WARNING: This is a work of erotic fiction. It contains depictions of
nudity and graphic sex.

Author: A Strange Geek
Title: Amanda's Choice
Summary: A 14-year-old girl with a troubled home life is swept away to
another world by an older female lover, where she must make the
ultimate choice between love and freedom.

Part: 8 of 19
Keywords: Mf, oral, bd

Note: Story codes are for this Chapter. See Chapter 0 for complete list
of codes

Copyright A Strange Geek, 2005

Feedback welcome! Please email me at astraYOURngegeek@comMINDcast.net
( lose YOUR MIND to email me )

Or to send anonymous feedback, use the form at bottom of HTML version:

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---------------

Roquan felt as if he had just spent the better part of a day
accomplishing nothing.

The Overlord stalked away from the guest quarters, quietly fuming,
frowning deeply. He and Rennis had not talked with each other, they had
talked past each other. Roquan had wanted to delve into serious detail
about plans to find a successor to Z'haas. He had thought Rennis might
appreciate that he already knew of several members of court that would
be most interested in a change at the Imperial Palace, and only needed
to discuss with him a way to discreetly approach them, since Rennis was
far better at subtlety than Roquan ever was.

Yet Rennis instead insisted on interjecting his appeals to deal with
the other Overlords, to seek a peace with them. Even when Roquan had
informed him of the sabotage of his Manor, it had only made him more
adamant! True, Rennis had been properly disgusted by the tactic, but
not at all surprised. He dared suggest that the other Overlords were
behind it!

Roquan had finally had enough.

"I'm giving you a chance to decide where your loyalties reside,
Rennis!" Roquan had declared. "The other Overlords no longer matter to
me. They have already thrown their lot with the Emperor! Decide before
your stay is over whether you wish to do the same!"

Roquan allowed himself to advance upon the Manor grounds far enough to
remove himself from the sight of Rennis' lodgings. Here, he paused, and
calmed himself. It would not bode well to show an angered face to the
others, or to betray any doubt or frustration. A good Overlord must
appear in complete command and control at all times, for it fostered
respect from his slaves.

To Roquan, appearance was everything.

Roquan thought about visiting the Circle and quietly observing some of
his slaves in training. Yet this required the greatest degree of
self-discipline, for the Overlord was the most exacting of any , and it
was best to approach it when he was fully relaxed, lest he take issue
with each little indiscretion.

He instead decided to take a more leisurely stroll through the grounds.
So long as he was seen, and that his slaves were aware of his presence,
it would reassure any that were still feeling nervous, for he had
already heard that there had been another incident of disobedience,
this time from a Trainee!

It frustrated him that the hapless Trainee was likely to be punished,
possibly severely. Hiatha's methods were always much more direct that
Sirinna's. Yet he could not stay it, nor could he rescind Tanyee's
punishment, for it would tip off the saboteur that he was on to him.
When dealing with an enemy of stealth, it was best not to let him know
when his actions had been noticed, for it increased the likelihood that
the enemy would eventually make a mistake and reveal himself.

He simply hoped he still had a reputation left by that time.



At first, Amanda had dutifully returned to her quarters as Sirinna had
asked. Indeed, it was much cooler in there, to her surprise, once she
discovered that having two windows open to the air allowed into her a
room a very nice and refreshing breeze from the sea, and the thatched
walls allowed the whole building to breathe.

Yet she grew restless waiting for Sirinna, and she hated having nothing
to do. She already found her missing the little conveniences of back
home, such as her computer or her collection of books.

Amanda finally decided that the tropical heat was better than boredom,
and she ventured back outside.

She wandered idly away from Sirinna's quarters, picking a path that
wound through a rather lush thicket of flowering bushes and trees that
looked like weeping willows. She was fascinated by the variety of
foliage that was to be found here. Perhaps if they let her stay, she
could offer to help with the gardening. It had been something of a
hobby for her at home before Rose had passed away, and she had become
quite good at it.

Occasionally, a slave would pass by on the path, thankfully without
giving her much of an odd look. Perhaps they were already growing used
to her here. A few even greeted her by saying "good day" as they
passed.

