The Emperor was not pleased. Whenever such a situation arose, he generally made a point to insure that others were displeased as well in equal or greater measure. He was not about to make an exception in this case, especially when dealing with an Overlord.

Z'haas crossed the line from displeasure to anger as he impatiently awaited the Overlord to answer his Farview summons, the blue pearl growing brightly from where Z'haas had placed it, yet no image had yet formed above it.

"Send the summons again!" Z'haas barked as he swiped his hand through the air once more over the pearl. The light from the pearl flickered briefly in acknowledgment of the command.

Finally, the image of Overlord Gronnus D'yoran shimmered into existence, his face flushed with anger. "Blazing hellfire, Z'haas!"

The Emperor sneered. "Gronnus, you oaf. How long did you intend to keep your sovereign waiting?"

"I am a busy man, Z'haas. I cannot simply drop everything and take a Farviewing audience from the Emperor in my own Manor!"

"And why should I be interested in what a few slaves might see?"

"Well, you certainly should be interested in what other Overlords might see, for I have two of the most insufferable of the lot here in my Manor today."

Emperor Z'haas' lips curled into a sly smile. Even potential allies among the Overlords still loathe each other. Good. Perhaps he need not worry as much about the Overlords rallying against him once Roquan was out of the picture.

If that ever happened, that is, and thus the reason for the Emperor's displeasure.

"I do hope you do a better job with them than I have seen you do so far, Gronnus."

"And just what are you talking about?"

"I am talking about Doran D'jorus, you idiot! I do not care for what my intelligence is telling me."

Gronnus raised an eyebrow, his gaze narrowing. "Your 'intelligence'?"

"Less than a quarter-moon ago, Rennis D'glounaas spoke with Doran in person before visiting Roquan. Much was discussed between Rennis and Doran."

"And just how do you know ...?"

Emperor Z'haas ignored his inquiry and talked over him. "The details do not matter. What matters is that Doran is succeeding in finding Overlords that may be interested in what Roquan has to say at this Conclave. It is exactly as I had feared, and you have done nothing to stop it!"

Gronnus looked taken aback. "Roquan cannot have any allies yet, it's impossible! I have been speaking to the others myself! I've been inviting them to my Manor, ungrateful bastards that they are ..."

"It is not enough! You must have this won before the Conclave even starts."

Gronnus fumed. "You are asking for the world, Z'haas," he grumbled.

"I can give you the names of the Overlords that Doran appears about to sway. You can work on them. "

Gronnus looked suspiciously at the Emperor. "Who are they?"

"Weton D'honna and Freya D'yros."

The Overlord gaped at the Emperor, and then laughed out loud. "Freya?! Great gods, Z'haas, I would not trust this 'intelligence' of yours any further if it is giving you this information."

Z'haas folded his arms and gave the Overlord an indignant stare.

Gronnus returned it with an ingratiating smile. "My dear Emperor, Freya despises Roquan more than many of the other Overlords combined. She is the one least likely to be swayed to Roquan's side."

"You underestimate Doran's persuasiveness, Gronnus. Or did you forget that he was the one that helped you rally the others around 'your' idea to have me cancel the treaty?"

Gronnus' smile faded. "Z'haas, I demand to know how you are getting this information. Do not tell me you have more agents infiltrating as slaves. I will not stand for that!"

"I do not have any more such agents," the Emperor said blandly. "But I will tell you no more than that."

The Overlord sighed. "Very well. I will act on this information, despite the fact that it is likely a fool's errand. Do you have anything else you wish of me?"

The sarcastic tone in Gronnus' voice suggested that he would not care to hear of anything more. The Emperor would disappoint him. "Yes. I wish you to consider more drastic action against Roquan."

"Ah. This 'more permanent' solution of yours."

The Emperor paused a beat. "Not quite. This is something else. The matter with Amanda."

"Yes, what of it?"

"Consider using it as a means of deposing Roquan."

Gronnus stared at Z'haas and sputtered. "Depose him? You mean remove him from the Manor? Are you utterly mad?!"

The Emperor gave him an even look. "And why is this a problem?"

"We would have to hold a formal Tribunal. We have not done such a thing in a century!"

