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Subject: {ASSM} Conclave of Conspiracy 33/33 (MF Mf mf Ff ff Mdom Fdom toys bd rom magic oral 1st spank)
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<1st attachment, "Chapter33.txt" begin>

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

Author: A Strange Geek
Title: Conclave of Conspiracy
Universe: Narlass Chronicles
Summary: Roquan hosts a Conclave to rally support against the Emperor;
Amanda's training is not what she expected, even less so when the
Conclave commences. And there is the mysterious foreign merchant ...

Part: 33 of 33
Keywords: MF, Mf, mf, Ff, ff, Mdom, Fdom, toys, bd, rom, magic, oral,
1st, spank

Copyright A Strange Geek, 2006

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:

/~A_Strange_Geek/novels/Conclave/Chapter33.html



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

Roquan arrived in the Healer's office shortly after sunrise. He was
greeted with a welcome sight: Amanda was on her own two feet and
looking as if nothing had happened to her, save for one slash of faint
pinkish-red on the side of one calf. Amanda actually smiled when she
saw the Overlord approach.

To even his own surprise, Roquan smiled back.

Healer Vanlo, however, was not at all shy about his good humor. For the
first time in a long while, he could say he had a good night's sleep.
He was feeling far more chipper and well than he had for awhile. His
good spirits managed to keep the remaining fuzziness in his head at bay
for the time being. "Ah, your Lordship. Amanda is about ready to be
released."

"You have again done a wonderful job, Vanlo," Roquan said. In a very
pointed tone of voice he added, "It would have been terrible had not
someone with your years of experience been here to assist when we
needed him the most."

Vanlo's face crinkled as his smile broadened. "But you flatter me with
your praise. Perhaps we will need to talk shortly about it."

Roquan caught the implication of that and simply nodded, though inside
a sense of relief flooded through him, almost as much as finding out
that Amanda was going to live had the day before.

"Master, may I ask a question?" Amanda asked.

"You certainly may, Amanda."

"How will the Conclave go after what happened?"

"You are concerned about it?"

Amanda nodded. "Yes. Especially if it really was the Emperor behind
what almost happened to you." She paused and glanced down at her leg. A
shiver went through her and she swallowed. Only now had the initial
shock worn off enough to make her realize how close she had come to
losing her life.

"And what happened to me," she added in a softer voice.

"He is indeed. There's little doubt of that now. I believe the Conclave
will see it that way as well." He paused, then reached forward and
placed a hand on Amanda's arm, squeezing it gently. "You have done very
well. I am very proud of you. And I thank you for what you did."

Vanlo raised an eyebrow at this, but nodded in approval, even though
the Overlord did not see it.

Amanda stared at him in surprise at first, then managed a small smile.

She still could not comprehend what she had done. She could barely
remember everything that had happened after she had decided to try and
pull down the shade. The shock of her injury had driven much of the
finer details from her mind already.

The true implications of her actions, for herself and for Roquan, would
have to wait. She simply could not deal with it this soon. "I'm just
glad it's over, master," she said softly.

Roquan was about to correct her but stopped himself. It was far from
over. This was only the beginning. But there was no need to alarm her.
For what the Overlord knew, Amanda's role in events was finally at an
end. From this point in time, it would be the Overlords that would
handle matters, as was proper.

As for Amanda, she would have to go back to her slave training. But she
had shown herself to be much more than a slave. He could no longer
think of her in quite the same terms as he had before.

But most striking was the fact that Amanda had saved his life. Roquan
was not at all sure how to deal with this yet.

However, there was one thing he could do for her. He could keep his
promise to her, once he freed her from Freya's control. Or rather, once
/Freya/ freed her.

"So, is she ready, finally?"

Amanda's heart sank when she heard the voice. Roquan turned, stepping
to one side. Once Amanda had a clear view and her eyes fell upon the
female Overlord, she could not repress a shudder, the smile
disappearing from her face.

Freya stood at the entrance from the reception area. She had opted for
her more revealing red dress and lacy panties again. She leaned with
one hip tilted upwards, and from one hand leather restraining cuffs and
a chain dangled.

