"I am quite pleased you made it to the Manor early, Doran. I am feeling increasingly out of my element on the eve of the Conclave."

Overlord Doran D'jorus breathed a windy sigh as he shook his head. He nodded his thanks as he accepted the goblet from his host. He took a long pull at it before speaking. "Not that we have all that much more time to prepare, Roquan!" He waved a beefy hand towards the door, which had been left open to admit the cooling evening breeze. "What we have now is all we will have until the others arrive."

"They will arrive in the morning?"

"Over the course of the morning anyway."

Roquan frowned slightly. "Surely they plan to arrive as early as possible."

Doran laughed. "I sincerely doubt you will get anything out of them before the midday meal! Tonight they're most likely ensconced in the various towns on this island and will set out only once it is light. I am likely the only one that decided to make the journey straight to the Manor without stopping."

"What of alliances, Doran?" asked Rennis from near the fireplace. He had sensed that Roquan was about to launch into another lament about how the other Overlords did not recognize the importance of this, and so on. It was getting old. "Have we any we can count on?"

Doran huffed, face twisting into a scowl. "A thousand curses upon Gronnus and his Clan! He counters my words and wisdom with platinum and slaves!"

Rennis stepped away from the fireplace and approached the two Overlords. He cast a glance at Roquan, as if to say "I told you so." Roquan stiffened and turned back to Doran. "And my words meant nothing?"

"Oh, they meant something. No one likes what you're accusing the Emperor of, Roquan."

"Then perhaps there is some hope after all."

"I didn't say they believed you."

Roquan was about to take a sip of his wine. He froze, then let his hand drop fast enough to slosh the wine and spill a drop. "You are not serious."

Doran gave the Overlord a smirk devoid of humor. "Has not Rennis been educating you, my good man?"

Roquan bristled. His voice was curt. "He has. But he stopped short of informing me that the others think I am a liar."

"Not a liar, Roquan," Rennis said. "They won't go that far. They accept your words, but they simply have trouble believing that any Emperor could do such a thing. Or rather, they don't want to believe it."

"So I am expected to make up for their shortcomings with platinum and slaves as Gronnus does?"

"You'll have to part with something, Roquan," Doran declared, stepping up to him. "And yes, Rennis has informed me about your financial straits."

Roquan's lips tightened. Despite knowing that it was important to the matter at hand, he still did not take kindly to his internal problems being promulgated to the other Overlords, even his nominal allies. If he said anything, however, he knew Rennis would call him out on it and tell him again to put his ego aside.

What truly grated upon him, however, was how much this had already cost him. Conclaves were so rare that no Manor was set up for one. While the guest quarters were enough for a single visiting Overlord or a potential new client, it was inadequate for fourteen. Roquan had to hire Guild artisans to build a meeting area and quarters for the Overlords. It had not been cheap.

Conclaves were set up this way from the beginning. The one that called it had to host it and pay for it. If the matter were that important to him, the reasoning went, then he could certainly part with his platinum over it.

"Then you know I have little with which I can part," said Roquan, an edge to his voice.

Doran managed a small smile. "With my support, Roquan, I am hoping that both our words will sway enough of them so that your dealings will be slight. But you will need to deal with them. Everything is in the balance right now."

Rennis looked over to Doran with interest. "So it's true, then? We cannot count on Freya for support?"

Doran rolled his eyes and threw up his free hand. "Do not get me started on that infernal woman!" he thundered.

"So she is on Gronnus' side?"

"That's just it. I don't know! I was a fool to think I could ever know her mind!"

Rennis sighed. "Doran, we need an edge. We need something to tip things to our side."

Doran was already shaking his head. "At this point, gentlemen, the deal is the thing. It all will hinge on that. Roquan, you're going to have to be at your best when that time comes."

Roquan looked taken aback. "Me? I was intending to defer to you, Doran."

"For the speeches and the pomp and circumstance, yes. For the dealing? No. You're on your own."

"Oh, come now, Doran. I ... have little experience in this matter where other Overlords are concerned."