"But it would solve the problem. Remove Roquan from his Overlordship and his influence is gone."

"He has no designated successor, Z'haas! No one to take control of the Manor. The Manor would have to be disbanded and his slaves sold at auction!"

Z'haas considered for a moment. "And if I were to arrange things to sway the bidding in your favor?"

Gronnus fell silent.

Z'haas' lips curled into a conspiratorial smile, making him look even more the part of the predator. "Think of the idea of having some of the choicest of Roquan's slaves for your own Manor. Where, by your own beliefs, they rightly belong, with the oldest Overlord clan that can make good use of them."

Gronnus scratched his chin, hard in thought. He sighed. "It may still be too much to ask. An Overlords' Tribunal, Z'haas ... it will attract a great deal of attention from the nobility. Roquan's clients will insist on exercising their right to be present at the proceedings."

The Emperor sneered. "Is protecting that precious little secret of yours about the Draught worth that much to you?"

Gronnus said nothing in reply.

"You will consider it, Gronnus. I command it as your Emperor."

The Overlord grunted. "I will see what I can do. I still have my doubts that Roquan will be able to summon anyone to his cause at all."

Emperor Z'haas ended the Farview with a flick of one hand to avoid any further debate. The image of Gronnus faded quickly, and the pearl went dark.

As Z'haas picked up the pearl and examined it in his hand, he silently cursed those that had come before him on the throne of Oceanus. Why had they let the power of the Overlords get this far? Did they and the nobility simply lose themselves in the sexual revelry provided by these people?

His fist closed tightly around the pearl. Oceanus has grown soft and complacent. They have taken for granted the last century of relative peace. And now that the threat of war was upon them again -- one in which he was sure a terrible new weapon would rise from the dark depths of someone's demented imagination -- his realm was woefully unprepared.

Z'haas sighed, the anger draining from his face and replaced with worry. This was the face he showed no one. He would not allow even himself to see it in a mirror, lest he waver from his course. The intelligence from the Far West was now increasingly scarce to come by. It was possible they knew he was watching them.

The Emperor took a deep breath and straightened his regal form. He banished the worry from his face, replacing it with grim resolve. That is the face people needed to see now.

Any infiltration from the Far West into Oceanus had to be stopped, at whatever the cost. Roquan represented a weak link in the chain. To the Emperor's mind, he was no more than a traitor.

Therefore, nothing could be left to chance.

Z'haas replaced the pearl into its bed of velvet, alongside the myriad other pearls he owned for contacting important people in his realm. Yet it was not from these that he took his next one. He instead withdrew a very tiny box from inside a cabinet magically locked to his hand only. Inside this was a special pearl whose existence he kept hidden from the court.

He glanced up at the skylight. It was just getting towards afternoon. The summons would likely be answered immediately.

He placed the pearl in its customary spot. "Send summons," he intoned, waving his hand over it once.

As he had hoped, it was answered quickly, and the familiar form of his agent formed before him. "My Emperor," said the shimmering form with a reverent bow of his head. "What is your wish of me?"

"I may have a job for you to do after all," the Emperor said.

Roquan admitted to a small degree of irritation at Rennis' visit by the time Rennis left for the return trip to his Manor. In the handful of days that Rennis had been there, he had given Roquan a crash-course in Overlord etiquette. It was in the waning days of that whereupon Roquan realized he was, in a way, being "trained". The idea that he was doing something akin to what his slaves did grated on him to no end.

It only further convinced him that the Emperor had outlived his usefulness on the Oceanus throne.

It was growing increasingly difficult for him to avoid bearing any personal ill will towards Z'haas. His intent was always to call for a bloodless coup. Influence an heir-apparent or a member of high nobility that was well-connected with the Imperium, some behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, and there would be a smooth transition of power. It had been done before. The last thing he -- or any Overlord for that matter -- wanted was a changing of the guard by force.

Roquan was thus grateful for a new distraction to steer his mind from these thoughts.

He emerged from his inner chamber, fully dressed in his semi-formal silks and cloak, and greeted the young, freckle-faced young man that stood in his outer chamber. "Good day to you and your clan, Torin. Good to see you at the D'ronstaq Manor again."