Amanda sighed to herself. She had hoped that Roquan was about to tell
her that he had managed to find a way to release her from Freya's
control. Even now she looked at Roquan with a pleading gaze.

"If she is," Freya said, strolling inside, letting her hips swing.
"Then I wish her back now. She is, after all, my property."

Amanda felt another little shiver go through her. Roquan turned his
head towards her, meeting her pleading eyes with his own steady,
unyielding ones.

Then, to Amanda's surprise, Roquan offered her a very small smile. She
was so nonplussed she did not know what to think or how to react.

Roquan assumed a more businesslike look and turned smoothly back to
Freya. He grasped Amanda's upper arm lightly and walked her over to the
other Overlord. Freya looked on with a slight degree of wonder and no
small amount of suspicion. "Of course, Freya. You are correct. At the
moment, she is your property."

An eyebrow arched. "At the moment?"

"Please take her. In fact ... I would recommend bringing her to the
Full Conclave this afternoon."

Now even Amanda looked askance at Roquan.

"The what?" Freya asked in confusion.

"Surely you agree that recent events call for a Full Conclave?"

"That's not what I mean! Why do you want me to bring her?"

"Do you not wish to show off your acquisition before the others?"

Freya paused a long moment, studying Roquan's eyes. Yet this time there
was nothing to read in them. It was like trying to look through a stone
wall.

Her lips thinned and she gestured to Amanda, giving her an imperious
look. Amanda turned and crossed her wrists behind her back, trying not
to despair. Something must be up with Roquan. He must have something
planned. She had to hang on to that thought.

She closed her eyes briefly as Freya pulled the cuffs rather tightly
around her wrists. She heard the click of the lock, and then the chain
went back on her collar. She winced slightly when Freya gave it a hard
snap.

Amanda turned back around and met Freya's icy gaze. "Come along,
Amanda. And do not think that because you were injured that I will
tolerate any misbehavior from you."

"Yes, mistress," Amanda said dutifully.

Freya snapped the chain again and thrust her hand towards the door.
Amanda fell into step before the Overlord, favoring her uninjured leg
slightly, as they both marched out of the Healer's office.

Roquan allowed himself a small sigh. He truly hoped that his idea was
going to work. If not, there was little else he could do.

"Your Lordship," Vanlo said. "If you have a moment?"

Roquan turned, clasping his hands behind his back. "I do, if this is
about your 'retirement'."

"Indeed it is."

One corner of Roquan's mouth rose. "I trust you will return to your
duties at once, then?"

Vanlo paused. "Not quite."

Roquan hesitated a moment, but then nodded for the Healer to continue.

"What I said to you before still stands. I still consider myself not up
to par. And before you say anything, your Lordship, realize that these
standards are my own. I realize those are the toughest ones to abide
by, but that is what I have always done and will always continue to
do."

"Yes, I understand this," Roquan said softly. He was the same way. The
Manor was run in the way it was because he drove himself to that level
of meticulous efficiency.

"That said ... I perhaps was somewhat hasty in what I assumed was the
limit of my abilities," Vanlo said in a softer voice. He sounded
vaguely embarrassed, and Roquan refrained from comment, letting the man
speak at his own pace. "I still feel I am limited to some degree.
Perhaps ... perhaps if I had an assistant to take some of the burden
from me."

"You wish another slave to assist you in healing duties?"

Vanlo shook his head. "No, I am not up to teaching another. Instead, I
wish to call for a journeyman from the Guild Hall. If that is amenable
to you, your Lordship. I do not wish to presume you are willing to pay
for ..."

"How soon can the Guild send someone?"

Vanlo paused.

"But make no mistake, Vanlo," Roquan said in a serious tone of voice.
"Whoever they send, this person is to report directly to you. You are
to make sure his work is up to snuff."

Vanlo slowly smiled. "I will endeavor to do so, your Lordship."

Roquan nodded. His expression softened. He reached out and clasped
Vanlo on the shoulder. "And it is good to hear that you will stay. I
doubt I could ever replace you."

Vanlo was again moved by the Overlord's words and did not respond for a
moment. When he did, his voice was softer and quavered slightly. "I am
simply glad to be of service to the Manor ... And I am happy that
Amanda is all right."

