Overlord Weton D'honna was a dapper young man, the youngest of the Overlords present save for Freya. Supposedly this man already leaned in Roquan's direction, but Roquan was not sure what this was buying them.

Where the other Overlords tended to be prejudicial in terms of Clan longevity, Roquan was in a similar way with age. He did not see this man, having been an Overlord for only five years, as very credible for his cause. Yet a vote was a vote, and beggars could not be choosers.

Weton at least did not exhibit what many of the youth did, which was an impatience to speak his own mind at the expense of others. He listened quietly to Roquan's pitch, though admittedly he allowed himself to be distracted. His eyes occasionally flitted over to Amanda as she stood off to the side, still in her restraints, and the end of her chain secured to a post of the bed near the window.

And she was listening very carefully.

"Hmmm, yes, yes," Weton murmured, cupping his hand around his chin. His eyes again flicked over to Amanda, an impish smile curling his lips. "I suppose there is scant chance you will include the lovely girl here in your offer."

Roquan smiled politely. "You do me honor to wish her as part of the deal, but no, she is to remain mine."

"Ah, pity, that. You always do know how to pick the pretty ones."

"I thank you again. However, I will leave Amanda with you for your pleasure, in hopes that it will show good faith on my part."

Weton nodded quickly, dropping his hand from his chin. He smiled over at Amanda. Amanda smiled softly back and demurely dropped her eyes.

"Even without Amanda, you make a generous offer, Roquan. I will seriously consider it."

Roquan gave a polite nod. "I will leave her with you and we may talk again later. Good day, Overlord Weton."

"Good day to you, Overlord Roquan!"

Roquan turned and walked out of the Overlord's quarters, careful to close the door behind him. As he turned and started towards the path, he was given pause when he saw who was approaching him.

Despite his best attempts not to react, he frowned as Freya D'yros strode towards him. He steadfastly tried to ignore the swing of her hips or the way the breeze from the ocean blew the edge of her dress up, revealing the frilly edges of her panties. He purposely lifted his eyes from this, only to see that the top of the dress was slit down almost past her breasts, allowing glimpses of the sides of her orbs as they bounced freely inside the dress.

Intellectually, Roquan was quite taken aback by her brazenness. Emotionally, however, it was having what was likely the desired effect.

"My, my, but that Amanda does get around, does she not?" Freya said as she stopped before Roquan, tilting her hips to one side, one leg thrust forward slightly.

"It is typical to deliver her to the Overlords during a Presenting, Freya," said Roquan.

"Yes, but a Presentation in its third day now? Or are you peddling her to improve your chances at a deal?"

Roquan took a long breath through his nose and let it go before he allowed himself to speak again. Yes, this was exactly what Roquan was doing. It was what Freya would do were the roles reversed. Only she had the audacity to come right out with it. "What is it you wish of me, Overlord Freya?"

"Oh, how formal you are now, Roquan. Must you always be about protocol and pomp?"

"This is a Conclave, after all."

Freya chuckled. "You could hardly tell that from the debates that have been held. What little there are of them."

"I dutifully hold Conclave each day to plead my case. It is up to the other Overlords to engage with me."

Freya's ruby-red lips curled into a sly smile. "Shall I help you on that point?"

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Shall I assist and open debate with you this afternoon?"

Roquan paused and looked at her warily. "So long as there is no price associated with it."

Freya grinned and shook her head. "I am interested in no deals with you, Roquan. There is nothing you can offer me in exchange for anything of mine."

"Then what is your game, Freya?"

Freya blinked innocently at him. "Game? Me? Whatever would give you that idea?"

"Perhaps the many things I have heard about you."

Her smile became sultry and she took a step closer to him. "That would depend now on what you heard, now wouldn't it?" she said, her voice growing husky.

Roquan kept his cool gaze focused on Freya's eyes. "That you are given entirely too much leeway by the other Overlords."

"And perhaps they do so for a reason. Overlords are all about deal-making. I simply choose to exercise that. And I daresay they are often quite ... satisfied with what I give them."

"And do you often approach such deals in this attire?"

Freya gave him a wicked grin. "Not at all," she said, licking her lips. "Occasionally ... I do not bother with the attire at all."