Rennis saw the way his friend's jaw clenched as he said this, and heard the hesitation in his voice. The hardest thing in the world for Roquan to admit was his own inadequacy. For so long he ran the Manor as he saw fit and was very successful at it. Until recently, "failure" was something that happened to other people.

"I will coach you as best as I can. I am even willing to forward you some platinum and goods if you need it."

Both Roquan and Rennis looked surprised at this. Lending anything to another Overlord was almost unheard of.

Doran nodded as he noticed their reactions. "Yes, you heard me right. The more I think about what the Emperor has done, the more I want to see him off the Oceanus throne! I received word from some of the other Overlords that he has been spying on the lot of us!"

"Spying?" Rennis said, astonished. "How?"

"I know how," Roquan said bitterly, and explained how his Healer had sensed Portal energies several times on the island.

Rennis nodded at this, but there was a dubious look to his eyes.

"This is proof that the Emperor grows ever more bold in his attempts to outbid the Overlords in power and influence in Oceanus. He has no right to upset the balance for his own selfish aims."

Doran scratched his chin. "Portals, eh? The scoundrel. He is truly playing a desperate card."

Rennis finally could not remain silent. "Look, no offense to Vanlo intended, but are you sure you're interpreting this right? What would the Emperor have to gain by being this blatant?"

"He has already been this blatant!" Doran roared. "Or do you not know relations with Colos had been severed?"

Rennis blanched. "Severed?

"What is this?" Roquan demanded. "When did this happen?"

"Nearly a moon ago. Oh, Z'haas was very coy about it. Very cleverly hid this information even from his own advisers for awhile. So now one wonders what will be next, eh? Is Oceanus to rattle the saber of war after a century of peace?"

"He is insane if he thinks he can get away with such a scheme."

Doran snorted. "Not like Colos has anything in the way of a military. I imagine it would be easy for him."

Roquan's voice rose. "He will invite rebellion from the Nobility! They will not stand a switch to a wartime economy!"

"Unless he removes the Overlords as a threat," Rennis said tonelessly.

Silence fell between the three of them.

"So that's it," Roquan said in a low voice. "Pit us against each other, weaken us, so when he decides to play at conquest, the Overlords cannot call upon their clients in the Nobility to oppose him."

"Quite possible," said Doran.

"Something still doesn't add up to me," said Rennis.

"What more do you need, Rennis?" Roquan said. "If he is capable of poisoning my slaves, breaking our alliance, and kidnaping my best Trainer from me, why is he not capable of this?"

"I never said he was not capable of it. I am simply not sure that the conclusion we're drawing is the right one, that's all."

"Would you prefer to wait until he surrounds himself with his army and declares any opposition to him to be treason? Then what chance will we have to depose him?"

"Roquan, you're doing it again! Looking at the issue as if it is a simple matter of black or white! You are failing to consider ..."

"I have all I need to consider!" Roquan shouted angrily. "What more must I consider? What more travesties must we suffer from the Imperium before there is a change?"

"I do not dispute the need for change," Rennis said firmly. "That is not the question here. I merely wish us to avoid becoming paranoid."

"What is your point, then?"

"When you speak to the Conclave, don't mention anything about Colos. Stay away from it. Do not even refer to it in passing."

Before Roquan could retort, Doran cut in. "Roquan, listen to him. You do not need Colos for your case."

"But you just said yourself, Doran, that he is bringing us to a point just short of war!"

"The other Overlords will learn of this, I will make sure of that! But they cannot hear of it from you. Anything you say about Colos will make them think this is only about the trade treaty."

"This is well beyond a mere trade treaty."

"Indeed, yes! So you don't need it!"

"But it started with that ..."

"And the other Overlords are very much aware of it. Rehash that, and you will be wasting their time. And yours."

Roquan paused, then uttered a long, exasperated sigh. He started to turn away from the others, but caught himself and remained where he was. "That will give me very little about which to speak."

Doran put down his empty goblet and clasped his hands together. "Perfect! Make it short and sweet! State your case and be done with it. Then let them discuss it."

"And deal," Roquan added tonelessly.

Doran nodded slowly. "Yes. And deal."

For the first time since he took control of the Manor from his ailing father two decades ago, Roquan felt helpless.

