will paint you?"

Jollis' smile faded. "Perhaps I speak out of turn, then."

Shella's eyes grew cloudy. "And now I fear I have said precisely the wrong thing to you."

Jollis shook his head. "You have not. My words reflect only my own inner turmoil about the decisions I have made, and the ones that I have yet to make. The fate of so many rest with me."

"And the fate of any one in particular?"

Jollis hesitated. "I must look at them as a whole, and not favor any one of them. All are part of the plan and must play their part."

Shella already looked dubious. "Master Jollis, I know you all too well. I know the subtleties of your preoccupations. I can see it in your eyes every time you are intimate with me. You are thinking of another person in particular."

The words were spoken with candor but no hostility, no accusation, no challenge. Jollis let out a soft sigh of resignation and pulled Shella closer to him. She snuggled against him willingly. "You have an amazing insight, Shella. It is little wonder you have not chosen the path of Priestess."

Shella smiled. "I do not have this sort of insight with anyone, only those I am close to. I do not have near enough the gift that they do."

"Yet you have few qualms about telling me what I need to hear."

Shella considered, as if something had just fallen into place in her mind. "Is that why you are reluctant to attend Devotions?"

"And you continue your amazing intuitive skills!" Jollis paused, a vaguely embarrassed look in his eyes. "I have been away for so long, I need to be Purified first."

"And you are afraid of what the Priestess will tell you."

"It would be nothing that I have not already told myself. That it will be the ruination of my plans and myself if I do not change my thinking, if I do not approach it with a more dispassionate view, that I have failed in so many ways to this point."

Shella looked on in sympathy. She knew of the Purification process, where a Priestess bared the soul of the Devotee and forced him to confront his greatest weakness, or his greatest fear, or his greatest guilt. It was their unique gift, identified early among Companions, then nurtured and cultivated until the ability was so great, they had little choice but to remain sequestered in the temple. Casual liaisons were impossible for them, as the act of sex is what opened a path to the person's soul, so the Inonni believed.

Shella kissed Jollis again, lingering and passionate. When her lips slid from his, she whispered urgently, "Go tonight, Master Jollis. Have it done. This is weighing heavily on you. Have it brought out."

Jollis sighed, looking forlorn. He clung to her as if frightened.

Shella smiled softly. "I will be here for you when you return. I will comfort you if you need it. You will not be alone."

Jollis embraced her again, closing his eyes tightly. "You are right," he said in a quavering voice. "I am a fool for avoiding it."

"The wise man properly respects the power of the unknown," Shella intoned. "Only the fool fears it."

Jollis smiled. "I have managed to turn myself from the fool to the wise man once. I shall endeavor to do it again."

Katla grabbed Uroddus' arm, stopping him in the corridor. Other Mages streamed around them as they headed into the court chamber. "What is it?" Uroddus asked.

Katla paused as the flow of Mages around them thinned. "This is it, isn't it?" she said in a low but urgent voice. "This will decide it. There can't possibly be any more debate at this point."

"Yes, I imagine we are at the end. Master Q'yros protest was ill-timed. I could have done nothing to stop these proceedings even if I had wished."

Katla sighed. "This is so unlike him, isn't it?"

"It may be no more than the fear of death. It is not something that most can face with equanimity."

Katla shook her head. "I keep thinking it's something else. But then again, it may be wishful thinking. I keep hoping he would do or say something to decide things in the matter."

"I know, it is unfortunate, but we had all we could have to work with, and there is simply no more. Everyone is nearly inside, we need to go."

Katla nodded and followed him inside.

Previous days there had been a carnival-like atmosphere in the moments leading to the commencement of the proceedings. This time, however, the mood was far more muted. What little conversation existed was carried out in quick whispers and soft mutters.

When everyone had taken their seats, and the double doors closed, Q'land stood, his face grave. "Court is now convened. I will first ask if there is further debate on the third charge, or any further witnesses that are to be called."

He was met with tense silence. Q'ixanna glowered in his chair.

"Very well. We will move on to the vote on the third charge. As I call you, please indicate 'aye' for merit on the charge, 'nay' to negate it. Mage Elder Q'lestan?"

"Aye."

"Mage Elder Q'borlow?"

"Aye!"

"Mage Elder Q'rannan?"

"Aye."