Despite his hatred of the woman, Roquan found himself responding to her tease. He grew quickly uncomfortable in his nether regions, though he showed no outward sign of this.

Or so he thought. Freya's smile widened almost imperceptibly. She could tell. It was something she could see in a man's eyes. She always knew the moment he began to grow aroused. It meant she was having an effect on him.

"Are you offering your support, Freya?" Roquan asked in a slightly strained voice.

"Support? Is that all you care about?"

"It is why I have called this Conclave. You and the other Overlords appear to forget this."

Freya again grinned triumphantly. She heard the rise in his voice. She was breaking his cool. However, it was best not to push it. Simply enough to let him know that she was capable of doing it. "Then this is a perfect time to remind them, is it not? I will engage you at the Conclave today. You may then impress us with your plea. Who knows? Maybe you'll even persuade me to give you my vote."

"Just your vote?"

Freya chuckled softly. "Well ... perhaps we'll have to see what develops, won't we?" she said in a deeply sultry voice. She pursed her lips into a brief kiss and turned away from him.

Roquan remained where he was for a few moments, taking deep, regular breaths in an attempt to calm his arousal. He did not want to deal with an uncomfortable hardness in his loins, as he had a great deal of walking to do about the Manor.

Just as he stepped forward slowly towards the path, Rennis joined up with him.

"I just saw you and Freya from my quarters," he said. "What was up with that?"

"I hope that is not another joke."

Rennis blinked at this in confusion for a moment, then slowly smirked. "Well, no, but now that you mention it ..."

"I have mentioned nothing and I would care for you to do the same as well."

"Fine, fine, no need to be upset."

"I have every reason to be when I have that insufferable woman at my Manor."

Rennis was a bit taken aback by this. This was the first time he heard Roquan fail to use a title of respect for an Overlord. Calling her simply "woman" was more than a bit of an insult.

"She wishes to debate me at the Conclave."

Rennis looked askance at this. "Why would she come up to you ... and come on to you ... just to tell you that? Did she make an offer of a deal of some sort?"

"Nothing at all," said Roquan in irritation. "The conversation was more annoying than anything else."

Rennis frowned. "I don't like this."

"Really, Rennis, are you going to start in with your theories again ..."

"Freya does nothing by chance, Roquan. You of all people should realize this by now. Don't take any chances around her."

"I shall not. Besides, there is little she can do in a simple debate."

"Except call a Point of Order."

Roquan stopped and turned towards his friend. "A what?"

"A Point of Order. It's called when two Overlords are deadlocked in a public debate."

"And what happens then?"

"Well, Doran can probably give you the finer points of the protocol," said Rennis, "but the gist of it is that the Overlords in question must now resolve the point of dispute for the Conclave to continue. Outside of the Conclave meeting. In private."

Roquan considered this.

"She's going to make a move, Roquan. She's going to spring something on you. A deal, perhaps, but probably not one you can stomach."

"She has stated that there is nothing of mine she wants."

Rennis frowned. "Then I really don't like this. We better find Doran and talk to him."

"Really, is this necessary?" Roquan said in annoyance. "I have a great many things to attend to today ..."

"They can wait. Seriously. Let's talk to Doran first."

Roquan sighed. "Very well."

The Wanderer did not like to do this during the day. He much preferred the cover of night for this sort of thing. Herdon was on guard duty, so traversing outside the camp was not an option. He would have to take his chances doing it within the Manor.

He specifically did not choose the spot where he had hidden the brandy. Were he to be followed or discovered, better to explain his Farviewing alone than with the crates around him. He instead chose a spot outside the empty quarters of Hiatha, the other Trainer, who was safely contracted out of the Manor for the time being.

Jollis would have found it fitting were he to know that he used the exact spot Yanna did to contact the Emperor when Amanda had discovered the plot to kidnap Sirinna.

The merchant placed the pearl on the ground and waved his hand over it. After a pause, his master shimmered into view. They each bowed reverently to one another.

"Master, I have a difficulty," said Jollis.

"I surmised this, Wandering Spirit," said his master. "You would not have contacted me at such an hour for anything else."

"I beg forgiveness for that."

"There is no need, unless the difficulty is by your own fault."

Jollis paused. "I am unsure, master."