Torin Ne'land had been gawking at the implements of bondage and restraint upon the wall of the chamber when the Overlord entered the room. His eyes lingered on them for a moment even as he turned towards Roquan and began speaking. "Yeah, it's been a while, huh?"

Roquan allowed himself a small smile. The boy's speech bespoke of his youth and inexperience as much as his impish manner did. Torin could be no more than sixteen. The riding leathers he wore were weathered and obviously second-hand. He was still very much the apprentice after two years, which was typical for one of a Merchant Clan.

"From this visit I may take it that the Land Merchant Clan will be visiting the Manor shortly."

Torin continued to take furtive glances around the room. Despite how many Manors he had been in -- typical for a Merchant Scout -- he still marveled at them, and at the idea that each held a bevy of pretty, naked women trained to do a man's bidding. Not that he saw much of that action himself, to his chagrin. The Clan Leader was adamant about that. Business before pleasure. Torin had five more stops to make in so many days.

"Yeah, the clan's gonna be comin' around yer neck of the woods, yer Lordship," Torin said.

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "The entire clan?"

"Yep. Uridon's no fool. He ain't gonna let this business opp'tunity go by."

The Overlord considered for a moment. "You're not referring to the Conclave, are you?"

"You bet I am, yer Lordship. I mean, c'mon, a whole buncha Overlords with deep pockets all in one place? He'd be a fool to pass that up."

Roquan nodded. It made sense to him, though it further complicated matters. "I assume Uridon will wish the customary accommodations for his clan."

Torin grinned widely. "Oh, yeah, ya can count on that."

"And your enthusiasm on that score would have little to do with how you may benefit, of course."

It amused the Overlord to see the young boy blush. "Well, I'm hopin' Uridon will, ya know, see his way clear to lettin' me, uh, take advantage of yer, um, hospitality."

Roquan took a moment to let it play through his mind.

Traveling Merchant clans visited the various towns and Manors on a fairly regular basis. While the Manor was self-sufficient in terms of basic needs -- food supplied by farmlands owned by the Overlord and water by freshwater springs and lakes -- other materials and luxury items had to be imported. A clan would send out scouts like young Torin to feel out the market and report back to the clan leader via Farview.

Normally, only part of a clan would visit and spend no more than a day. Sometimes, however, the entire clan would visit and set up a bazaar that ran for several days. It was customary for the locale to give them free accommodations and amenities. For a Manor, that meant housing them with the slaves, and allowing them use the slaves' services.

It was this last point that always grated on Roquan, as fiercely protective of his slaves as he was. Fortunately, Uridon Ne'land was highly respected by the Merchants' Guild, and knew how to treat slaves properly. Anyone in his clan caught mistreating a slave was punished severely.

An Overlord had the option to refuse. However, Roquan knew exactly what Rennis would say to that if he found out Roquan had done such a thing.

"If he does, I will see to it you are paired with a slave that is to your liking," said Roquan.

Torin blinked, and then broke out into a wide grin. "Thank you, yer Lordship!"

"Now, to return to the business at hand. I assume you are here to find out what we need."

"Yep, that be right. We got the usual stuff. Casks o' wine, some of the fruits ya don't grow here, that sorta thing."

"We are also in need of good leather."

"Yep, got lotsa that." He glanced over at the wall again, grinning. "Gonna need some new collars an' stuff, huh? More slaves the merrier, I s'pose."

Roquan smirked at the boy's forwardness. Merchants were the one group allowed a little leeway in this regard. "Even without new slaves, things wear out over time. On that score, I will need some steel for our metalworkers."

"Ah, yeah, we got some of that, too. What else ya be needin'?"

Roquan clasped his hands behind his back. "Would Uridon have a chance to obtain some more exotic items for me?"

"He's got lotsa good contacts, I know that. Whatcha be needin', yer Lordship?"

"Some magical wards and protectives. Specifically, those that can be used to guard against harsh weather."

Torin looked askance at the Overlord. "Beggin' yer pardon, yer Lordship, but why ya be needin' that?"

"We are nearing the start of the summer season. Hurricanes will begin to be a problem."

"But doncha have the Mages' Guild fer that? They're s'posed ta divert storms like that and give ya protections if the edge clips ya."