"As am I, Healer."



"A /speech??/ Are you /mad?!/"

Roquan paused and looked at Doran as he took a sip of his wine. "It
amazes me how many times I have heard myself described as 'mad' over
this past moon."

Rennis looked up from the table where he was still finishing off the
last of his midday meal. "Doran, don't try to understand Roquan
anymore. I gave up a long time ago."

"Ah, thank you for that ringing endorsement as always, Rennis," quipped
Roquan. Despite the seriousness of his tone when he said it, there was
amusement in his eyes.

"Anything to be of help, you know that," said Rennis, grinning.

"You do not need to make a speech!" Doran declared loudly. "You are
already set to be the first Overlord in history to receive a unanimous
vote for his cause at a Conclave! Don't make someone change their vote
just to spite you or shut you up."

"Oh, come now, Doran, you exaggerate."

"I just don't see what this will buy you. The Overlords need no more
convincing. Why, just earlier I overheard Trennan -- /Trennan/ of all
people! -- already talking about possible successors to groom for the
throne. They need no encouragement."

"Perhaps it is simply for my own satisfaction," Roquan said levelly. "I
have endured much. Perhaps I wish a little time to express my
feelings."

"Overlords do not deal in feelings."

"Tell that to the ones that witnessed Amanda being taken to the
Healer's office."

Doran paused, then simply huffed and turned away, shaking his head in
exasperation.

Rennis paused a moment and said in a more sober tone of voice, "Perhaps
it is good, then, Roquan, that there is not a Mage in residence here."

"Oh?"

"You can still see where Amanda's injured leg trailed blood in the
sand. Even Freya looked a little shaken by it when she returned with
Amanda."

"Well. Perhaps if she looked the same way towards the plight of her own
slaves, they would better off," said Roquan loftily.

"Speaking of her ... what is this plan of yours to get Amanda back?"

"You will see," Roquan said, taking a long drink of his wine.

"And still you persist in that folly!" Doran cried, throwing his hands
up.

"It is not folly to get Amanda back from an abusive Overlord."

"We've discussed this before! You simply do not openly accuse ..."

"No, do not try to pacify me," Roquan said, his eyes blazing. "I may be
forced to socialize with the other Overlords, but I will not treat with
her ever again after this. I will risk whatever that may bring upon
me."

"And Gronnus?"

Roquan paused. "I will still deal with him."

Doran rolled his eyes. "So you will work with an Overlord that nearly
had you killed, but you will not work with one that merely treats
slaves in an unsatisfactory manner?"

"For Gronnus, it is a practical matter."

Rennis cut in. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?"

Roquan nodded to him. "Indeed. Do not think for a moment I trust the
man. But he is best kept close at hand, where he can be watched."

"And Freya?" Doran insisted.

"She cares only about herself. She is not a threat in that manner. Let
her wallow in self-indulgence for all I care. But she shall not do it
with my slaves."

"Is it too much to ask, dear Roquan, that your speech be short?" Doran
asked with exaggerated politeness.

"Most likely, yes. That is too much to ask."

Doran shook his head and sank into his seat. "You are impossible."

Rennis smirked. "You're only figuring that out now?"



The tone at the Conclave was quiet and solemn. Every Overlord showed up
on time. In fact, it was as if they were competing for the privilege,
to show the others that they were the most proper and dignified. Yes,
even now, the competition among them did not end.

Freya had Amanda in tow, as Roquan had hoped. Amanda was looking
slightly nonplussed. Freya had done little with her that morning. She
had not activated the thing on Amanda's pussy even once. She did have
Amanda service her, but briefly, and Freya did not express either
enjoyment or disappointment over it.

Now she sat fixing a cold stare on Roquan, quietly indignant, gripping
the end of Amanda's chain tightly. She played with it a bit, as if
hoping this would get some sort of rise out of him. When it did nothing
of the kind, she sighed in frustration and folded her arms tightly.

Gronnus was the last to arrive. He slunk in quietly with his head
bowed, and took a seat far in the back. He avoided the eyes of the
other Overlords. While none had been told of Gronnus' part in this --
and he already had seen Vanlo about the shiner that Roquan had bestowed
-- he still felt as if the weight of their gaze were upon him, as if
they were silently accusing him.