The man lifted a hand and shook his head once. "When faced with a broken axle of his wagon, the wise man does not seek to recriminate but to repair, and worry about the blame later. Please, speak your difficulty."

"The master healer employed by the Overlord Roquan is a Portal-sensitive."

The older man paused, his eyes growing concerned. He nodded once for Jollis to continue.

"He sensed the Portal when it opened to deliver the brandy."

"Was your mission compromised, Wandering Spirit?"

"I do not believe so, master. They were looking for a Portal Focus, which they naturally would not find. Overlord Roquan continues to trust me. He is attempting to make more deals today. I feel he will request more from me soon."

"Yes, I see," said the master in a clipped tone. "And this healer will again detect the Portal energies."

"I have failed you, master," Jollis said, great sadness in his voice. "I did not properly discern this before ..."

"Cease," the older man said sternly. "No more. I hold you blameless. I expect you to do the same."

"Yes. Thank you for your kindness."

"It is not kindness, but wisdom. Even the wisest and most educated cannot think of everything. You will learn this as you grow more experienced."

"I thank you again. Now, what must be done about this difficulty?"

The older man paused, giving the younger one a critical gaze. "You already know."

Jollis allowed a small sigh to escape his lips. "This is most distasteful."

"I agree," the man said in a somber voice. "But it must be done."

"I am unsure I can do it on one so elderly without incurring other damage."

"If you do, Wandering Spirit, you will be exonerated. You work for the greater good. You must remember this."

Jollis nodded once. "I will. But with great difficulty."

"This is expected. I would not have selected you if I thought you remorseless and cold, Wandering Spirit."

Jollis bowed deeply, his eyes glistening with unshed tears at the great compliment his master had just bestowed upon him.

"You are sanctioned. Still his ability. Make sure it troubles us no more."

"I will, master. Thank you."

The man shimmered and faded and was gone.

Amanda was sweating profusely, moisture glistening on her body as her hips motioned up and down upon Overlord Weton who lay stretched out on the bed under her. Though it was her muscles moving her, it was Weton that set the pace, his strong hands clamped around her hips and driving her rhythm.

Her breathing was ragged, her mouth open and eyes half-lidded. Her pussy already ached from the three times she had already cum, each in a different position. The young Overlord's stamina was incredible. He managed to hold off his own climax through it all.

He had started with her on her back, getting her wet with the application of very skilled fingers. From that point on, all delicacy was gone. He mounted her and thrusted into her fast and hard. He drove her to a surprisingly quick and strong orgasm that made her buck under him.

Then he had her get on all fours on the bed and took her from behind. Amanda had clutched at the pillow on the bed, moaning loudly as he drove her to climax again.

The third time around, he had her face away from him, humping his cock, until she came the third time.

Now she was turned around, her hands pressed to the bed with her breasts dangling over him. He slammed her down against himself harder and harder, making her breasts roll and sway back and forth. She was rising again, more slowly this time just from the sheer exhaustion.

"Very good ..." Weton said in a breathless voice as he now finally began to approach his peak. "Oh, very good ... Roquan did well with you ..."

Amanda was too caught up in her own mounting pleasure to answer him.

Now the Overlord's hands slid around to Amanda's backside, leaving her to keep up the pace, even as her muscles started to ache. He kneaded her ass cheeks, making Amanda moan loudly. He lightly slapped them, causing Amanda to yelp softly, and then moan ever more deeply than before.

"That's it ..." Weton groaned. His hips started to thrust up in time with her. "Very good ..."

"Uhhh ... uhhnn! ..." Amanda moaned. She gasped and closed her eyes tightly as her pussy strained, her moan becoming a loud cry as she came. Her pussy throbbed hard around his still thrusting, hard shaft. In the middle of her orgasm, she felt him pulse inside her. He groaned loudly and buried himself inside her, grabbing her hips and pulling her down hard on him.

Amanda leaned forward and ground her hips into his, trying to keep her climax going for a little longer. She was panting hard by the time it started to fade.

Weton took her in his arms tightly and rolled them onto their sides, still coupled with her. He embraced her until she had caught her breath, his cock softening only slowly. "Excellent, Amanda," he said gently into her ear. "I am quite pleased."

"Th-thank you, master," Amanda said in a breathy voice.