A bit of breeze began to blow, more clouds sliding low across the sky
from the west, with the hint of a promise of rain now in the air. It
started feeling a little cooler now, and Amanda did not sweat as much,
and what she did perspire actually evaporated and cooled her.

Amanda managed to forget some of her more troubled thoughts for the
time being, stopping here and there to sniff at a flower, or touch the
leaves of an unfamiliar plant. Finally she reached the point where she
hardly noticed anyone passing by anymore, even forgetting how her gown
tended to ride up behind her any time she bent over.

A figure approached her from further down the path, walking with slow
and measured paces, footfalls quiet against the soft sand. Amanda
turned away, not having noticed, and took a few leisurely steps away
from the figure, until her eye caught sight of something fluttering
near the flowers. She turned her head and watched the butterfly alight
on several of the flowers in turn, its wings colorful and delicate. It
attracted her attention to some plants that she had never seen before,
lying low to the ground, sporting dozens of tiny blossoms. She bent
over for a closer look.

Her gown slid upwards, past her thighs, exposed a sliver of her
backside. Yet it was to the more intimate region that the figure's gaze
now drifted, the raised mound of her sex, exposed as it was between her
thighs, a small bit of her pink folds visible between her labia. Amanda
shifted her weight a bit as she stretched herself forward for a better
view, causing her to part her legs a bit, as if presenting herself to
the figure behind her.

The view was enjoyed for a few moments more, before the obligation to
speak became too great.

"You must be Amanda."

Startled, Amanda nearly fell forward into the foliage. She jumped back,
bolting up, yanking her gown down with such force that she heard a
thread or two pop somewhere behind her further up her back, casting two
frightened eyes upon the imposing man that stood on the path before
her, looking at her with a steady and unnervingly cool gaze.

Her initial reaction was to blush, but when he appeared to find her
reaction amusing, anger flashed in her eyes instead, and she forgot her
initial fear. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"Roquan D'ronstaq," he said smoothly. "Overlord of this Manor."

Amanda's mouth dropped open for a moment, then closed as she swallowed
nervously.

Roquan paused a moment to look over the girl more closely. He now
regretted that Amanda was not indeed a Captive. She was quite pretty.
Her eyes were deep and steady, suggesting high intelligence, and there
was a fire in them that bespoke of an equally strong passion. Certainly
if Sirinna had gushed over the girl so much, she must be more than
competent sexually.

Yet the cadence of her voice, and the way she held her body as she
stood, the tautness of the muscles along her legs and arms told him she
was extremely willful and headstrong. He doubted that even the Draught
would have knocked much of that out of her. If she had been slated to
become a slave, she would have been a challenge to train.

Roquan determined all of this in the space of a few heartbeats, his
instincts and observation skills that refined after two decades of
being an Overlord.

Amanda recovered quickly from her initial anxiety, taking a short but
deep breath before opening her mouth to speak again. "Yes, um, Sirinna
has told me about you."

Roquan was so unused to hearing an outworlder, especially one so young,
speak to him without using a proper title of respect, that he had to
consciously stop himself from immediately bristling at this. At the
same time, he could not pass up the opportunity to spar with her on
this point. "It is customary for you to use a title when speaking to
me."

Now it was Amanda's turn to stop herself from bristling, but she did
not accomplish it as well as Roquan, and he noticed her reaction
immediately. "I can call you 'Overlord' if you wish."

"The more accepted title is 'master'."

"But I'm not one of your slaves, Overlord."

A pause. "Very true."

"And I don't intend to become one."

"Such matters are generally for the Overlord to decide, Amanda," Roquan
said mildly.

Amanda's heart pounded. "And what have you decided on that, Overlord?"

"That should be obvious," Roquan said. "Do you have a collar around
your neck? Do you have a holding your chain? Are you fettered in any
way?"

"No."

"Then you are not to be a slave by my hand, or you would be one
already."

"Thank you, Overlord," Amanda said. "But what /will/ become of me,
then?"

Roquan flashed a patronizing smile at her, just to see how she would
react.

Amanda's eyes hardened. It was just like the expression the social
worker would give her when she dared question her authority.

"What do you wish to have happen to you?" asked Roquan, watching Amanda
curiously.

Amanda had not expected that question, and she was unable to respond at
first.