Roquan stood up. Immediately, all attention was riveted on him.

"Thank you for attending this Full Conclave," he said, his voice more
steady and sure than it had been in some time. "As you are aware, this
will conclude with a formal vote on the issue at hand. I understand
that it is likely by this time that your minds are already decided on
the matter."

Many of the Overlords nodded their heads.

"Protocol would call for a simple statement and then the vote. I beg
your indulgence for a little longer as I depart from this."

He paused a moment to see their reaction. He saw nothing negative in
any of their faces. Even Freya looked mildly interested.

"You all know what happened yesterday. Many of you are likely basing
your decision today on this. However, I wish to remind you of a more
critical issue than simply the life of one Overlord."

This caused a small stir. There was some soft murmuring and exchanged
looks, but no less curiosity from them. Even Doran looked interested as
well.

"The issue -- the one upon which you should truly base your vote --
concerns the matter of the Emperor and his slaves.

"The very idea that Z'haas would train his own slaves alone should be
met not simply with disdain, but with fear as well. Why do I say this?
It is very simple. No slave of the Emperor would have ever had -- or
would be capable of having -- the Draught."

Doran's eyebrows flew up. Rennis looked shocked as well.

Among the other Overlords, Freya furrowed her brow and leaned forward,
fixing Roquan with an intense gaze. As for the others, another spate of
murmuring arose from them, some of it alarmed. Mentioning the Draught
in such a venue was unprecedented. Yet no one raised an objection, and
eventually everyone turned their attention back to Roquan, their
curiosity now piqued.

Amanda simply stared. She had not yet figured out what Roquan was
attempting to do.

Roquan leveled his gaze, first at Amanda, then at Freya as he said the
next words. "Because we all know, the very idea of attempting to train
a slave that has not had the Draught is utterly, utterly foolish. And
there is a simple reason for this. Loyalty. Or ... lack thereof."

Amanda took a breath. His words were triggering a feeling of
indignation inside her. Roquan of all people should know that Amanda
was loyal to him, regardless of the Draught! If what she had done for
him against the assassin did not convince him, nothing would! Yet there
must be something else to his words she was not gleaning. She forced
herself to remain calm.

"Overlords, all of you are used to trusting your slaves implicitly,"
Roquan declared. "It is not something you think of, it is not something
you even question. It is a given. You think nothing of letting visiting
Overlords have access to them, or of bringing them with you when you
travel. You think nothing of leaving them unattended if you are away
from your Manor. You know they will commit no impropriety in any of
these cases. You cannot assume any such thing with a slave that is
Draughtless."

This time, his pause was met with complete silence and almost rapturous
attention. Some of the Overlords looked a little nervous as well.

Freya's gaze was one of cold fire.

And in Amanda's, one of dawning realization.

"Imagine having a Draughtless slave. No matter how you discipline her,
or by what means, or how often, you cannot guarantee her loyalty. The
things that the Draught brings that allow the slave to be tractable are
not there. Can you safely leave her with other Overlords, rivals who
are eager to learn your techniques in slave training? Can you safely
take her with you to other Manors and trust she will not whisper your
secrets? Can you safely leave her behind and trust she will not sow
discontent among the other slaves? Can you safely assume she is not
/spying/ on you?"

Rennis was astounded. And then he was in awe. It was brilliant. He
looked over to Doran. Doran was shaking his head slowly in disbelief.
Not only had he made a convincing argument for releasing Amanda, it
took the very thing that Freya might have used to expose him and turned
it around. With as high esteem as the other Overlords now held Roquan
for the moment, anything Freya could say would sound deranged.

And as he looked over to Freya, he could see that she understood it as
well.

No, she could never trust the girl. As important as it was for Freya to
keep quiet how she truly treated her slaves, she could not risk the
chance of any word getting out. When knowledge of her actions were
simple rumor, the Overlords could remain complacent and ignore it. But
with actual proof, they could be moved to hold a tribunal. And she
could be sure that Roquan would be the one to rally the other Overlords
again, just as he did now.