Roquan's eyes narrowed. "Recent events have told me that it is probably not wise to completely trust the Guild right now."

This drew a surprised look from the boy, and the Overlord wondered if he should have said anything. It was Q'yros of the Mages' Guild that had been the one called in to help recalibrate the Portal that the Overlord used to travel to other worlds to obtain new slaves. It was also that Mage that had added his own "adjustment" to allow it to open a Portal to the Imperial Palace. Roquan was sure the wizard had been working with Yanna in her plot to kidnap Sirinna. There was no way Yanna had the skill to do that kind of modification himself.

To his credit, Torin realized that trying to discuss the matter with the Overlord would be getting in over his head, and he didn't pursue it. He instead focused on Roquan's request. "Well, I dunno, yer Lordship. Stuff like that is hard ta come by. The Mages' Guild don't go jus' givin' that stuff away, ya see."

"I'd prefer he try to obtain it from ... other sources."

Torin's eyes widened. "Ya don't mean, like, rogue Mages, do ya?"

Roquan paused. He knew that the Mages' Guild frowned upon anyone working any serious magic who was not a member of the Guild. They often fed the masses propaganda that all rogue Mages were evil and bent on crime or other mayhem.

"It would not matter to me what his source was," Roquan said evenly. "That is not my business. I am willing to pay a fair price for it."

Torin screwed up his face in thought. "Still, I dunno. I'll hafta talk ta Uridon about it."

"Please do so. And if he needs an additional incentive, tell him I will offer him his choice of a slave for his pleasure during his visit."

Torin's eyes bugged out. "Ya mean, you'll let him pick one fer himself?"

Roquan nodded. Traditionally, the Overlord decided which slave accommodated which merchant.

"Even Sirinna??"

The Overlord smiled. His best slave's reputation was known even outside of nobility. "Yes, even Sirinna."

"I'll be sure ta tell him, yer Lordship!"

"Thank you, Torin. It is always a pleasure to do business with your clan."

The routine was becoming so ingrained in Amanda that she hardly paid it any mind anymore. Sirinna no longer even had to give the order. Once breakfast was done and Amanda rose to her feet from Sirinna's bed, she automatically turned and presented her wrists behind her. She now realized that being restrained in this manner was not as big a deal as she had thought it was. It generally lasted only as long as it took to bring her back and forth between the Circle and her quarters.

"I have a surprise for you today, Amanda," Sirinna said that morning as she closed the tiny padlocks on Amanda's cuffs.

Amanda tensed a bit as she turned back around to face Sirinna, and just looked at her mistress expectantly, trying not to show her nervousness. Something was about to disrupt her comfortable routine.

"Today you begin training how to pleasure another."

"Oh, okay," Amanda replied, not knowing quite what else to say.

Sirinna looked at Amanda's face, as if searching for something. "Excited?"

Amanda managed a weak smile. "A little. I mean, I'm glad I'm going to be doing something other than lying on back all the time, as nice as that can be."

"Oh, we're not going to neglect that. But now we'll start to move towards sex being a reward for doing well in your training session."

Amanda nodded once. She knew it was going to come to this point. "Just like a regular slave, right?"

"Yes, Amanda, that's generally how it works for a contracted slave. You must please your master or mistress first."

Amanda took a deep breath. "I'll try, mistress."

"We'll take it one step at a time. Just your hands today."

"Um ... I guess you mean I'll be starting on guys, right?"

Sirinna smiled. "Well, seeing as you already have some experience pleasing a woman, yes."

Amanda blushed lightly. "So then I won't have to deal with Marisa?"

"Eventually, you may. I said you had some experience pleasing a woman, but you don't know everything."

"I thought I was doing a good job with you."

Sirinna chuckled. "You do, and that's the truth. But that's because you concentrated on only me, so you know exactly what I like. You need to learn how to please multiple partners."

Amanda just nodded, her eyes subdued.

"I thought you were getting along with Marisa a bit better."

Amanda's face hardened a touch. "You mean because I didn't beg for relief the last time?"

A few days ago, Marisa had managed to insinuate herself into Amanda's morning training session. Marisa had been true to form, and had done exactly as before.