The Conclave hinging on his ability to deal with the other Overlords was not much better than random chance. He hated to admit this. Openly admitting weakness went against everything he knew.

"There is a bright spot in this," said Doran.

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I hear you have a Trainee you will be Presenting."

"And exactly how did you know this?"

"Because that damnable Gronnus will not shut up about it!"

Roquan and Rennis exchanged a look before the latter shook his head slowly. "I'm not sure I like the sound of that," said Rennis.

"I did think it rather odd that he would harp on something like this. Hrmph. Wouldn't be the first time he's seen a Presenting, by the gods. He is always finding some excuse to come to my Manor and force a Presenting upon me. He thinks his slaves are so much better trained than his. Hah!"

"He is most likely looking for any excuse to disparage me, Rennis," Roquan said quickly. "I am sure there is no more to it than that."

"Who's the Trainer for this one, Roquan?" Doran asked.

"Sirinna."

Doran laughed. "The joke will be on him, then! Sirinna! No problem there, eh?"

Roquan smiled tightly. "No. No problem there."

Amanda lay snuggled up to her lover's side on the furs of the bed, sharing this last moment of privacy before their visitor was to arrive. She was frustrated. She had shared a lingering kiss with Sirinna that made her ache for more, and now her pussy remained slightly damp from a tinge of arousal that would not go away.

Sirinna had offered to give her relief, but it had been reluctantly refused. Amanda did not want their visitor to come in while they were in the middle of a tryst, since she doubted that the man would bother to wait at the door to be invited inside. After all, Sirinna and Amanda were slaves. They were meant for his pleasure and his convenience.

In fact, Sirinna had already opened the door to the night. It was symbolic of just what Amanda had been thinking, that they already knew and anticipated his arrival.

Amanda heard the visitor's approach as the soft tread of his feet against the sand outside. She immediately lifted her head, and then quickly bolted to a seated position as his shadow appeared in the doorway. Sirinna rose with a more casual air, smiling sweetly.

Sirinna had already known that it would not be Uridon that would be staying with them, as Roquan had informed her earlier. She had yet to make this known to Amanda, however. But where Amanda had never seen either the Clan Leader nor this man, she had no way of knowing.

The man appeared to pause a moment at the doorway.

"Please, come in, master," Sirinna said softly. "We await your pleasure."

The man stepped more fully into the gently flickering lamp light. A slow smile spread across his face, the subdued illumination making his eyes appear very dark, his frame even more lean and lanky than usual, and his hair nearly as black as Amanda's.

Amanda's mouth dropped open and her cheeks flared. It was the same one that had been watching her at the Circle earlier. Her blush deepened as he appeared to fix his steady, exotic eyes upon her once more.

Jollis was quite taken by the sight. Amanda appeared far more beautiful to him than she had at the Circle. He sensed her embarrassment, and could detect the tiny bit of fear in her eyes. Posed as she was on the luxurious furs of her mistress' bed, it made her look quite vulnerable, a far cry from the sultress he had witnessed earlier.

He was going to enjoy this part of his task. Far more than perhaps he should allow himself to enjoy.

Sirinna turned and gestured to Amanda. It took a few moments for her to see that she was being bid by her mistress, as she was still staring at the young merchant. Amanda let Sirinna take her hand and lead her from the bed. Sirinna had told her what she was supposed to do, but now she struggled to remember it. Fortunately, it was similar to what Sirinna had to do.

Amanda said nothing as she and Sirinna positioned themselves before Jollis. Amanda was required to remain silent. She was told that a guest is treated as the Overlord would be, which meant she was not to speak unless first spoken to.

The two turned towards the merchant. "I am Sirinna. This is my Trainee, Amanda. While you are quartered here, we are yours to use as you see fit."

Both Sirinna and Amanda bowed their heads and folded their hands before them, and waited.

Jollis was impressed. Such perfect discipline. Such perfect obedience. The Overlords of Oceanus indeed did their job well. Even the little one did what was expected of her, and after having been trained for such a short period of time.

And yet, he could still see something in her that was different, even with her head bowed as it was in quiet deference.

"Ah, but you do know how to make one feel quite welcome," Jollis said.