In her eagerness to get this "trophy" from Roquan, she had never
stopped to think about this.

More to the point: any slave that would abet in her own escape as she
did with Gronnus could not be trusted to not do it again were she to
have the chance. And from the look that Roquan now gave Freya, it was
clear that Roquan was mad enough to assist in any future attempt.

The speech had the desired effect on the other Overlords. Many of them
had not thought about this either. And now that they had, they realized
that the implications were staggering.

"And in this," Roquan said, lowering his voice. "I will leave you for a
short time to consider, and then we will hold the vote. I thank you for
your patience."

Roquan bowed to the other Overlords and quietly made his exit.



Later, Roquan sat in his quarters, quietly thoughtful as he peered over
his goblet of wine at the map of Narlass in his outer chamber.

A unanimous vote. The first one in history.

Now the Overlord traced his gaze over the outlines of Oceanus. He
wondered now what the vote would bring. He wondered if he would be
looking at a very different map years hence. Surely he hoped it would
not come to this. Yet there was the possibility. He would be a fool to
deny it.

Shortly, there was a knock at his door. "Enter."

He did not bother to turn in his chair. His back remained to his
visitors. He knew exactly who they would be, even before he heard the
chain.

"Yes?"

"You are a bastard."

Roquan took a sip of his wine. Again, he did not dignify his visitor by
facing her. "I have been called worse."

The end of a chain was thrown down to the floor near his chair. He
glanced over to it almost idly.

"Take her," Freya snarled. "For all the good she will do you."

"Have you removed that contraband from her?"

"Yes. Though I should have left it."

"Oh?"

"It is the only discipline that works on her."

"That must be why she escaped from your quarters, so she might convey
your brilliant methods to others."

It was too much for Amanda. She uttered a single amused snort before
she could stop herself. Freya sneered at her, hands curling into fists.

"Amanda," Roquan said sharply.

"Sorry, master," Amanda said, though there was still obvious mirth in
her voice.

"You may go, Freya," said Roquan.

"At least punish her for her insolence just now!"

Roquan sighed. He put down the goblet. He still did not turn around in
his chair to face the other Overlord. He picked up the end of the chain
and gave it a lazy snap. Amanda quickly advanced and faced Roquan. She
tried desperately not to smile. "Yes, master?"

"Turn around."

Amanda turned.

Roquan gave the girl a single light swat on her ass. "Do not make me
punish you again."

"No, master," Amanda said, her voice straining from the effort not to
giggle.

"/At least turn around and face me!/" Freya screamed.

"To face you, Freya, would be to imply respect. As such, I have none
for you."

"I gave you my vote ..."

"As you should have, for it was the right thing to do. I am grateful
for that. However, my obligation to you ends at that point. Now ..." He
picked up his goblet and took a moment to finish the last of it. When
he spoke again, it was in a low, deadly voice. "Get the blazing hells
out of my Manor."

Freya's eyes widened, utterly shocked to be spoken to in such a manner.
However, anything she might have said she kept to herself, and instead
stormed out of Roquan's quarters.

Amanda could no longer contain herself. She burst out laughing.

Roquan allowed to her to continue for a short while, then held up a
hand in silent warning, though his own lips had curled as well. "That
will be enough, Amanda," he said softly.

"Yes, master. I am sorry."

"It is understandable. But now that you have returned, you are my slave
again."

Amanda nodded. It was a relief just to be with Sirinna again. "Yes,
master, I understand."

Roquan stood. "I will take you to Sirinna now. She is likely very
anxious to ... return to your training."

He gave her a gentle smile.

Amanda smiled as well. "Master? May I ask something?"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember the promise you made to me? When you asked me to ..."

"Yes, I do remember." He swept his hand towards the desk, where several
parchments lay. "Letters to the various Guilds responsible for historic
documents. I have many here, but I need them for reference. You shall
have your own copies in a half-moon's time."

Amanda's smile broadened. "Thank you!"

Roquan gave the chain a simple snap. Amanda eagerly fell into step
before her Overlord as they proceeded outside under the late afternoon
skies.