"I would think that an outworlder, ripped as she were from her
homeworld, would be clamoring to return to it," Roquan said. "Is this
not the case, Amanda?"

Amanda felt her heart sink. That was not a fair question, not worded
like that.

Roquan was actually surprised at the hesitation. So she really did not
want to go back? This was rather interesting. Sirinna had done her job
all too well in getting the girl to fancy her.

"The Portal is being repaired as we speak," Roquan said. "Once it is
completed, it can be activated again and send you home within the next
few days. Is that not what you want?"

Amanda again could not respond, but this time, Roquan was not going to
let it pass.

"I asked you a question, Amanda," he said, a trace of impatience
creeping into his voice.

"What if I did not want to go back?" Amanda asked.

Roquan's lips twisted into a humorless smirk. "Do you always answer
questions with questions, Amanda?"

Amanda was not sure why she asked the question. Or perhaps she did but
did not want to admit it. Sirinna meant very much to her, more to her
than what shambles of a life she had left on Earth.

Roquan now realized Amanda was not just intelligent, she was clever as
well. Beautiful, intelligent, passionate, clever, willful, and
headstrong. It was a combination for either a most vivacious and highly
sensual slave, or a disaster of disobedience and bad discipline. He
actually regretted never finding out which.

"There is but one option for any outworlder that stays in Narlass,"
Roquan said. "What do you think that is, Amanda?"

"A slave," Amanda said in a small voice.

"Yes. A slave. I seem to recall telling Sirinna that."

Amanda's eyes glistened. She knew she loved Sirinna, but she did not
think it was enough to make her give up her freedom. For all she knew,
she was being utterly foolish with her feelings. What was she to
Sirinna? A potential slave? A sexual fling? Or was there anything more
than that?

"When the time comes, Amanda," Roquan continued. "I will not force you
into the Portal. But if you stay, you stay on my terms, and they are
not open for debate."

"I didn't think they were, Overlord," Amanda said.

"So you will have a choice to make, then," Roquan said. "A unique
position to find yourself in, for no outworlder has ever had that
opportunity."

"Of course not, since you take it away from them," Amanda said curtly
before she could stop herself.

And then, to her surprise, Roquan smiled at her. "A challenge," he
said.

Amanda gave him a nonplussed look. "What?"

"That's what you would be, Amanda, were you to stay. A challenge to
train."

Amanda's eyes widened, and she actually blushed.

Roquan noted this. Was that embarrassment? Or did she consider it a
compliment? "At any rate," Roquan said. "Would you know where Sirinna
is?"

"She said she was taking Tanyee to the Circle," Amanda replied. "For,
uh, training."

"And she did not tell you to remain in your quarters?"

"She did, but ..."

"But you chose to disobey her."

Amanda paused a moment before saying, "As you said, Overlord. I'm a
challenge."

Roquan allowed himself a small smile at this. "I need to speak with her
briefly. You will ..." He caught himself. "Or, rather, I would like you
to accompany me."

Amanda glanced nervously in the general direction of the Circle, whose
rim of trees she could see rising just above a low hill in the
distance. "Why do you need me to accompany you?"

"You seem to like the outdoors better than remaining in your quarters.
And perhaps I simply like your company."

Amanda found that difficult to believe.

"Unless you're afraid, of course."

"Afraid? Of what?"

"What you might see."

Of course she was! She was certain whatever she would see would
embarrass her, horrify her, or both. She did not want to know every
intimate detail of how training worked after seeing one example of it
at the midday meal, no matter how unusual Sirinna seemed to think that
incident was.

"What do you know of Tanyee, Amanda?" Roquan asked.

"Tanyee? Uh ... just that she's being re-trained. No, remedial training
was what Sirinna said."

"And do you know of her transgression?"

Amanda shook her head.

"Come along with me."

Roquan did not give her a chance to refuse. He simply turned and
started down a path towards the Circle.

Amanda wanted to resist him. She wanted to disobey him. She just wanted
to stand there and let him go without her. He had no power over her, as
she was not his slave. Yet he was already going to punish Sirinna at
some point for bringing Amanda through the Portal in the first place,
and she did not want Sirinna to get into even more trouble over her.
Moreover, despite how Amanda felt about this place, she was a guest,
and Roquan was providing her food and shelter.