The man's voice sounded delightfully melodic to Amanda's ears, and she looked up a little too soon in surprise. Sirinna paused a moment longer before raising her head. By this time, the merchant had fixed those dark eyes on Amanda again, his smile widening a touch. Realizing that she had made a small mistake in protocol, her cheeks flushed again, and she felt momentarily flustered.

Sirinna smiled. "That is what we are here to do, master."

"Even you, little one?"

Amanda blinked, too surprised at being addressed to speak for a moment. "Uh ... yes, master," she said automatically, her voice weak.

Jollis chuckled softly. "If only the youth were as compliant as you where I come from, little one."

Amanda had no idea how to reply to that, and remained silent.

"What may we do for your pleasure, master?" Sirinna asked.

"And I may have either of you as I please?"

"Yes, master. It is your will and your choice."

"And if I were to wish the both of you at once?"

Amanda's breath caught in her throat .

Sirinna smiled softly. "Then we shall both do our best to please you."

Jollis regarded the two of them for a moment. His eyes flicked over to Amanda again and paused. Amanda's own eyes widened and shimmered a touch.

"I have heard many good things about you, Sirinna," Jollis said, turning his gaze to her. "Clan Leader Uridon claims to have been very pleased with you."

Amanda glanced over to Sirinna in confusion. "Mistress? I thought ..."

"This is the merchant Jollis, Amanda," Sirinna said quickly. "Master Uridon gave his choice to this man in exchange for some goods to give to Master Roquan."

"Ah, yes, goods that went over rather well, I am most pleased to say. I will feel I have earned this privilege as it were."

"It is our privilege to serve you, master."

Jollis smiled. "A man would feel like a king around such as you. Well done, well done. But if I do indeed have a choice for companionship this eve, would you be disappointed if it were not you that I chose?"

Amanda uttered a very tiny gasp, her heart racing.

Sirinna's pleasant expression did not alter an iota. If she were at all disappointed, it did not show on her face. "It matters only that you are pleased, master. Is it Amanda that you wish?"

Amanda swallowed hard.

"If the little one will have me, of course."

Now the man's dark eyes were on her again, and she felt a small shudder pass through her. She was keenly aware of the still-lingering dampness in her nether regions. She had a flashback to her training earlier, and it made her tingle briefly.

"Amanda," Sirinna said softly but urgently.

Amanda had to struggle to remember what to say. "Uh ... of course, master. I ... will be happy to please you."

"And I am most happy to hear that, little one," said Jollis softly. He reached out and ran his fingertips lightly along one of her arms. He felt her tremble slightly at his touch and found it most delightful.

"So you know, Master Jollis, Amanda is a Trainee," Sirinna said carefully. "She is inexperienced."

"It shall be my pleasure to guide her."

"Then allow me to take you to her bedchamber where you may have her."

Amanda had not expected this at all. She had assumed that he would want Sirinna. At least that was when she thought it would be the Clan Leader. She wished Sirinna had told her this!

She wasn't sure why, but she felt vaguely embarrassed at the thought that he had seen her in the Circle earlier. Somehow, seeing her masturbate was far more intimate than seeing her having sex.

Sirinna entered the dark first and lighted the lamp beside Amanda's desk. The illumination was lower in here than even Sirinna's quarters. The merchant looked like a shadow to her, making her shiver slightly. Her heart pounding, she crawled upon the furs. She watched with quickening breath as he followed and pulled his lithe frame smoothly onto the bed.

Sirinna strolled back to the doorway and turned. "If you require anything else, master, please do not hesitate to call on me. I will be in the next room."

Jollis nodded once. Sirinna stepped back through the doorway and let the curtain fall back into place.

For a moment, Amanda was frightened. This was the first time she had been left with someone whose intentions were a complete mystery to her. Even Roquan had been a known quantity for her. She looked up at the merchant and swallowed, not knowing what to do. Perhaps she had not learned quite as much at how to be a proper slave as she had thought.

Jollis reached out to her. Her breath caught for a moment, but all he did was take her hand.

"You are so young," he mused. "And yet, you are here to please me."

Amanda took a moment to find her voice, though it was weak. "Yes, master. I'll ... do whatever you wish of me."