Weton smiled at her and withdrew, letting her lay on her back as he rose from the bed. He moved with every bit of speed and agility as before, as if this had taken very little from him. "Please, feel free to rest, or to take a nap if you need to before I summon Roquan for you."

Amanda managed a weak smile and nodded.

She was not actually all that tired, but the need for a little rest combined with the softness of the furs and the gentle roar of the surf outside the window began to lull her to sleep. She very nearly dropped off, jolting out of it only when there was a commotion at the door. She opened her eyes in time to see the door open and Overlord Berin appear.

"Ah, greetings Overlord Weton!" came Berin's bright greeting.

"Good day to you, Overlord Berin," was Weton's equally enthusiastic reply. "I was told to expect you this morning."

Weton started to turn from the door. Amanda immediately shut her eyes and forced herself to breathe slowly and normally, as if still asleep. She knew technically it would not matter. They would just ignore her presence in that regard anyway.

She could hardly believe this. How could it be this easy to spy on the other Overlords? Were they that ingrained in what they thought a slave should be like that it would never cross their minds that a slave could be used as such? But then again, she supposed that was how Yanna had managed to infiltrate the Manor so easily. No one thought to look beyond her appearance and their own long-standing beliefs.

She doubted Roquan would have ever thought to use her in this manner had Yanna not shown him that a slave could indeed do it.

Amanda sensed the two men approach. "Ah, the lovely Amanda again," she heard Berin say softly. He chuckled. "Did you wear her out, Weton?"

"Hmm, I apparently have, it would appear," Weton said in an amused voice. "But then again, she is young and inexperienced. Oh, but she makes up for it in sensuality. Roquan has a fine one here. But enough about her ..." Amanda heard them move off. " ... Let's get down to business, shall we?"

Berin laughed. "You would indeed make Gronnus quite happy. No wasting time with preliminaries! Get right to the deal! Well, my friend, that is exactly what I intend to do, if you will indulge me ..."

The two men began to talk business.

Amanda listened.

The Wanderer listened.

"So what can you do for me, Jollis?" Roquan asked when he had finished relaying what Amanda had told him a short while ago.

Jollis looked thoughtful. "From what you have told me, Overlord Weton appears to be a man of some refinement, yes?"

"I suppose this is true," Roquan agreed with a nod of his head. "Certainly he dresses well at all times and surrounds himself with similar finery at his own Manor. Are you saying you may procure even finer clothing than Berin offered?"

"Ah, I believe we can do better, your Lordship," the merchant said with a serene smile. "Would it be a safe assumption that the Overlord employs a sizable contingent of seamstresses?"

"It would appear to make sense. He would need someone to perform alterations and fittings, and repair damage."

"In that case, it might be better instead to tempt him with raw materials rather than finished products."

Roquan raised an eyebrow. "You mean offer the man cloth?"

"But not just any cloth, your Lordship. My contacts can arrange to send him very fine silks from overseas." He paused, looking intensely thoughtful again. "Hmmm ..."

"Yes?"

"There is a possibility ... it would mean a bit of work ... but I may be able to procure some textiles from the Far West."

Roquan's eyes widened in surprise. "Did you say the Far West?" he said, excitement edging into his voice. "You have contacts that go that far?"

"Indeed, I do. But, I have no guarantees to give you, I am afraid. Times are trying these days, I am afraid, in attempting to transport goods so far."

Roquan let out a sigh through his nose. "I doubt Weton will be willing to wait. He can be as impatient as he is youthful."

"Most unfortunate that your Emperor chose this time to rattle his saber, yes?"

"There was never a fortunate time for that, Jollis. If you cannot procure this, I will simply accept what you can do for me."

Jollis held up a finger. "Ah, but all is not lost, Overlord. Perhaps he will be sufficiently enticed to wait were he to have a sample of the wares."

"And you can do this?"

"I need but contact my runner again, your Lordship."

"He appears to be a quite resourceful fellow, it would seem."

Jollis paused for just a moment. Was there doubt he now sensed in the Overlord's voice? He was already taking a chance by playing the Far West card. Yet Berin's offer to Weton had been impressive indeed. Via simple deduction, Jollis now knew as Roquan did, that Berin's supply of goods was not exactly entirely legal. This would continue to pose a challenge.