Being disobedient was one thing. She did not want to be rude.

After just a moment's pause, she jogged a few steps to catch up with
the Overlord, and walked warily at his side.



Master Healer Vanlo took his time returning to his office, enjoying how
the slow walk and the heat loosened his aging joints and soothed his
stiffened muscles. With these distractions having faded from his
elderly body, it allowed him to think more easily, his thoughts clear
and his perceptions sharp. He did not mind having a body that had begun
its slow slide into fragility, so long as his mind remained as it had
in his youth.

Now, as he strolled up the path to his offices, a new thought came to
him. It was time for a new experiment. His existing one was not to
yield any more information for him. He could tell the Overlord that
there was something in the blood of the slaves, but not what or who had
placed it there. The new experiment he contemplated, however, would not
necessarily tell him this either. Yet when faced with things one cannot
do, it was best to refocus on things one can do.

Upon entering his office, he found Yanna had already returned, and was
in the lab busily filling more vials with Kaylaxxa, despite the fact
that the place was nearly empty, save for one female slave on the
furthest examination table. Vanlo might not have known she was there
had she not moaned softly as he entered the room.

"Ah, Yanna," Vanlo said, smiling pleasantly. "Was the midday meal to
your satisfaction?"

"It always is, master," Yanna replied.

"And already back hard at work, I see."

"We will need to begin sending fresh Kaylaxxa to Master Roquan's slaves
that are Abroad."

"Ah, but this could have waited until the morning."

"True, master, but this is one less thing for me to do tomorrow."

"Oh?"

Yanna paused to finishing filling a vial and sealing it carefully
before turning to face the Healer. "I need some time tomorrow morning
to tend to the outworlder girl, Amanda."

"Hmm. Are you to tell me you convinced her to accept a Kaylaxxa
treatment?" Vanlo said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, one corner of
his mouth tugging upwards a touch.

"I did, master," Yanna said with a smile.

"I would be more fascinated to hear how you accomplished such a feat,
Yanna."

"I simply told her how enjoyable an experience it would be," Yanna
explained.

"Did you, now?" Vanlo said in a lower voice.

"Yes, master. Some just do not realize that the moans they hear from
the others are moans of pleasure. I only needed to clear that up."

Vanlo nodded thoughtfully.

"I scheduled her for late in the morning, just before the midday meal."

"A curious time."

Yanna paused a moment. "Only because I thought I might accompany her to
the meal afterward, master," she said carefully. "I thought you might
start your walk early if you wished, since there will be no more cases
at that time."

"How thoughtful of you, Yanna," Vanlo said with a practiced smile. "I
shall leave it in your capable hands."

"Thank you, master."

Vanlo glanced over to the corner, where his old experiment continued to
slowly bubble, steam, and ooze. As he had thought, it would tell him no
more. He would clear it away later, and begin anew, once he had
determined the right time in which to obtain the primary ingredient.



Amanda wished she knew what was going on in the Overlord's head. He was
not an easy person to read. With her father, she could generally tell
what he was feeling, or even when he might me lying to her, especially
about his drinking. The renewed thought of that made her wince, and her
heart to ache. She sighed to herself, trying desperately not to hate
him, trying not to blame him for where she was now. It was hard for her
to believe that just this time the day before, she was heading home
from school, wondering how her father's interview had gone, and whether
or not everything was finally going to turn out right.

How things change in the space of a day.

The path straightened, and ahead loomed the Circle, the tops of the
trees rustling as the now constant breeze blew in from the ocean. She
felt the bottom of her gown fly around her thighs and hips, making her
give it another frustrated tug to keep it in place.

Roquan did not advance into the Circle, but instead stopped at the
edge, just inside one of the stone arches that rose over the end of the
path. He brought Amanda to a stop as well with a touch of his hand to
her shoulder, though he need not have bothered, for Amanda would have
stopped a second later on her own as her gaze fell on the scene before
her.