Jollis paused, and in that silence, a curious Amanda looked up, and her gaze met his.

Yes, she was very different from the others. He could see that easily now. It was there in her eyes. The Overlord may wish to keep his secret, and he was sure Amanda would honor that with her words. Yet there was no way she could possibly honor it with her eyes.

"How does one such as you come to be here, little one?"

Amanda was totally thrown by the question, and stared at him in confusion for a moment. "Um ... I ... just like the others. I was ... I was taken. From another world. And ... they collared me and made me a slave."

All true. Jollis saw no deception in her. But it could not be the whole story. It was the story of every slave, boiled down to its essence.

Jollis tugged gently on her arm. Her heart beating faster, Amanda slid across the furs closer to the merchant, until he could hear her anxious breathing in the quiet. She knelt down on the bed next to him, settling back on her feet. He let go of her hand and caressed her cheek with a touch almost as tender as Sirinna's might be. His fingers slid down to the nape of her neck and then traced down her arm.

Amanda quivered. It reminded her so much of the first time she was intimate with Sirinna back on Earth. Despite her nervousness, there was a renewed warmth in her nether regions.

"Do you wish to be a slave?"

Amanda stared. "What?"

Jollis smiled. "It is a simple question, is it not?"

Amanda opened her mouth, then closed it again and shuddered as his hand lay against her thigh, stroking her skin lightly.

Jollis chuckled. "Perhaps I distract you too much." He withdrew his hand. "My apologies."

Amanda was too astonished to think clearly. This was the first time someone had spoken to her like this since she had been collared, save for Sirinna during their private moments. She struggled with what the "right" answer to his inquiry was.

"Perhaps I should also alter the question. Do you enjoy being a slave?"

This one was no easier to answer than the other. Was she being tested? Did Roquan put this man up to this to make sure she would do the right thing when the Conclave arrived? "I ... yes ... I enjoy it. I enjoy being a slave."

Jollis allowed himself to feel a small measure of triumph. The girl was not entirely truthful on that score. "It is good to enjoy what we do with our lives, little one," he said. He placed a hand on her side, and felt her body tremble. "Even if we had no real choice in what we do. I am no stranger to this."

Amanda gave him another surprised look. "You're not?"

His hand slid around her, and he drew her towards him. Her body pressed against him, and she could feel his warmth through his thin clothing. This close, she was far more aware of the hard muscle that lie beneath despite his lithe frame. She shuddered again as his other arm wrapped around her.

"I am only what I must be," Jollis said softly to her.

One of his hands drifted down and slid over her backside. Amanda turned two widening eyes to Jollis' face, her lips parted. She was panting lightly. "I don't understand, master."

"It is the same as with you, little one. You are a slave because it is what you must be."

"But ... that is what all slaves must be."

"True. But perhaps it is a little different for you, no?"

Amanda was even more confused. It did not help that Jollis' light and tender touches and cuddling were kindling her desire. Now she was growing needful herself, and wanted to pleasure him if it meant she would receive release as well.

Jollis was tempted to continue. He felt she would open up to him like a flower if he persisted enough. He so wished this! The intelligence he saw in her was remarkable! Despite her apparent obedience, he could sense the willfulness in her. It was wonderful. He felt he could get her to engage him in conversation for the entirety of the night.

"We all have a tale to tell, little one. And I am sure that yours would be quite the one to hear."

Amanda gave him an astonished look before she could catch herself, and Jollis had his answer. It was the one he had hoped for.

Amanda briefly panicked before she could calm herself and deliver the proper answer. "I ... I-I don't have a special story to tell, master. I'm just like the others. Just ... just another slave."

Jollis knew this was a lie. But he let her have that comfort for now. "Ah, maybe so, maybe so. I have been accused of being a foolish romantic in the past."

He felt her relax in his arms. A small smile even touched her lips. It made her look even more lovely.

And now, he had a conflict. He knew he could not have her, not like this, with her in the role of a slave. Yet her wonderfully soft body and her rising excitement was quite arousing to him. His loins wanted her if his head did not. Yet to leave her like this, wanting of relief and no one but her Trainer to satisfy it (and he was sure she would not ask, either out of pride or embarrassment) would be a cruelty.