The vote continued in this manner, each Mage Elder, one after the other, casting the same vote for merit. The tension mounted palpably. Q'ixanna fingers curled tightly around the arm rest of the chair, visibly shaking as the vote continued the same down the line. Then it finally came to Q'land himself and Q'kollan, the latter of which had automatically been shuffled to the end because of his temporary abstention on the previous charge.

"I, Mage Elder Q'land, vote 'aye,'" Q'land announced. "Mage Elder Q'kollan?"

Q'kollan raised his head and nodded reluctantly. "Aye."

Katla let out a sigh of relief. "He came through on the third charge," she murmured.

"We still have yet to hear his vote on the second," Uroddus pointed out.

And so were the rest of the assembled Mages, as every eye and ear was on Mage Q'kollan.

"And the second charge?" asked Q'land. "I must have your final vote on the charge of suppression of vital information."

Q'kollan was thoughtful for an agonizing moment. He glanced at the Guildmaster, then back at Q'land. "Aye."

The room erupted into a dull roar. Katla's mouth dropped open in shock. Uroddus simply adjusted his spectacles and remained still, his eyes fixed on the Guildmaster. Q'ixanna appeared as if he did not know how to react.

Q'land's hand shot up, and the gong sound reverberated through the hall until quiet was restored. He took a deep breath and let it go. He was a bit stunned himself, and it took him a moment to regain his composure.

He turned to face Q'ixanna. "Guildmaster Q'ixanna. It is the decision of this Oversight Court that two charges have found merit, one is negated. As a result, we decree that you will be removed from office for a period not exceeding ..."

Q'ixanna shot out of his seat. "This is preposterous!" he shouted. "This verdict is unacceptable!"

Q'land paused. Dark and worried murmuring broke out among the observers. The Mage Elders looked uncertain, and more that one was a little nervous. Finally, Q'land found his voice. "You dispute this verdict, Guildmaster?"

"I dispute the way this court has been conducted! Foolishness and idiocy has been accepted as evidence! How do you expect me to accept a verdict based on this?"

Katla glanced at Uroddus. "He can't ... he can't be serious," she croaked. "He can't just ignore the verdict! Can he?"

"With all due respect, Guildmaster, these proceedings were conducted in a manner appropriate and proper, and as dictated by the Charter to the letter," said Q'land. "You have had ample opportunity to debate all evidence and offer your own witnesses. No voice was suppressed, not yours or the Mage Elders."

Q'ixanna's mouth dropped open, and he looked around wildly, as if hoping for someone to spring to his defense. Finally, his eyes blazed in rage, and he shook a finger at Q'land. "Then you are not looking hard enough! There is indeed one voice that has been suppressed, and I demand that it be heard!"

Confused murmuring wafted over the hall. Katla frowned.

"I do not understand, Guildmaster," said Q'land.

"You have not polled the votes of all the Mage Elders. You have not solicited the vote of Q'yros!"

Uroddus raised an eyebrow. Katla was simply too stunned to speak.

"Q'yros is retired, Guildmaster, he cannot vote," a Mage Elder called out.

"Then I rescind his retirement order. He is now a full Mage Elder again. Thus he must vote!"

"You cannot simply ...!"

"Yes I can!" Q'ixanna bellowed. "I gave the order, I can rescind it at any time I wish!"

"And what reason do you give?"

"I have decided to be magnanimous on the first charge. You have convinced me I was wrong. Thus I redress it by reinstating him. And because he has been reinstated while these proceedings are still active, that gains him the right to vote on these charges. And I demand that he be brought here to give that vote!"

The Mage Elder that had challenged the Guildmaster was incensed. "Q'land, this is a blatant political ploy! Are you going to accept this? The vote should stand as it does now!"

Q'land sighed in exasperation. "I'm sorry, but the Guildmaster is correct. It is most unusual, but it does not violate the Charter in any way I can think of. Q'yros will be summoned to these proceedings forthwith."

Katla grabbed Uroddus' arm. "That bastard. I know what he's up to. He's hoping that Q'yros will vote for him to avoid the ..."

"Katla, please, do not speak of that here," Uroddus said urgently over her.

"But if we can get this out now ...!"

"We have no proof. It is our word against theirs, and if Q'yros will not testify to it, or cannot, there is little more any of us can do."