Tanyee and Sirinna were here, as expected. Tanyee knelt down in the
grass, her hands still very much bound behind her back, her chain held
in Sirinna's hand. Sirinna stood over Tanyee to the girl's side, one
hand cradling the back of Tanyee's head. But what made Amanda's eyes
widen and her mouth slowly open was the third member of this tableau.
Standing before Tanyee was a male slave, one Amanda had not seen
before. He was definitely older than Garas, a full adult, his shoulders
broader and his body more sinewy and sculpted. He was naked, but the
only part of his nudity that Amanda's glazed eyes now focused upon was
his cock.

It stood out from his body fully engorged and erect, one vein clearly
visible even from this distance down the length of the hard shaft.
Slowly and rhythmically, Tanyee's head bobbed back and forth, taking it
smoothly in and out of her mouth, tilting her head back slightly each
time she drew back.

Amanda was too stunned to react at first. The sheer shock of seeing
such a blatantly intimate scene numbed her ability to respond. Finally,
when comprehension reached her, she uttered a short, soft gasp, and
dropped her eyes quickly.

"No need to look away, Amanda," Roquan said, an amused tone to his
voice. "Watch."

Amanda swallowed, her heart pounding so hard her chest ached. She
lifted her eyes again. She did not have to force herself. As much as
she felt embarrassed to see this, she was too curious not to look.

Tanyee had deepened her strokes, taking the man's penis further into
her mouth, until she had almost swallowed all of him inside her with
each down-stroke. Amanda could hear him give a soft moan, and Sirinna
smiling in approval. She lifted her free hand and gestured. Tanyee drew
back until just the swollen head remained in her mouth. She tilted her
head back and pursed her lips around the end of his cock, her tongue
sliding out and lashing at the underside of his shaft right behind the
head.

The male slave closed his eyes with an open-mouthed, quick sigh, his
body tensing.

"Now relent," Amanda heard Sirinna say, though Tanyee had already begun
to draw her tongue back. "And in again." Once more, Tanyee was already
ahead of her. The head of the man's cock slipped past her eager lips
again, giving him several shorter, quicker strokes. "And back." Tanyee
drew back again, cradling, licking, her movement growing more
enthusiastic and excited with each passing second.

"Now we will see if Tanyee has re-learned the proper thing to do,"
Roquan said.

Amanda felt flushed, her body hot despite standing in the shade of the
trees. She felt a light pressure in her sex, and a tingling against the
nipples of her breasts. She tried several times to look away and found
she could not. She was no longer sure she wanted to do so. And despite
herself, she was very curious to know what it was that she was supposed
to be re-learning.

The male slave tossed his head back and groaned loudly. Amanda gave a
start as his cock started to throb before Amanda's eyes, the shaft
pulsing, and a brief glimpse of a stream of his seed spurting past
Tanyee's open lips and into her waiting mouth, just before clamping her
lips around the head more firmly and quickly moving back and forth,
tongue sliding under the shaft, the male slave moaning as his orgasm
continued hard and long. A bit of him trickled out one corner of her
mouth, a single drop running down her chin.

The male slave gave one last satisfied sigh as his climax abated,
Tanyee slowly letting him fall from her mouth.

"And ...?" Sirinna prompted.

Without hesitation, Tanyee lifted her chin and swallowed very
obviously, smiling slightly and quickly licking her lips clean.

"Very good, Tanyee," Sirinna said with a wider smile now.

"Yes, quite good, actually," Roquan said, raising his voice to announce
his presence.

Amanda felt weak, her legs trembling under her. She wasn't sure what
was wrong with her. Surely she did not find this arousing? Back home,
pornography had never interested her. Why was this affecting her so?

"Oh, Master Roquan!" Sirinna said, her voice both pleased and
surprised. She glanced at Amanda, and this time her expression was
definitely more surprised than pleased. "Oh, um ... hello, Amanda."

Amanda was still unable to speak, still in a bit of a daze from what
she had just seen.

"I would like a word with you for a moment, Sirinna," Roquan said.

"Yes, of course." She quickly hooked the end of the chain to one of the
posts before approaching them, her eyes glancing nervously between the
two of them. "Um, is there something the matter, master?"

"Other than Amanda was not in her quarters, but that was not your
fault," Roquan said smoothly.

That managed to break Amanda out of her stupor, and she glanced sharply
at Roquan.