"I was rather proud of you at that," commented Sirinna.

"I just didn't want to give her the satisfaction."

Sirinna sighed. "Attitude, Amanda."

Amanda looked away. "Sorry, mistress. But she didn't let me cum until you called her out on it."

"I didn't exactly 'call her out' ..."

"Yes, you did! You told her 'I think she's ready for some relief, Marisa'. I mean, you were polite about it and all that, but still, she wouldn't stop until you ..."

Sirinna gave the chain a snap.

Amanda heaved a sigh. "Sorry, mistress."

"Amanda, turn around for a moment."

Amanda gave Sirinna a wary look, then did as she was told. She rolled her eyes and spoke again in a slightly more contrite but no less edgy voice. "Sirinna, I'm sorry, I just have trouble trying to ..."

Her words were interrupted by a sharp, stinging slap to her backside, causing her to yelp in surprise and pain. So shocked by this was she that she froze, reacting only when a second slap from Sirinna's hand cracked across her ass cheeks.

"Ow! What are you ...?!"

"Amanda, be quiet," Sirinna snapped. "That was one for your attitude and one for not using my title. Now, turn around."

Amanda's mouth dropped open as she turned. She stared at Sirinna with a mixture of shock and horror.

"I told you I was going to punish you if you misbehaved. You need to mind yourself better. Please."

The pained look in Sirinna's eyes took some of the edge off what she had just done, but not by very much. Despite this and the fact that the sting was already fading, Amanda felt hurt on a deeper level than just her backside.

"You have to save those sorts of things for our time together in the evenings," Sirinna said in a very low voice, as if afraid of being overheard.

Whenever that time came, however, Amanda just wanted to spend quiet time with Sirinna. Amanda wanted to relax, or make slow love with her, and not relive day. But she knew any protests she made would likely earn her a full spanking. Or worse, a paddling. She shuddered at the idea of being struck by that thing.

"Yes, mistress," Amanda said in a weak voice.

"Now, Marisa may be at training today, just to observe. Just don't pay her any mind and concentrate on what you're doing."

"Yes, mistress."

"Just do the best you can. You'll be working with Garas today, you seem to get along with him the best out of the other male slaves."

Amanda just nodded. That at least was a small comfort.

Sirinna cupped her hand tenderly under Amanda's chin, coaxing the girl's eyes to look back up into her own. "I really do think you'll do right in the end. Don't let these little things get you down."

"I'll try, mistress."

If there was one good thing to come out of the mess with Amanda, Roquan believed, it at least got him out of his chambers and walking the grounds of the Manor more often.

Because of the troubles that had beset the Manor before the Imperial agent had been exposed, Roquan had lost touch with the day-to-day lives of his slaves. He berated himself on occasion that this was precisely why things had gone out of control in the first place. His concern over Amanda's progress was drawing him more and more often to the Circle to observe.

He never stepped in and gave orders, or attempted to "correct" Sirinna, or even make suggestions. He truly wanted to let Sirinna do her job. Most of the time, he never made his presence known overtly to anyone there.

Yet he could not deny the fact that what he saw as he approached pleased him. Sirinna had finally advanced Amanda in her training as he had ordered. He had noticed that she had taken a rather liberal view on the word "immediately", but he had chosen to trust her.

Sirinna's voice came to his ears as he stood in the stone archway just outside the outer edge of the Circle. "Slowly at first, Amanda. Light touch. No need to grip him tightly."

Sirinna knelt in the grass just off to the side of where Garas and Amanda lay. Garas was on his back, panting softly. Next to him was Amanda, rolled partially onto her side. Her fingers were wrapped gently around Garas' erect cock.

Amanda gave a small nod of acknowledgment to her mistress. There was little need for anyone to worry, for she was already fearful enough of hurting him that her touch could not be anything but gentle. Yet she could not deny that there was a slowly rising sense of excitement. From the sounds that Garas made, she realized she was doing something right. She had to admit to feeling good over being able to give someone pleasure like this.

Especially since she was starting to enjoy sex with him. This was the least she could do in return.