The merchant cast a guilty look at the Overlord. "Ah, but you have astutely uncovered my plan, your Lordship."

"Indeed?"

"I came to this Manor with the very intent of impressing you with my prowess at acquiring goods. I purposely had my runners stockpile bits of hard-to-obtain goods with the purpose of swaying you towards a more permanent association."

Roquan paused a moment, eying the merchant warily. "Merchant ... do tell me that you can indeed procure what you have already promised me beyond the mere sample bottle."

"Rest assured, Overlord, I can indeed. There was no duplicity on my part where that was concerned. Overlord Trennan will have his brandy, every drop of it."

Roquan nodded slowly. "And you desire a permanent association?"

"Yes, your Lordship. Is it not true that some Overlords will employ a merchant as their private tradesman?"

"Not very many do so anymore. It is considered to be going out of vogue. I have never done it. I have not seen a need to."

"Then it is up to me to convince you otherwise of that."

Roquan considered. "I will have little to offer you. My lands have little room to spare."

"I require but a small plot of land, enough for simple living quarters. I am not an extravagant man by any means."

"This is still most unusual, Jollis. I am not sure that I will have use for you enough to warrant the expense."

Jollis smiled. "Not even for my contacts with the Far West?"

Roquan paused. "That would depend on how good they prove to be. I suggest, perhaps, you consider this sufficient motivation to acquire those goods for Weton."

"Ah, yes, your Lordship. It will prove to be most stimulating indeed. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to Farview my runner so that he may have a sample delivered by tomorrow morning."

"Very well, Jollis. I look forward to meeting with you later."

Jollis began to turn away and head for the door. He paused a moment and looked back. "Overlord, would you indulge this humble one's question?"

"Of course."

"Might I ask how you came about the information that you did?"

Roquan's eyebrow rose. "I beg your pardon, Jollis?"

"Forgive my audacity, but ... is it customary for Overlords to reveal what they were offered specifically so another can counter it?"

There was a long hesitation before Roquan responded in a softer voice. "I had come by the information through other means. That is all I am at liberty to say."

Jollis gave a short bow. "And I will keep your answer in confidence, your Lordship. Good day to you." Jollis smiled to himself as he exited the Overlord's quarters. His suspicions had been confirmed. It all made sense to him, from what he had observed and what the Overlord was loathe to admit. He was using Amanda as his spy. And the other Overlords, blinded as they were by their traditions and their culture, could not see such a simple ruse for what it was.

He greatly admired the Overlord for his cleverness. But he held deeper admiration for Amanda. It filled him with pride. His mission would ultimately be a success after all, and some of his guilt over what was to come had been eased.

"You seem to be in a little better mood today, Amanda," Sirinna said over the midday meal. "Did things go better for you today?"

Amanda knelt on the grass across the tray from her mistress. She was still restrained as she patiently waited for Sirinna to finish. She nodded once. "Yes, it went better this morning, mistress."

This was true, to a point. Thought she was loathe to admit it, she had experienced something of a small thrill spying for Roquan. It gave her some measure of satisfaction that the Overlords were so easily revealing these things in her presence without another thought. It was yet another thing lately that gave her a greater sense of control over her life.

Yet it was tainted by the revelation of the Draught. She wondered how much it had affected Sirinna. She worried at first that perhaps the Draught had been responsible for Sirinna's love towards her. Ultimately she knew this was not true, as she saw no evidence of other slaves falling in love with each other. No, Sirinna's love was natural; the Draught simply made Sirinna enjoy the sexual aspect of it more.

Even Amanda found herself missing that part of it. The little time that Sirinna had given her the other day made her want more. As much as she liked Jollis, she wanted her time with Sirinna back.

Sirinna eyed her charge. "You still look like you have something on your mind."

Amanda could not reveal what she knew. Even if Roquan had not instructed her to keep the secret, she could not bear the idea of telling Sirinna that part of her success as a slave was due to the effects of some potion.

"I think I will be glad when the Presenting is over, mistress," Amanda said.

Sirinna smiled. "I understand. But you are doing very well. I'm proud of you."

Amanda smiled wanly. She wondered if Sirinna would be so proud if she knew exactly what Amanda was doing for Roquan now.