Katla slumped back in her seat. "Then that's it, we're finished. The Guildmaster gets off, and we'll get punished, or even thrown out of the Guild Hall."

Uroddus placed a hand over hers. "Let us wait and see what happens first."

Katla shook her head. "I don't have nearly the same optimism you do, Uroddus."

Uroddus continued to keep his gaze fixed on the Guildmaster. He was performing a certain calculation in his head, one with limited data points. But it was the best he could do, and he was not going to be a slave to the numbers. He would not back down just because of what they told him.

Roquan had Sirinna brought to his quarters, as he felt this would be the most reassuring setting for her. Yet shortly after Vanlo left, Sirinna began trembling as she stood with her hands folded before her and her head bowed as if she were expecting punishment. Roquan was a bit nonplussed, and it delayed his first words to her. This made Sirinna even more anxious.

"Vanlo tells me you are feeling a bit better, Sirinna," Roquan said in a gentle voice.

"Y-yes, Master, I am. I promise, it won't happen again."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "What won't happen again?"

"Remembering, Master. Remembering ... my past ... I won't do it again. I won't think about it anymore. I'll be good, Master." Her voice grew increasingly desperate, and her trembling worse.

"Sirinna, look up."

Sirinna hesitated, then lifted her eyes.

Roquan was rather taken aback by what he saw in Sirinna's wide and shimmering eyes. He had seen her anxious. He had seen her nervous or worried. He had never seen her frightened. It was as if she were some distraught Captive right after waking up for the first time after receiving the Draught.

"Sirinna, you have done nothing wrong," said Roquan firmly. "You are not here to be punished."

Sirinna stared at the Overlord for a long moment, then let out a ragged sigh. "Th-thank you, Master," she gushed in relief, though there was still a nervous edge to her eyes, as if her head believed him but her heart did not.

"This is not your fault," Roquan continued.

"I didn't start remembering until Amanda talked to me about it," Sirinna said. Her eyes suddenly widened. "No, I-I don't mean it's Amanda's fault! It's not her fault!"

"Sirinna."

"Please, Master, don't punish her! She didn't know! She ...!"

"Sirinna."

Sirinna fell silent and trembled again.

Roquan never saw Sirinna this unglued before. Even when she was expecting the worst punishment, which was rare, she faced it with relative calm and a sense of duty. He placed a hand on her shoulder. She let out a tiny gasp and nearly flinched. She let out another relieved sigh as his hand slid over her shoulder and gently cupped her cheek. She pushed her face into his touch and closed her eyes.

"I am not punishing Amanda either. She had no idea that speaking to you would trigger your memories."

"It was so important to her, Master," Sirinna said softly. "I didn't want to disappoint her. I didn't want her to think ..."

She trailed off. Roquan removed his hand. "Did not want her to think what?"

Sirinna stared at Roquan for a long moment. "I-I ... it's ... it's not important, Master."

"I will be the judge of what is important or not. Tell me."

Sirinna swallowed and looked fearful again. "I didn't want her to think I wasn't s-smart, Master," she said in a tiny voice.

Roquan let out a small sigh. By most slave standards, Sirinna was rather intelligent, but he imagined that Amanda had a different yardstick. He doubted that Amanda thought Sirinna was stupid. Yet it was likely that Amanda attempted to "educate" Sirinna in the things in which Amanda was interested.

"Amanda tried to tell me that ... that these dreams weren't really from my past, Master," Sirinna said, trying not to make it sound like an accusation. "But that's not true, is it, Master? They are from my past. And s-something terrible happened ..."

Sirinna's eyes misted. Her throat seemed to close up. She uttered a single sob and shook, clenching her hands into fists. She averted her eyes, too ashamed to be seen like this in front of her Overlord.

Roquan stepped in front of her. He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Look at me, Sirinna."

Sirinna uttered another sob and lifted her head. She sniffled once, unshed tears filling her eyes.

"Whatever happened, Sirinna, it's in the past. You're safe now. It will never happen to you again. The people that abused you are in another world. They cannot get to you and never will."

Sirinna choked back another sob. "Y-yes, Master," she said dutifully. She managed to take a small amount of solace from him. She kept reminding herself that he was the Overlord, and that he knew what was best for her. Whatever he told her was Truth. But this was the first time she had to actively remind herself. Until then, it had come naturally.