Like many aspects of both sex and her training, this was not quite what she had expected. Even though she had had Roquan's manhood inside her, actually holding one in her hand was something quite different. She had expected something so firm as to be like rock. Instead, it had a certain amount of flexibility to it. Before she was instructed to stroke him, Sirinna had her hold it a little more tightly in her fingers, just to give her a sense of this.

"Shorten the stroke a bit," Sirinna directed. "Not so far over the head. Just stay around his shaft."

"Yes, mistress," Amanda said, her tone a bit husky.

"Now, it's important to pay attention to his reactions. Listen to the sounds he makes. If you hear no change after a bit, you need to provide a little more stimulation."

Amanda nodded. "Um, like this?"

She moved her hand a little faster. Garas' breath quickened.

"And now start to grip him a little more tightly ... a little more than that, it's not as delicate as you may think it is."

Amanda was rewarded with a deeper moan from Garas as he rose in earnest.

"Oh, very good, Amanda! Now, pause for just a moment so I can show you something, but keep your fingers around it. Just hold him like that, it will keep his stimulation from falling back too quickly."

Sirinna moved into a position opposite Amanda across Garas. She placed a hand along the inside of his thigh, and he dutifully spread his legs further apart. Sirinna reached down and cradled Garas' balls lightly.

"Look here, Amanda. Notice anything different?"

Amanda shook her head once.

"When a man approaches orgasm, these pull up closer to his body. See, they look a little less loose than before."

"I'm sorry, mistress, I guess I wasn't paying attention," Amanda said sheepishly.

Sirinna smiled. "Don't worry about getting everything right on the first try. But this is important because it's one way of telling when he's close. Now, resume."

Amanda stroked him again. Garas panted harder. That, at least, was a sign that Amanda recognized. She glanced tentatively between his legs, still feeling a little awkward looking at him in that area, as strange as that seemed with his cock in her hand. He saw his balls shrinking further into his body, his moans growing more urgent.

"Ease off just a bit. It's good to let it play out a little longer."

Amanda very nearly said something about not wanting to torture him by keeping him from cumming, but a flick of her eyes confirmed that Marisa was standing over them, watching with an infuriating smirk on her face.

Amanda was also well aware of the Overlord's propensity of late to come and watch her. Her back faced the spot where he usually stood, but she would not be surprised if he were standing there now. She was not about to get herself in trouble with him as well as Sirinna.

She forced herself to return her thoughts to the task at hand, her eyes drifting over to Garas' face. His eyes were closed, and he was panting hard now. At his sides, his hands clenched. Amanda actually cracked a small smile. She was actually starting to enjoy this.

"He's getting very close. Now stroke him faster and faster to send him over."

Amanda did as she was told. She saw his body tense, his back arch. Suddenly, he let go with a loud, guttural groan. So riveted had her attentions been on his reactions that she uttered a small, surprised gasp as his cock throbbed hard in her fingers.

"Don't let go!" Sirinna said when Amanda faltered just a moment. "Slow your strokes, stay around the shaft, the head's too sensitive to touch."

Amanda's body unexpectedly quivered as she complied. Her fingers wrapped around him firmly, giving him slower, continuous deep strokes as his seed spurted from the head of his manhood. Some of it dribbled warmly over Amanda's fingers. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. She was suddenly aware of a tingling warmth in her sex.

Garas moaned loudly as he climaxed under Amanda's ministrations, growing softer as his throbs faded.

"Slower ... slower ..." Sirinna said, laying a hand on Amanda's arm. A final few drops exuded from the head with his last, weak pulse. "And ... stop."

Amanda withdrew her hand. It was shaking. When she tried to get herself to calm down enough to stop it, she realized she was breathing a little hard as well.

Sirinna smiled broadly. "Very good, Amanda. You did very well for your first attempt."

"Thank you, mistress."

"No, thank you, Amanda," Garas said, his voice still a little breathless.

Amanda blushed at this.

Sirinna reached around behind her and produced two small towels, handing one apiece to Garas and Amanda. Amanda rose to her knees and accepted it gratefully. She quickly wiped off her fingers, and could not help but wrinkle her nose slightly at the stickiness that had already formed as a thin film on her skin. Only at the last moment did she realize that might be the wrong reaction, only to glance up and find Marisa looking at her with critically appraising gaze.