Doran stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the constant darting of his eyes the only sign of his agitation. He looked over the other Overlords as they entered the gazebo. Already there were far more present than normal. He would not be surprised if somehow the word got out that Freya was intending to spar with Roquan, and they wanted to see him get skewered.

Which was, unfortunately, Doran's opinion as well as to the outcome.

He did not think Roquan could stand up to the likes of Freya D'yros. He had been counting on the female Overlord's apathy to avoid a real test of Roquan's newly acquired debating skills. It was a trial by fire that Doran felt Roquan did not need.

He was impatiently awaiting Roquan's arrival, as he had a word or two to say to the man. Instead, it was Rennis that came up to him first.

"Where is he?" Doran said through clenched teeth.

Rennis sighed. "He's on his way. With Weton D'honna."

Doran's eyebrows rose. "Weton? Did he not try to make a deal with the man earlier this morning?"

"Yes, and Berin soon followed, as you predicted," said Rennis sourly.

"Does Roquan know this?"

"He does. Which is why I am confused as to why he is conferring with the man again. Whatever deal Berin did with him is more or less sealed."

Doran frowned. He now looked past Rennis and his frown deepened.

Freya D'yros had walked into the area. She had a small, knowing smile on her lips as she strolled in, wearing her flaming red dress. It rode up her hips as she sat, revealing the frilly, matching panties. Conversation faded as multiple sets of eyes turned towards her. Her grin widened slightly as she reached under her dress and hooked her thumbs into the waist of the panties. She slid them around, tugged the crotch out and let it snap back.

"Excuse me," she said in a soft voice. "They tend to ride up a bit."

Doran huffed. "That's new for them, I'm sure, considering how much she likes to lower them for people," he said in a low voice to Rennis.

"Now, Doran, you're getting as bad as Roquan. She ..."

"Wait, here he comes."

Roquan was indeed entering the gazebo, but with Weton at his side. The younger Overlord appeared to be rather taken with something Roquan was telling him, though there was an obviously dubious look on his face.

In another part of the room, Gronnus turned to look as well. When he saw the two conferring, he shot a look over to Berin. Berin simply shrugged and shook his head, looking confused.

The two appeared to say some final words to each other. Weton sat down and Roquan strode purposefully to the back.

"Roquan, I need to speak with you," Doran said in an urgent whisper.

"Not now, Doran, I must open the Conclave for the day."

"But this is important! I want to know what you ..."

"Later." Roquan turned away from him.

Doran huffed again, and Rennis had to pull on his arm to get him to drop into his chair without another word.

Roquan turned to the assembled Overlords. "Welcome again to the Conclave. Debate is again open. I am at your convenience."

At this point in the proceedings, Roquan would generally remain standing for only a few seconds and then return to his seat if no one immediately spoke to him. Over the course of the afternoon, other Overlords would drift over to him on occasion and exchange a few words, generally nothing very insightful.

Instead, Freya gave Roquan a small smile and raised her hand, giving her wrist a small flick, the traditional gesture when wishing to have the floor at a formal proceeding such as this.

"Overlord Freya D'yros, your concerns are ours," Roquan said in the traditional reply.

"I find it interesting, Roquan, that there is one tiny little thing you seem to be overlooking in all of these proceedings," Freya said in a lofty tone. "And that is your real reason for holding this Conclave."

Behind him, Doran made a face and exchanged a look with Rennis.

Roquan knew what was about to be brought up as well, but he refused to take the bait. "And what would that be, Freya?"

"I feel that this is nothing more than an attempt to restore a trade treaty with Colos," Freya said smoothly. Doran uttered a frustrated sigh. "A trade treaty, I might add, that had benefit only to you out of everyone in this room."

This had the other Overlords' interest now. It was something that had likely crossed their minds as well.

Roquan paused to collect his thoughts. "Perhaps, Freya, I might answer that by pointing out that I have not raised that treaty as an issue in any of the statements that I have made at this Conclave. Surely that tells you ..."

"It tells me nothing. Other than you are cleverly skirting around the issue."

"I did no such thing. I did not consider it important to the proceedings."

Doran nodded approval at this.

"Well, this is a debate, is it not?" Freya said with a sweet smile. "And I, as an Overlord participating in it, have raised this issue, so you can assume that it is now 'important to the proceedings,' as you put it."