"Do you wish to please me, little one?" Jollis asked.

"Yes, master." Her voice was husky. Her knees had edged apart as the heat in her pussy had grown.

"Then you may please me ... by remaining still."

Amanda gave him a perplexed look.

Jollis slid further back, keeping one arm around the girl's waist. His other hand returned to her thigh and slid very slowly towards her sex. Amanda's lips parted again, her eyes riveted on his hand as it moved. Her legs trembled and opened wider for him, her desire to be touched overcoming any remaining anxiety over the stranger. When his fingers slipped into her moist folds, she let her breath go as a long, husky sigh, her eyes closing.

For a moment, Jollis came close to forgoing his beliefs. As his fingers slowly stroked her, her warm wetness soaking them in seconds, he entertained powerful thoughts of taking her. Even now it affected his actions, his fingers easing into her tight tunnel, his mind imagining something far more intimate.

Amanda moaned softly, her knees spreading even further apart. Her nipples were hard, and she lifted her hands to them, touching and caressing them.

Jollis was quite happy at what he saw. She was thoroughly enjoying this. Her sensuality was genuine. He understood the Overlord's desire to keep her as a slave. This part of her was not something that had been trained into her.

His fingers pressed more deeply into her sex, his touch growing less delicate. Amanda pressed her hands down on her thighs, leaning forward slightly, breathing hard. Her moans were soft and light, as they had been at the Circle earlier.

Jollis dipped his fingers into her again. He felt her cunt clench around them as she rose higher. He thrusted faster and heard her moans grow louder and more urgent in response.

"Little one," he said softly.

Amanda slowly raised her head. Her eyes smoldered, both sultry and pleading at the same time. Her eyelids slid halfway closed, fighting to maintain eye contact as she soared.

"You are enjoying this. You have pleased me greatly."

"Th-thank ... thank you, m-m ... uhhh ... uuhhnnn!"

Amanda's pussy throbbed hard around the merchant's fingers. He slid his fingers home again, pressing the pad of his thumb to her womanhood. He held it there, moving it in a slow circle, firm and deliberate. She let out a whimpering moan as her orgasm flared anew briefly, her hips wanting to jerk with each pulse. She controlled herself, groaning deeply.

Her climax abated slowly. Jollis carefully gauged himself, easing back, not letting her go for too long or come down too suddenly. As he finally pulled his fingers from her, she let out a single, long, gentle sigh.

Jollis took her in his arms. Amanda welcomed him, hugging him tightly, breathing heavily in his ear for a few moments. "Thank you, master," she said softly.

"Ah, but thank you, little one," said the merchant. "As I have said, you have pleased me greatly."

Amanda slowly broke out of the embrace. With her hands still on his shoulders, she asked, "What do you want me to do in return for that, master?"

Jollis smiled. "You have done all I wished you to do. I will tell Sirinna that you made me quite happy."

Amanda blinked at this, but smiled nevertheless. He could see both gratitude and relief in that face. He sincerely hoped things would get to where he could indeed tryst with her properly, and enjoy it with no guilt or regret. But that was secondary to his mission. He must always remind himself of that. Were he not to have her, than so be it. Even what he had that night was more than he should have expected.

And it had been for her need, not his. Though he had not lied to her; it had indeed pleased him to give her pleasure.

Jollis gently broke away from her and rose from the bed. "I will leave you to rest, little one, as the hour grows late. I hope we will again experience pleasure in each other's company. Good night."

"Um ... good night, master," Amanda said, casting one final nonplussed look at his receding back.

She remained still for a few moments, the lingering ache in her pussy slowly abating. He had been wonderfully gentle with her. He had given her release and sought none for himself. It was completely different from what Sirinna had told her to expect.

She glanced towards the window. Only now was full night descending. Some would still consider it to be early. Nevertheless, she felt fatigued. The experience had drained her, even though she had done little herself other than to accept pleasure from him.

Amanda settled down under the furs of the bed, making sure to turn her collar outward so Sirinna would not waken her when she came to reattach the chain before retiring for the evening.

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.