When Amanda lowered her eyes, she was startled to find that Sirinna was right in front of her.

Sirinna placed one hand on Amanda's shoulder, squeezing it fondly. "I think that performance deserves a bit of a reward, don't you?"

Before Amanda could say anything in response to this, she drew in her breath sharply as she suddenly felt Sirinna's other hand sliding over her already damp pussy. She closed her eyes and let her breath go as a soft sigh as fingers slid over slick, sensitive flesh.

"So doing that did excite you after all," Sirinna said in a softer voice. "I'm very happy for that, Amanda."

Amanda moaned and clutched at Sirinna, her body trembling. Sirinna's fingers stroked her lover slowly but firmly, causing Amanda to willingly slide her knees apart. So was she finally reacting the way everyone wanted her? If so, she had no idea how she had done it. It might have been similar to what she felt when she gave Sirinna pleasure. She did it because she liked him and it was very enjoyable to see him experience pleasure by her own hand. It had triggered her own arousal naturally, without her having to think about it.

Yet she was not at all sure she could summon up that enthusiasm for anyone else. She couldn't imagine herself feeling the same excitement over doing it for someone like Marisa, or even Roquan.

Amanda leaned forward, partially embracing Sirinna, panting in her mistress' ear. At first she had wanted to ask Sirinna to let her lie on her back, but her mistress had already driven her halfway to her peak. She did not want to stop now.

Suddenly Marisa's voice cut through her air. "You know, Sirinna, if you need some help with her there, I ..."

"I have it well in hand, Marisa, thank you," Sirinna said clearly.

Behind her, Marisa gave a look of surprise at this rebuff. Her eyes slid to the side, towards the Overlord that still stood by the stone archway, arms folded, watching intently. He made no move to support Marisa. Knowing her place, Marisa subsided and stepped back.

"Thank you," Amanda whispered into Sirinna's ear.

"Well, I was telling the truth. I have it very well in hand."

Sirinna slid two fingers into Amanda's cunt and thrusted hard.

Amanda shuddered. "Uhhn! ... Uhhh!!"

Amanda abruptly crested, her cunt pulsing around Sirinna's fingers. She cried out softly again and again as her mistress' skilled fingers drew out her orgasm better and longer than any other slave at the Manor ever could. Her arm tightened reflexively around Sirinna, until Sirinna could feel her quaking body. After Amanda's orgasm faded, Sirinna drew Amanda into a full embrace.

"That was a wonderful start, Amanda. I think things will get better from this point on."

Amanda uttered one last soft moan before replying in a whisper. "I hope so, mistress. I really hope so."

Roquan scratched at his hair above one ear briefly as he observed this. He had seen Amanda's reactions, and it had given him some small measure of hope for the girl. So she grew aroused by witnessing others climax by her own hand? If Sirinna could capitalize on this, Amanda just might make a decent slave yet.

His eyes flicked over to Marisa briefly. If he knew anything at all about Amanda, he could guess that the girl did not like the older slave at all. That would ultimately be the final test of Amanda's ability to act as a proper slave. However, this was the one case where he was not sure Sirinna would make proper use of this asset.

Roquan silently turned and headed away from the Circle. This was one case, he mused, where Sirinna could use a little coaching. Doing such a thing out in the open, however, was not proper. It was not conducive to fostering respect for the Trainer to correct her in front of the others. He would handle the matter privately at a more suitable time.

Amanda and Sirinna lingered a long while in bed together, until the skies outside had deepened to velvet darkness, the only light the flickering of the small oil lamp next to the bed. Sex between them had occupied only the first hour of their time together, and was long over with by the time the sun had vanished over the indigo blue horizon. Now they cuddled and kissed, enjoying each other's warmth as a cool breeze blew lightly from the ocean.

"I was very proud of you today, Amanda," Sirinna finally said softly as they embraced.

Amanda took a long, slow breath and let it go. Sirinna had paired her with other male slaves later that morning and into the afternoon after the midday meal. She had managed to do well with them also. Moreover, it had managed to excite her, though perhaps not quite as much as it had been with Garas.