"You have always been a good slave, Sirinna," Roquan continued. "You have done nothing to change that perception."

Sirinna managed a tiny smile.

"Is there anything you wish to say? You may speak as freely as you wish."

"Master ... I-I understand what you said ... no one will hurt me here, but ... but I don't want to remember this a-anymore. I want it to be like before. I'm a-afraid of what else I might see. Please, Master?"

"I do not believe there is anything Vanlo can do about that. He could only give you the Draught again, and that would make you forget everything. It would be as if you were a Captive again."

Sirinna's eyes widened. "You mean ... n-not even Amanda?"

"You would remember nothing."

Sirinna's lowed lip trembled. "I don't want to forget Amanda, Master!"

Roquan squeezed her shoulders affectionately and stroked her cheek with his fingers. "I know. This is why I will not have it done."

Sirinna calmed a bit and nodded. "Master, could Master Vanlo make something that just got rid of these memories and left the rest?"

"I do not know. It is not likely he can do it soon. But he may be able to give you something to ease the intensity of your nightmares."

Sirinna smiled slightly. "Thank you, Master."

Roquan withdrew his hands and turned from her. "I am going to speak to Rennis later about the four Narlassi girls," he said as he walked to his desk.

Sirinna's smile faded. "The ... the four girls, Master? What about them?"

"I wish to inquire if he is willing to take them. They should be returned to their village, but it is unlikely I will be able to get them there safely over land due to the war. I need to wait until I can get a Portal focus there."

Sirinna stared, stricken. Her eyes blurred.

"I am hoping he will be able to care for them for a short while. I feel he can better focus his attention on ..."

Sirinna burst into tears.

Roquan whirled around, looking thoroughly confused. "Sirinna, what is it?"

She buried her face in her hands. Tears dripped from between her fingers.

"Sirinna, tell me, what is the matter?"

"I-I don't know!" Sirinna wailed. "I don't know!"

Roquan wrapped an arm around her waist. He pulled her gently towards him. She resisted at first, then relented and nearly collapsed against him, forcing him to embrace her with both arms to prevent her from falling. She buried her face against his chest, wetting his tunic with her tears.

"Shh, it's okay," Roquan said softly, stroking her hair.

Sirinna shook her head. "I-It's not! You ... y-you can't take the g-girls away from me, Master ... please ..."

"I only wish to remove the burden from you, that is all."

"No, please, please, Master ... I n-need them ... I-I have to do this ... I have to have something to do ... I'm not useless!"

"Useless?" said Roquan in surprise.

"I'm not just a slave! I'm not ... I ..." Sirinna lifted her head, her eyes red and staring. "I-I don't know why I said that! Why did I say that, Master? Why do I even think about it?"

Tears poured from her eyes again. Roquan pulled her tightly to him again and let her cry. The Overlord understood where Sirinna did not. Her memories were not the only thing that had come back to her. The effect on her intelligence had been broken as well. Her mind was returning to the state it was before she had the Draught.

It was a revelation for Roquan. He had not really understood how much the Draught had restricted the mind of a Captive until that moment.

"You are not useless, Sirinna," Roquan said firmly when her sobs abated. "And you will have something to do other than your slave duties."

Sirinna looked up. She wiped at her eyes. "I-I will, Master?"

"Yes. I am going to ask Amanda to educate you."

Sirinna blinked. "I'm sorry, Master?"

"There is not as much for you to do as a Trainer, not with Amanda close to graduation and with no new Captives forthcoming. You need something important to do. And you can show Amanda that you are indeed intelligent."

Sirinna wiped her eyes again. Her lips started to curl into a smile. "Master, Amanda is so very smart! So very clever! Do you think I could do that? Do you think I could be that way?"

Roquan sensed the excitement in her voice. He had not heard that sort of eagerness from her in a long time. "You may very well achieve that, Sirinna."

Sirinna beamed. "Thank you, Master! Thank you! How soon may I start?"

"I need to contact Rennis and power my Portal if he agrees. Once the four are away, you may take whatever time you are not using for training Amanda or tending to me."

"Thank you! Master, you are so good to me! I cannot imagine a better Overlord than you!"

For the first time in a long while, Roquan actually smiled.

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