Roquan paused for a long moment, casting an icy gaze at Freya. She looked impassively back, though her eyes held a hint of mischief to them, and she pursed her lips slightly.

Roquan finally spoke. "Very well. While it is true that a broken trade agreement was part of my initial troubles with the Emperor, compared to the rest of what has happened, it is minuscule."

Doran nodded again. "Good ... good ..." he murmured to himself.

"But it wasn't for you, was it?" Freya broke in. "Not by a long shot. It is still important to you."

"Things have progressed far beyond this, Freya."

"But that doesn't answer the question, does it? The question is, is this trade agreement still important to you?"

Roquan hesitated for a moment. "And if I were to tell you it was, Freya, what difference does that make?" he said, his voice rising.

"Easy ..." Doran whispered.

"Things have gone well past a mere trade agreement and what I may think of it. I am sure you are aware that the Emperor has severed ties with Colos."

"The ones with whom Oceanus had the trade agreement that you so desperately wanted to keep? Yes, I am aware of this."

Doran grunted. "Don't rise to the bait. Don't ..."

Roquan's face turned stony. "I do not think the term 'desperate' is called for here."

"Argh," Doran growled softly, dropping his head into his hands.

"You just stated yourself, Roquan, that it was this agreement that started you on the path to calling this Conclave," Freya continued. "So what are we to take from this? That you are holding this Conclave simply to repair your lucrative trade agreement that none of us here benefited from?"

"You are presuming too much, Freya."

Doran just shook his head in despair. Rennis' jaw tightened, and he gave Freya a murderous look.

One corner of Freya's mouth rose. "Am I?"

"Indeed. You are taking one facet of my case and attempting to make it look like this is the be-all and end-all of this Conclave. This is not the truth. I have already told the Overlords what is important in this matter."

"Yet you omitted this one piece. Why?"

Roquan took a quick, deep breath. "I have already stated thusly. Because it was not important to ..."

"But it was important to you, was it not?"

Roquan paused.

"It is a simple question, I would think," Freya said.

"Important to me?" Roquan finally said. "Yes."

Damn that woman! Doran thought savagely.

"Then you contradict yourself. Is it important or isn't it?"

"I have already made that clear, Freya!"

"I don't believe you have. And I don't think this is a matter that can be left unresolved."

Doran lifted his head and looked at Rennis. Rennis sighed and nodded. Yes, they knew this was coming. They had hoped they were wrong.

"I am perfectly willing to debate it until you are of a clearer understanding on the matter," said Roquan.

"Yet we go around in circles here. I don't think we can continue on this. I call a Point of Order."

There was dead silence. The other Overlords glanced at each other, nodding and gesturing in Freya's direction, looking fairly impressed.

Roquan took another breath. "Very well. A Point of Order is declared. Further debate will be suspended until I and Overlord Freya D'yros work out our differences on this point. These proceedings are adjourned."

The other Overlords rose from their seats, murmuring to each other with interest.

Doran shot out of his chair. "Roquan, this is exactly what I had feared she would do!" he declared. "You cannot let her derail this Conclave! Not when ..."

"Doran!" Rennis said warningly.

Doran fell silent as Freya approached Roquan, smiling slyly. "Not bad," she said in a slightly husky voice. "You debate better than I thought you might."

"Why did you continue to harp on this point, Freya?" Roquan demanded. "It is trivial. None of the other Overlords cared about this point until you brought it up."

"I beg to differ," Freya said, her lips curling into a wide smile. "It was always an issue, simply not spoken. It was always in the backs of their minds. I've done you a favor, Roquan."

Roquan had to stop himself from snorting at her. "A favor, Freya?"

"Oh, yes. Left on their own, the Overlords would form their own opinions on it. Here, you have the chance to clear their minds. You have the chance to ..." She dropped her voice to a sultry whisper. "... sway me. And them along with me."

Roquan took a moment to calm himself, both mentally and physically. He managed the former. "I am at your disposal."

Rennis coughed.

Freya grinned. "Then I shall come by your quarters this evening?"

"I am perfectly willing to debate you here and now."

"Oh, but Roquan ... if we wait ... perhaps you can avail yourself of other means of ... persuasion."

She pursed her lips at him briefly, smiled wickedly, and left.

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