Evening brought light showers over the Manor. Roquan walked quickly
through it as he returned from the bluff, having shared a final evening
meal with the entirety of the Conclave, traditional for the day of the
final vote. His hair was damp and glossy by the time he turned down the
path to his quarters.

When he entered, he was brought up short when he found he had a
visitor.

"Ah, but my humble pardon, your Lordship," said Jollis as he bowed
deeply. "I was unaware you would be out for supper."

"It is not a problem," Roquan said, waving a hand of dismissal. "I can
imagine why you are here."

Jollis smiled. "It is the wise man that says: subtlety is an art;
knowing when to abandon it and be obvious is a science."

Roquan actually smiled at this. "I must say, Jollis, you have come
highly recommended."

"Is this so, Overlord?"

"Clan Leader Uridon recommended you as I soon as I mentioned your
name."

"Did he? Ah, but I must remember to thank him. He is more generous than
he needs to be."

"This may be because of his loss."

Jollis sighed sadly. "Most terrible. Most ... distasteful."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. He thought this an interesting word to use,
but he refrained from commenting on it.

Jollis smiled again. "However, I am most happy to see you are safe. And
it is my understanding that you have achieved what you wished with the
Conclave."

"News travels fast, apparently."

"Merchant instinct, your Lordship. Information is ultimately
priceless." He paused. "On that note ... I have some information for
you that you will find interesting."

"Oh? About?"

"Myself."

Roquan paused, then nodded silently for him to continue.

"I regret that I have kept a fact from you. My reasons for doing so
were quite selfish, and for that I beg forgiveness."

Roquan nodded again, more quickly.

Jollis sensed the Overlord's impatience and got to the point
immediately. "There is a reason, your Lordship, why my Far West
contacts are so good. You see, I am /from/ the Far West. Specifically,
from the nation of Innonus."

Roquan had been about to pick up a goblet to fill with some wine when
he stopped and jerked back around. "I beg your pardon?"

"Innonus, your Lordship. The same nation that ..."

Roquan advanced on him. "That I traded Liri to before my trade route
was severed!"

"And I can assure you, that the delightful young slave woman Liri is
safe and well."

"Why did you not tell me this before?" Roquan demanded. "Had I known
you were Innoni, I ..."

Jollis smiled humorlessly. "If you knew, Overlord, it was possible for
others to know. And if others knew ..."

Roquan took a moment to make the connection, letting his breath out
slowly through his nose. "Then the Emperor would know."

"And you are, of course, aware of the Emperor's attitude towards the
Far West at the moment."

"Indeed. He is as foolish as he is brash."

Jollis simply nodded once. "Until the Emperor's agent revealed himself,
I was forced to be cautious."

"No, that is perfectly understandable, Jollis. And it is a pleasure to
make personal contact with the Innoni after all this time."

"And now that I have come forward, Overlord, I can better offer you far
more than I have to this point. The resources of the Far West will be
at your disposal in your cause."

Roquan stared at Jollis. "That ... that is most generous of you. It is
far more than I expected to receive."

"It will be mutually beneficial. The Innoni do not wish to see trade
broken in such a manner. It is not good for either of our nations. And
it is the least I can do as your tradesman."

"Agreed. And I accept. You have yourself a job." Roquan paused. "I am
curious as to how you will be able to move supplies from the other side
of the world without a clear trade corridor, however."

"Ah, but these details will work themselves out," Jollis said with a
grin. "You will find that the Innoni are an ... innovative people."



The Mage Q'yros had no further patience. He did not wait to be
summoned.

He found the Emperor in his audience chamber, silent upon the throne.
His eyes were dark and intense. His elbows rested on either side of
him, his fingers steepled before him. The Mage paused just inside the
entrance, the guards turning their heads towards him warily but making
no move to stop him when he continued inside.

Halfway to the throne came the single word that conveyed both its
stated intent, and the implied one that he was to come no further.
"Speak."

The Mage halted immediately. "Well?"

"Well ... what?"

There was a dangerous edge to the Emperor's voice. It already did not
bode well.

"What of your assassin, my Emperor?" Q'yros said, trying to keep the
impatience out of his voice and failing.

"Ah. What of him indeed." Z'haas rose from his throne. He stepped from
the dais, withdrawing a blue pearl as he did so.