"She has done nothing wrong, has she?" Sirinna said.

Now Amanda looked crossly at Sirinna. "I'll be responsible for my own
actions, thank you."

"Amanda!" Sirinna cried, looking horrified. "Please! You have to be
more respectful of ..."

"It is quite all right, Sirinna," Roquan said. "No, she has done
nothing wrong. Nothing specifically, anyway. My intent in coming here
was to inform you I will require your presence in my quarters this
evening."

Amanda glanced anxiously at the Overlord.

"Of course, master," Sirinna said immediately. "Shall I come at
twilight?"

"Yes. And leave Amanda in your quarters."

The hardening tone of his voice suggested to Amanda that he expected
her to stay there this time.

"Yes, master."

"In that case, I leave her with you." Roquan turned to leave.

Amanda watched him go. Just as she felt Sirinna's hand alight on her
shoulder, she called out abruptly, "Roquan, wait!"

"Amanda!" Sirinna cried, making a grab for Amanda and missing as the
girl ran for the Overlord.

Roquan stopped and turned, raising an eyebrow in curiosity tinged with
annoyance.

Amanda paused, then took a deep breath. "Please don't punish her," she
said.

Sirinna stared at Amanda in surprise as Sirinna came up quickly from
behind her.

"I beg your pardon, Amanda?" Roquan said in genuine surprise.

"I ... I know you're mad at her for bringing me here."

"Amanda ..." Sirinna said desperately.

Roquan waved her silent.

"But it was my fault," Amanda continued. "I made her take me. I mean, I
ran after her, and then the hail came down, and she had to take me
here. I didn't give her any choice."

"There are always choices, Amanda," Roquan said tiredly.

"No, not always. Not like with the Captives you take."

Sirinna looked stricken, but Roquan merely smiled.

"They have a choice as well," the Overlord said. "They can obey, or not
obey. But with all choices come consequences. Whatever punishments I
give are based upon that premise."

"Even when it's not her fault?"

"I decide where the fault lies."

"That hardly seems fair."

Roquan had found this sparring with the girl amusing before, but now it
was starting to try his patience. He sighed through his nose and drew
himself up to his full height. "Amanda," he said firmly. "What I wish
to do with Sirinna is my business and my right. Consider that I simply
may wish her to grace my bed with her warm and inviting presence, and
pleasurable company."

Amanda's cheeks colored at this, but she said nothing, sensing that she
was already pushing her luck.

"And with regards to punishment, remember that I have the right to
decide that for everyone in my Manor. /Everyone/, Amanda."

Amanda again said nothing, trying to keep her gaze as unwavering and
steady as his, and to not look away or drop her eyes.

"Good day," Roquan said tersely as he turned on his heel and marched
away.



"Amanda, that was really uncalled for earlier today."

Amanda looked distractedly out her window from where she sat on the
bed, sharing a tray of fruit and small pastries with Sirinna. Sirinna's
voice had cut through a long silence marked only by the gentle patter
of rain on the roof. The shutters on the windows had been left open, as
the rain fell straight and true, running in streams from the
overhanging roof and away from the walls. Towards the west, a break in
the clouds had appeared at the horizon, allowing the ruddy rays of the
setting sun to illuminate the room in crimson glory. Sirinna's voice
had not been harsh, just firm, and spoken in a low voice, so Amanda was
not terribly concerned.

"You really did not need to do that," Sirinna said.

Amanda finally turned her eyes away from the sunset and sighed. "I'm
sorry," she said, though there was little conviction behind it. "I just
didn't want you to take the blame for something I did."

"That's not quite what I meant," Sirinna said. She turned the tray
around on the bed. "Here, try this one."

Amanda glanced down at the tray. The item that Sirinna had pointed out
was a fruit tart with a nice sour tang to balance the sweet. Amanda at
least could say she enjoyed the food here. Midday appeared to be the
only meal where the others actually gathered. All others were had
privately, or with smaller groups. "I already did," Amanda said. "It's
very good. And I'd like to save the last one for Tanyee."

Sirinna just nodded. "What I meant, Amanda, was that you were
disrespectful towards Master Roquan."