Each time, Amanda had been awarded for her good behavior with another orgasm. Towards the end, she had begun to look forward to each one. She wanted to think it was because Sirinna had administered them, and she naturally enjoyed it when her lover pleased her. She did not want to think it was the alternative, that she was doing what she was told specifically for that reward.

Yet this was precisely what was expected of her. It was the way a good slave should act. Somehow she still disliked this idea despite the fact that it was what she was supposed to be doing.

Amanda hugged Sirinna tighter. Her voice grew husky when she spoke again. "I really did try to do well today. I didn't want you to have to punish me again."

Sirinna cradled Amanda's head and stroked her hair. "You weren't being good just to avoid that, now were you?"

"No, I wasn't. I really did want to do it right. But ... I didn't much care for you hitting me, Sirinna."

Sirinna heard the touch of hurt in Amanda's voice. "Just so you know, I don't enjoy punishing you. It's what I have to do."

"I know. You don't want to get into trouble with Master Roquan."

"It's much more than that."

Amanda lifted her head and looked into Sirinna's eyes questioningly.

"I was serious when I told you at one point that I thought you would make a good slave. I fully intend to prove that right."

Amanda managed a weak smile. "I think I know that, I just have trouble remembering it sometimes."

"And I'll remind you, you did decide to do this on your own. You could have gone back to Earth."

Amanda's smile faded. She could debate that point for hours with herself. Yes, physically she could have gone back. Intellectually, it would have been the right decision. Emotionally, however, had been a different story.

Her eyes shimmered. "I'm eventually going to be separated from you anyway, aren't I?"

"How so, love?"

"Well, when I graduate -- if I ever graduate -- and become a full-fledged slave, I'll get contracted to someone, won't I?"

Sirinna paused and nodded. "But contracts don't last a lifetime. For a new slave especially. Generally Master Roquan limits them to half a year to a full year, so you can get valuable experience with different clients. In between contracts, you'll be back at the Manor."

Amanda nodded silently, but her eyes remained subdued.

Sirinna kissed her gently. "Please, don't worry about that now, Amanda. This is still better than us being separated by a Portal."

Amanda had to admit this was true. "It's just a little scary, that's all. The idea of being sent to ... to perform sexually for a stranger ..."

Sirinna chuckled softly. "That's what your training is for. To help you do just that." When Amanda did not say anything after a few moments, Sirinna added helpfully, "You did rather well today pleasing those men."

Amanda paused another long moment. "Well ... I did well with Garas."

"The others appeared quite satisfied as well. And you were definitely wet after you did them."

"Well ... I kind of cheated."

Sirinna looked at her curiously.

"I, uh, imagined myself doing Garas again. It made it easier to want to do it."

Sirinna considered this for a moment. "And what about the reward afterward? Did that mean anything to you?"

Amanda smiled slightly again. "It helped that you were the one that did it. I don't think I was doing it for the reward so much as I was doing it for the attention from you. Does that make any sense?"

Sirinna had to admit that she did not understand it completely. It was indeed a bit unusual to hear a Trainee say something like this at this point. Most accepted sexual pleasuring equally from all. Yet she did not want to discourage her. "I do not see this as a problem, Amanda, at least to get you through your initial training. We can work on getting you to be more open about your partners as we go along. It may correct itself."

Correct itself. Those words helped confirm in Amanda's mind what she had feared. Her attitude was an aberration. Other slaves did not act that way. Again, she had to wonder what it was she was missing that the others had managed to find. The only real difference between her and the others -- besides having made the decision herself -- was that she had not had that awful Draught of Forgetfulness when she had arrived.

Yet she doubted that could be the problem. It would have made her forget her past, but it was a past that was worth forgetting. She rarely thought of her life before Narlass anymore.

"I guess I'll just have to try harder," Amanda finally said.

"We'll get you there, Amanda," Sirinna said with a comforting smile. "I promise you that."

Feedback

Did you like this story? Hate it? Printed it and lined the birdcage with it?

Please take a moment to send me some comments about this story. Your comments may remain anonymous if you prefer, or you can include an email address in your comments if you wish a reply.

Since this is a multi-part story, you may wait until the last chapter to send feedback about the story as a whole if you wish.