Q'yros peered, and then his eyes widened. He could see the crack in it
even from across the chamber.

A Farviewing spell upon a blue pearl had an additional property. It was
obvious that a blue pearl would stop functioning upon the death of the
one to whom it was tied. However, if the person additionally came upon
his death by violent means, the pearl became discolored or damaged.

The Emperor paused, then in a fit of rage hurtled the pearl to the
other side of the chamber. It struck a pillar and exploded with a snap
and a shower of bright blue sparks.

"Perhaps he took Roquan down with him," Q'yros suggested.

Z'haas fixed a cold stare on the Mage. Q'yros sighed. No, even he
realized it was unlikely that they were that lucky.

"Roquan still lives," the Emperor declared. "As does Gronnus."

"Ah, then perhaps ..."

"Perhaps? Perhaps /what?!/" Z'haas thundered. "He is useless! He is
beyond useless at this point!"

The Mage considered. "Or is he?"

Z'haas glowered at him.

"If he is a coward as you have said," Q'yros began. He wanted to add,
/as you have ranted time and time and time again/. but wisely
refrained. "Then perhaps he could give you insight into what the
Overlords will plan next?"

Z'haas drew in a deep breath. "We will see. It will depend on how I
feel."

"How you feel?"

"When he arrives. I have given orders to have him intercepted when he
returns to his Manor and brought here. I will use him. If I can refrain
from killing him first."

Z'haas turned on his heel and swept out of the chamber, his cloak
billowing behind him.

Q'yros watched the Emperor depart, leaving the Mage alone with his
thoughts. This was unfortunate, for they were not pleasant thoughts. Or
reassuring ones.

He knew he must tell the Emperor this, but not in the sovereign's
current state of mind. His Guild had made no progress in determining
what possible weapon of war the Far West might be bringing into
Oceanus. However, they had made significant progress with regards to
the Portal, and what they had discovered was very disturbing.

It was nothing less than a new Portal technology. So far, all they knew
was that it could be opened without the need for a lengthy period of
energizing the anchor point. Whereas the best Portal the Oceanus Mages
could build could cycle in half a day, these could cycle six times in
that same time span.

So far, this was all they had gleaned about it. But it was more than
enough to be very alarming indeed. Whatever the Far West was planning,
they could execute it quickly when it came to fruition. All the Guild's
resources were now dedicated to discovering what was being planned.

Q'yros' hands tightened on his staff as he turned and walked out of the
chamber, a cloud seeming to hang over him.



Dusk faded, disappearing under the velvet blanket of night as it swept
across the skies, taking the rain with it. The skies opened up, and the
stars sparkled.

Jollis made his way silently through the Manor. At the door to
Sirinna's quarters, he paused and listened.

At first, he heard only the gentle breaking of the waves against the
shores. Slowly, he discerned other sounds, just as soft, but rich with
deeper meaning. He heard sighs of joy and moans of pleasure; whispered
desires and tender affection; cries of love fulfilled and lust
quenched.

Jollis smiled and turned away from the door. He would leave them be.
His own desires for Amanda could be curbed. Theirs for each other could
not.

He wandered along the path that led along the low cliff that rose above
the water. It was here that Amanda had once spoken with Yanna, the
agent's attempt to gain the girl's trust. Now the merchant stood and
looked out across the dark waters.

It had begun. Unfortunately, not just his task, but whatever the
Emperor chose to do to counter it. He wondered if there would be time.
Keeping the Portal technology a secret from Roquan would be difficult
enough, even with his Healer's ability silenced. He was not actively
looking for it.

But the Emperor. That was a different story.

There was but one chance to avoid a protracted war. It was up to Jollis
to provide it. He had an enormous responsibility ahead of him. He hoped
he was up to the task. Perhaps if things went right, the truly bad
things ... the most distasteful things ... could be avoided.

He would be amused had he known of Roquan's thoughts earlier, the ones
that suggested Amanda's role was at an end. In fact, it had only just
begun.

Jollis took a deep breath of the cool, moist air and turned away from
the sea.

He indulged himself one last time, and took a pleasant walk through the
Manor gardens under the stars.



END
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