Amanda grimaced. "Sirinna ..."

"I know, Amanda, you're not a slave, and he's not going to make you
one. But still ..."

"No 'buts', Sirinna," Amanda snapped. "I don't have to do what he tells
me."

"I'm just trying to make it more pleasant for you here, that's all, and
he's not one you want to cross."

"What difference does it make? Since I'm going to have to leave soon
anyway," Amanda said bitterly.

There was a pause. Sirinna sighed. "Master Roquan told you."

"Yes, he told me. Which is more than you did."

Sirinna winced, as if struck. "It ... it wasn't exactly something
pleasant," she said softly.

"So now I'm /still/ not going to ever see you again!" Amanda cried. She
felt a surge of frustration and anger so strong she wanted to scream.
She attempted to calm herself, taking several deep breaths and blinking
back tears.

"Amanda, I wish it were different."

"Well, it can't be. I can't stay. Not ... not the way Roquan wants."

"The way Roquan wants?" Sirinna asked. "What do you mean? Did he say
you could stay if you wished?"

"Yes, but ... but only as a slave," Amanda said in a low voice.

Sirinna idly flicked at one of the pieces of sliced fruit on the tray
with a finger, her appetite waning. "Amanda ... are you sure you ..."

"I'm sure," Amanda said quickly, though her voice was weak.

"Even if I were to be your Trainer?"

Amanda looked at Sirinna, silence except for the now fading shower
outside. The image of Sirinna standing over Tanyee, directing her as
she ... serviced the other slave ... and imagining herself in Tanyee's
role made her at once recoil in shock and tingle with the same dark
thrill she felt when Sirinna had tied her hands behind her back that
one day.

"You wouldn't be easy on me, would you?" Amanda asked neutrally.

Sirinna shook her head slowly. "No, I wouldn't. I can't."

"You'd make me do all the things you make Tanyee do. With ... with
whoever you wanted."

"Amanda, the idea is for you to enjoy it as well," Sirinna said gently.
"No one wants a slave that does not enjoy what she does."

"But I don't think I could enjoy it. That's the problem."

"Everyone that comes here often thinks that. And they're always wrong."

Amanda's eyes hardened. "Yes, but it's easy for them, isn't it?" she
said sourly. "When their minds are not cluttered with foolish things
like their past!"

Sirinna blinked. "Roquan told you about the Draught as well?"

"No, Yanna. So was that what you were going to do to me Sirinna?"

"What? No!"

"Did I just wake up too soon for you before you could do it?"

"Amanda, no, I never even thought about it!" Sirinna cried. "That is
the absolute truth!"

Amanda stared hard at Sirinna for a few moments, and her expression
slowly softened. Yes, Sirinna was telling her the truth. But Amanda was
angry, and she needed something to which to direct it. Directing it at
Roquan did no good, he did not care about her silly feelings. At least
Sirinna cared, even if it hurt her.

What was painfully ironic now to Amanda was the realization that had
Sirinna given Amanda the Draught, they would have had to keep her in
Narlass. This terrible choice that Roquan gave her would never have
come up. It was hardly a choice, anyway. How could anyone give up her
freedom willingly like that? It was unconscionable to be asked in the
first place! It would have been better had he made the decision for
her.

Amanda had started to feel "all grown-up" the past few days. Caring for
her father and the household, standing up to Joan Mallard, having a sex
life. Now that she was given a decision and a responsibility that an
adult would handle, she resented it. She wanted to be a child again,
and let someone else decide for her.

"I'm sorry," Amanda said quietly. She stared down at the plate with a
sullen look and pushed it away. "I'm done."

Sirinna nodded and rose from the bed. "I'll be back shortly."

Amanda looked away and back out the window. Childhood was over, such
that it was. It had to be. She had no one else on which to rely except
herself.

Sirinna ducked through the shared sanitary and returned moments later
without the tray. "Amanda, I need to go now," Sirinna said. "It is
early yet, but Master Roquan loves the smell of rain, and I want to
catch some of this shower before it ends."

Amanda nodded absently without looking away from the setting sun.

Sirinna heaved another small sigh, and silently left.

Outside, the last sliver of sun flashed brilliantly before disappearing
beyond the sea.